the advice of the several County Committees, to make proper arrangement of this business, and to report thereon to the Congress.

4th. And for the purpose of conveying intelligence, in case of invasion, your Committee report that it be recommended to the several County Committees, in this Colony, to appoint and engage some one or more of their own body, whose place of residence shall be convenient for the purpose, or any other discreet person or persons, who shall live on or near the most publick roads that lead from New-York through their respective Counties, to have a person and horse in readiness to forward intelligence in case of invasion; and that the Committee fix the several stages, in their respective Counties, from ten to about fifteen miles distance, and make return thereof to the Congress, with the names and places of abode of the persons to be employed as aforesaid.

5th. That a letter be written to the Commissioners appointed for erecting a battery on the banks of Hudson’s River, requesting them to examine whether it is practicable to obstruct the navigation of Hudson’s River, between this City and the said battery; and if so, in what place and how, and that they report thereon with all convenient speed; and that the said Commissioners be also desired to report whether there are any other places on Hudson’s River where small batteries may be erected, so as to annoy the enemy in their passage; and, particularly, whether the point on the west shore, a little above Verplanck’s Point, and at or near Moore’s house, would not be proper places for that purpose; and that they be requested to report to this Congress, with all convenient speed, such places as they shall think may be advantageously fortified, with an estimate of the expense, and an account of the number and weight of ordnance that will be wanting, and when, in their opinion, the work could be completed.

6th. Your Committee further report that it is their opinion that four Companies of Matrosses, consisting of eighty men each, will be necessary to occupy the forts on Hudson’s River, when completed, and that one Company at least should be immediately enlisted for that purpose, and that it will be proper to write to the Continental Congress for their direction on the subject.

7th. That a copy of the Continental resolution of the 7th instant, together with a copy of such parts of this Report as respects the said resolution, be sent to the Assembly of Connecticut and the Provincial Congress of New-Jersey, together with a letter on the subject of conveying intelligence in cases of invasion, and of receiving assistance when necessary.

Resolved, That this Congress does agree with their Committee in their said Report.

FIELD-OFFICERS OF THE MILITIA OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

Colonel, Petrus Ten Broeck; Lieutenant-Colonel, Morris Graham; Majors, Simon Westfall, Jonathan Landan; Adjutant, William Stuart; Quartermaster, Hendrick Van Hoevenburgh.

Colonel, Tobias Stoutenburgh; Lieut. Colonel, John Frere; Majors, Robert Hoffman, Benjamin De la Vergne; Adjutant, John Carpenter; Quartermaster, John Ringley.

Colonel, David Southerland; Lieut. Colonel, Roswell Hopkins; Majors, Simon Cook, Rich’d De Cantolou; Adjutant, Joseph Carpenter; Quartermaster, Dan’l Shepherd.

Colonel, Dirck Brinckerhoff; Lieut. Colonel, Abraham Brinckerhoff; Majors, Daniel Ter Boss, Richard Van Wyck; Adjutant, Thomas Storm; Quartermaster, Adrian Brinckerhoff.

Colonel, William Humphrey; Lieut. Colonel, James Vandenburgh; Majors, Benja. Birdsall, Morris Place; Adjutant, Ebenezer Cary; Quartermaster, Chas. Platt.

JOHN HUNTER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

The following plan, for establishing a Linen Manufactory, is humbly presented to the honourable the Provincial Congress.

It is necessary to point out to your Honours the necessity and utility there is, at present, for establishing a linen manufactory; and as I have been carefully instructed in every branch of the linen manufactory, from the sowing of the flax seed until it is fit for the wearer, and I am so fully convinced that manufactories, under proper directions, can be carried on in this Country, with equal advantage to that of any part of the world, from a variety of reasons, which, if necessary, I will explain, I have already drawn out a plan which I have shown to a number of gentlemen, who all approve much of the scheme, and have already subscribed as adventurers in it. Some of your Honours, from a principle of publick spirit, have informed me that they could wish such a manufactory could be carried on in such an extensive manner as to employ a number of our industrious poor, and have requested of me to furnish your Honours with an estimate of said manufactory. First, I would propose that the sum of two thousand Pounds should be applied to the carrying on a manufactory of linens, cottons, and sewing threads, and coarse sheetings made of hemp; that a treasurer shall be appointed, and four or more gentlemen, who shall serve gratis, to inspect and inquire into the state of the manufactory, a clerk to keep the books, and give out the flax to the spinners; the treasurer is not to pay any money without a written order from one of the managers. As I am fully convinced that this manufactory may be carried on to advantage, and the profits, which appear by the annexed estimate, being rather under than over, I will undertake to conduct the whole manufactory on receiving one-half of the profits which arise from the two thousand Pounds. I beg your Honours will be as speedy as possible in coming to a determination, that I may know whether to relinquish my other scheme or not.

I am, with respect, Gentlemen, your most humble servant,

JOHN HUNTER.

Estimate. £——to be appropriated by the Congress to the purpose of setting up manufactories of linen, woollen, &c., in the Province. This money to be repaid (if repaid at all) by a lottery; let the profits of the manufactories be applied to publick services. It will not do to repay the £——with the money arising from the sale of the goods, because this will very soon put an end to manufacturing.

To carry on the business properly, it will be necessary to have a number of Inspectors or Superintendents, whose business should be to see the raw materials and the manufactures properly taken care of, and to inspect the Treasurer’s and Clerk’s accounts, and see that nothing is embezzled, or carelessly destroyed or wasted.

The Treasurer should not be allowed to pay any money except for accounts or orders, signed by the Clerk and countersigned by at least one of the Inspectors.

The department of the Clerk should be to receive and deliver out raw materials and manufactures, to have the care and keeping of both, and to keep exact accounts of the disbursements and receipts of the manufactory. For these purposes he will need an assistant; and as the Clerk’s office will be burdensome, he should be allowed, besides an assistant, a compensation for his trouble.

The work to be done at the manufacturers’ houses.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
[Read October 25, 1775.]

New-Haven, October 17, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 5th instant came safe to hand the 9th, by express. Pursuant to the desire of Congress, gave the necessary orders for our largest vessel (which was the only one we had any way suitable for the purpose) to sail immediately on the proposed cruise; but am sorry to inform you that on attempting further to prepare for the voyage, find the vessel not in a condition to proceed on that service, and wholly out of my power, after the utmost endeavours, to comply with the desire of the Congress, in this respect, with such despatch as may be of any service, which gives me great uneasiness. Governour Cooke acquaints me, also, that their only vessel fit for this duty is absent upon a cruise. I am advised, however, by General Washington, that two vessels from Massachusetts-Bay are ordered on this service.

I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Honourable John Hancock, Esq.