Ordered, That the consideration thereof be referred to the Provincial Congress.

A Letter, dated at Philadelphia on the 4th of November last, and signed A, was read, in the words following, viz:

“Philadelphia, November 4, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE: I sincerely sympathize with you in your distress, and fear the inhuman proceedings of those tyrants that infest America. I am afraid your valuable Town of New-York is in danger of being burned. I would therefore recommend to you to prepare fire-vessels, which, properly made use of, will defend you against your infernal enemies, and save your Town, which is valuable. I am of opinion that I am possessed of a knowledge that would be efficacious in burning such vessels as may come to do you damage; but as my situation requires me to conceal my name at present, it would not be prudent it should yet be known, as it may be attended with ill consequences to me; neither would it be prudent to risk my advice without an advantage in proportion to the service I may do. Should you, therefore, Gentlemen, conceive the above proposal to be of any importance, and deserving of an answer, be pleased to direct to A, at the London Coffee-House, to the care of Mr. Hugh James, the bar-keeper. I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant,

A.

“To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety in New-York.”

A Letter from Colonel Goose Van Schaick, dated at Albany, on the 2d November, ult., informing Congress of the death of John Keyser, Second Lieutenant in Captain Christopher Yates’s Company, and recommending that Mr. Tobias Van Vechten may be appointed to supply the vacancy.

A Letter from the Hon. John Hancock was read, in the words following, viz:

“Philadelphia, November 10, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: The Congress having appointed a Committee to purchase clothing for the Army in the Northern Department, and the Committee having purchased them, I am directed to inform you that they are ordered to be sent by land to Dobbs’s Ferry, where you are requested to have a boat ready to take them in, and transport them immediately to Albany. The wagons set out to-morrow morning.

“I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the Gentlemen of the Congress at New-York.”

A Letter from Samuel Tucker, Chairman of the Committee of Trenton, was read, in the words following, viz:

“Trenton, November 10, 1775.

“SIR: Your letter of the 17th ult., concerning several resolutions of the Continental and your Provincial Congress, was delivered to me this afternoon, under a new blank cover, the handwriting of the superscription to me unknown. Our Congress adjourned on the 28th of last month to the first Tuesday in April next, unless sooner convened by the Committee of Safety.

“The Assembly of this Colony meets at Burlington on Wednesday next, at which time I shall have the opportunity of seeing several members of our Committee of Safety, to whom I shall communicate the contents of your letter. At present, the mode of forwarding all intelligence, expresses, &c., is by our Town Committees, who, on the first notice, furnish horses and proper persons from one Town to the other, which has answered very well, as far as I have heard, in times past, although I am convinced a further regulation is necessary, and horses and proper persons ought to. be in readiness, kept at every stage for the purpose.

“I have only to add that I am, although unknown, your most obedient humble servant,

“SAMUEL TUCKER.

“P. S. Direct in future to me at Trenton.”

A Letter from Cornelius Clopper, one of the Deputies elected to represent the City and County of New-York, and dated the 14th. ultimo, informing Congress that the remoteness of his situation from Town renders it highly inconvenient for a person of his advanced life and infirm constitution to give his attendance, and hoping they will accept of his resignation, was received and filed.

A Letter from Colonel John Van Ness, dated at Rhine-beck, the 14th November, 1775, informing Congress of the place of rendezvous of his Regiment, in case of an alarm, and that Powder and Lead is much wanted, was received and filed.

A Letter from General Schuyler, advising of the reduction of St. John’s, was read, in the words following, viz:

“Ticonderoga, November 7, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: I am this moment honoured with General Montgomery’s despatches, advising me of the reduction of St. John’s, which surrendered on the 3d instant. On this interesting event, I congratulate you with all that satisfaction which arises from a hope that it will be another step towards inducing the Ministry to hearken to the wish of America for a reconciliation, and that General Montgomery commanded, whom you recommended in such a polite manner to Congress. The difficulties he has had to surmount would be too long for a letter, at a time when I wish his success should be known the soonest possible.

“I am, Gentlemen, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant,

“PHILIP SCHUYLER.

“The New-York Provincial Congress.

“P. S. General Carleton attempted our posts at Longeuil, and, although he had a considerable body, has been beat back with loss.”

Ordered, That the consideration of said Letter be referred to the Provincial Congress.

Another Letter from General Schuyler was read, in the words following, viz:

“Ticonderoga, November 18, 1775.

“SIR: I have the honour to congratulate you on the success of our arms in the reduction of Montreal, which was delivered up to General Montgomery on the 13th instant. You will feel a particular satisfaction in the reflection that you recommended this brave, experienced, and sensible gentleman, to a command. May indulgent Heaven smile on our honest endeavours in every future contest, that an infatuated Ministry may see the errors they have gone into, and that peace, mutual love, and interest, may again unite Britons and Americans in the most indissoluble ties, and erect one mighty Empire, which the hand of the Great Architect of the universe only will be able to crush.

“I am, Sir, with sentiments of great respect for you and the respectable body in which you preside, your most obedient humble servant,

“PHILIP SCHULER

“Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., &c., &.c.”

Ordered, That the consideration thereof be referred to the Provincial Congress.

Another Letter from General Schuyler was read, in the words following, viz:

“Ticonderoga, November 20, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: As I am not advised of what money has been advanced the troops raised in this Colony, I find it impossible to pay them without the hazard of going beyond what they ought to have, especially as several of the officers do not know what they have received. You will therefore please, with all possible despatch, to transmit me an account of what has been paid by Congress, their agents or Committees, specifying the officers’ names to whom, by whom, and when, and distinguishing between billeting money and pay.

“The frost is so intense that this lake is already, in many parts, covered with ice; and if it continues a few days longer, I fear our intercourse with Canada will be cut off for this year.

“I am, Gentlemen, most respectfully, your obedient Servant,

“PHILIP SCHUYLER.

“To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq.”

Ordered, That the consideration of this Letter be also referred to the next Provincial Congress.

A Letter from General Washington was read, in the words following, to wit: