mention: it is, sir, to appoint some person as Commissary, to receive, take care of, and be responsible for the various sorts of military stores now in our hands.

“I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

“CHARLES LEE.

“To the President of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New-York.”

“New-York, February 13, 1776.

“General Wooster employed Jean Baptiste De Gas the 4th of January, as conductor and interpreter of the prisoners who were sent from Montreal to Albany. In consequence, he conducted them to Albany. General Wooster advanced him no money; but he received from Lieutenant Cook, at Ticonderoga, twenty-two shillings, New-York money; that this is the only money he has received; that as General Montgomery had promised to recommend him to the Congress for a commission in a regiment of Canadians to be raised for the Continental service, and as General Wooster assured him he had written in his favour to Mr. Hancock, he thought both his interest and his duty obliged him to proceed to Philadelphia, in order to make application, in person, to the gentlemen of the Congress for their favour and protection; but at Poughkeepsie he fell sick, where, having no money, he was obliged to sell part of his clothes to pay his Doctor, and the expenses of his living.”

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, pay to Jean Baptiste De Gas, (recommended by General Lee,) who appears to have been employed by General Wooster as Conductor and Interpreter to the Prisoners from Montreal to Albany, and for which he has not been fully satisfied, the sum of twenty Dollars, to assist him on his journey from this City to Philadelphia.

Ordered, That Colonel McDougall and Mr. Sands be a Committee to take into consideration that part of Major-General Lee’s Letter to this Congress relative to the establishment of a Corps of Artificers, and the appointment of a Commissary to receive, take care of, and be responsible for the various sorts of Military Stores now in the General’s hands; and that they report with all convenient speed.

A Letter from Messrs. William Bedlow and Jonathan, Lawrence, Commissioners in the Highlands, bearing date the 12th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Fort Constitution, February 12, 1776.

“SIR: As we have now weather to finish the Battery recommended in a letter from the Committee of Safety of 23d January last, we were desirous of setting about it, by employing the Minute-men in garrison here. Colonel Nicoll informs us the men seem unwilling, unless allowed some small compensation. We have agreed to allow them one shilling per day when at work. If it is not with your approbation, shall desist from giving them anything.

“We beg leave to remark, on the order of the Committee in the above-mentioned letter, that, to make the breastwork of said Battery twenty feet thick, we must make the stone-work of the wall equal to support such a breastwork; which will be as expensive, and take as much time as has already accrued on it. If it be agreeable, we can make the breastwork with three pieces of timber thick, twelve by twelve on the outer face, and two the inside, taking in the whole width of the crown of the wall, except six inches for the sleepers of the platform to rest on, and to fill the space between the timber with earth, well rammed down. Your answer from the Committee of Safety will oblige, sir, your humble servants,

“WILLIAM BEDLOW.
“JONATHAN LAWRENCE.

“To Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee of Safety, New-York.

A Letter from Colonel Isaac Nicoll, Commanding Officer at the Fortifications in the Highlands, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Fort Constitution, February 12, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: The Commissioners for carrying on the works at this garrison have applied to me to order out workmen—parties out of the men under my command here—for that purpose. I am heartily disposed to comply with their request, being assured it will promote the publick service, and be a great saving. Yet I fear, unless the men have some little extra allowance, they will rather enter upon their duty with reluctance; and am the more induced to think so, as the soldiers who have been employed by the Commissioners have had an allowance of one shilling per day each. I shall be glad, therefore, to be informed whether the men are to expect such, or any allowance, being, at any rate, determined to exert myself in forwarding the business by every means in my power. Enclosed you have a return of the Minute-men now stationed here.*

“And am, gentlemen, with profound respect, your most obedient servant,

“ISAAC NICOLL.

“To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York.”

Joseph Ooten Bogert informed the Congress that the Sentinels of the Port-Guard have prevented him from supplying to His Excellency the Governour, and the people on board of the Ship Dutchess of Gordon, the ordinary supplies of fresh Provisions.

Thereupon Ordered, That Joseph O. Bogert, butcher, be permitted to supply the Ship Dutchess of Gordon with a sufficient quantity of fresh Provisions; and that the said Joseph O. Bogert do furnish Captain William Mercier with an account, from day to day, of the quantity of Provisions so supplied by him; and that a certified copy of this Order be given to the said Joseph O. Bogert.

The Congress was informed that the Barrackmaster is in want of Beds, or crocus or canvass to make Beds, for the Troops hourly expected; and that materials fit for that purpose are not to be purchased.

Therefore ordered, That Colonel Curtenius deliver to the Barrackmaster as many of the coarsest Sheets as he shall apply for, to cover straw Beds for the Troops expected; and that Mr. Curtenius take the Barrackmaster’s receipt for the same.

John Van Cortlandt, Esq., Mr. Roosevelt, and Captain Rutgers, are appointed a Committee to examine the Lists of empty Houses in this city, made by sundry citizens at the request of the Committee of Safety, and returned to this Congress, and to ascertain such as they may think most proper for the use of the Troops.

Die Mercurii, 3 ho. P. M., February 14, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Scott, Mr. Beekman, Colonel Brasher, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Roosevelt, Captain Rutgers, Mr. Cortlandt.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Abraham Yates, Jun., Colonel Nicoll, Mr. Gansevoort, Colonel Rensselaer, Mr. Oothoudt.

FOR SUFFOLK.—General Woodhull, Mr. L’Hommedieu, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Hobart.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Colonel Graham, Colonel P. Ten Broeck, Mr. G. Livingston, Major R. G. Livingston.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Herring, Mr. Allison.

FOR ULSTER.—Mr. Dewitt, Mr. Lefever, Mr. Rhea.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Ward, Colonel L. Graham, Dr. Graham, Colonel G. Drake.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Wills.

FOR KING’s.—Mr. Covenhoven, Mr. Vanderbilt.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Dr. Williams.

*To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York.— A Return of the Troops now on present duty at Fort Constitution.

Captain Samuel Raymond, Lieutenant David Reynolds, Lieutenant Richard Langdon, Deputy Quartermaster John Hifferman, Ensign Vincent Helms, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drummer, one Fifer, fifty-eight Privates.

Captain Peter Hill, Lieutenant James Latta, Lieutenant Nathaniel Milligan, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drummer, one Fifer, fifty-five Privates.

Captain . . . . ., Lieutenant James Butler, Lieutenant William Barker, Ensign William Carpenter, two Sergeants, three Corporals, one Drummer, one Fifer, thirty-two Privates.

I hereby certify the above to be a true Return of the Troops now on present duty. Given under my hand, at Fort Constitution, February 13, 1776.

ISAAC NICOLL.

*

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