Ordered, That the Brass Field-Pieces last cast by James Byers be delivered to Captain Anthony Rutgers, for the use of the Artillery Company under his command, and that he get good Carriages and other necessaries, for the said two Field-Pieces, with all possible despatch.

The application of Captain Benjamin Lindsay, of Providence, was read. He therein sets forth, that in the month of August last, he delivered to this Congress a Letter from the Committee of Safety of the Town of Providence, signed by Deputy-Governour Cooke and others, requesting to load his (the said Lindsay’s )Sloop, and Captain Whitney’s Sloop; that Provisions were purchased for both cargoes, and but only one (to wit: the cargo of Lindsay’s Sloop) shipped; and that the other cargo now lies in store, which he prays leave to lade and take to Providence.

Ordered, That Benjamin Lindsay be allowed to lade the said Provisions on board, for Providence, upon condition that the said Benjamin Lindsay do deliver a manifest of the said Provisions to the Secretary of this Congress, and, within three months, return to the said Secretary a certificate from the Chairman of the Committee at Providence, that the said Provisions were reported to and under the direction of the said Committee—the danger of the seas and seizures excepted; and if the said Benjamin Lindsay does not comply with the condition aforesaid, that then he shall be deemed guilty of an infringement of the resolution of this Congress, and an enemy to this Country.

A Letter from General Washington, of the 5th instant, directed to Isaac Low, Esq., was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Camp at Cambridge, October 5, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: By an intelligent person from Boston, the 3d instant, I am informed that a fleet, consisting of one sixty-four, one twenty gun ship, two sloops of eighteen guns, two transports, with six hundred men, were to sail from Boston as yesterday; their destination a profound secret. That they took on board two mortars and four howitzers, with other artillery, calculated for the bombardment of a Town. I have thought it proper to apprize every considerable Town on the coast of this armament, that they may be upon their guard. Should I receive any further account of their destination, it shall be forwarded.

“The same person also informs that an express sloop arrived four days before, from England, at Boston, which she left the 8th of August. General Gage, and most of the officers who were at Lexington, are recalled, and sail this day; General Howe succeeds to the command. Six ships of the line and two cutters, under Sir Peter Dennis, are coming out. Five Regiments and one thousand marines may be expected at Boston in three or four weeks. No prospect of accommodation, but, on the other hand, every appearance of the war being pushed with the utmost vigour.

“I am, Gentlemen, very respectfully, your most obedient and very humble servant,

“GEORGE WASHINGTON.”

A Letter from Colonel Hasbrouck, and the Returns of the elections of the Officers of the several Companies of the Militia, in that part of Ulster County which is intended to be in the Regiment of Colonel Hasbrouck, at the south end of Ulster County.

Ordered, That Commissions issue to all the gentlemen named in those Returns.

A Return of Militia Officers on the south side of the Mountains, in Orange County, signed by Thomas Out-water, Chairman, was delivered in and filed.

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

Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., October 12, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present:

Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President.

A certified copy of the notes of examination of Captain William Thompson, was sent, by post, to the New-York Delegates at Congress, and another copy to General Washington, each enclosed in a private letter from the President.

Captain John Lawrence, being by request attending at the door, was called in and examined, and notes of his examination taken, which are filed, and are in the words following, to wit:

“Captain John Lawrence sailed from London the 2d of August; left Falmouth the 14th. Says he made it his business to get all the intelligence he could with respect to the intentions of Government against the Colonies. That twenty-three ships, from forty guns and under, were fitting out for the American service, to relieve the ships which were deemed too large, which he understood were to be recalled; that they were not all to come out this fall, on account of the carpenters leaving the yards. That he understood five Regiments were to come from Ireland, three Regiments from England, and Scotland, and five Companies of Artillery. That a large quantity of ordnance was shipping for America, and that five transports, with provisions, were sailed for Boston before he sailed. That he understood the troops were destined for Boston; that he heard that four or five of the transports had sailed for Ireland, to take the troops on board, before he sailed. That he saw four thousand stand of arms shipped for Quebeck; that two brigs sailed out of the Downs, in company with him, laden with warlike stores; that they sailed without convoy; that they had a Lieutenant on board each, but no troops. That he understood the arms were for the use of the Canadians. That he did not hear of any troops going to Quebeck; that he did not hear of any artillery, or stores, or troops, were to be sent to the Southern Colonies, or to this Province. That he understood that ten thousand tons of transports were taken up to go to Embden, and sixteen thousand Hessians and Hanoverians were intended for America; but whether they were to proceed immediately to America, or touch in England, was not certain, reports differing relative thereto. That the report of employing Hessians and Hanoverians took place before the account of Bunker-Hill battle. That the people seemed to be much exasperated against the Americans, on receiving the account of Bunker-Hill. That the merchants, in general, were opposed to the Americans; that they were much pleased on hearing that fifteen thousand of the Provincials were killed and taken prisoners by about seventeen hundred Regulars; but when the true state of the battle arrived, they made long faces. That he did not hear of their building any flat-bottomed boats. That the news of taking Ticonderoga, &c, was by no means relished. That it was supposed the Parliament would be called sooner than usual, on account of calling the Hessian and Hanoverian troops. That Captain Effingham Lawrence told him that he had been informed by Lord Gage, that they intended to make up their Army in America to thirty thousand men this fall. That there was no complaints of the manufacturers wanting employ, and was generally supposed that Administration kept them employed. That the people, in general, thought New-York worse than any of the other Colonies, for disappointing them, not only by joining the other Colonies, but by acting more vigorous than the rest. That he heard there was more than ordinary demands for British goods by the Mediterranean. That the manufacturers in Ireland were quiet, but wished well to the Americans. That the people in England were anxious to hear from the Congress, expecting some offer of accommodation. That it was reported that on the news of Bunker-Hill the stocks fell a little, but afterwards rose again. That he heard of no disunion in the councils of Administration. That great numbers of vessels were laid up in the Thames, owing to the stopping of the American trade. That it was generally expected in England, that the next news from America would be that Major Skene was hanged.”

This Congress having frequently been unable to proceed to business, for want of a sufficient number of Members,

Ordered, That the Members of each County present, who have not a quorum of their County, do immediately write to their absent fellow-Deputies, to attend this Congress without delay.

Colonel McDougall moved, and was seconded by Major Williams, in the words following, to wit: “I move that a Committee be appointed to examine all the resolutions and advices of the Continental Congress, relative to this Colony, and report, without delay, their opinion of the best means to carry the said resolutions into execution; and also what