thousand pounds, for the necessary purposes of erecting the said Fortifications, and defraying the debts contracted on account thereof; that Mr. Berrien send up such part thereof to the other Commissioners as he may think proper or necessary, and retain the residue thereof in his own hands, to discharge the debts already contracted, or that may necessarily be contracted by him as Commissary for the said Commissioners, and one of the said Commissioners.

Friday Morning, December 8, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Colonel Woodhull, President.

For New-York.—Captain Rutgers, Mr. Smith, Colonel Brasher, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Sands, Mr. Beekman, Mr. Ray, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Van Zandt.

Albany.—Colonel Rensselaer, Colonel Nicoll, Mr. Gansevoort, Mr. Bleecker, Captain Cuyler.

Dutchess.—Mr. Gilbert Livingston, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Schenck.

Ulster.—Mr. Cantine, Mr. Palmer.

Goshen Precinct, Orange County.—Mr. Clowes.

Westchester.—Colonel Graham, Colonel Gilbert Drake, Colonel Joseph Drake.

Suffolk.—Mr. Strong, Mr. Hobart.

King's.—Mr. Vanderbilt, Mr. Leffertse.

A draft of a Letter to the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of the Continental Congress, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, December 8, 1775.

SIR: We are honoured with your favour of November the 3d, enclosing resolves of Congress respecting the exportation of the produce of the United Colonies; the conduct to be observed by the Colonies, which are not included in the Restraining Act, &c.; of the 9tb, by express, enclosing resolves of Congress touching the fortresses on Hudson's river, in the Highlands; of the 10th, concerning the clothing of the army in the Northern department; and of the 27th, requesting us to furnish Lord Stirling with what fire-arms we could conveniently spare.

It gives us pain that letters of such great importance should remain so long unanswered; but the late Provincial Congress having broke up without appointing a Committee of Safety, and the present Congress not meeting till yesterday, has prevented their being properly noticed. However, a considerable number of the members who were in town, took upon themselves to give directions for the executing such parts of the resolves, respecting the fortresses in the Highlands, as would not admit of delay, and for expediting the clothing of the army, which we hope is, before this, safely arrived in Albany.

Not having any fire-arms belonging to the Colony which could be spared, a Committee has been appointed to purchase them in the city, who have engaged one hundred stand, to be ready in ten days.

We shall use the utmost despatch to complete every thing committed to our care respecting the fortifications on Hudson's river. The delay in our meeting has prevented the raising the artillery company directed by Congress. We have nominated Captain John Grenell, of Colonel Clinton's regiment, as the most proper person we can meet with for the command of an artillery company. He now commands a detachment of that regiment at the post in the Highlands, from whence we cannot call him without leave of the Congress. As his company is at present incomplete, and the time of inlistment is nearly expired, we beg leave to suggest whether it would not be proper to leave the company under the command of his first lieutenant for the present.

We pray the sense of Congress on this matter as soon as possible; and at the same time to be informed what is the establishment of the artillery with respect to pay, clothing, and arms.

We doubt not but the resolves of Congress, of November 1, will be most religiously observed by the inhabitants of this Colony.

It gives us the highest satisfaction to find that our conduct, respecting the commerce of this Colony, meets with the approbation of the Congress; and the polite manner in which you are pleased to communicate their vote of thanks, demands our most grateful acknowledgments.

We have the honour to be, with the highest respect and esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servants.

To the Hon. John Hancock, President of the Congress.

P. S. We beg leave to inform the Congress, that in obedience to their order, three companies of minute-men they directed, with their proper officers, are stationed in the Highlands, near the fortifications, and under the command of Captain John Grenell, the present commanding officer of the Continental forces at the fortress.

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

A draft of a Letter to the Delegates of this Colony at Continental Congress, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, December 8, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: At this late date we acknowledge the receipt of your favours of 3d, 9th, and 28th November last, having been, till the 6th inst., in the unhappy predicament of not having members sufficient to make a Congress.

We are much obliged to you for putting it in our power to recommend, through you, an officer to command at the fortress in the Highlands. We are fully of opinion with you, gentlemen, that the person to fill that important office should be not only of the strictest honesty and fidelity, but also well acquainted with the pass he must defend. We therefore recommend Gilbert Livingston, Esq., Mr. William Bedlow, Mr. Thomas Grenell, and Mr. Jonathan Lawrence, as persons qualified for that service.

We are pleased to find there has been an order passed in our favour for fifty thousand dollars, and heartily wish the money here, as we have many pressing calls, and not a farthing to satisfy them. We earnestly entreat your utmost endeavours to have it forwarded to us as soon as possible.

The five hundred pounds of powder sent to the fort in the Highlands, was a very seasonable supply, as that pass would have remained in an almost defenceless state without it. This Colony is so destitute of powder, that we are obliged to take the liberty of desiring you to be extremely pressing in Congress for the repayment of the debt due to us in that article.

Yours of the 3d instant we shall duly notice as soon as we have expedited the many very pressing matters which have grown on our hands by occasion of our not being a body sufficient to do business for so long a time.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants.

To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress.

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

Captain John McNachten, who arrived last evening from London, being requested by Congress to attend, and attending at the door, was called in and examined; and his examination being reduced to writing, and read to him, he declared it was truly taken, and was thereupon filed.

A Certificate from the Committee of the City of New-York, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Committee Chamber, New-York, December 5, 1775.

The General Committee hereby recommend William Leary as a suitable person for a Town-Major, and request he may be commissioned accordingly.

JOHN BROOME, Chairman pro tern.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress, in New-York."

Ordered, That a Commission be issued to the said William Leary, as Town-Major of the City of New-York, agreeably to the said recommendation.

A Certificate from the Committee of the City of New-York, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Committee Chamber, New-York, December 5, 1775.

The General Committee hereby recommend Peter Pra Van Zandt for first Major, and Patrick Welsch Adjutant to the said regiment of militia, and request they may be commissioned accordingly.

JOHN BROOME, Chairman pro tem.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress in New-York."