them to take every measure necessary to open and secure an immediate trade with such countries as can supply us with what we most stand in need of, and to export the produce of this country; or by some means or other, to procure an application from the city at large on this head, as to you may seem best calculated to answer the purpose. We view it as a matter of very great consequence, seeing were there ever so much money struck for the publick exigencies, while the country is debarred of the means of handling it through the want of a market for their produce, it can be of very little advantage to them, and will in the end affect its value. And while every mode of introducing gold and silver is totally cut off, and we stand in need of so many articles which must be procured by paying in specie, we are not only in danger of a scarcity of such articles, but also of having our currency depreciated; as it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to support its credit without introducing real cash into the country nearly in the same proportion to the sums we are obliged to strike. It is now in our power to provide against these evils; we therefore entreat you to fall on some effectual means for the purpose, and to take such measures as will for the future prevent forestalling, and oblige the present monopolizers to sell their stock on hand at the generous prices you have allowed them; and in doing of this, you may rest assured of our strenuous support. We are happy in assuring you that, as far as we have an opportunity of conversing with our fellow-citizens, it is what they greatly desire, and that it can meet with no opposition except from disaffected persons. We beg leave to conclude with thanking you in the warmest manner for the memorial you have sent into the House of Assembly to induce them to rescind their instructions to our Delegates in Congress, as we are persuaded that, from the delicate situation of our affairs, any instructions which may prevent them from uniting with a majority of the Colonies, must be of very dangerous consequence.

Signed on behalf of the Committee of Privates.

WILLIAM ADCOCK, President.

To the Committee of Inspection of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia.

Moved, That a vote of thanks be given to the Committee of Inspection for the steps they have taken to prevent the monopolizing and too high price of Goods, and to assure them that this Committee will support them as far as in their power in every measure for the publick safety and welfare.

Moved, That Messrs. Simpson and Shubart be a Committee to deliver this vote to the Committee of Inspection.

WILLIAM ADCOCK, President.

A true copy from the Minutes:

JAMES CANNON, Clerk.

CHESTER COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, Chester, April 2, 1776.

Information being lodged with this Committee that a certain Abel Green, of this County, had expressed himself in terms inimical to America, and against the measures adopted for the protection of the liberties of these Colonies,

Resolved, That Mr. Green be immediately sent for to appear before this Committee.

Mr. Green attended accordingly, and made the following concessions, viz:

“Whereas, I, the subscriber, have expressed myself in terms inimical to American liberty, derogatory to the Continental Congress, and injurious to the character of the Committee of Chester County; but being now conscious of my error, do thus publickly acknowledge my fault, and do solemnly promise to avoid in future all ungenerous reflections upon, or opposition to, such measures as are or may be adopted for the protection of the liberties of these Colonies.

“Witness my hand, this 3d day of April, 1776.

“ABEL GREEN.”

Extract from the Minutes:

CALEB DAVIS, Secretary.

REPRESENTATION TO COLONEL JOHN STARK, FROM THE OFFICERS OF HIS REGIMENT.

New-York, April 2, 1776.

SIR: We, the officers of your regiment, are continually importuned by the rank and file for cash, which we have often promised, and as often disappointed them of, owing to the failure of payment agreeable to the encouragement in General Orders issued from Head-Quarters last fall. We have, however, so flattered the men with a prospect of immediately receiving their wages, or at least a part thereof, that we have got them (though not without difficulty) to this place, where both they and we are in want of the necessaries of life, for want of that money which is justly due to us, and which, in our present situation, we cannot comfortably subsist without. We therefore pray you would represent to his Honour the General our pitiable case, and endeavour that some money may be procured, or that we may be disbanded from that service, which we should leave with the greatest reluctance, and, from Revolution principles, would willingly risk our lives in.

We are, with great respect to you, sir, and our other Field-Officers, your obedient humble servants,

To Colonel John Stark.

GENERAL HEATH TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

New-York, April 2, 1776.

SIR: It appears necessary that some persons who, it is said, are aiding and assisting our unnatural enemies with provisions, and even recruits, should be detected and secured. I therefore request that, with the greatest secrecy, you would furnish me by eleven o’clock this day with three or four guides, well knowing the houses and persons of one Justice Hulet and Thomas Cornel, of Rockaway, (Long-Island;) Isaac Denton, of Hog-Island Inlet, and one Lieutenant Thomas Hulet, whose place of abode I do not know.

I am, sir, with respect, your most humble servant,

W. HEATH.

To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety of New-York.

ALBANY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany Committee-Chamber, April 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Of the four battalions intended to be raised for the defence of this Colony, five companies are now recruiting in this City and County. But the officers of those companies meet with great difficulties in completing their respective complements of men, through want of cash. As we have understood that certain sums have been allotted for this necessary service, we therefore apply to you to take this matter into consideration, and transmit to the Colonel of the battalion (if known) or to the General, or this Committee, the money you deem necessary for this service.

We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

ABRAHAM YATES, JUN., Chairman.

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

COLONEL NICOLL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Fort Constitution, April 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: This day Captain Armanus Cuyler stopped here, laden with peas; and, by my order, had one hundred bushels taken out for the use of this and the other fortifications in the Highlands, and have given him my receipt for them. Gentlemen, as necessity has no law, I hope you will not blame me. And as you are well acquainted with the state of this garrison, where we have a number of people sick, and no vegetables, to prevent mutinies, desertions, and for the good of the cause, by the advice of the Commissioners and officers, I have done it, and hope you will be pleased to order them paid for, and my receipt taken up.

I am, gentlemen, with great esteem, your humble servant,

ISAAC NICOLL.

To the New-York Congress