subject, before it had been sent forward. It was easy for one of our body to have waited upon the Committee of Safety, to have given them full satisfaction relative to the situation of the ground, which it is not possible for them to know by the plan. We conceive that an operation of this kind is intended for the defence of the Colony, and for the advantage of America in general. If we are right in our conjecture, Mr. Romans’s plan is not sufficient; it will only be a temporary expedient, to prevent vessels going up the river; and should the fortification fall into the hands of the Ministerial Troops, it will prove the ruin of the Province. Therefore, it was not possible for him to give you any calculation relative to the whole expense, as it will be absolutely necessary to extend the works; and the place, we are convinced, may be made impregnable, and the expense not enormous.

“It appears to us that it would have been much better to have calculated the amount of what it would cost, than to be obliged hereafter to apply a second time to the Continental Congress. However, we submit our ideas to your judgment. It is our duty to be faithful to the important charge committed to our care, as we will not be answerable for measures we cannot conduct; therefore, request the favour of you, gentlemen, to inform us whether we are under Mr. Romans’s direction, or whether he is obliged to consult with us upon the measures to be pursued. You cannot blame us for this request, as the safety, honour, and interest of our Country, and its future welfare, depend upon this important post.

“We think it our duty to give you a hint, which seems to merit your consideration, viz: Governour Tryon, Mr. William Bayard, and Major Bayard, have been up in our neighbourhood. His Excellency did not say any thing, but both the Bayards examined Captain Palmer, our Captain, with great scrutiny, in the presence of his Excellency, about the fortification, the nature of the ground, the state it was in, how many guns were mounted, and how many men watched. This happened on Saturday, at Haverstraw. We shall keep a look out, for we expect them near to us. Will it not be prudent that we should have a guard? The Minute-Men at New-Windsor want powder. They are ready to come to our assistance if they had it. We ought to have powder and shot for our guns, as we shall mount six this week, nine-pounders.

“We are, with respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

“SAMUEL BAYARD,
“WILLIAM BEDLOW,
“JOHN HANSON.”

A Letter from Captain John Plenderleath, Esq., was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“New-York, September 28, 1775.

“SIR: I arrived this day from England, and am sorry to find the country in its present unhappy state. That my arrival may not afford anxiety to any person, nor I be exposed to any inconvenience, I take the liberty to assure you that the purpose of my voyage is barely to visit my family, and not to act in any military capacity; and propose, when my leave of absence is out, to return to England. You will therefore do me the favour to declare the contents of this letter, in such a way as you think best, for preventing any trouble from the jealousies of the people, relating to, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

“JOHN PLENDERLEATH.”

Ordered, That Monsieur N. Perree, Esq., an elderly gentleman, an invalid, now in New-York, who came from Guadaloupe for his health, be excused from serving on the night watch, and doing military duty in New-York.

A Letter from Doctor George Nicholson was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“September 28, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: I waited on Doctor Treat, who advises me to go up a Cadet, by all means, in preference to Doctor’s Mate; hope, gentlemen, you will favour me with recommendatory letters to the Generals, which recommendations I shall endeavour to do honour to by my behaviour. I have, likewise met an intimate friend, who promises, provided I go, to recommend me to Doctor Stringer, who I have some acquaintance with; and as he is head Surgeon to the Army, make no doubt that I shall be well received, provided you grant me an order. Colonel McDougall has consented to my going with Captain Johnson; I hope, therefore, you will grant my request, as I act from principle.

“I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your humble servant,

GEORGE NICHOLSON.

“The Committee of Safety of New-York.”

A Letter from Mr. William Powell was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“New-York, September 28, 1775.

“SIR: Being very desirous of my wife’s inoculating for the small-pox, in order to put her out of danger of that fatal disorder in the natural way, (as I purpose, and my business calls me this fall amongst the West-India Islands,) but was informed that there had been a resolution of the honourable Congress of this Province, not to inoculate in it; but not being certain whether it extended to the whole or a part, I applied to Mr. J. Seares, in New-Haven, for better information, who told me he thought it only respected this City and County, and was in consequence of the Connecticut Forces being so near this City, and advised our going. Whereupon I hired a vessel, and carried with me my wife and four others, (ladies,) to Brookhaven, and applied to Doctor Muirson to inoculate the; he then turned to a resolution of your honourable Congress, of the 15th June last, which respected the whole Province, and told me he should by no means act contrary to them; but, taking my situation into consideration, and my wife’s extreme dread of catching it the natural way, he thought it best for me to make application to you, with assurance of his utmost diligence and care of its not spreading, as his hospital is detached ten miles from the country road, and remote from any other house or road that can cause alarm; but as it has been suggested to me here, that it might cause uneasiness to the inhabitants, Doctor Muirson had not the least doubt but that it would be agreeable to them. Should that be any bar, I firmly promise to drop the though of it, but hope that my prayer may be granted.

“I am, Sir, with great respect, your humble servant,

“WILLIAM POWELL.

“To Commissioner Haring, Esq, Chairman of the Honourable Committee of Safety.”

On perusing the Resolve of the Congress of this Colony, against inoculation for the Small-Pox, the Committee informed Mr. Powell that they could not give any permission for that purpose.

The Committee then adjourned till nine o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., September 29, 1775.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:

For ORANGE, John Haring, Esq., Chairman.
For NEW-YORK, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Van Zandt, Mr. James Beekman, Mr. Verplanck, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Smith. For TRYON, Isaac Sears.
For CUMBERLAND, Major Williams.
For CHARLOTTE, Mr. Watkins.
For ALBANY, Francis Nicoll.
For QUEEN’S, Colonel Blackwell, Mr. Robinson.
For DUTCHESS, Gilbert Livingston.
For SUFFOLK, John Foster.
For WESTCHESTER, William Paulding.
For KING’S, Mr. Williams.

A Letter from Gilbert Drake, Chairman of the Committee of Westchester County, dated White Plains, September 29, 1775, enclosing an Affidavit of Eunice Purdy, of Rye, in the said County, whereby it appears that Godfrey Haines (who is sent down by the said Committee, under a guard, to this City) is guilty of having opposed the resolutions of Congress and Committees, and threatening the lives of several persons.

Ordered, That the said Godfrey Haines be sent back to the Committee of Westchester, under the care of the persons who brought him to this City; and that Mr. Paulding, a Deputy for the said County, be requested to write a Letter to the said Committee, informing them that it is the opinion of this Committee, that, agreeable to the resolutions of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, the County Committees are altogether competent for punishing and confining