The Committee further examined Andrew McCormick, on the subject of the situation of the new Line at the Fortifications in the Highlands. And thereupon an answer lo Thomas Grenell's Letter, of the 19th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, January 23, 1776.

SIR: We are favoured with yours of the 19th instant, by Mr. Andrew McCormick, to which we have paid due attention, and have also examined him, and conversed with Mr. Berrien, on the situation of the ground, to which we are in a great measure strangers. Upon the whole, we are of opinion that, as the foundation of the intended battery, mentioned in your letter, is completed, and the timber and materials so far prepared that the battery may be finished at small expense, it will be best to finish it. At the same time, we are of opinion that a breastwork of wood, of three feet thick, will by no means answer any good purpose. Therefore, we desire you to have the breastwork made about twenty feel thick, in the following manner, to wit: let the timber in front be at least three logs, or pieces, thick, and in the inside at least two pieces thick, and the inside of the parapet perpendicular; the distance between the front and the inside pieces of the parapet will be about fifteen feet, and that intermediate space filled up with fascines and earth.

We wish to expend as little money as possible, and, therefore, you need not employ labourers to get fascines, for, as we expect Continental troops to garrison the fort in a short time, it now is, and will be, the proper duty of the troops there to make the fascines, and fill up the parapet. Please to take care that the upper part of the parapet be made so sloped, or descending, that the guns may, when necessary, be brought to bear on the water nearest to the battery, and the ground there adjoining to the water; and the outer face or front of the parapet should be built battering, or tend inwards, to prevent the weight of the earth from forcing the timber out of its place. A work should also be added at the left of the line, to secure the troops on the line, and the cannon and carriages, from being flanked by an enemy on the left.

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

By order.

To Mr. Thomas Grenell, at the Fortifications in die Highlands.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the Chairman, and transmitted by the said Andrew McCormick

Die Mercurii, 10 ho. A. M., January 24, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Mr. Joseph Hallet, Chairman, Colonel Brasher, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Sands, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Clarke.

Captain Van Wyck, having by order prepared a Guard, at eight Shillings, each, per man, per day, defraying his own expenses, to proceed with the three Prisoners now in the Barracks, to Ulster County Jail; attended at the Committee to receive copies of the several orders, for the confinement of the respective Prisoners, and the Letter to the Committee Kingston, which were delivered to him.

Thereupon a draft of a Letter to the Committees, and Militia Officers of this Colony, to be given to Captain Van Wyck, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, January 24, 177G.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Van Wyck, with a guard under his command, is sent to conduct three prisoners to Ulster County Jail. Captain Van Wyck, and his guard, are hereby recommended to the aid of every Committee, and Militia officer in this Colony, for any assistance he may want at any time to strengthen or relieve his guard; and also, for any assistance he may want, to hire sleighs or other carriages.

By order of the Committee of Safety.

To every Committee, and to each and every Militia Officer in the Colony of New-York.

It being represented to this Committee, that Mr. John Ramsey, and Colonel Isaac Stoutenburgh, are willing to undertake to be Managers of employing the industrious Poor in this City, in spinning, and making manufactures, and the Committee being unanimously of opinion, that they cannot in any other way, so advantageously employ the sum of one thousand Pounds, which they, by Resolve of the Provincial Congress of the 22d day of December last past, were authorized to expend for the relief of the Poor of the City of New-York,

Therefore Ordered, That the said sum of one thousand Pounds, be paid into the hands of the said John Ramsey and Isaac Stoutenburgh, for the purpose aforesaid, and that a copy of this entry be a sufficient warrant to Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, to pay the said sum of one thousand Pounds, to Messrs. John Ramsey and Isaac Stoutenburgh, and take their receipt for the same.

Donald McLane, of the City of New-York, Druggist, attended with a Letter from Captain Vandeput, of the ship Asia, requesting him to receive the body of the late Purser of the ship, and have him buried in Trinity Churchyard.

Thereupon a permit was given to him, in the words following, to wit:

Mr. Donald McLane, of this city, Druggist, is hereby permitted to go on board of the Asia, ship-of-war, and also, to have the body of Mr. George Claypen, late Purser of the said ship brought on shore, and buried.

By order of the Committee.

Mr. Jecamiah Allen, the officer of the Light-Horse, who was sent out by order of this Committee, of yesterday, returned with William Lownsberry a prisoner; ha informed, that the prisoner when taken, appeared struck with guilt; that some short time afterwards, he denied in the presence of sundry of the guard, that he ever employed John Fowler to buy files. That some time afterwards, he confessed, that he had employed John Fowler to buy the files, but had never brought them home. That they afterwards discovered, that the files went up in a boat with himself, and that his son brought them home. That the prisoner afterwards said, that he bought the files to shoe horses, and afterwards, that he bought them to make skeins for carts. That one Hains, told the prisoner to his face, that on last Wednesday night, he met him with three other persons, with handkerchiefs on their heads, about ten fit night, going towards, and near the cannon.

William Lownsberry examined, says he lives at Mamaroneck, is a farmer by occupation; that Mr. John Fowler, bought thirty files for him; that he did not inform Fowler for what use they were purchased; that the files are not at his house, but are all in being; that he was not on the road with a handkerchief on his head on last Wednesday night; that he bought the files to make skeens for carts, and to lay axes; that be has a neighbour, one Joseph Purdy, who is a blacksmith, and poor, and in his debt, and intended to get him to work for him. Being asked at whose house the files are, says they are not at any house; being several times asked where they are, he obstinately sat silent, and refused to answer.

Ordered, That the said William Lewisberry be shackled and manacled, hands and feet, and kept in safe and secure custody at the Upper Barracks, until the further order of this Committee, and in the interim, that no person be suffered to speak to him, but in the presence and hearing of the officer of the guard; and that no letter, or paper-writings be permitted to pass between the said William Lownsberry and any persons out of the Barracks; and that he be denied the use of pen, ink and paper; and that Colonel McDougall cause this order to be duly executed.

And Ordered, That John Fowler be discharged out of custody, and charged to attend this Committee when directed.

And Ordered, That Mr. Allen cause the said William Lownsberry's horse to be taken care of.

Messrs. Low, Bancker, John Reade, and Denning, a sub-Committee from the City Committee attending, were admitted. They informed this Committee, that they were charged with two different matters from the Committee of the city. The one that the Military Night-Watch in this city is very frequently not to be depended on; that it very frequently happens, that the Captains or Officers do not