use should be made of that advice, for the safety of this Colony.”

Ordered, unanimously, That Colonel McDougall, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Hubbard, Mr. Low, and Mr. Sylvester, be a Committee for the purposes mentioned in the foregoing motion of Colonel McDougall.

A Letter from the Delegates of this Colony at Continental Congress, of the 9th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Philadelphia, October 9, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: We received your favour of the 4th inst., containing an account of the troops raised in our Colony, of which we shall make the proper use. The Congress approve highly of your diligence in the erection of fortifications on Hudson’s River. You will, we believe, receive by this conveyance their sentiments on this subject, as well as extracts of some letters that show its propriety, and the designs of Administration against us.

“We sincerely lament the necessity to which the want of Gunpowder may reduce us, and have endeavoured, as far as lies in our power, to remove it, by procuring for you, at the Continental expense, one ton, which was all that could be obtained. You will take care not to forward this unless you know how to supply yourselves, for it is not the design of the Congress that you should, at any time, be entirely at the mercy of the enemy.

“We will take care to get your Artillery Company put upon a proper footing, in which we apprehend no difficulty. As to the want of clothing for our troops, we are not without hopes that that may be provided for in Canada, of which we cannot but flatter ourselves they will shortly be in possession.

“We remain, Gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most obedient humble servants,

“PHILIP LIVINGSTON, “JOHN ALSOP, “JAMES DUANE, “ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, JUN.

“To the Honourable the Convention of the Province of New-York.”

A Letter from the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, of the 9th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit;

“Philadelphia, October 9, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: Your letters of 6th instant have been laid before Congress. They have issued an order for one ton of powder to be sent to New-York, but I am directed to inform you, if you can with safety spare it, or any part, it is the wish of Congress that you would immediately forward it to General Schuyler.

“In answer to your letter respecting the Brig Mary, Capt. Wallace, which put into your port to repair, I am ordered to acquaint you, that the Congress recommend that she proceed on her voyage with the cargo, after being refitted.

“In consequence of your letter to Congress, enclosing a plan and estimate of the fort erecting on the Highlands of North River, I now enclose you the resolution of Congress thereon, to which refer you. I also enclose you a resolve of Congress respecting those who are, in your opinion, dangerous by being at large, to which also refer you. Your proposal enclosed, respecting the importation of gunpowder, is submitted to a committee; the resolution of Congress thereon shall be transmitted you.

“I have wrote to General Wooster, at Albany, by order of Congress, to proceed to the fort now building on North River, and there leave as many of his troops as the conductor of the works shall think necessary to expedite the works, and With the remainder to proceed to New-York, and there remain.

“By desire of your Delegates, I enclose you some extracts of letters from London, laid before Congress.

“I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President

“The Convention of New-York.”

The Resolution of Continental Congress therein enclosed, relating to the erecting of Fortifications in the Highlands, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, October 7, 1775.

“The Report of a Committee appointed to take into consideration the Letters from New-York, and the plans for obstructing Hudson’s River, report:

“That the Provincial Convention of New-York be directed immediately to render Hudson’s River defensible; that in doing this, they be particularly attentive to form such works as may be finished before the winter sets in. As it is very doubtful whether any stone work can be properly made at this advanced season, it is submitted to the judgment of the said Convention, whether it could not be more cheaply and expeditiously done by works of wood or fascines. If they should think otherwise, that they be directed to go on with the work in the way which they think best, since it is the opinion of the Congress that the work should by no means be neglected.

“But if the work be already begun on the plan sent us, that they render such parts as can be first finished defensible, so that the labour be not thrown away, if an attack should be made before the whole can be finished.

“That the Convention be directed to inquire whether there are not some other places where small Batteries might be erected, so as to annoy the enemy on their passage, particularly a few heavy cannon at or near Moore’s house, and at a point on the west shore, a little above Verplanck’s Point.

“That it be recommended to said Convention to establish, at proper distances, posts to be ready to give intelligence to the country in case of any invasion, or by signals to give alarms in case of danger, and that they confer with the Assembly of Connecticut, and Convention of New-Jersey, on the speediest manner of conveying intelligence in such cases, and receiving assistance when necessary.

“That the Convention be further directed to take the most effectual method to obstruct the navigation of the said river, if, upon examination, they find it practicable.

“Resolved, That orders be sent to General Wooster, in case he has no orders to the contrary from General Schuyler, that he immediately return to the Batteries, erecting in the Highlands, and there leave as many of his troops as the conductors of the work shall think necessary for completing them, and that he repair with the remainder to New-York.”

The Resolution of the Continental Congress, also therein enclosed, respecting persons dangerous to the community, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, October 6, 1775.

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, and Councils or Committees of Safety, to arrest and secure every person in their respective Colonies, whose going at large may, in their opinion, endanger the safety of the Colony, or the liberties of America.

“Ordered, That an authentick copy of this Resolve be, by the Delegates, transmitted to proper persons in their respective Colonies.”

To be kept as secret as its nature will admit.

The extracts of the Letters from London, of the 31st of July last, therein mentioned, were also read and filed, and are in the words following, to wit:

Extract of a Letter laid before the Congress, dated LONDON, JULY 31, 1775.

“I have lately heard a person intimately connected with Administration lament that twenty thousand men had not been at first sent to America; one-half to have remained with General Gage at Boston, five thousand to have kept possession of New-York and cut off all assistance from the Southern Colonies, and five thousand to have been employed under Burgoyne or Howe, in making descents in different parts of New-England, and ravaging and burning the Towns. And I have good information that it is yet intended to endeavour to recover the possession of New-York, Albany, &c., so as to open a communication with Canada, and prevent the New-Englanders from receiving any succour from the southward. There is a talk that more of the train of artillery, and some Regiments of foot, are going to America.”

Extract of another Letter by the said conveyance, laid before the Congress, dated JULY 31, 1775.

“It is fit I should convey to you a more particular detail of what I have collected, and more especially as it is from unquestionable authority. The British-American Generals differ, I am informed, as to the number of men