tinental Congress, through the New-York Delegates, of General Lee's arrival, and of the arrival of the transports, and General Clinton, of the Ministerial troops.

Thereupon, a draft of a Letter to the Delegates of the Colony of New-York, was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

GENTLEMEN: We think it our duly to inform the Continental Congress, through you, that General Clinton, of the Ministerial troops, and one transport, are this day arrived here, but we do not know that she contains any troops; that the Mercury, ship-of-war, is near Nutten-Island, coming into port. We are well informed that those vessels left Boston not more than fourteen days ago.

The Mayor has, this evening, declared to us, that he was then come from Governour Tryon, and is authorized by the Governour to assure the inhabitants that no troops are coming here; that General Clinton was present, and said that no troops are coming here; that Governour Tryon further told him, that General Clinton had only called to pay him a short visit; that if any transport, with troops, should, by accident, or stress of weather, put in here, they are not intended to remain here. We do not rely on this information, but if it be true, we conceive that the most natural conclusion is that he is going to the southward.

Major-General Lee is arrived here this day, ill with the gout. He has about seven hundred men now here, and has sent over for Lord Stirling's Regiment.

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

The Colonels and Lieutenant-Colonels of three Regiments, of the city, being assembled, near the Hall, were requested to come into the Committee. After some conversation on the state of their respective regiments, they were requested and directed to call out their respective regiments tomorrow, to know the stale and number of their arms, and of the men, in their respective regiments, fit for duty, and to enable them to make proper returns to this Committee.

Thereupon, Ordered further, That Colonel Curtenius be directed, and he is hereby directed, to deliver to the Colonels of the regiments of the Militia of this city, respectively, so many Flints as will enable them to provide each man in their respective regiments with three Flints.

And Ordered, That the Colonels, respectively, do, at their discretion, distribute three Flints to each such man, in their respective regiments, as they may think ought to be supplied therewith.

The Committee of Safety being informed that the First Battalion of the city of New-York is on duty this night, and considering that they cannot want the assistance of Lieutenant-Colonel Brasher tomorrow, and that he must attend the Committee sooner than usual, and having entire confidence in the other Field-Officers of that battalion, as equal to any emergency, the Committee enjoin Lieutenant-Colonel Brasher that he do not attend duty with his regiment this night.

10 ho. A. M., February 5, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Mr. Joseph Hallett, Chairman, Mr. Scott, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Tredwell, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Sands, Mr. Oothoudt.

The Committee sent Mr. McKesson, one of their Secretaries, to inform Messrs. Harrison, Lynch, and Allen, the Committee of Congress, that they conceive, that as General Lee is to remove this morning, that it may be most agreeable to his situation to wait on him at three o'clock, or after, but that the Committee are ready to attend the General, and those gentlemen, at any hour.

The Secretary returned, and informed the Committee of Safety that the Committee of Congress would prefer the morning to wait on General Lee, and requests the Committee of Safety to send to General Lee, to know when he can receive them. The Committee of Congress request an express to be furnished to them to proceed immediately to Philadelphia.

Ordered, That the Doorkeeper go immediately and procure an Express; and,

Ordered, That Mr. Benson, one of the Secretaries, wait on General Lee, and know when it will be convenient for him to receive the Committee of Congress and this Committee.

Mr. Benson returned, and informed that he found General Lee in bed, and not yet removed; but that he said he would be taken out of bed, and be ready to receive both Committees in an hour.

Ordered, That Mr. Benson inform the Committee of Congress thereof.

John Lamb, the cartman, being here, ready to go express to Philadelphia, at the request of the Committee of Congress, was sent to the gentlemen of that Committee, (with Mr. Benson,) to receive their despatches. He returned with the despatches, and the Committee of Safety having nothing to transmit, he was ordered to proceed with all possible despatch.

The Committee being informed that Messrs. Joseph Jadwin and Gilbert Giles are going to Albany, and several of the Members being well acquainted with those gentlemen, believe them prudent and trusty, and very proper persons to take the care of and convey the money, designed for the use of the Canadian Regiment, to General Schuyler.

Therefore, Ordered, That Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, or his Deputy, deliver to Messrs. Joseph Jadwin and Gilbert Giles the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars, and take their receipt for the same, to be conveyed to General Schuyler, for the use of the Canadian Regiment, and that they convey the same, with the greatest watchfulness, care and attention, and deliver the same to General Schuyler.

The Committee of the Continental Congress having called on the Committee of Safety, they proceeded to wait on General Lee. After some considerable time spent with General Lee in conference, General Lee informed the oilier gentlemen that Mr. Smith, the Engineer, had been out to view the ground about Horn's Hook, and that he is now gone to Long-Island for the same purpose. General Lee, also, proposed to go, to-morrow, to view Hellgate; and, thereupon, the conference was adjourned, till to-morrow evening.

5 ho. P. M., Die Lunœ, February 5, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Mr. Joseph Hallett, Chairman, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Scott, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Oothoudt, Mr. Sands.

A Letter from William Smith, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Suffolk County, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Suffolk County, January 24, 1776.

"GENTLEMEN: In pursuance to your order, we have appointed the Field-Officers for the Minute-Men in this County, and, also, the officers for the Artillery company; which companies, we trust, will be some security to this County, at the same time this Committee beg leave to mention, that the Militia of this County but little exceeds two thousand. The great exposedness of the east end, and the extensiveness of the County, induces us to desire such number of Continental troops may be stationed here as the Congress in their wisdom shall judge necessary; we make no doubt the Continent proposes to protect and defend this Island, and hope you will use your endeavours that a sufficient force may be posted here for that purpose.

"We have a number of poor men in this County, who are good soldiers, and friends to the cause, and would be glad to inlist as Minute-Men, but have no guns; we should be glad to know if a number can be procured at the publick expense, for such persons as are unable to purchase them.

"The situation of this County in many parts makes it extremely difficult to raise and train the Minute-Men; they complain they are not sufficiently paid, considering the great distance they have to travel, many eight, ten, and twelve miles, and that on foot, to exercise. The officers, also, on the same account, are at considerable expense, besides the expense raising their companies, and pray they may be considered. By order of the Committee:

"WILLIAM SMITH, Chairman.

"To the Honourable Provincial Congress, New-York."