Foster, who was a member of our last Provincial Congress, and is a warm friend to American liberty.

In the last Summer during the continuance of our Provincial resolves against the exportation of live-stock, and before the non-exportation, ordered by the Continental Congress, took effect, he obtained from the Provincial Congress license to export live stock for the purpose of importing powder, the execution of which, he suspended until he could send his vessel out without danger of molestation from the men-of-war, and as the season of the year now gives him security against that danger, he is desirous of pursuing his object, for which end he has put himself to considerable expense. He, therefore, applied to us for a continuance of his permission, conceiving, that as it was originally granted before the non-exportation took effect, this Committee has a power to give such continuance. We informed him that we were clearly of opinion that he had lost his opportunity, and that we could not relieve him. He, thereupon, signified his intention of applying to the Continental Congress on that subject, as well as concerning a large ship, which he is now building, and which he intends to offer for sale to Congress, and requested our re commendation, in hopes it would give his application weight. We, therefore, beg leave to recommend him through you to the Congress, as a gentleman worthy of the notice of that respectable body.

We have it much at heart to prevent, as effectually as possible, the importation of British and Irish goods. To this object our attention has been called by a late importation by the way of St. Eustatia. According to the present regulation, the reshaping of the goods is the only punishment, in point of property, to be inflicted on the offender, and we think it absolutely necessary to substitute confiscation, in stead of the reshipping of the goods, as the most effectual means to check offenders of that kind; and in this view we beg leave to recommend the proposed amendment to your attention.

We have thought it necessary to appoint a Barrackmaster for the City and County of New York, in order that the barracks in this city may constantly be kept in a proper state for the comfortable accommodation of the Continental troops, that may from time to time be posted here, or be marching through this city. We have nominated Garret Roorback to that office; and, therefore, entreat you to procure the settlement of his salary by the Congress.

In the resolves of the Congress of the 8th instant, it is recommended to this Committee to inquire, "whether the depth of water in Hudson-River, below the Battery," may not be easily lessened, "so as to prevent large ships passing." We are at a loss to determine with any certainty what battery is meant, and request an explanation on that head.

We have appointed a person, agreeable to the resolves of Congress of the 2d instant, for collecting copies of all petitions, memorials, and remonstrances, which have been presented to the Throne, or either of the Houses of Parliament, since 1762, and the answers to them.

We agree that the reasons you assign against making application for liberty to export flaxseed, are sufficient; and, therefore, think it best to withhold such application.

The business recommended to us in the former part of the resolve of the 8lh instant, for securing the port of New York, has been some time under our consideration. We have had an accurate sounding of the channel, which, with the plan for securing the port, and a calculation of the expense that will attend it, we shall communicate to you as soon as possible.

On the subject of the resolve of Congress, for an ex change of Lieutenant Tylee, we beg leave to inform the Congress, that a few days before the receipt of that resolve, application was made to Captain Vandeput, under our direction, by a person connected with Lieutenant Tylee, to procure his exchange, Captain Vandeput answered, that it was not in his power to exchange him at present, that he had long since wrote to his Admiral for directions on that subject, the answer to which had miscarried, and that he had not any directions to exchange.

We have appointed a member to request the Mayor of this city to use his influence with Captain Vandeput, or Captain Parker, to make a second application to the Admiral on that matter.

We have received from you, gentlemen, sundry requests about our accounts. We are so few, in number, and continually so overpressed with the despatch of publick matters, that it has not yet been in our power to give due attention to that affair. We will endeavour to employ assistance, and have the accounts prepared as soon as possible.

We are, most respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants.

By order of the Committee.

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

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

Die Solis, 9 ho. A. M., January 21, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

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

The Committee were informed by some of their members, that many of the inhabitants are removing their families and effects from this city, at great expense. That the inhabitants are alarmed by the confident reports, that General Lee is at New Haven, or on his way thither, with a considerable body of troops. The Committee are of opinion, that it may occasion great difficulties and inconveniences to the inhabitants of this city, should any body of forces arrive here for active service; and it would tend to the peace and happiness of the inhabitants, for this Committee to obtain some information on that subject.

Thereupon a draft of a Letter to Major-General Lee, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, January 21, 1776.

SIR: The inhabitants of this city are much alarmed at various confident advices of your destination, with a considerable body of forces for active service here; confident, however, as those advices may appear to the people without doors, we cannot readily credit them, as we conceive it most probable, that were you preparing to execute any plan of that kind, it would be preceded by some intimations to us on the subject, from the Continental Congress, General Washington, or yourself. We, therefore, should not have troubled you with this application, had it not been to procure such information from you, as may enable us, in a prudent use of it, to allay the fears of our inhabitants, who, at this inclement season of the year, will continue, as they have already begun, to remove their women and children, and which, if continued, may occasion hundreds to perish for want of shelter.

This Committee, and the Congress, whose place we fill in their recess, are, we flatter ourselves, as unanimously zealous in the cause of America, as any Representative body on the Continent; so truly zealous, that both the one and the other will cheerfully devote this city to sacrifice, for advancing that great and important cause. But, to acquit ourselves in the judgment of the Continent, which, in point of publick aid, is deeply interested in the preservation of this metropolis, and to our constituents, who expect our prudent care of their lives and properties, we think it our indispensable duty to inform you, that, though we have advices that General Washington has been informed of the arrival of a large quantity of powder among us, we have not a sufficiency to enable you to act hostilely against the ships-of-war now in port. Our whole quantity of publick powder is less than three tons. No works are erected to annoy the enemy in their present situation. Should it be practicable at this juncture to erect hasty works for that purpose, Jo what shift are we to betake ourselves, after our trifling supply of ammunition shall be expended? The commencement of hostilities, for which we are now so unprepared, will preclude the possibility of a supply, even for our musketry, in the ensuing campaign. The strict guard against the exportation of ammunition from the foreign ports in Europe, we have great reason to fear, will cut off all hopes of supply from that quarter, as well to us, as the Continental Congress. We have sent sundry adventures thither, some of which have failed; for this reason we are daily pushing adventures to the West-Indies, with the article of provisions, as a necessary expedient in the present uncom-