I am obliged to stop. Pray be so kind as to remember me to my father, and acquaint him that I continue in health. Desire him, if there is no probability of a peace, that he gives up my house.

"I am, sir, with esteem, your humble servant,

"RUDOLPHUS RITZEMA.

"P. S. Though I have taken the liberty of addressing these lines to you, I shall be glad you would communicate it to our friends in Congress."

A Letter from Colonel Ritzema, dated at Montreal, on the 5th of January, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Montreal, January 5, 1776.

"DEAR SIR: I acquainted you the 3d instant, with the disastrous event at Quebeck; the fate of Arnold's detachment is determined: it was obliged to surrender at discretion—thus, the madness of one man has nearly ruined our cause m this country, to which our worthy General has fallen a sacrifice. For God's sake let us have men and money, and, above all, a General, that we may take the town before the enemy can come to its relief, and relieve our worthy brethren in it.

"Pray be so kind as to inform Judge Livingston of the death of General Montgomery: he was shot through the head and both his thighs. General Carleton buried him with military honours, as, also, Macpherson and Cheeseman. The enemy has taken all the artillery we had before Quebeck, and I am very apprehensive, if they make a sortie, that they will either cut to pieces, or take prisoners the rest of tire Army there, it being impossible for us to send them any assistance from hence: if we should do it, we hazard all we have done the last Summer. The most that can be expected from us, is to maintain our ground here, and keep a watchful eye towards the Canadians; this we are bent upon doing, till succour arrives, be the consequence what it may to ourselves. Our garrison does not exceed four hundred effective men—a small number to awe such a country as this.

"I am, sir, with respect, your very humble servant,

"RUDOLPHUS RITZEMA.

"To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., or, in his absence, to the President of the Provincial Congress, New-York."

A Letter from John R. Livingston, dated January 27th, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Clare-Mont, January 27, 1776.

"SIR: Some time since, I received a letter from Mr. Van Cortlandt, President of the Committee of Safety, during the recess of Congress, desiring that the powder-mill might again be built, as it was, in some measure, of publick utility. I have, accordingly, pushed the building of it, and am now happy to inform you that it is finished; but are, notwithstanding, still obliged to be idle, for want of saltpetre. As there is a large quantity of that article arrived at Philadelphia, should think myself under obligations, if you would procure a part of it, to be sent across the country to the mill, which may easily be effected, as great part of the way they will have snow.

"I remain, sir, your most obedient servant,

"JOHN R. LIVINGSTON.

"The President of the Honourable the Provincial Congress, sitting at New-York."

Ordered, That the Secretaries prepare a copy of the Letter from John R. Livingston, relating to his Powder-Mill, and transmit the same to the Delegates of this Colony at Congress.

A Letter from William Floyd, Esq., one of the Delegates of this Colony at Congress, dated the 5th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Philadelphia, February 5, 1776.

"SIR: I forwarded, by Mr. Lynch and Mr. Allen, a sum of money to the honourable Committee of Safety, with a few lines, advising what that money was intended for; and by your letter to us, wherein you mention you would forward it to General Schuyler, and the small sum to the Marine Committee, I fear our letter must have been misunderstood; therefore, I trouble you with this. The forty thousand dollars was for Mr. Lewis, from the Marine Committee; the twelve thousand five hundred dollars, for the raising the Battalion for Canada, and the small sum of one hundred and some odd dollars, were sent to Mr. Lewis, to pay off some accounts charged against the Rifle companies, in passing through our Province. I hope it is not yet otherwise disposed of; if it is, it may impede Mr. Lewis's proceeding agreeable to his directions.

"I am, with the greatest respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

"WILLIAM FLOYD.

"To the Honourable Congress, or Committee of Safety, New-York.

"P. S. If it is not sent off, please deliver it to Mr. Lewis's son."

A Letter from Thomas Thoma3, Esq., Chairman of a Committee at the White-Plains, dated January 25th, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Committee Chamber, White Plains,

January 25, 1776.

"SIR: We received your favour of the 8th instant, respecting the powder sent for the use of the County, and observed its contents. Are sensible of the propriety of our County's being furnished with that article, and beg that you, in your wisdom, would order that it be a Provincial charge; for we conceive it to be extremely hard, as we are a frontier County, that we should purchase ammunition, and expend it to the advantage of the Province in general. As to disposing of it to individuals, many, that will take an active part, are not able to purchase it; and, we will see that it be deposited into discreet hands, to be distributed, when necessary, to be used in the defence of the liberties of the country.

"I am, respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant,

"Signed by order of the Committee.

"THOMAS THOMAS, Chairman."

Die Veneris, 10 ho. A. M., February 9, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Mr. Tredwell, Mr. M. Graham, Mr. Oothoudt, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Sands, Colonel Brasher.

Colonel McDougall informed the Committee, that General Lee is of opinion, that the two Connecticut Regiments, and Lord Stirling's, will not be sufficient for the services he will have to perform; and had desired to know whether it would be agreeable to the Committee, that he should send to Pennsylvania for a regiment from thence.

After some time spent in consideration thereof,

Resolved, That if General Lee shall think it necessary to call in the aid of any other Troops than the two Connecticut Regiments, and Lord Stirling's Regiment, that he be authorized, and in such case is hereby authorized, to call in as many of the Minute-Men, of this Colony, as he shall at any time think necessary.

Mr. Sands brought in an account of Wood and other necessaries of various kinds, supplied to the poor by himself and Petrus Byvanck, Abraham P. Lott, and others, under his direction, by order of this Committee of Safety, agreeable to a resolution of the Provincial Congress. The said Account being examined and approved of, amounts to one hundred and thirty Pounds and three Pence.

Ordered, That Mr. John Ramsay pay to Comfort Sands, one hundred and thirty Pounds and three Pence, out of the Moneys put into his hands, for employing the necessitous poor of this city, and that Mr. Ramsay take Mr. Sands's receipt for the same.

Ordered, That Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, purchase such a number of Saws, and of such sizes and qualities as Colonel McDougall shall direct; and that he have the same collected at his store for the use of General Lee's Troops, as soon as possible.

A Return of Robert Graham and John Thomas, Jun., two of the Committee of Westchester County, was read and filed. They thereby certify, that at an election for Militia Officers, in Harrison's Precinct, in Westchester County, under their inspection, John Thomas, minor, was chosen Captain; Gilbert Dusenbury, First Lieutenant; William Woodward, Second Lieutenant; and James Miller, Jun., Ensign.