The Committee, finding that a sufficient quantity of Lead cannot be purchased for the use of the publick and the necessary defence of this Colony,

Ordered, That Mr. Samuel Prince be, and he is hereby, authorized to employ proper Mechanicks for that purpose, and to take the Leads out of the window-cases of the City-Hall of this City, and also out of the Exchange of this City of New-York; to keep an account of the weight of Lead taken out of each Building, separately, that this weight of Lead taken out of each may be known; and that Mr. Prince cause the said Lead to be delivered to Mr. Curtenius, or his order.

Mr. Prince informed the Committee that Mr. John Meyer, the keeper of the City-Hall, refused to open the doors of the different apartments in the Hall, unless he should be ordered by this Committee:

Thereupon, it was Ordered, That Mr. John Meyer be, and he is hereby, directed and required to open the doors of all the rooms and apartments in the City-Hall of the City of New-York, that Mr. Samuel Prince may be enabled to take the Leaden Weights out of the window-casements, pursuant to an order of this Committee of this day.

The Committee adjourned till four o’clock this afternoon.

Die Lunæ, 4 ho. P. M., March 25, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: William Paulding, Esq., Chairman pro tem.

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

FOR ULSTER.—Mr. Cantine.

FOR ALBANY.—Colonel P. R. Livingston.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Everson, Colonel M. Graham.

For KING’S.—Mr. Leffertse.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding.

FOR CUMBERLAND.—Colonel William Williams.

Ordered, That Mr. Norwood deliver to Colonel McDougall, or his order, one quarter-cask of Gunpowder, to be forwarded to Cornelius Atherton, for the purpose of proving the Musket-barrels the said Atherton hath made by contract with Colonel McDougall and Colonel Curtenius; the price of the said Gunpowder to be deducted out of the first payment to be made on the said contract.

John McDonald, the person lately sent by the Provincial Congress (pursuant to an order of Continental Congress) to explore the Lead-Mines at New-Canaan, returned. His Report, with several Letters relating thereto, were read and filed.

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, pay to John McDonald the sum of eighteen Dollars, for his services in going to explore a Lead-Mine at New-Canaan, pursuant to an order of Continental Congress, and take his receipt for the same on Continental account.

Resolved, That the Captains and inferior Officers and Mariners of the Armed Vessels now fitted out, or to be fitted out by this Colony, for the protection of its trade, against the depredations of the enemy, be subject to, and governed by the Articles of War made by the Continental Congress for the government of the Navy of the United Colonies; and that Captain Smith, of the Sloop Schuyler, and Captain Rogers, be each of them served with a copy of this Resolution.

A Letter from Colonel Hay, dated the 24th instant, was read, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Haverstraw, March 24, 1776.

“SIR: In compliance with the resolution of Congress of the 13th instant, ordering sixty-five privates to be drafted out of my regiment and sent to New-York, I have called the regiment together for the purpose.

“Lieutenant-Colonel Cooper, of the Minute Regiment, attended, and insisted on drafting every fourth man to complete his regiment. This created great uneasiness in my regiment, and rendered it impossible for me to send down the detachment required, without greatly distressing the inhabitants, which made it necessary for me to postpone the business until Wednesday next, which day the regiment is again ordered to attend.

“I am of opinion that the publick service will be greatly promoted if the Committee of Safety would order to New-York the Minute Regiment, or sixty-five of that corps, instead of the detachment from my regiment. The publick by this means will be furnished with the young men, well accoutred.

“I should be happy to have the sentiments of the Committee of Safety on this subject by the bearer hereof. If the Committee of Safety should agree in opinion with me, be pleased to forward their order to Colonel Cooper by the bearer of this, so that I may have it by Wednesday next.

“I am, sir, with great esteem, your most obedient humble servant.

“A. HAWKES HAY.”

An Answer to Colonel Hay was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, March 25, 1776.

SIR: In answer to yours of yesterday, we would just inform you, that we shall give orders to Colonel Cooper, who is now in town, to send down a company of Minute-men, in lieu of those ordered by the Congress to be drafted put of your regiment. At the same time, as the enemy have quitted Boston, and we know not how soon they will be here, we would urge it upon you with the greatest earnestness to use your utmost endeavours to have your regiment in all possible readiness to march upon the shortest notice.

We are, respectfully, sir, your very humble servants.

To Colonel A. Hawkes Hay.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the Chairman, and transmitted.

Ordered, That Lieutenant-Colonel Cuyper, of the Orange County Regiment of Minute-men, send down to New-York, as soon as possible, one full Company of the Orange County Regiment of Minute-men, completely armed, accoutred, and appointed in the best manner, and each with his Blanket. That this Company be sent down to New-York instead of the Company which Colonel Hay was desired to despatch from his Regiment.

A Letter from the Chairman of the Committee of Dutchess County was received and read, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Dutchess County Committee, March 19, 1776.

“SIR: The following recruiting officers, viz: Captain Swartwout, Captain Barker, and Captain Pierce, came before this Committee and informed us that they were under great difficulties with respect to raising men in this County, by reason of the reduction of the wages of the soldiers, and that many of the young men in this County that were disposed to go into the service, had inlisted in the Connecticut Regiments, as their pay is there still kept up to the former establishment, viz: five pounds three shillings and four pence bounty, and five pounds three shillings and four pence per month, and a month’s pay and the bounty advanced immediately upon inlisting. They likewise informed us that they labour under another difficulty, from this circumstance, that the time of inlistment is not limited, but left indefinite in the instructions.

“From this information, and from our own observations of the dissatisfaction throughout the country, caused by the late establishment of the soldiers’ pay, this Committee are of opinion the companies cannot be filled in this County without an augmentation of wages.

“You will please to favour us with the sentiments of Congress respecting these matters as soon as possible, as the officers wait for our answer.

“We are, sir, your humble servants.

“By order of the Committee.

“EGBERT BENSON, Chairman.”

Draft of an Answer to the Letter from the Chairman of the Committee of Dutchess County was read, approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, March 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We are this day favoured with your letter of the 19th instant, stating the difficulties of the recruiting officers in your County. We apprehend their difficulties arise from mistake. The pay, clothing, and bounty, allowed to the Continental troops now raising in this Colony, are the same as allowed in Connecticut, Jersey, &c. It is the Continental establishment for all troops raised for service in