formed if we can be supplied with that article at Philadelphia; if so, be pleased to send two tons to Elizabethtown without delay, to our direction, together with the amount of the cost, which we shall remit without delay.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants.

By order of the Committee.

To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress, Philadelphia.

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

Joseph Woolcombe, mate of the ship Blue-Mountain-Valley, was brought before the Committee and examined. He says he was chief mate of the ship Blue-Mountain-Valley, that she is laden with hogs, provisions, &c., for Boston; left London thirteen weeks ago; that he was sent up to New-York, by the Captain, to put some letters for England on board of the men-of-war and to return; that the ship was to lie off-and-on fourteen hours for him; that they have had bad weather; that thirty-six sail of transports, with stores and provisions, came out with them; that as many more transports were ready to sail; that they have had such weather, that he believes many other trans ports are gone to the West-Indies; that the Blue-Mountain-Valley is a sharp-built ship, and would make as good weather on a winter coast as any ship; that two troops of Light-Horse came out in transports with their vessel, and Were to winter in the West-Indies.

Ordered, That Mr. Woolcombe remain in custody in Captain Ledyard's room for further examination.

The Committee conceiving it too great a burden on the Minute-Men, or detachments from this city, to continue long on the duty of guarding (he cannon near King's Bridge, concluded that it would be most convenient to have a guard of Westchester Minute-Men at that place.

Thereupon, a draft of a Letter on that subject to Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, of the Minute-Men in Westchester County, was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, January 22, 1776.

SIR: Having received information that some evil minded persons have spiked up the cannon near King's Bridge, to prevent their being further damaged, or rendered entirely unfit for service, we think it necessary that a continual guard should be kept over them for their immediate security. We have sent out a company from one of the Independent Battalions of this city; but, as they are too much harassed with continual duty upon the large guards, it is necessary to keep up in this city, we desire that you would, as soon as possible, cause them to be relieved by a company of Minute Men out of your regiment, to be upon constant duty till further orders; their pay and billeting to be the same allowed for the Continental troops now raising.

We are, sir, your very humble servants.

By order of the Committee.

To Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Graham, of the Regiment of Minute-Men in Westchester County.

N.B. This business is committed to you, sir, as your Colonel's remote residence would make it inconvenient to direct it him. You will please to apologize to him for the same.

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

3 ho. P. M., Die LunÆ, January 22, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

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

Two Letters from Thomas Grenell, one of the Com missioner at the Fortifications in the Highlands, to Mr. John Berrien, were read, in order to obtain information of the state of the Fortifications in the Highlands, and of the people at work there.

Mr. John Berrien delivered in a Memorandum of Balances of Accounts and Moneys due from the Commissioners for the said Fortifications, as follows, to wit: Balance of Carpenter's Bill, one hundred and seventy-eight Pounds eleven Shillings; balance of Mason's Bill, two hundred and ninety-nine Pounds five Shillings; Draft of Com-missioners at the Fort, to pay up Accounts of Provisions, &c., three hundred and fifty Pounds; Cash in advance, by John Berrien, two hundred Pounds. The Blacksmiths Draft in his favour, Coppersmith's Account, Ironmonger's and Nailer's Account not paid. He supposes these amount to seventy Pounds. That the Commissioners have not drawn any pay, and that any commissions are not included.

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, advance to Mr. John Berrien, as Commissary of the Com missioners for erecting Fortifications at the Highlands, and one of the said Commissioners, the sum of one thousand two hundred and fifty Pounds, on account of the expenses and disbursements of erecting the said Fortifications, and that Mr. Livingston take Mr. Berrien's receipt for the same.

Ordered, That Captain John Grenell, who was recommended by the Provincial Congress of this Colony to the Continental Congress as a Captain of an Artillery Company, be, and he is hereby, appointed accordingly, and that a Warrant issue to the said Captain John Grenell for that purpose.

Die Martis, 10 ho. A. M., January 23, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Colonel McDougall, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Scott, Mr. Hallett, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Sands.

Colonel Van Cortlandt being under a necessity to go to his seat in Westchester County, and the gentlemen pre sent conceiving his attendance there will be of use to the publick tranquillity in that part of the country, consented to his departure, and, thereupon, unanimously chose Mr. Joseph Hallett Chairman pro tempore, in his stead.

Mr. Sands informed the Committee that Monsieur Varras, a French gentleman, came here from Grenada for I is health, and requests a permission for himself and his Interpreter to travel to or through the Colony of Connecticut; thereupon, a passport was given to Mr. Sands for him, in the words following, to wit:

The bearer, Monsieur Varras, and his Interpreter, Oliver Besly, are permitted to pass unmolested.

A Bill of Sale from Robert Wosan, Master and part owner of the sloop Sally, and from Isaac Scudder, Hooker St. John, and Sarah Isaac, Executors of the last will and estate of Benjamin Isaac, deceased, the other owners, to Colonel Alexander McDougall and Captain Anthony Rutgers, for the said sloop and her appurtenances, was prepared, and delivered to Captain James Smith to take to Norwalk to have it executed.

John Fowler was taken and brought before the Committee, and charged with having purchased a parcel of old Files, which it is conceived were used for spiking up the Cannon in Westchester County. He readily declared that he purchased thirty old Files; that he was requested by William Lownsbury, of Mamaroneck, to purchase some old Files for him; that he purchased thirty; that they were all flat Files, to the best of his remembrance; that he bought sixteen pounds weight of Michael Ganter, and five pounds weight of a Brass-Founder, in the Broadway, near St. Paul's Church.

Peter Valentine says he was present when John Fowler spoke for the Files, and they were collected together, and that there were some rat-tails among them. John Fowler says that he took out the rat-tails, and did not buy them; that as soon as he heard the Guns were spiked up, he immediately told his wife that he should be blamed, and that Lownsbury had used him ill; that he knows not the use for which the said Files were purchased.

Ordered, That Lieutenant Jacamar Allen, of the Light-Horse of the City of New-York, take with him a guard of twelve of the said Light-Horse, and proceed immediately to Mamaroneck, and take William Lownsbury and his accomplices, and bring them immediately before this Committee to be heard, and to answer such things as may be