from our own manufactories or importation. How soon they can be manufactured is uncertain, and we have no present prospect of receiving them from abroad. But, being informed that two thousand stand have been lately imported, and that they are within your disposal, we should be glad that part of them may be ordered for the use of the Third Battalion, unless some more immediate publick service calls for them.

We beg leave to propose, whether it would not be advisable to clothe the battalions, now raising, in uniform, deducting the expense attending it out of the men's wages.

We are informed that considerable quantities of powder are lately arrived; and it being probable that the assistance of the Militia of this Province may be speedily wanted for the defence of this or a neighbouring Colony, we request the favour of your assistance in supplying us with ten tons of gunpowder, and twenty tons of lead, or as much as may be spared.

On a requisition from Lord Stirling, the Committee of Elizabethtown have furnished him with six thousand cartridges, Somerset County four quarter-casks of powder, Woodbridge a considerable quantity, and Brunswick one hundred and fifty weight of lead.

Our Militia are very illy supplied with ammunition. Those who have granted the above supplies are, therefore, very desirous that they may be immediately replaced.

Adjourned till nine o'clock, Monday morning.

Monday, February 12, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

The Memorial from John Neilson, Colonel of the Middlesex Battalion of Minute-Men, praying that they may be placed on some more respectable footing, &c., was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Letter from the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, setting forth the expediency of raising Artillery Companies, was read the second time, and after some debates thereon, was referred for further consideration.

A Letter from the Committee of Safety of New-York, requesting that this Congress would order a detachment of Militia immediately, to guard the Live Stock on Staten-Island, and otherwise secure that place from depredations, was read and considered; and, on motion,

Resolved, unanimously, That upon the requisition of the Committee of Safety of New-York, now made to this Congress, a Detachment of Volunteers, consisting of three hundred of the Militia of the County of Middlesex, three hundred of the Militia of the County of Essex, and one hundred of the Militia of the County of Somerset, be ordered immediately to march to Siaten-Island, under the command of Colonel Nathaniel Heard, Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Thomas, and Major John Dunn, to prevent the enemy from landing on said Island, and carrying off Live Stock and Provisions; and that each man furnish himself with at least four days' provision; which said Detachment is to remain on said Island until further orders from this Congress, not exceeding one month; and that the said Forces shall be provided for with provisions during their stay, and be paid the same wages while on duly as are paid to the Continental Forces.

Resolved, unanimously, That Azariah Dunham be Commissary to supply the above Detachment with Provisions and other necessaries.

Ordered, That Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Stewart, Mr.Ogden, Mr. Carey, and Mr. Ellis, be a Committee to draft the Instructions for Colonel Heard, and a Letter to the Committee of Safety of New-York.

Adjourned to three o'clock in the afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

A Petition of Captain Joseph Badcock, in the County of Somerset, enclosing a list of the names of certain persons in his Company who refused to sign a Muster-Roll, praying the adviced of this Congress therein, was read, and ordered a second reading.

A Representation from the Committee of Elizabethtown, setting forth, that many persons are continually removing in this Province', who may, perhaps, be unfriendly to the cause of American freedom; and praying that some regulation be made therein, was read; and after some debates, was referred to Mr. Dennis, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Martin, to bring in an Ordinance for the purposes prayed for.

The Committee appointed to draw the draft of a Letter to the Committee of Safety of New-York, and also Instructions to Colonel Heard, brought in said Letter and Instructions; which being read and amended, were both agreed to, engrossed, and signed by the President.

The Committee appointed to inspect the Arms furnished Colonel Maxwell's Battalion, by the Justices and Freeholders, County Committee, and Field-Officers of Middlesex, made report, which was read, and ordered to be filed.

A Memorial of Doctor Treat, praying that his Bill for attending the sick Soldiers in Colonel Maxwell's Battalion, may be paid, was read, and ordered a second reading.

Richard Bowlsby, Esq., against whom a complaint was exhibited before the Committee of the Township of Mansfield Wood-House, in the County of Sussex, for opposing the present measures, being referred by said Committee to this Congress and brought under a guard, was ordered to attend. The charge was read, and witnesses called in support of it. After which witnesses were also called and interrogated on the part of the said Bowlsby, who made his defence, and being fully heard, was ordered to withdraw.

The said Committee of the Township of Mansfield Wood-House, before whom a complaint was also exhibited against Dr. Andrew McCleney, referred said complaint to this Congress; the delinquent being brought under a guard, was ordered to attend; the complaint against him was read, his defence heard, and then by order he withdrew.

The above charges were referred for further consideration.

Adjourned till nine o'clock, to-morrow morning.

Tuesday, February 13, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

The Committee of Cape-May made return of Militia Officers, which was read, and ordered to be filed.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the charge against Richard Bowlsby, Esq.; and after some time spent therein,

Resolved, That said Bowlsby pay the costs of the present prosecution, to be taxed by the County Committee of Sussex, and give obligation to the Chairman of said Committee, in the sum of five hundred Pounds, for his good behaviour in future; and that he yield up to said Chairman all his arms, and weapons of defence, to remain in custody of said Chairman until said Committee shall judge it proper to redeliver them; and, on non-compliance herewith, the said Bowlsby be committed to the keeper of the common Jail of said County, who is hereby ordered to keep him in close confinement. This Congress do deem it advisable, that the said Richard Bowlsby forthwith desist from the execution of his office as Magistrate, until by his future good behaviour, to be judged of by said Committee, he denotes his penitence, and renders himself worthy of the confidence of the publick.

Ordered, That the said Richard Bowlsby be reconducted to the Chairman of the County Committee of Sussex, by Captain Abraham McKinney, to be dealt with as is above directed.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the charges exhibited against Doctor Andrew McCleney, and after some time spent therein,

Resolved, That said McCleney pay the costs of the present prosecution, to be taxed by the County Committee of Sussex, and give obligation to the Chairman of said Committee, in the sum of fifty Pounds, for his good behaviour in future, and that he yield up to said Chairman all his arms, and weapons of defence, to remain in custody of said Chairman until said Committee shall judge it proper to redeliver them; and, on non-compliance herewith, that said McCleney be committed to the keeper of the common Jail of said County, who is hereby ordered to keep him in close confinement,

Ordered, That the said Andrew McCleney Be reconducted to the Chairman of the County Committee of Sussex, by Captain Abraham McKinney, to be dealt with as is above directed.