A copy of a Letter from George Bethune, of 27th July last, to Messrs. Lane, Son, & Frazer, of London, relating to Money in the publick funds, was read.

A Letter from George Bethune, to Messrs. Lane, Son, & Frazer, of the 12th May, 1775, was read.

Another Letter from George Bethune to Joseph Waldo, of the 14th May, 1775, was read and filed.

Mr. George Bethune being called in and heard, gave his promise parole on his honour to return and deliver himself up to the Congress of this Colony, or the Committee, on notice, when requested; and he is discharged for the present.

Major Ethrington, attending at the door, was called in. He produced a certificate of his parole of honour, as a gentleman and soldier, that he will not take arms for twelve months, or give any information to the Army or Navy; which was read.

Major Ethrington declared that he is going immediately to Philadelphia; thereupon, Major Ethrington was discharged.

Captain William Kelly, of the Second Battalion of His Majesty’s Royal American Regiment, attending at the door, was brought in. He was asked if he would give the like obligations to this Committee, which Major Ethrington gave to the Committee at Philadelphia. Mr. Kelly agreed to give the like engagement, and deliver it in writing this afternoon, on which he is permitted to go at large till the afternoon.

Mr. Kelly delivered in his engagement, by him signed; which was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“I, William Kelly, a Captain in the Second Battalion of His Majesty’s Royal American Regiment, a prisoner in the power of the Committee of Safety for the Province of New-York, and being kindly treated and protected by them, and enlarged on parole, do hereby solemnly promise and engage, on the honour of a soldier and a gentleman, that I will not bear arms against the American United Colonies, in any manner whatever, for the space of twelve months, or until I may be exchanged; nor will I, during that time, take any measures to give intelligence to General Gage, or the British Ministry, or to any person or persons whatsoever, relative to American affairs; also, in case this my parole is not accepted in exchange for any officer of equal rank in the American service, who may be taken prisoner by the British Troops, I do hereby, in such case, on notice, promise to repair to and give myself up to the said Committee of Safety, as a prisoner.

“WILLIAM KELLY.

“New-York, September 12, 1775.”

A copy thereof, with a Certificate signed by the Chairman, was delivered to Captain Kelly; which Certificate is in the words following, to wit:

These are to certify to all persons to whom these presents may appear, that the above writing is a true copy of the parole of honour given by the bearer, Captain Kelly, of the Second Battalion of the Royal American Regiment, to the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York. It therefore is recommended to such persons, that the said Captain Kelly be permitted to pass where his business may lead him, without any hinderance or molestation. By order of the Committee of Safety.

New-York, September 12, 1775.

A draught of a Letter to the Delegates for the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, concerning George Bethune, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

GENTLEMEN: Mr. George Bethune, a gentleman from the Town of Boston, has resided with his family in Queen’s County, on Long-Island, since some time in May last. He has long been suspected as friendly to Ministerial measures. We have had him before us, but the evidence not being sufficiently full to enable us to proceed judicially against him, we have dismissed him for the present, upon his parole to be ready at our call, and given him leave to write to you for a certificate in his favour, if he can obtain it. We informed him also of our intention to write to you for his true political character, which we beg you will be pleased to give us without delay, as it may be the means of enabling us to deal properly with him, if we should think it necessary to summon him before us again.

We are, Gentlemen, with great respect, your most obedient humble servants. By order.

To the Gentlemen Delegates in Congress for Massachusetts-Bay.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the Chairman, and transmitted.

A Proposal from James Byers, of this City, Brass-Founder, for making any number of Brass Field-Pieces for the use of this Colony, at the rate of four Shillings per pound, being read,

Resolved, That this Committee do agree with the said James Byers, to take of him such Brass Field-Pieces, six-pounders, and of good proof, to the number of five, as he shall make at the rate of four Shillings per pound, provided the weight of each piece does not exceed six hundred and fifty pounds.

Ordered, That the Captains Rutgers, Tudor, and Dennis, be requested to superintend the casting and proving of the said Field-Pieces.

Ordered, That the Doorkeeper wait on Mr. Theophilact Bache, and request him to attend this Committee without delay.

Ordered, That Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, pay unto Abraham P. Lott, Esq., or his order, the sum of one hundred and fifty Pounds, on account, towards defraying the expenses of removing the Cannon from this City to Kings-bridge.

Ordered, That Samuel Wells, Esquire, of Cumberland County, be requested to attend before this Committee of Safety, at five o’clock, this afternoon.

The Committee adjourned till four o’clock, this afternoon.

Tuesday, 4 ho. P. M, September 12, 1775.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:

John Haring, Esq., Chairman, and Commissioner for Orange County.
For NEW-YORK, Mr. Scott, Mr. Hallett, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Colonel McDougall.
For SUFFOLK, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Foster.
For DUTCHESS, Mr. Livingston.
For QUEEN’S, Mr. Tom, Mr. Lawrence.
For KING’S, Mr. Williams.
For CUMBERLAND, Major Williams.
For TRYON, Mr. Sears.

Samuel Wells, Esq., according to order, attending at the door, was called and examined: says that no Arms were sent to Cumberland County by Government; did hear that Governour Colden applied to General Gage for Arms, and heard the Arms came; but the affair at Lexington put an end to it. Of the one thousand Pounds granted for Cumberland County, two hundred Pounds of the money has been received. It was applied to reimburse the Sheriff and Mr. Gale the expense of themselves and the other prisoners and expresses. Heard the Arms were put on board of the Kingfisher; has forgot how he heard it, and does not know how they were disposed of.

A Letter from Gilbert Drake, Chairman of the Committee of Westchester, of the 11th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“White-Plains, September 11, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: None of the inhabitants of the Manor of Fordham or West-Farms having appeared to support the allegations of their petition, the consideration of which you referred to us, we have appointed a Sub-Committee to inquire into the matter, and report to us at our next meeting how they find the case circumstanced.

“Complaints having been made to this Committee, that an Independent Company is now forming in this County, and that the person who is most active about raising the Company expects a commission from the Committee of Safety this week, we are induced to request that no commissions for Independent Companies may be given out for this County, as it will make the raising of Minute Companies exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, and put the County into great confusion.