hired the men of that Guard by the month. He further declared that he did not desire any advantage from the sum reported as reasonable, and agreed to be allowed him per month by the Congress for that Guard, but would be contented with his pay and disbursements.

Ordered, That David Barclay continue his Guard at the Cannon until the expiration of one month from the time he took the care and management of that Guard.

A Return of Militia Officers for Eastchester, in Westchester County, elected in the presence of Daniel Sering and Stephen Sneden, Committee-men, was read and filed. The following Officers are thereby returned as elected on the 9th instant, viz: Thomas Pinckney, Captain; William Pinckney, First Lieutenant; John Sneden, Second Lieutenant; and William Reed, Ensign.

A Return of Militia Officers elected in the presence of Frederick Van Cortlandt and Thomas Emans, Committee-men, in the Precinct of the Yonkers, was read and filed. The following Officers are thereby returned as elected on the 18th instant, to wit: John Warner, Captain; Jacob Post, First Lieutenant; Samuel Lawrence, Second Lieutenant; and Isaac Post, Ensign.

Ordered, That Commissions issue for the Officers of the two Companies as returned elected and above-mentioned.

And the said Commissions were issued accordingly.

A Letter from Major Douglass as to the service at the Lakes, and which was received yesterday, was read and filed. He says he will proceed to the Lakes when he receives the command of the Continental Congress, or the General, if his health will permit; and, in the mean time, will serve his country; and desires the Committee would assist and forward Mr. Wynkoop.

A draft of a Letter to the Delegates of this Colony relative to the command on the Lakes, and recommending Captain Wynkoop, was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, March 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: On the 16th instant, the Provincial Congress (then about to adjourn) received a letter from Major-General Schuyler respecting Major Douglass and Captain Wynkoop, of which we enclose a copy, (No. 1.) The Provincial Congress immediately sent for Captain Wynkoop, read the General’s letter to him, delivered him a copy, desired him to call on Major Douglass with it, and return an answer the speediest possible.

On the 18th, Captain Wynkoop informed the Committee of Safety that he had called on Major Douglass, (who is in Colonel Ward’s Regiment, in King’s County,) and delivered him a copy of the General’s letter; that Major Douglass had intimated that he was now in service; that it would be at least two months before he could attend at the Lakes, if his health would then permit. The Committee thereupon wrote to Major Douglass, and on the 21st received his answer, of which we enclose you copies, (Nos. 2 and 3.)

The season is so far advanced, that the service must suffer if the vessels on the Lakes are not immediately employed. We have prevailed on Captain Wynkoop, by this reason only, to engage seamen, and proceed to the General, with all possible despatch. We beg leave, through you, to inform Congress that Captain Wynkoop was bred a mariner; has frequently been master of mercantile vessels; and served with reputation during the last war both in the land and marine departments; we think him an officer of merit, and we have heard his conduct in the last campaign highly applauded.

We have promised to recommend Mr. Wynkoop to Congress for the command of the vessels on the Lakes. This we do with the greatest cheerfulness, as we think him equal to the command and worthy of the trust; and, from General Schuyler’s letter, we are induced to believe it would not be disagreeable to him.

We do not wish to impose Captain Wynkoop’s services on Congress in this command, if it is not perfectly agreeable to them; and should the Congress think proper to order Major Douglass, or any other gentleman, to go up to take that command, we pray their determination may be speedy, that the service may not suffer, as Captain Wynkoop will not continue in that service under Major Douglass.

We are, gentlemen, &c.

To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress.

Die Solis, 9 ho. A. M., March 24, 1776.

Several Members met pursuant to adjournment.

No material business appearing necessary, the Committee adjourned to go to Church.

Die Solis, 3 ho. P. M., March 24, 1776.

The Committee met on summons. Present:

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel McDougall, Captain Denning, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Van Zandt, Colonel Lott, Major Stoutenburgh, Mr. Evert Bancker, Mr. John V. Cortlandt, Mr. Prince, Mr. Beekman, Colonel Brasher.

FOR ALBANY.—Colonel Peter R. Livingston.

FOR DUTCHESS.—General P. Ten Broeck.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore.

Colonel Brasher was unanimously chosen Chairman.

The Letter hereinafter mentioned, from John Chatfield, Chairman, received by express, which occasioned a summons of the Members, was read, and sundry copies thereof taken.

The following Resolves and Letters, for sending Gunpowder to Suffolk County, were read and agreed to, but for want of another County represented, the Members present were adjourned to ten o’clock to-morrow morning.

Die Lunæ 10 ho. A. M., March 25, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel Lott, Colonel McDougall. Colonel Brasher, Mr. Prince.

FOR ALBANY.—Colonel Peter R. Livingston.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR CUMBERLAND.—Colonel William Williams.

FOR ULSTER—Mr. Cantine.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Leffertse.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell.

FOR DUTCHESS.—General Petrus Ten Broeck, Mr. Everson.

The Letter from John Chatfield, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Easthampton, received and read yesterday, was again read, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Easthampton, March 22, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: This day, about ten o’clock in the forenoon, our guard stationed at Montauk saw twenty sail of square-rigged vessels (five of them appeared to be large) and two sloops, bearing about south-southeast from the point of Montauk, about nine or ten miles to sea, the wind south-southeast, the weather something thick and hazy, steering about northeast by north, and sailed to the eastward of Block-Island, and suppose, by the course they steered, that they were going into Rhode-Island. This, gentlemen, is all the information we can give you concerning them, as about one o’clock they disappeared behind Block-Island, and they saw them no more.

“As we are a frontier, at the east end of Long-Island, and are destitute of men to defend us, and have but little ammunition, should be very glad if the honourable House would use their endeavours that we may have some assistance.

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

“Signed by order of the Committee of Easthampton.

“JOHN CHATFIELD, Chairman.”

The Committee, taking into consideration the defenceless state of Suffolk County,

Resolved, That one thousand pounds of Gunpowder and four thousand pounds of Lead, be immediately depatched by a boat to Huntington, for the use" of the inhabitants of Suffolk County, to be charged to the County, and the County to be accountable for the same. That a Letter be written to Brigadier-General Woodhull, informing him of the supply of Ammunition sent to his County; and that Mr. Tredwell have the management of forwarding the said Ammunition.

And Resolved, That Brigadier-General Woodhull be, and

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