the said Committee would give directions that the said goods brought in return, as soon as they arrived in the West-Indies, he shipped on board of different vessels, to bring them to the Continent, which the Committee conceive to be the most advantageous method. That the Committee have proposed to direct the whole property adventured to be invested in Gunpowder; and if Gun-powder is not to be purchased, to be invested in Saltpetre; if neither Saltpetre nor Gunpowder is to be had, then to be laid out in good Muskets. And if none of the before-mentioned articles are to be got, or not sufficient to expend the value of the cargoes adventured, then the property, or so much thereof as shall remain unexpended in those articles, to be laid out in goods of the following kinds, viz:

Russia Drilling; Raven's Duck; Osnaburgs; Coarse Linens, from twelve to fifteen pence sterling per yard; Sheetings, from ten to twelve pence sterling per yard; Coarse Thread Hose, from twenty to twenty-five shillings sterling per dozen; Coarse Tandem Silesias, from seven-teen to twenty shillings per piece; Vittery, fit for soldiers' shirting, or any other articles they may think will be wanting.

The said Report being read a second time, and approved of, the Congress unanimously agreed that the said Report stand confirmed, and that the Committee carry the said Report into execution; and

Resolved, That John Vanderbilt, Comfort Sands, and Jacobus Van Zandt, and each and every of them, shall be fully indemnified by this Congress, or the Committee of Safety, or the Congress of this Colony for the time being, against any bonds which they, or either of them, will be under the necessity to enter into at the Custom-House in New-York, for the said vessels and cargoes; and that in case any costs or damages shall accrue, by means of entering into such bonds, that all such costs and damages as may arise, happen, or accrue, by means thereof, shall be borne by this Colony; and

Ordered, That the Treasurer of this Congress pay to Jacobus Van Zandt, Comfort Sands, and John Vanderbilt, the sum of five thousand Pounds, in part to enable them to load the said vessels.

Mr. Palmer, in pursuance of the direction of this Congress of yesterday, delivered a further Report respecting the Fortifications in the Highlands; which was read and filed, and is in the Words following, to wit:

That after the Committee had finished their Report in writing, which has been delivered in, it was agreed by Colonel Nicoll and Colonel Drake, that Mr. Palmer should deliver in their said Report; and that after the same should be read, Mr. Palmer should further report to this Congress, as their unanimous opinion with him, that the Fortifications erected, and those pointed out by them to be erected on Martelaer's Point, will not be sufficient for the security of the post, because of two large eminences overlooking the works, situate, the one within less, and the other not more than, half a mile from., the works, and so situated that an enemy might improve them much to our damage. That they were, therefore, jointly of opinion that a Redoubt ought to be erected at each of those places for the security of the garrison. And that the Committee were further agreed in opinion, that it was the indispensable duty of Mr. Romans accurately to have observed those matters in his first report to the Continental and Provincial Congresses, which the Committee told him when there on the places, to which Mr. Romans answered, he had pointed out the necessity of the one, and the other he had but lately thought of.

The said Report being read, this Congress agrees there-to, as to the Redoubts necessary to be erected on the said twp eminences.

Ordered, That a copy of this Report, with a certified copy of the Report of the same Committee made yesterday, be transmitted to the honourable the Continental Congress for their perusal, and that their directions may be obtained thereon; and

Ordered, That Colonel Brasher and Mr. Palmer carry those copies to the Continental Congress.

And, as Captain John Grenell has for some time past been on duty, and commanding on the said Fortifications, and may for the present be spared, an older officer being now there, and it is conceived he may also be able to give useful information relating to the places necessary to be fortified, in order to obstruct the navigation of Hudson's river,

Ordered, That Captain Grenell do attend the other two gentlemen to Philadelphia for that purpose.

Ordered, That George Clinton, Esq., be appointed Brigadier-General of the Militia of Ulster and Orange Counties, formed into one Brigade, and that a Commission be issued to him accordingly.

The Congress adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow morning.

Die Mercurii, 10 ho. A. M., December 20, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: John Herring, Esq., President, pro tern.

For New-York.—Mr. Beekman, Mr. Roosevelt, Colonel McDougall, Captain Rutgers, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sands, Mr. Imlay.

Albany.—Colonel Rensselaer, Capt. Cuyler, Mr. Gansevoort, Mr. Bleecker.

Dutchess,—Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Scbenck.

Ulster.—Mr. Wynkoop, Mr. Cantine, Mr. Palmer.

Orange,—Mr. Herring, Colonel Hay, Mr. Clarke.

Suffolk.—Captain Wickham, Mr. Gelston, Mr. Tredwell.

Westchester, —Doctor Graham, Mr. Lockwood, William Paulding.

Tryon.—Mr. J. Moore.

Cumberland.—Doctor Spooner.

Doctor Paul Spooner, from Cumberland County, appeared in Congress, and produced the following credentials, to wit: First, a Certificate from the Committee of that County, dated at Westminster, on the 1st day of December last, and signed, by John Barrett, the Clerk,* whereby it is certified that the Committee of the said County had proceeded in the election of Deputies, pursuant to the Resolves of the Congress, for the Colony of New-York, of the 18th October last; and it is thereby further certified, that Major William, Williams and Doctor Paul Spooner, are chosen by the County to represent the people thereof, in this Provincial Congress, at the City of New-York. The said Committee thereby also recommend a Brigadier-General, and their other Field and Staff Officers, for the Militia of the said County.

Mr. Spooner also produced another. Certificate pf the County Committee, bearing date on the 30th of November last, and signed by John Barrett, their Clerk, whereby it is certified that the Deputies chosen to represent the County of Cumberland, at this Provincial Congress, in the City of New-York, are thereby qualified, and have full power to act in the said Congress singly, in as ample and full a manner, when but one is present, as both when both are present at the said Congress.

The said Certificates being read, and approved, were ordered to be filed; and

Ordered, That Mr. Spooner take his seat.

* MAT IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: We, the Committee of Safety for this County, hare proceeded in the election of Deputies, pursuant to the resolves of the honourable Congress for the Colony of New-York, of October 18, 1775: And this certifies, that Major William Williams and Doctor Paul Spooner, are chosen by this County, to represent the people thereof, in the honourable Provincial Congress, at the city of New-York. Also, we, the Committee of Safety for this County, have presumed to nominate Colonel James Rogers to be the Brigadier for Cumberland, Gloucester, and Charlotte Brigade.

Moreover, according to the directions of the honourable Provincial Congress of New-york, (as are transmitted to us,) per our Delegate, Major Williams, we have recommended that the following gentlemen, belonging to this County, be speedily commissioned by said Congress, viz: Lower Regiment in the County: Major William Williams, first Colonel; Major Jonathan Hunt, second Colonel; Lieutenant John Norton, first Major; Oliver Lovell, second Major; Arad Hunt, Adjutant; and Samuel Fletcher, Quartermaster.*

Upper Regiment: Captain Joseph Marsh, first Colonel; Capt. John Barrett, second Colonel; Lieutenant Hilkiah Grovt, first Major; Captain Joel Matthews, second Major; Timothy Spencer, Adjutant; Amos Robinson, Quartermaster.

Regiment of Minute-Men: Captain Job Hoisington, first Colonel; Seth Smith, second Colonel; Joseph Tyler, first Major; Joel Marsh, second Major; Timothy Phelps, Adjutant; Elisha Hawley, Quarter-master.

The honourable Provincial Congress complying with out request, as speedily as possible, will much oblige your most obedient, humble servant. Signed by order of the Committee of Safety:

JOHN BARRETT, Clerk.

To the Honourable the President of the Provincial Congress at the City of New-York.