To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Province of NEW-YORK.

The Memorial of sundry Merchants and other Inhabitants of the City of NEW-YORK, humbly setteth forth:

We, the subscribers, beg leave humbly to represent to this honourable Congress, that we have observed for a considerable time past Robert Robinson and Michael Price, of this city, merchants, suffering great hardships, under the censure of the Committee; and conceiving their case to be singularly hard, and being persuaded that they will in future carnestly endeavour to avoid giving any just cause of offence, we humbly pray that this honourable Congress will be pleased to take their case into consideration, and grant them such relief as in your wisdom may seem meet.

COLONEL BUDD TO JOHN McKESSON.

Mamaroneck, March 2, 1776.

SIR: Some time past I had a small boat taken from me. I am informed she is gone to the Asia man-of-war. I should take it as a particular favour if you would get a permit for the bearer, Mr. William Grey, to go on board in search of her, as he is acquainted with her.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

GILBERT BUDD.

To John Mckesson, Esq.

THOMAS MOFFAT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Blooming-Grove, March 2, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed you have a return for several officers in the Militia and Minute departments, occasioned by vacancies on account of the advancement of some, and others refusing to qualify. The Committee desire you would endeavour to get the commissions made out for them, and sent up as soon as possible; and, also, that you would get a commission made out for Vincent Helms, Ensign, in the company of Captain Samuel Raymond, in the Minute department, a return whereof has been made, but no commission come.

I am, with respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant. By order of the Committee:

THOMAS MOFFAT, Clerk.

JAMES ROSEKRANS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Fishkill, March 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In compliance to my orders, in making report from time to time of my progress in inlisting men and raising a company to be employed as part of the American, Continental Army, I hereby inform the honourable Congress that I last evening met my Lieutenants, Lee and Lawrence, and Ensign Balding, and find that we have inlisted sixty-five men, and I do expect, without any doubt, to be ready to have my full company mustered the week after next. And whereas I further make not the least doubt but that I shall be ready to be called upon sooner than any other Captain in this County by odds; I therefore pray that I may be considered as oldest Captain in the regiment to which I am to belong.

I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

JAMES ROSEKRANS.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress at New-York.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO KINGSTON (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE.

Albany, March 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Your favour of the 29th February, by Captain Hasbrouck, he has just now delivered me. As I had never heard from him since he left this, I did not know if he, had recruited, or intended to recruit his company; I therefore could not join him to Colonel Van Schaick’s Regiment, which were the only troops that I was empowered by Congress to raise. He will, however, continue in the service if he chooses, and it be agreeable to you, in one of the four regiments to be raised in, and for the immediate defence of this Colony; and you have nothing more to do than to send his name to the Provincial Congress.

I am, gentlemen, respectfully, your obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To William Ellsworth, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Kingston.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 8, 1776.]

Lebanon, March 2, 1776.

SIR: Mr. Lee, of Castleton, moved to me for an allowance to be made him, and those employed under him, for their service at the iron works, and other business, at Skenes-borough, after the first taking of Ticonderoga until they were dismissed. Also, Captain Thomas Lusk, one of the first adventurers in the reduction of Ticonderoga and places adjacent, moved for a settlement and payment to those who undertook and were employed in that service.

I gave them my opinion, that the honourable General Congress intend that affair, and transactions thereon, should be a Continental expense; that inhabitants belonging to divers Colonies were concerned, that each Colony had advanced money, and that if is needful a full account should be prepared of the services, provisions, and advancements, to be examined and liquidated by some suitable persons thereto appointed. Therefore this serves to move the honourable Congress, that a Committee be appointed, fully authorized and empowered to call on all concerned therein, for their accounts of services and disbursements, and to appoint and notify some convenient time and place to hear, examine, and liquidate the same, and make report thereof, that justice may be done, and those brave men who undertook and so happily effected that work, generously rewarded.

I am, with great truth and regard, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

MANIFESTO SENT ON SHORE AT NEW-PROVIDENCE.

To the Gentlemen, Freemen, and Inhabitants of the Island of NEW-PROVIDENCE:

The reasons for my landing an armed force on the Island is, in order to take possession of the powder and warlike stores belonging to the Crown; and if I am not opposed in putting my design in execution, the persons and property of the inhabitants shall be safe; neither shall they be suffered to be hurt, in case they make no resistance.

Given under my hand on board the Ship Alfred, March 3, 1776.

ESECK HOPKINS, Commander-in-Chief.

PERMISSION TO CAPTAIN HINSON.

By the Hon. ESECK HOPKINS, Esq., Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Fleet, and, at present, of the BAHAMA Islands.

Whereas I have this day received a Petition from Joseph Hinson, setting forth that the Brig Christina, under his command,

well rewarded, and also be preferred to some post. In consequence of which, he had written to him, and in particular the day our fleet sailed, with their number, &c. On this information, I called upon some of our Committee at the Coffee-House. Joseph Dean went with me, but could gain nothing. We returned. Then John Bayard went with me to Joseph Reed’s: he not at home; thence to see him at the Committee of Safety; not there; thence to the Court-House; found him. After taking his advice, went to Hall’s printing-office; took Richard Bache home with us; called his maid; examined her. She seemed confounded, but, on the whole, denied it. From thence to the Coffee-House, where, consulting Major Cox, he joined us two. We went to the State-House; called out Mr. Duane; informed him; he seemed confounded; requested us to attend him to his house. We did. He called his man.; examined him; took him up stairs and made search, all to no purpose. We then went, took him with us to Paul Fooks’s; examined the boy, who persisted. We brought the boy back to Mr. Duane’s lodgings; sent for the young woman, who, upon seeing her brother, confessed that what he had said was true. James was called and interrogated, but all to no purpose. Then Major Cox and Mr. Duane took him up stairs again, and while they were employed in that business, he slipped down stairs, out through the yard, and they have seen no more of him. Major Bayard and myself waited for them in the parlour. Thus he escaped.—C. Marshall.