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from this Colony to the neighbouring Colonies, which, if not prevented, may prove very prejudicial to this Colony, have, therefore, thought it highly expedient for the present to prohibit, and they do hereby prohibit, the exportation of Salt from this Colony to any port or place out of the same, until the further order of this Congress or the Committee of Safety. And it is Resolved and Ordered, That Captain William Mercier be empowered to take the most effectual and necessary steps to prevent the exportation of Salt out of the City and County of New-York, contrary to the above prohibition; and that a copy of this prohibition be sent to the different County Committees in this Colony, who are hereby required to carry the same into execution within their respective Counties; and that if any person shall violate this prohibition, having been previously acquainted therewith, the name of such offender shall be transmitted forthwith to this Congress or the Committee of Safety, that proper steps may be taken with such offender. Ordered, That the Secretaries prepare a certified copy of this entry, and deliver the same to Captain William Mercier; and the Members from the different Counties, now at Congress, make copies thereof for their respective County Committees. A Return of Militia Officers from Cornwall Precinct, in Orange County, bearing date the 2d day of March instant, and signed by Thomas Moffat, Clerk of Cornwall Precinct Committee, was read and filed. The following Officers are thereby returned duly elected, viz: “John McManus, Second Lieutenant, and Thomas Lammereaux, Ensign, in Captain Francis Smith’s Company of Militia.” “Gilbert Weeks, Ensign in Captain Christopher Van Duerson’s Company of Militia. “William Bradley, Ensign in Captain Thomas Moffat’s Minute-men.” The said Return being agreeable to the Rules and Regulations of this Congress, Ordered, That Commissions issue for those gentlemen according to the said Return. Die Jovis, 4 ho., P. M., March 7, 1776. The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President. FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel Lott, Mr. Van Zandt, Mr. Randall, Mr. Prince, Mr. Evert Bancker, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Captain Rutgers, Captain Denning, Colonel McDougall. FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Abraham Yates, Mr. Gansevoort, Colonel Nicoll, (on service.) FOR SUFFOLK.—General Woodhull, Mr. Gelston, Mr. Hobart. For Orange.—Colonel Hay, Colonel Allison. FOR ULSTER.—Mr. Rhea, Mr. Lefever, Colonel Palmer, (on service.) FOR DUTCHESS.—Colonel P. Ten Broeck, Colonel Moses Graham, Major Schenck. FOR WESTCHESTER.—Colonel Gilbert Drake, Colonel Joseph Drake. Major Lockwood, Colonel Cortlandt, Mr. Thomas. FOR KING’S.—Mr. Polhemus. FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Adrian Bancker. FOR CUMBERLAND.—Colonel William Williams. FOR CHARLOTTE.—Colonel John Williams. FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore. The Congress was informed by Captain Rutgers, one of the Members, and by Mr. Benson, one of the Secretaries, that Captain John Johnson, as they are well informed, had caned Alexander Lesslie, even in the Assembly and Congress Chamber, and had then sent him a prisoner to the Barracks, where he is now confined. Ordered, That the Dooorkeeper order Captain Johnson to attend here immediately. Captain Johnson says: That Colonel Ritzema informed him that three Counties in Virginia had joined Lord Dunmore, and said Alexander Lesslie was his author. That he told Colonel Ritzema he would cane the man who said so, unless he named the author. That he saw Lesslie, who said Samuel Burling was his author. That Burling being out of town, he met Lesslie again, and spoke to him again on the subject. That Lesslie said it was no secret; that it was mentioned several times in his shop yesterday afternoon; and that he refused to name the persons who had mentioned it. That, therefore, he beat him with a cane. That Lesslie then abused him, and that he came here to complain, and met Lesslie here, who again had some words with him; and that he again caned him here in this room, and sent him to the Guard-House. Mr. John Van Cortlandt moved, and was seconded by Colonel William Williams, that the warrant to raise a Company of the Troops of this Colony in Continental service, lately given to John Johnson, be taken from him, and that, as far forth as in the power of this Congress, he be dismissed the Continental service, and all employments under this Congress. The previous question being about to be moved on Mr. Van Cortlandt’s motion, he agreed to let it remain undetermined for the present. Mr. Gansevoort moved, and was seconded, in the words following: I move that Mr. Lesslie be immediately liberated, and ordered to appear before this Congress. The same being agreed to by a very great majority of the Members, without debate, the following Order was agreed to and issued, and sent by the Doorkeeper, viz: Ordered, That the Officer of the Guard having Alexander Lesslie, the Peruke-maker, in custody, do immediately liberate the said Alexander Lesslie; and the said Alexander Lesslie is hereby ordered immediately to appear before the Provincial Congress, now sitting in the Assembly Chamber, in the City-Hall. This Congress being informed that Thomas Vernon is inimical to the liberties of America, and ought not to be permitted to go at large; and being informed by some of the Members of the Committee of Safety, and by one of the Secretaries, that the said Thomas Vernon was some weeks ago committed to the Guard-House, by order of the Committee of Safety, and has not since been discharged by any order of this Congress or the Committee of Safety, from whence it is most probable that he must have escaped from confinement, Ordered, That the said Thomas. Vernon be immediately apprehended and committed to custody in the Guard-House, and there confined until the further order of this Congress or the Committee of Safety; and that Colonel McDougall cause this order to be duly executed. Garret Roorback, the Barrackmaster, attending at the door, was called in. He delivered in his Accounts, and informed the Congress that a considerable balance was due to him, and that he wanted money to procure Wood and other necessaries. Ordered, That his Accounts be delivered to the Auditors. Alexander Lesslie being brought in, heard, and examined, says: That this morning, opposite Mrs. Curtenius’s door, Captain Johnson came to him and asked who was his author for the report he had spread? That he answered, Samuel Burling; and Captain Johnson left him. That in the afternoon, in the Broadway, Captain Johnson asked him if he had found out the author of the report concerning Lord Dunmore’s landing, which had been told to him by a person in the afternoon preceding. That he answered no; that it was a stranger, whom he did not know, who was shaved in his shop. Upon which, Captain Johnson answered, “You damned rascal, you and Samuel Burling deserve to be caned; and had I him here, I would cane him immediately; and if you, you scoundrel, do not get along about your business, I will cane you;” and, at that instant, drove a cane in his face, and then struck several blows with the cane at his head, which he received on his arms by defending his head. That he (the examinant) then went to pick up a paving-stone to knock him down with it, in his own defence; that, before he could get the stone up, Johnson closed in with him, on which he took Johnson’s stick from him; that immediately thereon, Johnson drew his hanger; on which he made a blow at Johnson with the stick, and missed him, and lost the stick out of his hand, and Johnson then pursued him with his hanger, and he fled from him; and finding an axe in the street, he took it up to defend himself with; and Colonel Ritzema came up and spoke to Johnson.
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