Colonel Hardenbergh, from Ulster County, applied to this Congress relative to sundry disputes and controversies about the Elections and Commissions of the Militia Officers of Ulster County.

Ordered, That the Returns and Papers relating thereto be delivered to Colonel Hardenbergh; and that the Members of Ulster and Queen’s Counties be a Committee to examine into the said disputes and controversies, and to report thereon to the Congress.

Mr. Jonathan Lawrence, of the City of New-York, being highly recommended to this Congress for his great vigilance, activity, care, prudence, skill, management, and unremitted industry, as a proper person for a Commissioner to carry on and forward, with the utmost despatch and vigour, the Fortifications erecting on the banks of Hudson’s River, in the Highlands, in this Colony, and that he is cheerfully willing to undertake that service,

Ordered, That the said Jonathan Lawrence be appointed a Commissioner for that purpose, in the stead and to supply the place of Mr. John Hanson, whose private affairs have obliged him to decline that service.

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

Die Sabbati, 9 ho. A. M., October 21, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President.

Mr. Samuel Patridge, by direction of a Member, attending at the door, was called in and examined. He says that he applied to Isaac Garrison to cart ore for him, which he declined, because he was engaged in cutting timber for the fort; that Garrison informed him that he was allowed twelve Shillings for each piece for cutting said timber; that each piece of timber was fourteen feet long, and, as he understood, eight inches square; that Garrison told him that the farthest load to cart did not exceed half a mile; that the said Garrison lives at Pooploop’s Kill; that he, the examinant, told said Garrison that he could cart eight loads a day, and Garrison answered, he did not know but he could, if he had good luck; that the roads there are very bad, and that it is his opinion that two such sticks of logs, on those roads, will be a load for a team.

Ordered, That a copy of this Information be given to Mr. Berrien, that he may make inquiry, lest the said Isaac Garrison should attempt to impose on the Commissioners.

Ordered, That Mr. Peter Vergereau be appointed an Ensign in Captain Ledgers’s Company, in the First Regiment of New-York Forces; and that his commission be dated at the time he entered into the service.

Mordecai Lester having, through a Member, applied to this Congress for liberty to attend and be heard concerning matters alleged against him,

Ordered, That the said Mordecai Lester appear before this Congress, on Thursday, the 26th instant; and that no person hinder or molest him during his journey to or continuance in this City.

The Congress then proceeded to hear the Proceedings of the Committee of Safety on the afternoon of the 15th day of September last. On reading the Order appointing Jacobus Van Zandt, Lewis Pintard, and Henry Remsen, a Committee for the purposes therein mentioned, and to furnish them with four thousand Pounds, the Congress requested information what was done with the money, and what contract was made for importing the article mentioned in that Order.

The Congress was then informed by Mr. Van Zandt, that the four thousand Pounds is sent out on the account and risk of the Provincial Congress, and whatever profits arise on said goods the Congress are to have the benefit of; that a vessel is chartered by Messrs. Jacobus Van Zandt, Henry Remsen, and Lewis Pintard, to go to sundry places to obtain those goods for the sum of five hundred and fifty Pounds sterling, payable on delivery of the said goods in any place within particular limits for that purpose mentioned in the charter-party; but that in case of her being seized or taken on her voyage, the owner of the vessel is to receive three hundred Pounds sterling for her; that the vessel is to lay forty working days to receive her cargo, after which she is to receive forty Shillings sterling per day demurrage; that whatever room may be in the vessel alter the goods ordered by the freighters for the benefit of this Congress are laded on board, the owner or owners of the vessel have the liberty to fill up with any goods on their own account, without any deduction from the freight agreed for.

The Congress having received the above Information, approve of the Proceedings of the Committee of Safety therein, and direct that an entry be made, that the Congress does approve of the contract made by Messrs. Jacobus Van Zandt, Lewis Pintard, and Henry Remsen, on behalf of the Congress; and that, in the opinion of this Congress, the said contract is a judicious, good contract, and on behalf of the Congress.

The Congress then proceeded to hear the residue of the Proceedings of the Committee of Safety on the said 15th day of September last.

The Congress then adjourned to Tuesday, the 24th instant, at nine o’clock in the morning.

Die Mortis, 9 ho. A. M., October 24, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President, &c.

A Letter from the President of the Continental Congress, of the 17th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Philadelphia, October 17, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: As the Congress apprehend there may be a design of an attack upon New-York, I am directed by them to desire you will give directions for the immediate removal of all the sulphur now in the City of New-York, to a place of greater safety, at a distance from the City; and you will please to inform Congress to what place you have ordered it.

“I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the President and Members of the Convention at New-York.”

Thereupon, Ordered, That Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary of this Congress, be requested immediately to purchase any quantity of Sulphur and Brimstone, not exceeding twenty tons, (except about two tons for the use of vessels, ) agreeable to the Resolution of this Congress of the 17th instant, and that he forward the same with all possible despatch up Hudson’s River—one part of it to be placed in such place of safety, under the care of the Committee of Rhinebeck Precinct, as the said Committee shall think fit; and the other half of it to be placed under the care of the Committee at Walkill Precinct, in Ulster County, whereof Henry Wisner, Jun., Esq., is Chairman.

A certified copy of a Resolution of the Continental Congress, relating to some Saltpetre lately removed from Turtle-Bay, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, October 16, 1775.

“Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to all persons who are possessed of the Saltpetre lately removed from Turtle-Bay, on the Island of New-York, forthwith to send the same to the President of the Convention of New-York, to be manufactured into Gunpowder, for the use of the Continental Army.”

On motion of Colonel McDougall, seconded by Mr. Gilbert Livingston,

Resolved, That this Congress will make provision for the expense of the Delegates of this Colony, who have represented it, and now represent it in the Continental Congress.

And Ordered, That Mr. Hobart, Colonel Lispenard, Mr. Cortelyou, Mr. Abraham Yates, Jun., Colonel Hardenbergh, and Mr. Gilbert Livingston, be a Committee to consider thereof, and report thereon to this Congress with all convenient speed.

Colonel McDougall, and some other Members, informed the Congress that Gunpowder is now to be obtained in the West-Indies.

Ordered, That Mr. Low, Mr. Vanderbilt, and Mr. Roosevelt, be a Committee to make inquiry, and plan a proper voyage for the Pilot-Boat the Bishop of Llandaff, and report thereon to this Congress with all convenient speed.

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