Mine in Ulster County, by order of the Committee of Safety.

Ordered, That Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of this Congress, advance to Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary of this Congress, the sum of seven thousand Pounds, on account, to be applied to discharge the debts contracted for the publick service, and by order of this Congress; and that Mr. Livingston take Mr. Curtenius’s receipt for the same, on account.

A Letter from Benj. Baker, on the subject of making Saltpetre, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“GENTLEMEN: General Montgomery, when in Albany, heard of my attempts towards the production of nitre; sent for me to his lodging, and, after some examination and inquiry, requested of me to make application to the Committee for their assistance towards establishing a manufactory. Colonel Abraham Ten Broeck, Esq., requested me to write you somewhat of my pretensions in that way, for your further considerations. In conformity to his request, have wrote you as follows. From repeated trials and experiments, have strong reasons to believe that saltpetre may, in these parts of America, be made in as large quantities as now pot and pearl ashes are, or even to intercept, in a great measure, the East-India trade in that article. Common alkaline salts and wood otherwise concentrated into an acid juice; these two oppositions, and yet affinities, form a neutral commixture, and become as it were a proper magnet for the attraction of nitrous particles. These two materials only, with circulatory vessels properly adapted, and other apparatus convenient, large quantities assuredly may at one work be made, even to twenty or thirty tons a year, and, at the same time, the method so simple that the country people may easily learn the process, to the benefit of themselves and Continent. A capital work, to make the above quantity, would require a stock at least of one thousand Pounds, and a sum in proportion for lesser quantities. It is not the want of business induces me to make this application, but, on the other hand, to serve the Country, and oblige the gentleman that applied to me. I am already established in business, in an art peculiar to myself, in preparing in such purity alkaline salts as to answer all the different purposes in pharmacy, which may hereafter bring in great emoluments to America.

“N. B. It is not in the power of any art yet known to make, from its origin, saltpetre, in that limited time you are pleased to offer a price so extraordinary for.”

“I am, Gentlemen, with due obedience, your humble servant,

“BENJAMIN BAKER.

“To the Honourable the Provincial Congress, convened at New-York.

Ordered, That the gentlemen, who are members from Albany, write to the said Benjamin Baker, to know what quantity of Saltpetre he can make by the first day of May next, and on what terms.

A certified copy of Major Robert Rogers’s parole, received by post from the Committee of Safely, Philadelphia, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Philadelphia, September 23, 1775.

“I, Robert Rogers, Major on half-pay in His Majesty’s Army, a prisoner in the custody of the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania, 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, during the present contest between them and Great Britain, and that I will not in that time attempt to give intelligence to General Gage, the British Ministry, or any other person or persons, of any matters relative to America.

“ROBERT ROGERS.”

“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, Major Robert Rogers, to the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania, It is therefore recommended to such persons, that the said Major Rogers be permitted to pass where his business may lead him, without any hinderance or molestation.

“Philadelphia, September 23, 1775.”

“Extracts from the Minutes of the Committee of Safety.

“WILLIAM GOVETT, Secretary.”

The Congress then adjourned until ten o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Die Veneris, 10 ho. A. M., October 6, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present:

Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President pro tempore.

A Letter from Major-General Schuyler was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Ticonderoga, September 29, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: I am still confined with the remains of an inveterate disorder. I have this moment received a line from General Montgomery. He holds St. John’s besieged; but the weak state of our Army and artillery cause the operations to go on slowly. The Canadians are friendly to us, and join us in great numbers; but unless we succeed against St. John’s, all other operations in that quarter will avail little. We are in want of powder; and I send this by express, that you may forward me five tons, if you can. It should come in boats that can be rowed, that no delay may be made. Several rascals of the First Battalion have deserted to the enemy; and Captain Molt, of the same Corps, shamefully ran away from our bomb battery, when not one of the enemy was near him.

“Pray, let the powder be sent to the care of Colonel Van Schaick, at Albany.

“We have taken fifteen prisoners; seven of whom are soldiers, the rest unfriendly Canadians and Scotchmen, in the service of the Ministry.

“I am, Gentlemen, with the most profound respect, your most obedient humble servant,

“PHILIP SCHUYLER.

“To the New-York Provincial Congress.

“P. S. Be pleased to forward the enclosed by express.”

Ordered, That Mr. Gabriel W. Ludlow deliver, with all possible despatch, fourteen hundred weight of Gunpowder to John Van Cortlandt and Joseph Hallett, Esqs., or their order.

A draught of a Letter to the honourable Continental Congress, to cover a copy of General Schuyler’s Letter, received this day, was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, October 6, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The enclosed packets we this hour received by express from Major-General Schuyler. We have also enclosed a copy of the General’s letter to this Congress. In consequence thereof, we have ordered up, under the care of Mr. Watkins, one of our members from Charlotte County, fourteen hundred weight of powder, in a convenient boat, rowed with oars. This quantity, except two hundred weight, belongs to the different Counties of the Colony, and was ordered to be delivered some weeks ago; but finding it yet in the magazines, we have, in this necessity, taken it. It is the whole that can be obtained in the Colony. We have wrote to the Committee of Albany for their aid in forwarding this necessary article with all despatch. We have communicated this intelligence to Governour Trumbull.

From the importance of General Schuyler’s requisition, and the situation of the Army to the northward, you will judge of the necessity of completing the General’s request.

Pray, devise some ways and means to replace our powder with all expedition, as we may be distressed, and should not remain in this defenceless state, if it can be avoided.

We are, most respectfully, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants.

By order:

To the Honourable the Continental Congress.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, and, with a copy of General Schuyler’s Letter, transmitted by— ———, as a Messenger.

A draught of a Letter to Governour Trumbull, of Connecticut, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, October 6, 1775.

SIR: We enclose an extract of a letter received this moment from General Schuyler, and shall send forward immediately