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

Die Jovis, 3 ho. P. M., January 11, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esq., Chairman, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Scott, Mr. Tredwell, Colonel McDougall, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Sands.

The consideration of the great importance to the Colonies of having Powder-Mills for the manufactory of Gun-powder immediately, and the more especially, as a large quantity of Saltpetre, is confidently said to be arrived at Philadelphia; agreed to recommend to Robert R. Livingston, Esq., the re-erection of the Powder-Mill formerly built by the late Mr. Justice Livingston.

Thereupon, a draft of a Letter to Robert R. Livingston, Esq., on that subject, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, in the recess

of the Provincial Congress, New-York, January 11, 1776.

SIR: While we most heartily condole with you on the loss of so significant a publick character, as that of your late worthy lather, your known attachment to the publick cause will readily excuse our intermixing a few considerations of publick utility with our sympaihetick expressions on that distressing event.

We have full evidence of a large importation of Saltpetre into Philadelphia; our friends in New-England are pushing the manufacture of that article, and we hope our Congress at their next meeting will give all due encouragement to so useful a manufacture in this Colony. In this view, it is probable, that there will be full employ for Powder-Mills, and for this reason we beg leave to recommend the re-erection of the patriotick work of the late Mr. Justice Livingston to your immediate attention.

We are, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servants.

To Robert R. Livingston, Esq., at his seat, Claremont.

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

The Committee consisting of only a Quorum, directed a Letter to be wrote to Peter R. Livingston, Esq., and request his attendance.

Thereupon, a draft of a Letter to Peter R. Livingston, Esq., was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, daring the recess of the Provincial

Congress, New-York, January 11, 1776.

SIR: The Committee of Safety by the absence of yourself and another member, and the indisposition of some other members, are generally reduced to a bare quorum.

Many things of importance are necessary, and ought to be taken into consideration immediately.

If any of the members present should be indisposed, the Committee may be without even a quorum, and the publick business entirely suffer. The Committee expected your attendance and assistance long before this day.

In case of your indisposition, or inability to attend, Mr. Henry Oothoudt was appointed in your stead.

We pray that you attend, or that you endeavour that Mr. Oothoudt attend without delay.

We are, respectfully, sir, your very humble servants.

A similar Letter, omitting those pails which relate to Mr. Oothoudt, was sent to Mr. Imlay and Mr. Morris Graham.

Sundry Accounts were produced to the Committee, for billeting and pay of Commissioned and non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the Companies of Minute-Men, who have been stationed near the Fortifications in the Highlands, for payment, and requests were made whether any, and how much, if any thing, is allowed for the billeting of Officers. The billeting money for Officers in the late campaign, having, also, been in part the subject of some late applications, the Committee determined to write to the Delegates of this Colony on these subjects; and to request the resolutions of Congress as to the pay, clothing, and establishment of the new levies ordered to be raised.

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

In Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, during the

recess of the Provincial Congress, New-York January 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Winter is wearing away fast, and perhaps the approaching campaign may be an active one. In this1 view, we conceive that every attention should be paid to promote the publick service.

The commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and privates of the Minute-Men employed for the defence of the fortifications on Hudson's River, are left at an uncertainty with respect to their pay, and for their billeting money, until they are provided for at the post, for which they are now applying to us. How discouraging this uncertainty will be to the service, and how much it is out of our power to remedy the evil, must be obvious. We must, therefore, request the most immediate resolution of the Continental Congress on that head.

The commissioned officers in the late New-York battalions of Continental troops, think it a piece of justice to them to reimburse them for their billeting money, before they were supported upon the publick provisions. You will readily conceive how disheartening it must be to them to be left saddled with a certain loss, to which they must infallibly be subject if publick provision be not made for their reimbursement. Without this, they will engage afresh with great reluctance. They are continually applying to us on this head, but you well know we are incapable of giving them the relief sought for; this must be had from the Continental Congress. We beg you to procure their speedy resolution on this head.

The resolutions of the Continental Congress as to the pay, clothing, and billeting money, for recruiting the four battalions with the utmost dispatch, we most ardently request.

We are, with the highest respect and esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants.

By order of the Committee of Safety.

To the Delegates for the Colony of New-York, at Congress Philadelphia.

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

Die Veneris, 19 ho. A. M., January 12, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esq., Chairman, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Scott, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Clarke, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Sands.

A Letter from Egbert Benson, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Dutchess County, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

(Letter not entered.)

A Bond of Cornelius Atherton and Brinton Paine, to Colonel Alexander McDougall and Peter T. Curtenius, in the penal sum of seven hundred Pounds, dated the 20th day of December last, and conditioned that the said Cornelius Atherton will fulfil his Contract made with the obligee, on behalf for the making and delivery of a certain number of Muskets, &c., was read and filed.

A Bond of the said Cornelius Atherton, and of John Chamberlaine, to the said obliges, and of the like tenour, sum, and condition of the Bond above recited, was read and filed.

Thereupon, Ordered, That the Secretary deliver to Colonel McDougall and Colonel Curtenius a certified copy of the Order of the Provincial Congress of this Colony on their Treasurer, made and passed on the 15th day of December last, for the sum of three hundred and fifty Pounds, which was to be advanced to the said Cornelius Atherton, when proper security was given to fulfil his Contract; and that the Secretary also give, therewith, a Certificate that the said Bonds are filed with him, that Colonel McDougall and Colonel Curtenius, or their order, may be enabled to receive of the Treasurer, as well the moneys by Comfort Sand's, at their request, as the residue of the moneys now to be advanced, amounting, in the whole, to the sum of three hundred and fifty Pounds, agreeable to the said Order of the Provincial Congress.