“As a testimony of the truth of the above, we have signed our names to this paper, carried out by Messrs. Thomas and Jonathan Amory and Peter Johannot, who have, at the earnest entreaties of the inhabitants, through the Lieutenant-Goyernour, solicited a flag of truce for this purpose.

“JOHN SCOLLAY,
“TIMOTHY NEWWELL,
“THOMAS MARSHALL,
“SAMUEL AUSTIN.”

Ordered, That the Secretaries keep copies of the Letter of Stephen Moylan, and of the Application of the Selectmen of Boston; and that they return the original Letter, and the copy received from Lord Stirling, with all possible despatch.

Mr. Scott informed the Congress that Lord Stirling requests that a Committee of this Congress may be appointed to confer with him on sundry matters relative to the defence of this City and Colony.

Ordered, That Mr. Scott, Mr. Randall, Colonel McDougall, Captain Rutgers, Mr. Smith, and Mr. ITobart, be a Committee of this Congress to confer with Lord Stirling; and that they report the result of such conference with all convenient speed.

The Congress conceiving that the intelligence received from Cambridge renders it necessary to have a Magazine of Provisions immediately laid in store,

Ordered, That Colonel Gilbert Drake immediately repair to Westchester County, and purchase twelve hundred barrels of the best Pork, and have the same safely stored, agreeable to the resolve of this Congress of the 9th day of March instant. That he take with him from New-York a sworn Inspector and repacker of Pork, to inspect and repack the same; and that he purchase and store, at the cheapest rate in his power, Flour sufficient for the use of five thousand Men for a month.

Die Mercurii, 4 ho. P. M., March 13, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Capt. Denning, Mr. Sands, Mr. Beekman, Colonel Lott, Mr. E . Bancker, Mr. Hallett, Mr. Rutgers, Mr. Scott, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Mr. Van Zandt.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Abraham Yates, Mr. Gansevoort, Colonel Nicoll, (on service,) General Ten Broeck.

FOR SUFFOLK.—General Woodhull, Mr. Gelston, Mr. Hobart.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Colonel L . Graham, Colonel Gilbert Drake, Mr. Paulding.

FOR ULSTER.—Mr. Rhea, Mr. Lefever, Colonel Palmer, (on service.)

FOR DUTCHESS.—Colonel Ten Broeclc, Major Schenck.

FOR CUMBERLAND.—Colonel William Williams.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Covenhoven, Mr. Polhemus, Colonel Van Brunt.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Adrian Bancker, Mr. Lawrence.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Colonel John Williams.

FOR ORANGE.—Colonel Allison, Colonel Hay.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore.

A Letter from Major-General Schuyler, dated the 6th day of March instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

Albany, March 6, 1776.

“SIR: I take the liberty to remind you of the necessity of forwarding, without the least delay, the naval stores which I did myself the honour to request of you in my former letters.

“A heavy rain has fallen within these two days and broke up Hudson’s River as far down as Half-Moon . A few warm days, I hope, will clear the river of ice in all its extent.

“Please to order up ten sets of pump-boxes. I fear it will be impossible to find clothing at this place for Colonel Van Schaick’s Regiment. I wish, therefore, that what can be procured may be sent up the soonest possible.

“I am, sir, with esteem and respect, your most obedient humble servant,

“ PHILIP SCHUYLER.

“To Colonel Woodhull, President, &c.”

Ordered, That Colonel Curtenius, as Commissary, procure ten sets of Pump-Boxes, and forward the same to General Schuyler with all possible despatch.

Francis Lewis, Esq., a Delegate for this Colony in Continental Congress, informed this Congress that the subject of commissionating private Ships-of-War and Letters of Marque was in contemplation in Congress; and that the Delegates for this Colony requested the sense of this Congress relative thereto. Congress took the same into consideration, and agreed that it is the opinion of this Congress that such a measure is very right and proper; and Mr. Lewis was informed of the same, and requested to inform the other Delegates of their opinion in this particular.

A Letter from Captain Daniel Denton, relative to his Company raised for the Continental service, and now ready for duty, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“New-York, March 13, 1776.

“GENTLMEN: Having received a warrant from your honourable House for the purpose of inlisting a company of men in Orange County, to act in one of the four battalions raising within this Province, for the service of the United Colonies, I beg leave to inform you that I have my company complete as to number, and that I have inlisted a number of genteel young fellows out of reputable families, who would choose to clothe themselves entirely; receive the value of some things proposed to be given them-such as hats, shoes, stockings, &c., in cash; and beg your indulgence in that respect.

“Some of the men would willingly find their own guns, if they are not already provided; but the most of them are without that article.

“I am now in town, waiting the direction of Congress.

“I am, respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient,

humble servant,

“DANIEL DENTON.

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

Ordered, That Captain Denton be informed that such men in his Company as will provide themselves with any articles promised to be furnished to the Troops by Congress at publick expense, shall be allowed for the same the prices fixed by the Continental Congress; and that Captain Denton be requested to inform his men that, by the terms of inlistment, they are to provide their own Arms and Accoutrements.

A Letter from Robert Livingston, Esq., offering to the publick the use of his Furnace and hands, to cast Cannon for the defence of the country, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Manor Livingston, March 2, 1776.

“SIR: I did myself the honour to answer your letter of the 25th of January on the 5th of February, and sent it by my cousin, ( Gilbert Livingston,) who promised me to deliver it; advising that my furnace would be ready to begin her blast early in April, and that the Committee should be very welcome to have the use of her, with all my stock and hands, to cast guns, or any other implements of war, provided they could procure proper and skilful men who understood the casting and moulding of them, for that I had none about my works. Since which I have received no answer. I am now to inform you that the time draws near that we must cut the hearth and put it in; which, possibly, may not suit the casting of great guns, as we shall do it in such a manner as to suit our business. I wish to have your answer before the 15th current, that I may know how to conduct myself.

“I am, sir, your most humble servant,

“ROBERT LIVINGSTON.

“To Mr. Joseph Hallett .”

The Congress took the said Letter into consideration; and, considering that Cannon are already making in another Colony for the Continental Ships-of-War, and that it is not probable any other Cannon will be cast in this Colony than the few additional Cannon that may be wanted for its own defence, and that they have not proper Artificers now remaining in the Colony for that business, are of opinion that it will not be proper to accept of Mr. Livingston’s generous offer, as it may do him a very great injury.

Ordered, That Colonel Brasher prepare and report a draft of an Answer to Mr. Livingston’s said Letter