Captain Mowat again, in order to save the Town. He said he would save the Town until he heard from the Admiral, in case we would send off four carriage-guns, deliver up all our arms, ammunition, &c., and send four gentlemen of the Town as hostages; which the Town would not do. About half past nine, in the morning, he began to fire from the four armed vessels, and in five minutes set fire to several houses. He continued firing until after dark the same day, which destroyed the largest part of the Town. He further informed the Committee that he should proceed to Portsmouth, and destroy that place also.

“The foregoing is as near the facts as I am able to remember, as witness my hand.

“PEARSON JORES.

“Cambridge, October 24, 1775.”

Another copy of the said information, received via Rhode-Island, together with a copy of a Letter from Nathaniel Greene, at Prospect-Hill, to Deputy Governour Cooke, was also read and filed.

A Letter from Ebenezer Hazard, Postmaster, dated the 31st ult., was read and filed. He thereby informs that he has in charge from the Comptroller of the Constitutional Post-Office, that the keeper of the ferry across North River, charges the post-riders for ferriage, while he suffers the rider from the old office to cross gratis; and that he is directed to request the interposition of the authority of this Congress in the premises.

Ordered, That Mr. Hazard be informed that this Congress does not think proper to interfere at present.

A long Letter from Benjamin Baker, at Albany, on the subject of making Saltpetre, was read and filed. The gentlemen who are Deputies from Albany, are requested to write him an answer, that the Congress does not, at present, incline to comply with his proposals.

The Remonstrance of the Associated Company at Poughkeepsie was read and filed. A copy of their Association was also read and filed.

Ordered, That the Commissions to the Officers of that Company, as Minute-Men, be delivered to the Secretaries, and that new Commissions issue to them as an Associated Company; and the said Commissions were issued accordingly.

A Letter from William Smith, Esquire, Chairman of a meeting of sundry Committees of Towns in which the First Regiment in Suffolk County is composed, signed by order of the said Committees, was read and filed. He thereby informs that Nathan Woodhull and Edmund Smith, Jun., Esquires, respectively declined accepting the offices of First and Second Majors of the said Regiment, and that the said Committees nominated and recommended Jeffrey Smith, Esq., to be First Major, and Jesse Brush, Esq., to be Second Major of the said Regiment.

Ordered, That Commissions issue to those gentlemen, respectively, and that their Commissions bear date on the 27th ultimo.

Mr. Joseph Hallett informed the Congress that he has more money than will be sufficient to discharge the contracts he has made on behalf of the Continental Congress, and that he will be enabled, in a few days, to close his accounts, but is desirous to pay the balance in hand to the Treasurer.

Ordered, That Mr. Hallett pay the balance of the money in his hands to the Treasurer, and that he take the Treasurer or his Agent’s receipt for such sum as shall be so returned.

The Congress then adjourned until ten o’clock, tomorrow morning.

Die Veneris, 10 ho. A. M., November 3, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present:

Abraham Yates, Jun., Esq., President.

The Return of the Field-Officers of three Regiments of the City Militia was read and filed.

Ordered, That Commissions issue for those gentlemen.

Ordered, That Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt and Mr. Joseph Hallett be a Committee to purchase Flour, and load the Pilot-Boat named the Bishop of Llandaff, and send her to such Port as they think best, on the account and risk of this Congress, to procure Arms and Ammunition, or either that may be obtained, and that they make such contract or contracts, in the premises, as they think fit.

A Letter from General Schuyler, dated 26th October, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Ticonderoga, October 26, 1775, two o’clock, P. M.

“SIR: I am favoured with an express from General Montgomery. The fort and garrison at Chambly, in which Major Stopford, of the Royal Fusileers, commanded, has surrendered to our troops. One hundred and twenty-four barrels of powder, and a considerable quantity of prepared ammunition, together with a quantity of provisions, has fell into our hands. The reduction of St. John’s seems of course. We have already sunk their best vessel of force. A party of ours, consisting of about five hundred, that were stationed at La Prairie, has been attacked, but the assailants were repulsed with some loss. I hope the success which attends and promises to attend the American arms will induce a misinformed Ministry to adopt measures to bring about a reconciliation.

“I am, Sir, with the most respectful sentiments, your and the Congress’s most obedient and very bumble servant. “Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., &c., &c.”

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

In Provincial Congress, New-York, November 3, 1775.

SIR: We received your letter, unsigned, of the 26th ult., confirming the important intelligence that the fort and garrison at Chambly has surrendered to our troops, with a very considerable quantity of provisions and military stores. This victory, together with the favourable prospect it affords of the acquisition of St. John’s, gives us pleasure, and we most heartily concur with you in the hopes you express, that the success of our arms may induce the Ministry to adopt measures of reconciliation.

We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order:

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

The Protest of Francis James, one of the owners of the Pilot-Boat Hampden, was read and filed.

Ordered, That John McKesson, one of the Secretaries, draw an Affidavit of Francis James, one of the owners of the Pilot-Boat named the Hampden, that the said Boat was taken without any collusion.

A Letter from a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Westchester County was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“White Plains, November 1, 1775.

“SIR: The Committee of Westchester County having been called together upon a request of some of their body, upon suspicion of a plot being contrived to carry off several of the members, and some others who had showed themselves zealously attached to the liberties of this country, Mr. Philip Pinckney, who had given very full information to some of the Committee of the plot, and had offered to swear to it, provided he was brought by the Committee by an appearance of force, and had engaged not to be out of the way, upon being sent for by some of the guard attending the Committee, was not to be found. Whereupon, some of the Committee, by order of the whole, waited upon Mr. Pinckney, who, after refusing to come before the Committee, and after a great deal of equivocation, made the enclosed affidavit before a Magistrate, which we have reason to think is not the whole truth; for which reasons we refer you to Colonel Budd and Mr. Gilbert Horton, with whom Mr. Pinckney has conversed. As we are only a Sub-Committee, appointed to take the examination of Mr. Pinckney, and such other persons as might be necessary, and to make a report of our proceedings to the honourable the Provincial Congress, we beg leave to request that Mr. Pinckney may be sent for, and critically examined by the Congress respecting the above matter, and with relation to oars being made by the request of Captain Vantle-put; and, also, that William Davis, who was employed in making the oars, and Sarah Williams, the wife of Isaac Williams, of Westchester, may be also sent for and examined as a witness respecting them. We also request that Mr. William Lounsberry, Isaac Gedney, Jun., and three hired men who work at Justice Sutton’s, may be sent for on account of what Mr. Pinckney has related,

*