Troops in empty Houses will be less inconvenience to the inhabitants than any other method.

Thereupon, Ordered, That the following gentlemen, to wit: Victor Bicker, Francis Bassett, Nicholas Carmer, Isaac Marschalk, Anthony Abrams, Henry Roome, Jacobus Bogert, Francis Bassett, Petrus Byvanck, Evert Byvanck, and John Elliot, be requested to pass through the several Streets of the city, and make a list of the empty Houses in this city, and report the same to this Committee, as soon as possible.

Sundry of those gentlemen being sent for, attended, and on request, engaged to undertake that service. They agreed to meet for that purpose, tomorrow, at nine o'clock; and they are desired to take to their assistance any other prudent citizens whom they may think necessary, and find willing to assist them.

Colonel Ritzema, from Montreal, came to the Committee, and gave information of the present state of Canada, and the troops there.

Colonel Lott came to the Committee, and informed that the Mercury sloop-of-war, and the two transports, which sailed with her, are anchored near Staten-Island. That he met several suspicious persons passing from Paulus-Hook towards Killvaukull Ferry; that he was informed by a person near Killvaukull, that he apprehended that the ship-of-war and transports will commit depredations on the stock there. The Committee are of opinion that the most effectual measure to prevent such depredations is to request the Committee of Elizabethtown to send a parcel of men to protect the stock on Staten-Island from depredations.

In Committee of Safety, New-York, February 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Mercury ship-of-war, with two transports under her convoy, are departed from this city, this afternoon, and we are well informed that they are anchored near Staten-Island.

We are apprehensive that they intend to commit depredations on the stock on Staten-Island. We applied to the Provincial Congress of your Colony yesterday, requesting that Colonel Heard, with some of his troops, should be sent to the Island for a few days, and sent that letter by Colonel Heard. We are apprehensive that Colonel Heard will come too late to prevent any attempt that may be made to take off the stock; we, therefore, earnestly request you, on receipt hereof, to despatch a part of your Militia to such parts of the Island where it is most likely any attempts of that kind may be made, to guard the Island until the said vessels are gone off, or Colonel Heard can arrive to their relief. If their design should be such as we suspect, they may, perhaps, be able to land about two hundred men. Please to inform Colonel Heard of this intelligence, and your proceedings in the premises.

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

To the Chairman and Members of the Committee Elizabethtown.

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

Die Lune, 10 ho. A. M., February 12, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Henry Oothoudt, Esq., Chairman, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Scott, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Sands, Mr. M. Graham.

An order from Major-General Lee was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

Head-Quarters, February 12, 1776.

SIR: You will give orders to the sentinels on the wharf to suffer those who produce a pass from the Committee of Safety to go on board the Governour's ship.

CHARLES LEE, Major-General.

"To the Officer commanding the Port Guard."

Mr. Nicholas Low came into the Committee, and informed the Committee that he desires to go on in lading the Brig New-York. The Committee informed him, that they think he may proceed to lade the said Brigantine. Mr. Low, also, requested a permit to lade the Schooner Polly, William Montanye, Master, on account of Mr. Nicholas Governour, with Flaxseed and Lumber.

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

Mr. Nicholas Low is hereby permitted to lade the Schooner Polly, William Montanye, Master, with Flax-seed and Lumber, on account of Mr. Isaac Governour.

Colonel Curtenius, by request, attended the Committee,, He was directed, and is hereby requested and directed, to have an exact inventory made of all the Shirts, Blankets, Osnaburghs, Bedding, Linen, and other stores, which now are, or were lately in a from at the Lower Barracks; that; he have those goods put in a secure store, under his care, and that he return an inventory thereof to this Committee.

Colonel Curtenius informed the Committee that Major-General Lee had informed him that he has not any Commissary for his Guard, and has applied to him to supply the said Guard with Provisions.

Ordered, That Colonel Curtenius apply to Major-General Lee for his order or directions, what Rations he will order for his Guard, and that Colonel Curtenius supply the General's Guard with Provisions, according to his order, and charge the same to Continental account.

"Philip Pelton is willing to serve his country in the capacity of a Captain, or Quartermaster. I am the oldest of the name in this city, and properly qualified for the business."

"GENTLEMEN: I am desirous of serving my native country in the Provincial Army. I shall use my utmost endeavours to discharge the duties of any office you shall see fit to appoint me to. I am perfectly well acquainted with all the military manoeuvres, having been for above three years in an Independent company. I am, gentlemen, your humble servant,

JOHN VREDENBURGH, JUN."

"Colonel ABRAHAM BRASHER:

"SIR: The subscribers request you will be pleased to recommend them to the honourable Committee of Safety, and inform them that we are sincere friends to America and its liberties, and desirous to serve as First and Second Lieutenants, in any corps they be pleased to appoint, and are, sir, with great respect, your very humble servants,

"JOHN BURGER,

JAMES PRICHARD."

"February 6, 1776.

"Jacob Reed, Jun., is desirous of entering into the service of his country. Would be particularly obliged to Colonel Brasher in interesting for him. As he thinks himself capable, would wish for a First Lieutenancy, but rather than fail would accept of a Second."

"New York, February 2, 1776.

"Daniel Pelton offers himself to the approbation of the gentlemen of the Committee of Safety for the Province of New-York, to serve as Lieutenant in the troops to be raised under their direction.

"To Lieutenant-Colonel Brasher."

"New-York, February 2, 1776.

"Samuel Young offers himself to the approbation of the gentlemen of the Committee of Safety for the Province of New-York, to serve as a Second Lieutenant in the troops to be raised under their direction.

"N. B. Or Ensign."

"New-York, February 7, 1776.

"GENTLEMEN: I would think it an honour to enter into the Continental service, to defend the just rights and privileges of my country, if your Honours should think proper to accept of me as a Lieutenant. Your Honours' most humble servant,

JAMES BARRITT.

"To the Honourable Provincial Convention."

"New-York, February 6, 1776.

"GENTLEMEN: As there are a number of commissions to be given out to the Continental Army, I would humbly beg to offer myself as a Captain, or First Lieutenant, in one of the Companies to be raised, and am, with esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

"JOSEPH MARSCHALK.

"To the Committee of Safety for the City and County of New-York."