Artillery Company of this Colony, were of opinion that Colonel McDougall would be proper for that service. Colonel McDougall, present, agreed to undertake that service.

Therefore, Ordered, That Colonel McDougall pay the Artillery Company of this Colony as their pay shall become due, until farther order of this Provincial Congress, or their Committee of Safety.

The Petition of David Shaddell, setting forth his poverty, and the injury he received on the 18th ultimo, in removing the Cannon from the Battery, and praying for some relief and assistance, was read.

Ordered, That Doctor John Charlton, for the present, take charge of, and attend the cure of David Shaddell’s hand and arm; and that he report to this Congress the circumstances of the said David Shaddell.

The Congress were informed by a Member that the workmen employed in unspiking the Cannon on the Green, in this City, are so negligent in their business that it is necessary to set a Guard over them to keep them at work.

Therefore, Ordered, That Lord Stirling be authorized, and he is hereby authorized, to command as many Blacksmiths, or other fit persons who are acquainted with drilling Cannon, as he may think proper, to open the Cannon in this City, and place a Guard over them, to keep them at work until the said Cannon are unspiked, except for such time as shall be necessary for their proper refreshment.

A draft of a Letter to the County Committee of Ulster County, to attend six blank Commissions, to be by the said Committee filled up for the Field or Staff-Officers for the First or Northern Regiment of the same County, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, March 14, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We have now under consideration the subject of two letters received from Colonel Hasbrouck, respecting the Regiment of Militia in your County, which he was commissioned to command. There appears to be a great dissatisfaction among the Field-Officers; and the Colonel declines serving, by reason of your altering the name of his Regiment, and our appointing George Clinton, Esq., Brigadier-General of the Militia of Ulster and Orange Counties. You cannot be ignorant of the multiplicity of business before us, and the impropriety of an application to us upon that subject, as we have, by a letter, dated the 22d of December last, referred the settlement of that matter entirely to you. The reason of this step must be obvious to you when you reflect that it is impossible for us to judge of the qualification of any person, in your County. We beg you will accommodate this difference; and, that you may not be under the necessity of applying to Congress on the subject, we enclose you six blank commissions, which you will please to fill up for such persons as you conceive best qualified; being previously assured that the person you appoint will serve, and that his political sentiments are friendly to American liberty.

We are, yours, respectfully.

By order.

To Jacobus Bruyn, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Ulster County.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted, and that six Commissions be signed by the President, and countersigned by one of the Secretaries, and enclosed therein.

A copy of the examination of — Craigg was brought into the Congress by Mr. Robert Benson, who, by order, had called on Lord Stirling and taken a copy from, the original, which was taken by his Lordship. The said copy of the examination was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Craig, lately a soldier in the First Regiment of Yorkers, declares that he was employed by one Vernon, a hatter of this City, to rig out a Sloop the said Vernon had lately purchased by order of Governour Tryon, to be employed by the Governour as a tender or cutter, and occasionally to cruise in the North and East-Rivers; that the said Vernon was to be supplied by the said Governour with swivels for the said Sloop; that the said Craig went on board (with the said Vernon ) of the Dutchess of Gordon, and there conversed with the Governour and the Attorneys General Kempe and Skinner, who urged him to be active in procuring as many men as possible, not only for the said Sloop, but for the Asia, and other men-of-war soon expected here; that above fifty or sixty soldiers now in town in the Continental service were engaged by the said Vernon for the service of the Ministry.”

Ordered, That Colonel Hay and Colonel Morris Graham be a Committee to go to Thomas Vernon and take his Examination, and report the same with all convenient speed.

A Letter or Memorial from Jacob Bampor was read and filed. He thereby requests a Captain or Lieutenant’s commission in the Continental service.

Ordered, That the Member of King’s County, who brought in the said Letter, inform Mr. Bampor that there is not any vacancy.

Die Jovis, 4 ho. P. M., March 14, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel McDougall, Colonel Lott, Mr. Randall, Mr. Sands, Mr. E . Bancker, Captain Rutgers, Mr. Hallett, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Captain Denning.

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

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

FOR DUTCHESS.—Colonel Ten Broeck, Major Schenck.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding, Colonel Lewis Graham.

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

FOR ORANGE.—Colonel Allison.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Adrian Bancker.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Polhemus.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore.

FOR CUMBERLAND.—Colonel William Williams.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Colonel John Williams.

The several Proposals for victualling the Continental Troops in this Colony were read, and referred to Mr. Randall, Mr. Hallett, Mr. Paulding, and Mr. Sands, as a Committee to report thereon with all possible speed.

The Committee above-mentioned, reported that the Proposal of Mr. Abraham Livingston for contracting for the Continental Troops in this Colony, is the lowest and most advantageous: Therefore, it is

Resolved and Agreed, That his Proposals be accepted, and that a Letter be written to the Continental Congress, informing that honourable body of the terms on which the said Troops can be supplied with Rations.

Ordered, That Hamilton Young be, and he is hereby, permitted to go on board of his Majesty’s Ship Asia, or the Packet, in company with the Port-Master, to receive his Letters, he having been first duly sworn that he will not communicate or; board of the Ships-of-War, or any of the other Ships in the harbour, any intelligence concerning the preparations making for the defence of this City and Colony, or carry any Letters or Papers relative thereto, or giving any intelligence concerning the same. Mr. Sands and Mr. Hallett are appointed a Committee to view such Letters as Mr. Young brings on shore before they be delivered.

It was represented to Congress that Captain Daniel Denton, of Orange County, has his Company full, and ready for service; that Lord Stirling has ordered him with his Company to New-York; and that he is in necessity for some money to pay the wages due his men, that they may furnish themselves with some necessaries.

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of this Congress, advance to Captain Daniel Denton the sum of sixty Pounds on account, in part of the pay of his Company, and take Captain Denton’s receipt for the same; Captain Denton to be accountable for that sum paid him on account for his Company.

A permit was given to the Port-Master to carry on board of the Ships Phenix, (packet,) Asia, and Dutchess of Gordon, a great number of articles, mentioned in a memorandum delivered in by the Port-Master and filed. He was also permitted to carry on board for the use of the Ship Asia, certain quantities of Provisions and other articles, specified in a list or memorandum of Abraham Lott, Contractor