Field-Officers of the Battalions, proposed to be raised in this Province, be not first ascertained to be in this Congress, it will much impede the expeditious raising the men. And we are clearly of opinion that it will tend much to expedite this service, if Field-Officers are first of all appointed; for if they are such as are generally respected in the Province, not only Captains and subalterns of reputation will offer their service, but the privates will enlist more cheerfully; indeed, the other commissions cannot, perhaps, be properly filled up, without inserting in what Battalion the officers are to serve.

We also humbly conceive that, as other Provinces have been indulged with this privilege, we cannot, in justice to our constituents, nor consistent with the honour of our Province, give up this claim.

We have no doubt, therefore, but that the honourable Continental Congress will reconsider this resolution, and determine that this Province ought neither to be precluded a privilege granted to every other Province, nor restrained in their endeavours to promote the general interest of America; in such case, we beg leave to assure them that this Congress will exert all its influence in promoting the raising the proposed levies; and we have the pleasure to add, that we have reason to hope they will be attended with the desired success.

We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants.

By order of the Provincial Congress of New-Jersey.

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

The Members of the Honourable the Continental Congress, Philadelphia.

On motion made, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, upon the estimate of the expense necessary to put this Colony into a state of defence at this time, and, also, upon the ways and means necessary to be adopted to provide a sufficient fund to defray that expense; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had made some further progress in the matters to them referred, and desired leave to sit again on Thursday next: to which the Congress agreed.

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

Saturday, October 14, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Petition from the Freeholders of Hackensack, complaining of an undue election of the Committee of that Precinct, and, also, the Petition from others, Freeholders of Hackensack, praying that the said election may be confirmed, were both read a second time; and, after hearing the sundry evidence on both sides, and deliberating thereon,

Resolved, unanimously, That the election of the Committee, for the Precinct of Hackensack, be confirmed.

The Certificate from the Committee of the County of Bergen, of Field-Officers chosen for the Regiment of Militia in that County, was read.

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the several Officers therein named.

Whereas, from the peculiar circumstances of the County of Morris, a debt of about one hundred and eighty Pounds hath accrued in the raising of Minute-Men in May last, on the alarming account of the battle of Lexington; and it being thought to be right and just that the same should be discharged, it is, therefore, recommended to the Committee of the County of Morris, to pay the same out of their part or proportion of the Ten Thousand Pound Tax, levied on the inhabitants of that County in virtue of an Ordinance of the late Congress; provided, that this payment be not considered as paid, or ordered to be paid, at the general expense of the Colony.

On motion made,

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the several Officers of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Bergen, whose names are mentioned in the Certificate signed by the Clerk of the County Committee.

On motion made,

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the several Field-Officers of the Regiment of Militia of Cape-May, whose names are mentioned in the Certificate of the County Committee.

On motion made,

Ordered, That Mr. Cooper, Mr. Mehelm, Mr. De Hart, and Mr. Carey, be a Committee to prepare the draught of a Letter to the Continental Congress, and report the same this afternoon.

The Congress adjourned till four o’clock, P. M.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to prepare the draught of a Letter to the Continental Congress, reported such draught, which was read the first and second time, and ordered to be engrossed.

The following engrossed Letter to the Continental Congress was read, approved, and ordered to be signed by the President and despatched immediately:

In Provincial Congress, Trenton, October 14, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: This Congress finding that, in order to enable them to provide a sufficient quantity of arms and ammunition, and such other articles as are essentially necessary to enforce the operations of the present glorious struggle for liberty, a very considerable fund must at all events be immediately raised; and as this Congress, in all cases of importance, think it necessary that they should have some knowledge of the sentiments of the Continental Congress, I am directed to apply to your House, and to inquire whether it is consistent with the measures the Continental Congress have adopted, to let any of the Provinces have the use of such a sum of the Continental currency as may be sufficient to answer their particular exigencies, upon the faith of such Province; and, if so, what sum the Continental Congress can spare, and upon what terms, for the use of New-Jersey at this time.

Anxiously desirous of rendering every possible assistance to the common cause, this Congress have it before them to make provision sufficient to enable them, at least, to raise four thousand Minute-Men, to take the field on any emergency; but as it is uncertain what provision the Continental Congress may have thought proper to make for such Minute-Men, if called into actual service, I am likewise directed to apply to you for information in this respect.

This Congress beg the favour of an answer as soon as possible. By order of Congress.

I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Members of the Honourable the Continental Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia.

The Congress adjourned till nine o’clock, on Monday morning.

Monday, October 16, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion made,

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the several Officers of the Battalion of Minute-Men, in the County of Morris, whose names are mentioned in the Certificate of the County Committee, in the order and of the dates as set forth in the Certificate.

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

Tuesday, October 17, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to prepare the draught of a Resolution respecting the apprehending of Deserters from the Continental Troops, reported the following draught; which was read, passed, and ordered to be engrossed:

1. Resolved, That when information shall be made, to any Member of any County or Town Committee in this Colony, of any Deserters from the Continental Army being found lurking in such County or Town, any Member of such Town or County Committee shall be, and he is hereby authorized to issue his order to the Captain or commanding officer of any Company of Minute or Militia men in such Town or County, requiring him to send one or more men of his Company to search for and to apprehend such Deserter, and, when apprehended, to confine him in