“Cambridge, November 16, 1775.

“SIR: It was determined at the conference held here in the last month, that such military stores as could be spared from New-York, Crown Point, Ticonderoga, &c., should be sent here, for the use of the Continental Army. As it was not clear to me whether I was to send for it, or that they were to be sent to me, I desired Mr. Reed, on his way to Philadelphia, to inquire into this matter. As I have not heard from him on that subject, and the season advancing fast, I have thought it necessary to send Henry Knox, Esq., who will deliver you this. After he forwards what he can get at your place, he will proceed to General Schuyler on this very important business. I request the favour of you, Sir, and the gentlemen of your Congress, to give Mr. Knox all the assistance in your power. By so doing you will render infinite service to your Country, and vastly oblige, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

“GEORGE WASHINGTON.

“To the President of the Provincial Congress, New-York.”

A Letter from Walter Livingston, Esq., Deputy Commissary-General, in answer to the Letter of the gentlemen assembled on the 13th, was read, in the words following:

“Albany, November 22, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: I received your favour of the 13th instant, and am of opinion that fresh beef will soon be scarce, unless I purchase stall fed cattle. I shall, however, waive my own judgment, and order some to be purchased, together with some flour and pork. The Congress have resolved that Mr. Phelps is one of my deputies, and, having no business for him here, have ordered him to repair to the battery erected in the Highlands, with all convenient speed. Mr. Egbert Dumond has applied to me to purchase some flour, to whom be pleased to deliver the enclosed. I wish you much joy with the surrender of Montreal.

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

“WALTER LIVINGSTON, Dep’y Com. Gen.

“To General McDougall and the other Gentlemen.”

A Letter from Governour Trumbull, as to the proposed plan of communicating intelligence, was read and filed, in the words following, viz:

“Lebanon, November 23, 1775.

“SIR: Your letter of October 17th last, enclosing copy of the minutes of Congress directing concerning the manner of conveying intelligence, in case of invasion, and receiving assistance when necessary, and a plan for that purpose, for our consideration, was not received till the 10th instant, and this day is the first opportunity I have to lay it before the Council of Safety. Your plan is approved, and I am desired by them to write to and employ proper persons in the western Towns to procure persons, to be in readiness at a minute’s warning, to carry any intelligence of alarm or invasion to the Towns where occasion may require. I have accordingly written to Abraham Davenport, of Stamford, and Thaddeus Burr, of Fairfield, Esquires, to make the necessary provisions.

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

“JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

“Honourable President Woodhull.”

A Letter from Robert Livingston, Junior, in answer to a Letter of the 20th of October last, on the subject of Gunpowder, was read and filed, in the words following, viz:

“Manor of Livingston, November 4, 1775.

“SIR: I have received your favour of the 20th of last month. I now send down the receipts from Mr. Walter Livingston for the one thousand and twenty pounds of powder, by my son, John Livingston, as I have made no account of it, and don’t know what the Philadelphia manufacturers take for manufacturing. I suppose that you have been informed that this powder was sent to me in as bad a state as well could be imagined; the casks, some of them, having nearly as much water as powder in them, besides nails and other things in it, which made the working it somewhat dangerous. As Mr. Livingston told me he had no orders to pay for it, I desire you would inform my son who is to pay for it. If there is any person appointed at New-York, I desire you would direct him where he must apply. I shall leave the settlement of the price to you. I have not got the receipt for the two hundred pounds sent by your order to the Committee of Albany. I had given an order to Dr. Van Dyck, with whom I sent a part of it, to receive the money; but the Committee informed him they had no cash in hand at present. As I suppose they will, according to your first order, pay no more than twenty Pounds per hundred weight, I should be obliged to you if you would inform my son who is to pay the other five Pounds and the bounty. Whether the bounty will be allowed on the re-manufactured powder I know not; but if it is not, I believe you will consider it in the allowance, as the bounty ought to have been earned in nearly the same time the manufacturer was employed in this business.

“I remain, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

“ROB’T LIVINGSTON, JUN.

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

A Letter from the Hon. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, was received and read, in the words following, viz:

“Philadelphia November 27, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: I am directed by Congress to write to you, and request you to use your utmost endeavours to furnish the troops raised in New-Jersey, for the defence of New-York, with as many fire-arms as your Colony can conveniently spare, and that you will please to send them to Lord Stirling, who commands the forces in the Jerseys

“I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the Members of the Convention of New-York.”

A Letter from James Duane, one of the Delegates of this Colony in Continental Congress, was received and read, in the words following, viz:

“Philadelphia, November 28, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: I have the honour of transmitting to you the enclosed resolutions of the Congress, in obedience to their order.

“Our letter on the subject of the fortress on Hudson’s River remains unanswered. It is of so much importance that our Colony should be satisfied of the fidelity and abilities of the officer to whom this command is intrusted, that we wait impatiently for your recommendation, flattering ourselves that it will have its full weight.

“We have procured an order in your favour, for fifty thousand Dollars, agreeable to the request of the late Congress; and as soon as the bills are signed, which has been unaccountably protracted by the gentlemen who undertook this business, the money will be forwarded.

“I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

“JAMES DUANE.

“Honourable Convention of New-York

“P.S. The resolution referred to in the enclosed extracts is in the press, and will speedily be published, among other acts of Congress. Five hundred weight of powder is now forwarded; it was borrowed from Pennsylvania, by the Congress, with difficulty.”

The Resolves of the Continental Congress, on the subject of manufacturing Firelocks, Saltpetre, and punishing persons harbouring Deserters, enclosed in Mr. Duane’s Letter, were read and filed.

Ordered, That Mr. Duane’s Letter, together with the Resolves of Congress therein enclosed, be deferred for the consideration of the Provincial Congress.

A Letter from Samuel Bayard, William Bedlow, Thomas Grenell, and Jonathan Lawrence, Commissioners at the Fortifications in the Highlands, dated the 11th ultimo, explaining the progress they had made in the said works, and requesting directions, was read and filed.

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

A Letter from Silas Marsh, Chairman of Amenia Precinct, in Dutchess County, dated the 25th of October last, enclosing an Association signed by Josiah Morse and Andrew L. Harvey, Jun., and informing that they are true