If any of them are provided for in Canada, they are to continue there, and others will be elected in their room. Such of them as are in Canada, and unprovided for, have orders immediately to repair to their respective Regiments.

“Lest our enemies should come upon you before the Continental Troops can be in readiness to receive them, or in case they should come with superior force, the Congress have thought proper to empower the Continental commander at New-York to call to his assistance the Militia of your Colony and that of Connecticut and New-Jersey, agreeable to the enclosed resolves; and I have it in command to re quest you to hold your Militia in readiness to march in such numbers and at such times as he may desire.

“The Congress have ordered five tons of powder for the use of the Troops employed in your defence, which will be forwarded with the utmost expedition.

“I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“The Honourable the Convention of New-York.

“The Colonel of the Third Battalion is not appointed, for reasons that will be mentioned by your Delegates, to whose letter I beg leave to refer you.”

“IN CONGRESS, March 15, 1776.—Resolved, That the Governour of Connecticut, the Conventions or Councils, or Committees of Safety of New-York and New-Jersey, be requested to hold their Militia in readiness to march in such numbers, and at such times, for the defence of New- York, as the Continental Commander at New-York shall desire; and that the pay of the Militia called to the defence of New-York be the same as that of the Continental Troops raised and employed in the Middle Department, to commence from the time they begin their march.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

“Transmitted to the honourable Convention of New-York, by order of Congress.

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the Convention or Committee of Safety, New-York.”

A Letter from John Chatfield, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee of Easthampton, was read, in the words following, to wit:

“Easthampton, March 11, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: On Wednesday, the 6th instant, the ship Sally, that belonged to Mr. Samuel Franklin, of New-York, and taken by the men-of-war at New-York and sent for Boston, was driven on shore in a gale of wind at Montauk. The Committee of Easthampton ordered the commander, viz: Charles Smith, mate of the Asia man-of-war, and Mr. Young, of Philadelphia, Mr. Elder, and Mr. McDermott, who say they were passengers on board the ship, and that they were bound to Boston to procure a passage home to England; also Mr. Wookomb, who was mate of a transport lately taken at Amboy, and served as mate of this ship, and ten seamen that belong to the Asia;—all which persons we send to New- York, under a guard commanded by Lieutenant John Foster, in the Minute service. We also send you by Lieutenant Foster, all the letters and papers* that we could procure from on board her.

“We have employed a number of men to endeavour to save as much of the sails, rigging, &c., as possible; her cargo, being salt, is all lost, and expect to save very little of the ship, as she lies upon rocks, with the surf continually breaking upon her.

“We are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants,

“JOHN CHATFIELD, Chairman.

“Signed by order and in behalf of the Committee of Easthampton.”

The Examinations of the Prisoners, taken before the Committee of Easthampton, were read, and are in the words following, to wit:

“The examination of Mr. John Young, who saith: That he was bom in Philadelphia; had been in New-York about a week; took a passage in the ship Sally for Boston, in order to get a passage to London; and there were only ten muskets put on board the ship Sally; and that Captain Smith hove a number of guns overboard after the ship got on shore, but do not know how many.

“The examination of Mr. William Elder, who saith: He was born in Scotland, and came into this country about the 1st of May last, and that he has no recommendations to Rhode-Island or Boston; and that he was on board the Asia about three weeks.

“The examination of Mr. William McDermott, who saith: He was born in Ireland; has been in America about five years; has been a Lieutenant in the Forty-Seventh Regiment; had sold his commission about eighteen months ago, and that he was bound to Rhode-Island or Boston, to get a passage home.

“The examination of Joseph Wolcomb, who saith: He was born in England; has been in this country about four years; came last mate of a transport taken at Amboy, and had been on board the Asia about a fortnight.

“Thomas Lambo, William Hatch, Robert Craw, William Philips, Rowland Walter, Hugh Hall, and Patrick Pendergrass, all say that they belong to the ship Asia, Captain Vandeput.

“The above examinations were taken before the Committee of Easthampton.

A number of Letters, taken from on board of the ship Sally, (some from Governour Tryon, Captain Parker, and others, to General Howe, and other persons at Boston,) and transmitted by the said Committee with the Prisoners taken from on board of the said ship, were filed.

Die Lunse, 4to ho. P. M., March 18, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Joseph Hallett, Esquire, Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Hallett, Captain Rutgers, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Scott, Mr. Sands.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Polhemus.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Colonel Morris Graham.

FOR. WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Gelston.

FOR ORANGE.—Colonel Allison.

FOR CUMBERLAND.—Colonel William Williams.

NEW-YORK, January 29, 1776.

* MARCH 18, 1776.—Letters taken from on board of the Ship SALLY. (She formerly belonged to SAMUM. FHANKLIN, and was taken by the Men-of-War at NEW-YORK, and sent from BOSTON.) She was driven ashore in a gate, at MUNTAUK, on the 6th day of MARCH, and her crew, passengers, and papers, seized by the Committee of EASTHAMPTON, and sent to NEW-YORK.

By HYDE PARKER, Jun., Esq., Captain of His Majesty’s Ship PHENIX:

You are hereby required and directed to proceed to Boston, with the ship Sally, under your command, calling at Rhode-Island, where you are to apply to the commanding officer of his Majesty’s ships for convoy and a pilot. Should you be so unfortunate as to meet with any of the Rebel cruisers, and find no possibility of escaping, it is my positive directions that you do throw overboard all arms and ammunition, to prevent their falling into the hands of the Rebels. Should there be any ship in sight that you suppose to be a man-of war, you are to do your utmost to disable the ship, by cutting her gears and lowering her lower yards down, in order to prevent the Rebels from carrying her off.

Upon your arrival at Boston you are to report yourself to Admiral Shuhlham, or the Commander-in-Chief for the time being. You are also during your passage to use your utmost endeavours to keep company with the Harriet transport, and the Frances sloop.

Given under my hand, on board his Majesty’s Ship Phenix, off the Narrows of Gravesend Bay, this 29th of February, 1776.

H. PARKER.

To Mr. Smith, Commander of the Ship Sally.

DEAR JOHN: With very great regret and astonishment I have learnt your hasty and abrupt behaviour in leaving me, and going on board the Phenix sbip-of-war, without giving me the least notice of such intention. I came here in great haste with Mr. Morgan, in hopes to have found you here before you went on board, but am disappointed. However, I now become supplicant to you, my dear son, and to request you will come on shore, and give me an opportunity of a conversation; and I hereby pledge my honour that, after what arguments I may use to you cannot prevail with you to return to Philadelphia, to your country, and good friends, you shall be at liberty to go where you please; but, dear John, consider what you are about. You don’t want understanding, if it was a little set to rights. If you will now return, all things may yet bo well. I promise you my forgiveness, and never more to upbraid you with this rash step. As we have taken great pains that your proceedings may not be known in Philadelphia, all matters may be accommodated there.

I therefore request, as you value a father’s blessing and your own happiness and reputation, that you will give me an interview at the house you lodged in on Thursday last, to-morrow afternoon. I know you will be permitted to come on shore. Pray don’t bring my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

I am, your affectionate father,

JAMES YOUNG.

To Mr. John Young, on board His Majesty’s Ship Phenix.