friends, and desired to be entered among the faithful, was read and filed.

A Return, signed by Charles Clinton, Chairman of Hanover Precinct, in Orange County, and dated the 3d ult., whereby it appears that, at an election of officers for a Company of Minute-Men, in the said Precinct, Peter Hill was elected Captain; James Salter, First Lieutenant; Nathaniel Milligan, Second Lieutenant; and William Gudgeon, Ensign, was read and filed.

A Letter from Egbert Benson, Chairman of the Committee of Dutchess County, dated the 7th ultimo, informing that, pursuant to an order from the Continental Congress, Colonel Grant has been apprehended, and other particulars respecting said Grant, was read and filed, and is as follows, viz:

“Poughkeepsie, November 7, 1775.

“SIR: I am directed by the Committee to inform you, that, in consequence of the order of the Continental Congress, Colonel Grant has been apprehended, and is now at this place, in custody of Captain Schenck.

“Although nothing has been referred to us respecting Mr. Grant, yet we thought it our duty to apprize the Congress of the following transaction, as it may possibly influence the measures they mean to take with him.

“Some months ago, Mr. Grant was taken by a party of the Continental forces, under the command of Captain Rossitmaus. At this time, no kind of evidence appeared against him; yet he having then lately been to Boston, and intimating that he had it in contemplation to go there again, and not answering us satisfactorily whether, he being upon half pay, if a Regiment should be completed, and ordered out against the Colonies, and he should be ordered to join such Regiment, he would obey the order, we conceived it prudent to lay him under an injunction not to depart the Colony without leave of the Congress or this Committee, and passed a resolution for that purpose. He requested time to consider of the propriety of his entering into such engagements, which was readily granted him, upon his promising that, in the interim, he would not leave the Colony; so that Mr. Grant, in effect, has engaged to us, upon his honour, not to leave the Colony during the present controversy, until he has again appeared before the Committee, and given his positive answer, whether he will comply with the above requisition.

“Since that time, no complaints have been made; neither has any evidence appeared to us against Mr. Grant. In justice to him, we must also inform you that he assured us his business to Boston was entirely of a private nature, in order to complete the purchase of some lands; and that, at that time, he knew of no other kind of business which would call him there again.

“I remain, by order of the Committee, your very humble servant,

“EGBERT BENSON, Chairman.

“To Gilbert Livingston, Esq., or either of the Gentlemen attending as Deputies from the County of Dutchess, at the Provincial Congress, New-York.”

“P. S. As we have no fund appropriated to that purpose, we expect the express will be paid in New-York.”

A Letter from Tobias Stoutenbergh, dated 8th ultimo, informing Congress that his age and infirmity will not admit of his accepting the command of a Regiment, was read and filed, and is as follows, viz:

“November 8, 1775.

“SIR: I received the directions of Congress, dated October 8th, from which I infer that I am in appointment for the command of a Regiment. There is nothing would be more satisfactory to me than to have ability of body sufficient to be active in the defence of the liberties of my Country. Age and other infirmities of the body render me incapable of enjoying the above pleasing privilege. Consequently I must, in regard to the good cause we are embarked in, beg leave to be excused; and please to appoint some other hearty friend to the command, as I should look upon myself wanting in duty to my Country, to accept an office in which I was not capable to act, if necessity required.

“I am, Sir, with esteem, your and America’s friend and humble servant,

“TOBIAS STOUTENBERGH.

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

A Return, signed by Matthew Carpenter, Chairman, and Joseph Morey, Clerk, certifying that, at a meeting of the Committee of New-Marlborough Precinct, in Ulster County, on the 18th November last, the following gentlemen were elected officers of a Company of Minute-Men in said Precinct, to wit: Silas Purdy, Captain; Wolvert Ackert, First Lieutenant; Zophar Perkins, Second Lieutenant; and Leonard Smith, Jun., Ensign, was read and filed.

A Letter from Thomas Outwater, Chairman of Orange Precinct, in Orange County, mentioning a mistake in the election of Delegates, and requesting directions thereupon, was read and filed, and is as follows, viz:

“Orangetown, November 9, 1775.

“SIR: As the time appointed by Congress is expired, for electing Deputies to meet in future Congress in New-York, the 14th day instant, by reason of some misapprehension, and the situation of our County and inclemency of the weather, we must apply to Congress for an amendment to the resolve for the County of Orange, and that a farther day might be fixed, with the addition that the six members may be elected in each Precinct in the County of Orange, which were by said resolve directed to be elected at the usual place for electing members to represent in General Assembly, under the inspection of the County Committee, or such a part as they shall direct.

“From your humble servant,

“THOMAS OUTWATER, Chairman.

“To Mr. Benson, Secretary to the Provincial Congress, in New-York.”

A bill of sale of the Pilot-Boat Hampden, made and executed by, Francis James and William Mussel, to Jacobus Van Zandt, and bearing date the 21st November last, was filed.

The Delegates then adjourned until ten o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Saturday, December 2, 1775.

Present: Nathaniel Woodhull, Chairman, and Delegates from the Counties of New-York, Albany, Dutchess, Ulster, Westchester, Suffolk, and King’s.

Ordered, That a Letter be addressed to the Committee of Richmond County, in the words following:

New-York, December 2, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: A quorum of the Deputies from the Counties of New-York, Albany, Dutchess, Ulster, Suffolk, and Westchester, have met every day for a fortnight past, without being able to do any of the publick business, for want of a representation of other of the Counties. Orange County, by a mistake in their election, have been obliged to hold a new election, which has delayed the attendance of their members; but they are daily expected, as are also those of the northern Counties.

I am directed by the members present to request you to cause an election to be held, without delay, for Deputies to represent your County in Provincial Congress, and that as many of them as your people please to direct to form a quorum be sent as soon as possible.

The evil consequences that will attend the not having the Provincial Congress, to determine on the measures necessary to be adopted and carried into execution at this unhappy crisis, are more easily conceived than expressed; and rest assured, gentlemen, that the neighbouring Colonies will not remain inactive spectators, if you show a disposition to depart from the Continental union.

Confusion and disorder, with numberless other evils, you must suppose will attend the want of a Congress, for the government of this Colony, until a reconciliation with the Mother Country can be obtained.

We beg, gentlemen, you will consider this matter with that seriousness which the peace, good order, and liberties of your Country require.

To John Poillon, John Tysen, and Lambert Merrell, of the Committee for Richmond County.

A Letter from Theodorus Van Wyck, one of the Delegates elected to represent the City and County of New-York, excusing his non-attendance, was read, as follows, viz: