“To ammunition delivered,

“January, 1776. By the Commissioners, and not returned:

“Powder, . . . . . . . . . pounds, 16

“Musket-Balls, . . . . . . . pounds, 29

“Do. Cartridge Paper, . . . . quires, 2

“Fort Constitution, March 8, 1776.”

Ordered, That the said Report and Letter remain over for consideration, inquiry, and answer.

A Return of Captain Benjamin Egbert’s Company, from Beat No. 2, of the City of New- York, who had been on fatigue yesterday at the Fortifications, was brought into the Committee, and filed.

Die Martis, A. M., March 19, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Joseph Hallett, Esq., Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Hallett, Major Stoutenburgh, Captain Rutgers, Mr. Scott.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Gelston, Mr. Hobart.

FOR TRYON.—Colonel William Williams.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Colonel Morris Graham, General Petrus Ten Broeck.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr, Paulding.

FOR ULSTER.—Mr. Cantine.

FOR ORANGE.—Colonel Allison.

FOR KING’S.’s.—Mr. Polhemus.

Captain Blauvelt, from Orangetown, attending, requested the sense of the Committee whether the thirty-five men ordered to this City, out of Colonel Lent’s Regiment, may not come down under the command of a Captain and Ensign.

The Committee are of opinion that the thirty-five privates ordered from Orangetown may be commanded by Captain Blauvelt and his Ensign.

John Griffiths attending, was admitted. He requested a permit to go on board the Packet, and to return. Where-upon a permit was given him in the words following, to wit:

Ordered, That Mr. John Griffiths be, and he is hereby, permitted to go on board the Packet with the Port-Master, and to return, he having been sworn that he will not give or convey any intelligence on board said ship, or either of the Ships-of-War, or the Governour’s ship, relative to the Fortifications erecting for the defence of this City and Colony.

Captain Mercier applied to the Committee of Safety for an Order to take twenty-five Water-casks from the Stores, for the use of a Vessel, purchased by the Marine Committee, for an Armed Vessel.

Thereupon, Ordered, That Captain William Mercier have leave to take immediately twenty-five such Water-casks as he shall choose, of those now in store or yard near Warren’s Wharf, at the Hudson River; the same being for publick use for one of the Colony Armed Vessels.

Captain Mercier further informed the Committee that the Blacksmiths, Carpenters, and other Mechanicks, who are, and have been, employed in making the Carriages for Cannon, are much in want of cash; that three hundred Pounds will be sufficient to pay them, in part, for the present.

Thereupon, Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, advance to William Mercier the sum of three hundred Pounds, on account, towards paying and discharging the Accounts and Debts become due for making Gun-Carriages: and that the Treasurer take Captain William Mercier‘’s receipt for the same.

The Chairman and Captain Rutgers informed the Committee that, in pursuance of the direction of the Provincial Congress, of the — day of March, instant, they had purchased a Sloop, to be made an Armed Vessel, for the defence of the Trade of this and the neighbouring Colonies; that they had agreed to pay the sum of four hundred and thirty Pounds for the said Sloop.

Ordered, That the Treasurer pay to Captain Anthony Rutgers the sum of four hundred and thirty Pounds, to pay for the said Vessel; and that the Treasurer take Mr. Rut-gers’s receipt for the same.

Colonel Hyer, Major Malcom, and Captain Wool, of the Second Battalion, or Regiment, of the City of New-York, came into the Committee. They informed that they were authorized by the said Battalion to offer their service as a Regiment, to be taken into constant pay as Minute-men. After some conversation on that matter, the Committee informed those gentlemen that they would take that matter into consideration, and give them an answer as soon as conveniently they can determine.

Abraham Lott, Esquire, Agent Victualler, and Thomas Horsefield, the Brewer at Brooklyn Ferry, at the door, were admitted. They stated difficulties attending the sending on board Beer to the ships-of-war, under the attendance of and with the Port-Master only; as it happens at times that his other necessary engagements in his duty, and going to the ships in the Harbour, will not permit him to go at the hours they want his attendance. Mr. Lott and Mr. Horse-field withdrew.

The Committee having considered of the said application, are of opinion, and determine not to make any alteration in the mode fixed for supplying the ships, or either of them.

Mr. Horsefield was called in, and informed of the determination of the Committee.

John Murray, at the door, was admitted. He requested a permission to send Bread on board of the Ship Dutchess of Gordon. After having fully heard Mr. Murray, the Committee consent that Mr. Murray shall have a permit delivered to the Port-Master to send five hundred weight of Bread on board of the said ship; but that he shall not have any further permit until he produces an account of the Provisions and Stores on board of the said ship, for ship’s use.

A Return from Asahel Berry, the Officer of the Port-Guard, at the North River, during last night, and therein said to be made to the Captain of the Main Guard at the Lower Barracks, was delivered to the Chairman, and read.

The Prisoners therein mentioned, except James Coffin, being brought to the door by a Guard, David Ketch and William Douglass were brought in and examined. Two witnesses, with respect to them, were called in and examined. It appears that David Ketch flashed his Gun several times at some of the Sentinels.

Ordered, That the Gun be examined whether it is loaded, as the witnesses suppose; and that application be made to a Magistrate to bind over the said David Ketch, and take sureties for his keeping the peace, and being of good behaviour.

And Ordered, That the runaway Negro therein mentioned be sent to Bridewell, and that the Overseer thereof receive and advertise him. That the free Negro be discharged; and that, until these matters are done and further order given, the said Prisoners (except the free Negro) be returned to the Guard-House.

Application being made for a permit to send Letters on board of the Packet,

Ordered, That Mr. Scott and Colonel Morris Graham be a Committee to examine all Letters designed to be sent on board of the Packet, before they are sealed, and to retain them until they are sent on board by the Port-Master. That those gentlemen, on their honour, keep secret the contents of every Letter they may so examine, unless, in their opinion, it should so far concern the publick that they should think it their duty to communicate the contents to the Committee of Safety.

And Ordered, That the Inhabitants, as occasion may require, be informed of this Order.

The case of Mr. John Delancey, and his complaint against Mr. John De Witt, Captain of the Militia in the Beat where Mr. Delancey resides, was sent in to the Committee). For the want of time to take the same into consideration, it is deferred for the present.

A Letter from Lord Stirling, relating to the Artillery immediately necessary to be fitted for use, was read. A state of the whole Artillery on the Island, and of what is necessary to complete them to a certain degree; and also a separate Return of the Cannon, down to Six-Pounders, inclusive, and of what is necessary to complete them to a certain degree, received in Lord Stirling’s said Letter, were respectively read.

Ordered. That the Bearer be discharged from the door, and that the said Letter be taken into consideration this afternoon.