Minutes of the Committee of Safety, until the 3d day of October instant, included, and approved thereof.

The Congress then proceeded to hear the Proceedings of the Committee of Safety, on the returns of Militia Officers, and the Commissions issued by the Committee.

On reading the Returns from Orange County, with respect to Field-Officers, the following Letter was drawn up and approved of, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, October 27, 1775.

SIR: The Congress, unwilling to determine the controversy subsisting among you, relative to the appointment of Field-Officers to command the Militia in the south part of Orange County, do recommend it to the Committees of Haverstraw and Orange Precinct to meet together, without delay, and, by plurality of voices, nominate the Field-Officers for the Regiment to be formed on the south side of the Highlands, and send down the return with all possible despatch, that the commissions may be made out.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted.

On reading the Returns of Officers recommended by the Committee of Tryon County, and the Letters from the Committee of Kingsland and German Flats,

Ordered, That Commissions for Field-Officers of that District issue to the gentlemen recommended by the Committee of that District.

A Latter from Mr. Nicholas Low was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“New-York, October 27, 1775.

“SIR: I have received from Mr. Isaac Gouverneur, of Curaçoa, a pair of nine-pound cannon, which he has directed me to present to the Provincial Congress, for the use of this Colony, and to pray your acceptance of them, with his best wishes for your happiness and prosperity. Please to direct me to whom I shall deliver them.

“I am, respected Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

“NICHOLAS LOW.

“Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Provincial Congress, New-York.”

A draught of a Letter to Isaac Gouverneur was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, October 27, 1775.

SIR: The Congress have received from your agent, Mr. Nicholas Low, a pair of nine-pound cannon, sent by you as a donation to this Colony. I am directed to return you their hearty thanks for them, and to assure you of the high sense they have of your attention and regard for the welfare of your native Country, and beg you to accept their sincere wishes for your happiness and prosperity.

We are, Sir, your most obedient servants. By order:

Isaac Gouverneur, Esq., at Curaçoa.

Ordered, That Mr. John Berrien receive from Mr. Nicholas Low the pair of Cannon sent to this Congress as a present, by Mr. Isaac Gouverneur, and pass his receipt for the same. That he get the initial letters of Mr. Gouverneur’s name, and also the letters C. N. Y., marked on the said Cannon, and send them forthwith to the fort now building in the Highlands.

A Letter from Mr. John Berrien, with Memorandum therein enclosed, were read and filed, and are in the words following, to wit:

“New-York, October 27, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: I take the liberty to inform you that the cash furnished me, by your orders, from the Treasury, is expended, and that I am about forty Pounds in advance. I have endeavoured to collect the amounts of sundry accounts against your honourable House, contracted by me for use of the fortifications, and find they amount, with sundry freights and hire of vessels not yet paid, to near one thousand Pounds. I must therefore beg you will enable me to discharge these debts already contracted, by furnishing me with the above sum; and that, as soon as convenient, or you shall judge necessary, some persons of your honourable House be directed to examine my accounts.

“I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

“JOHN BERRIEN.

“To the Honourable the Provincial Congress.”

“Memorandum.—Accounts unpaid: Marsh’s, for shingles, £78 8s.; W. Van Zandt’s, including smith work, £219 12s. 4d.; William Ustick, for sundries, about £270; Peter T. Curtenius, wheels, shot, stoves, about £220; John & Jacob Dergen, for bread, £34; William Malcomb, for pork, £20; balance due Palmer, hire of sloop since 23d or 24th of August, £50; sundry freights upwards, and some small accounts not estimated. Cash in advance, £40.”

William McHard, of Newburyport, produced a certificate of the Honourable Governour Trumbull, at New-Haven, dated 23d instant, which was a permit to him to load any quantity of Flour in New-York, and to bring it in a boat or boats to the Sloop Speedwell, Levi Carman master, in that Colony, and to put into any harbour in that Colony, and depart without molestation, the embargo notwithstanding.

And the said William McHard requested of this Provincial Congress leave to purchase Flour in this Colony, to be carried to Newburyport, for the use of the inhabitants there, agreeable to the said permit.

Ordered, That William McHard have permission to purchase and transport to Fairfield or Norwalk, or any other place in Connecticut, three hundred barrels of Flour, or any less quantity, and to convey the same to Newburyport, for the use of the inhabitants there, upon condition that the said William McHard do deliver a manifest of the said Flour to one of the Secretaries of this Congress before his departure, and within three months return to such Secretary a certificate from the Chairman of the Committee at Newburyport aforesaid, that the said Flour was reported to and under the direction of the said Committee, the dangers of the seas and seizures excepted. And if the said William McHard 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.

An application of William Ritchie, bearing date yesterday, was read and filed. He thereby informs that the people at Dartmouth are in great, want of Flour, and requests permission to carry Flour to Dartmouth, for the use of the inhabitants.

Ordered, That Captain William Ritchie have permission to lade and ship a quantity of Flour for Dartmouth, in Massachusetts-Bay, upon condition that the said William Ritchie deliver a manifest of the cargo to one of the Secretaries of this Congress before his departure, and within three months return to such Secretary a certificate from the Chairman of the Committee at Dartmouth, that the said Flour and cargo was safely landed, and reported to the said Committee, the dangers of the seas and seizures excepted. And if the said William Ritchie does not comply with the conditions aforesaid, that then he shall be deemed guilty of an infringement of the Resolution of this Congress, and an enemy to this Country.

[Note.—There were not sufficient Members present to form a quorum on the 28th or 29th of October; therefore, those present adjourned until ten o’clock on the morning of the 2d day of November next.

The following Letters and other Proceedings of the Members present on the 28th and 29th have been preserved:]

New-York, October 28, 1775.

Several Members met, but there not being a sufficient number present to form a House, the gentlemen present prepared the following Letters, the draughts of which are on the files, but are not mentioned on the Minutes:

New-York, October 28, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We are sorry to inform you that, by reason of the absence of a number of the members, we are unable to make a Congress, so as to despatch the publick business. Many things are to be done preparatory to our dissolution, which must be despatched. We therefore entreat that you would attend on Tuesday next, that we may go on with the business. We hope we shall be able to finish in three or four clays if we can make a Congress, and are your humble servants. By order:

To Paul Micheau.

P. S. Pray notify your fellow-Members of this.

To Orange, Queen’s, Richmond, King’s.

In Provincial Congress, New-York, October 28, 1775.

Suspicions having arisen in the minds of many of the citizens, that the Congress have received intimations which they are ignorant of, that this City will be made a garrison