Army, we might, in all probability, have poisoned the Northern Army, by sending the small-pox among them.

And 4th. Because we are not in a situation, without exposing the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this City to inevitable destruction, should we attempt to execute orders that will bring on a cannonading from the ships of war. Our zeal for the publick cause has induced us to part with all the powder we have procured for the defence of this Colony, and we are sorry to find that there is but little prospect of having it replaced.

We hope these reasons will be satisfactory to the Congress; and are your most obedient servants. By order:

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President, &c.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted, together with the printed copies therein mentioned.

A Letter from the Delegates of this Colony at the Continental Congress, dated the 26th of October, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Philadelphia, October 26, 1775.

“SIR: We have the pleasure of enclosing you a resolve, passed this day in Congress, which, we hope, will enable our Province to provide ammunition with certainty and despatch. You will easily perceive the propriety of keeping it as secret as the nature of the business will admit, and we have particular reasons for wishing that the vessels intended for the voyage may be soon despatched.

“We have declined informing Mr. Fine of the purport of this resolve, thinking it more prudent to refer the whole to your discretion. It will not be long before you will be made acquainted with the sentiments of the Congress respecting the general state of trade. As to a certain necessary article, it is not, as yet, to be procured here.

“We are, Sir, with the greatest respect, the Convention’s and your very humble servants,

“To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq.”

A certified copy of a Resolution of the Continental Congress, therein enclosed, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, October 26, 1775.

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Provincial Assemblies, Conventions, or Councils of Safely, of the United Colonies, to export to the foreign West-Indies, on account and risk of their respective Colonies, as much provision or any other produce, except horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry, as they may deem necessary, for the importation of arms, ammunition, sulphur, and saltpetre.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

In pursuance of the said Letter and Resolve,

Ordered, That Mr. Low, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Vanderbilt, or any two of them, be a Committee to treat with Mr. Fine, for the benefit of his contract for obtaining Powder; and that they report to this Congress with all convenient speed.

By a charge from the Chair, this Letter and Resolve to be kept secret.

A Letter from the Hon. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, dated the 28th October, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Philadelphia, October 28, 1775.

“SIR: Your letter of the 17th instant has been laid before the Congress, and I am directed to acquaint you that they approve of your immediately raising a Company of Matrosses, to consist of sixty-eight privates. They prefer that number, as it is the fixed establishment of the Companies in the Continental service. You will please to appoint and forward the list of the officers proper to command them, and their commissions shall be made out and sent you. The Congress desire you will inform them when this Company shall be completed, and they will take under consideration your proposal for raising a larger number. Enclosed is the resolution of Congress.

“I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President,

“The President of Congress of New-York.”

The Resolve of Congress of the 28th October, therein enclosed, was also read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, October 28, 1775.

“Resolved, That a Company of Matrosses, to consist of one Captain, one Captain-Lieutenant, a First and Second Lieutenant, a Lieutenant-Fireworker, four Sergeants, four Corporals, eight Bombardiers, sixty-eight Matrosses, one Drummer, and one Fifer, be immediately raised in New-York, for the defence of Hudson’s River, and to occupy the fortifications now erecting in the Highlands; and that the President write to the Convention of that Province, recommending it to them immediately to raise the said Company, and to appoint the proper officers.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“A true copy from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

Ordered, That Colonel McDougall, Mr. Van Zandt, and Mr. Brasher, be a Committee to arrange the Company, and report.

A Letter from Mr. William Bedlow, of the 30th October, ultimo, to Mr. Richard Yates, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“October 30, 1775.

“SIR: As the time of the present Congress’s duration is almost expired, I beg leave, in behalf of myself and the other Commissioners appointed by them to superintend the building of a fort in the Highlands, to request that you will be so kind as to move in the House that the sum to be allowed each of us per diem for our services may be ascertained; and when this is done, please to inform Captain John Berrien what the allowance is, as I am to set out for the fort to-morrow morning. This will be gratefully acknowledged by him who is, with esteem, Sir, your humble servant,

“WILLIAM BEDLOW.

“To Mr. Richard Yates, in Congress.”

As the said Fortifications are erecting at a Continental charge, and this Congress about dissolution,

Ordered, That the consideration of Mr. Bedlow’s Letter be deferred for the present, and referred to the consideration of the next Provincial Congress.

A Letter from General Washington, of the 24th of October, ult., was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Camp at Cambridge, October 24, 1775.

“SIR: The enclosed information being of the highest importance, I thought it proper to transmit it to you with all despatch.

“I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

“GEORGE WASHINGTON.

“To the Honourable Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President of the Provincial Congress, New-York.”

The information therein enclosed was also read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Falmouth, Monday, October 16, 1775.

“The Canceau, ship of sixteen guns, commanded by Captain Mowat, a large ship, schooner, and sloop, armed, anchored before the Town. The 17th, at three, P. M., they weighed and came up, and anchored within gunshot, and immediately Captain Mowat sent a letter on shore to the Town, giving them two hours to move their families out, as he had orders to fire the Town. The Town immediately chose a Committee of three gentlemen, and sent them on board, to know the reason of that Town’s being set on fire. He returned for answer, that his orders were to set tire to all the sea-port Towns between Boston and Halifax, and that he expected New-York was then burned to ashes. He further said, that when he received orders from the Admiral, he desired that he might show some favour to the Town of Falmouth, which the Admiral granted, (I suppose as Captain Mowat was under particular obligations to some gentlemen at Falmouth, for civilities shown him when in captivity amongst them, ) and which favour was to spare the Town until nine o’clock, Wednesday morning, in case we would send him off eight small-arms, which the Town immediately did. Wednesday morning, being the 18th, the Committee went on board