mean not to dictate; but, from a tender concern for the character and honour of our absent brethren, we are constrained to offer our sentiments thereon, lest, for want of information, an unintended wound may be given to that delicacy which inspires the breasts of soldiers, and, in a great measure, urges them to noble deeds, and carries them through the fatigues and dangers of the field; and we must add, that a soldier without a due sense of honour, will not only be very unhappy in the corps he may serve in, but surely cannot be entrusted with the defence of the honour or interests of the publick.

“Your Memorialists, relying on the candour of this House, beg leave to sign in behalf of our absent brethren; praying, as our duty is, for the preservation of our invaluable rights and privileges, and for those who have direction of publick business for that end.

“New-York, February 21, 1776.”

The Congress are of opinion that the first part of the Memorial would be a proper subject of application to Major-General. Schuyler and Walter Livingston, Esq., but not to this Congress; and that the latter part of the Memorial is already answered by a Resolve of this Congress of the 15th instant.

Anthony Post, Captain of a Company of Artificers, delivered an estimate of the Tools necessary for each Carpenter in his Company; and alleges that it will save publick money to direct the Carpenters to furnish their own Tools, and to increase their Wages from ten to thirteen Dollars per month:

Ordered, That Mr. Prince, Mr. Rhea, and Mr. Palmer, or any two of them, be a Committee to consider of, and report thereon, with all convenient speed.

A Letter from John Hancock, dated Philadelphia, 20th of February, 1776; also, Resolutions of the Continental Congress of February 15th and 17th, 1776, were received and read, and are as follow:

“Philadelphia, February 20, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: I have the honour to enclose you several resolutions of Congress, by which you will perceive their determination as to the works on Martelaer’s Rock, that no addition be made, but that those already effected there be supported and garrisoned. You will please to order the execution of the works recommended by Congress in the enclosed resolves, to which beg leave to refer you.

“The Congress have directed General Lee to repair to Canada, to conduct the military operations in that quarter; and as battering-cannon are much wanted there, they have ordered him to request you to supply him with some suitable pieces and mortars, if possible, with shells, balls, &c. I make no doubt but your zeal will readily lead you to afford the General your aid in these instances, and also in assisting to forward every necessary with all despatch. I must refer you to the resolutioris, and have only time to request your particular attention to them.

“I am, with esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the Honourable Convention, New-York.

“P. S, General Schuyler is to repair to New-York, and lake the command; I shall send the commission by next opportunity.“

The Resolves of the Continental Congress of the 15th instant, were read and filed, and are in the words following,

to wit:

“In Congress, February 15, 1776.

“Resolved, That no further Works be erected on Martelaer’s Rock, but, that those already erected there, be supported and garrisoned.

“That a Fascine Battery, to mount heavy Cannon, not exceeding eighteen in number, to be thrown up on the Gravel Hill, eastward of Martelaer’s Rock, marked in the draft LL, so as to command the West Point, the reach down the River from the West Point, and part of the reach up the River; and that a convenient road be opened from this Battery to the Barracks on Martelaer’s Rock.

“That a Redoubt of Earth and Fascines be built on the eminence on the east side of the River, opposite to the est Point marked in the draft A, to mount thirty Guns.

“That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New-York, to forward the Battery at Pooplopen’s Kill; and that the said Battery be made of earth and fascines, and to mount a number of Guns, not exceeding forty.

“That such of the Continental Troops as are or may be stationed at the aforesaid places, be employed in erecting these Works and Batteries, under the direction of the Engineer.”

“February 17, 1776.

”That it be recomrnended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New-York, to supply General Lee with a quantity of suitable Cannon, not exceeding twelve, and one or more Mortars, if to be had, with Balls, Shells, and other necessaries, for the siege or assault of Quebeck; and that they assist him in forwarding the same with all possisible expedition.

“That it be recommended to the Convention of New-York, that such of the Officers who served faithfully in Canada the last campaign, as are willing to continue there, be preferred, in the new levies of the Colony of New-York, to others.

”Resolved, That the sum of thirty-five thousand Dollars be advanced to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New-York, for the support of the Troops employed in the defence of that Colony, the said Convention or Committee of Safety to be accountable for the expenditure thereof; and that an Order be drawn on the Treasurers for the above sum, in favour of the Delegates of that Colony, who are directed to forward the same.

“That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New-York, to contract with proper persons for supplying the said Troops with the Rations allowed by Congress, and with Fuel and other necessaries, on the most reasonable terms in their power.

“Extract from the Minutes;

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.”

Resolve of the Continental Congress, of the 15th of February, instant, was also read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New-York, to prosecute the discovery of the Lead-Mines at New-Canaan; and that a copy of a Report of Joseph Hopkins to the General Assembly of Connecticut, respecting this Mine, be sent to them.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

Ordered to be transmitted:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.”

The copy of the Report of Joseph Hopkins, referred to in the above Resolve, and enclosed by President Hancock, is as follows:

“To the Honourable the General Assembly convened at New-Haven, on the 14th December, 1775:

“Whereas Captain Samuel Forbes and the subscriber were appointed by your Honours, at your session in October last, a Committee to examine and explore a Lead-Mine at New-Canaan, in the Province of New-York, and to report, &c.

“I, the said subscriber, ask leave to report: That on the 7th of November last, on my journey to said New-Canaan, I expected said Captain Forbes to join me; but he being ill, and unable to assist in said business, advised me to proceed; with which advice I complied, and repaired to New-Canaan, where I found the said Mine, the vein of ore in which appears to be about fifty or sixty rods in length, lying north and south, in a ledge of rocks or lime-stone, mixed with white flint; at the south end of which the ground falls about twenty-six feet, below which the water can be drawn off by