Ordered, That Comfort Sands purchase Wood in small parcels, as he may have opportunity, not to exceed, in the whole, the sum of fifty cords, and distribute the same among the very necessitous poor, and that he bring in the account to this Committee.

Ordered, That Mr. John Foster purchase all the good Tow-Cloth which lie can procure, on account of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, not to exceed two shillings per yard in price, and that Mr. Foster send the same in small quantities, as fast as he can procure it, by safe conveyances, to Mr. Peter T. Curtenius, at New-York; and

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, advance to Mr. John Foster, for the purchase of such Tow-Cloth, the sum of fifty pounds, upon account, and take Mr. Foster's receipt for the same.

Die Solis, 3 ho. P.M., February 4, 1776.

The Committee met on summons for that purpose.

Present: Mr. Joseph Hallett, Chairman, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Brewster, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Sands, Mr. Oothoudt, Colonel McDougall. Mr. Scott came past four o'clock. Mr. Clarke, in ill health, came past six o'clock.

The Committee et on the account of the transport that came up into the harbour, and the report that the Mercury and two other transports are below.

A request in the words following was sent to the Honourable Hugh Wallace:

3 ho. P.M., February 4, 1776.

SIR: The Committee of Safety now met in the Assembly Chamber, at the City-Hall, present their compliments to the Honourable Hugh Wallace, and request the favour of him to call on the Committee as soon as possible.

A like request, mutatis mutandis, was sent to his Worship Mr. Mayor.

Ordered, That John Atherton, the pilot who was taken up by some of the inhabitants this orning, and sent to the Guard-House, be brought down for examination.

John Atherton being examined, says, in substance, that he went on board his boat to lodge; that some persons came on board of his boat, and took him on board of Governour Tryon's ship, and from thence on board of the armed schooner Tender; that he could not avoid piloting her down, and up again; that he did not pilot the ship Sally, or the transport Brigantine.

William Frundau, of the City of New-York, Branch Pilot: Says that two or three days he desired John Atherton and Nicholas James to draw their boat to the shore, and haul her up, and that he also desired William Marriner and Robert Cocks to speak to them, and give them the same advice; that they said the man-of-war had her in possession, and they could not do anything with her; that he has very frequently seen the said John Atherton and Nicholas James going on board of the Phenix, and that they keep passing and reposing from the boat to the Phenix every day; that this morning he charged John Atherton that he went down with the schooner Tender; that Atherton at first denied it; that he, the examinant, said to Atherton, that he could prove it; that after some time, Atherton acknowledged that he had gone down with the schooner, and asked him what could he do, he would starve in the city without employ, and attempted to justify his conduct. That Francis James came, and took his clothes off the wharf, and has got his boat off, and told his sons there were two hundred en on board the brig, but that he, Frundau, thinks there are no troops on board; that the other day, after Atherton was sent to this Committee, after he returned, Frundau asked him, how he had settled with the Committee, and Atherton said he had clubbed with the Committee, and settled the account.

Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt came to visit the Committee; he then informed them that Atherton goes frequently on board of the Phenix; that he told him the other day he would not loose business, for any Committee, &c., &c. The substance, of further particulars of Mr. Van Sand's testimony could not be reduced to writing.

Ordered, That Atherton be sent back to the Guard-House.

The Honourable Hugh Wallace attended: Says he has not heard any thing but what he has heard on shore, as to any transports being below. That a idshipman, who came with Captain Parker on board of the Governour's ship, told him the Mercury is below, and from Boston, in about a fortnight, and had letters on board for him. That a gentleman came on board of the Dutchess, with Captain Parker; the Governour was called out into Harvey's dining room; and that he, Mr. Wallace, was informed, that when that gentleman's cloak opened, he had red lapels; that he believes this brig is from Boston, and a transport; that he heard the address of the House of Commons read; that it reechoes the King's speech; that he intends to go on board of the Governour's ship this afternoon; and has promised some gentlemen on the bridge that if he hears any thing of importance to the city, will inform of it.

Mr. Mayor: Says that he has not heard any thing but what he heard on the bridge; that he should have waited on the Governour, but that the Governour has sent him a card, requesting him to wait on him to-morrow; that if he hears of any thing necessary for the safety of the city, he will make the best use of it.

William Fundrau is directed to proceed immediately to the Narrows, and to take a trusty person with him, who can ride, and with a good spy-glass; that he stay at Cortelyou's, and that, on sight of any fleet, he immediately despatch his rider, with information, to this Committee; and a proper signal to be made in the day, and, also, a proper signal to be made in the night, in case the weather should not permit to cross the ferry immediately, were fixed on with the said Fundrau.

Samuel Isleton, the pilot, was, also, called in, and directed to proceed immediately, with the whale-boat, and his oarsmen to the Hook, and to keep the best look-out if any fleet is approaching; and to examine, if any fleet appears, whether there are any troops on board, and to give the most immediate notice of his discoveries to this Committee. Samuel Isleton is to tarry one week, if no fleet appears sooner; is to have the same pay as before, to wit, ten shillings a day for himself, and eight shillings a day for each of his men. They are to find their own provisions, and bear their own expense.

Colonel McDougall went to wait on General Lee, and to form an arrangement of duty for the night.

Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt came into the Committee, and informed them that he has good information, and to be relied on, that General Clinton is come; but, whether it was General Clinton, or his Aid-de-camp, who came on board of the Governour's ship, he has not yet discovered.

Philip Livingston returned to the Committee, with essrs. Harrison, Lynch, and Allen, the Committee of the Continental Congress. After a short conversation on the present state of the city, and the intelligence received,

Ordered, That the Letter from General Washington, of the 8th of January last, be read.

And the same was read accordingly.

Thereupon, the Committee from the Continental Congress, together with Philip Livingston, Esq., from Continental Congress, and John Mr. Scott, Esq., from this Committee, and Mr. Hobart, of the Provincial Congress, departed to wait on Major-General Lee, and confer with him on the present situation of affairs, and an arrangement for the evening.

Mr. Mayor came into the Committee, and informed that the Governour had sent for him; that he waited on the Governour, and saw General Clinton there; that he is authorized by the Governour to assure the inhabitants that no troops are coming here; General Clinton declared the same; that the Governour said General Clinton called to pay him a short visit; that if any transports with troops should, by accident, or stress of weather, put in here, they are not intended to remain here.

Colonel Brasher was despatched to inform General Lee, and the gentlemen there assembled, of the information received from his Worship the Mayor.

Messrs. Scott and McDougall returned, separately, from General Lee; Colonel McDougall informed the Committee, that the arrangement of the duty and guard for the night is settled by General Lee, and that he has delivered the same to the Town-Major.

The Committee conceive it necessary to inform the Con-