slowly. We are sensible that the above application to your body is not strictly proper; yet as necessity has and must warrant many things which have imposed themselves on you, we make the present application, with full confidence that some immediate relief may be had in the premises.

“We would beg leave to add that rum is an article very much wanting for the fatigue parties. If a supply of that could immediately be sent up, it would have a very good effect. In case a sufficiency cannot be provided, if we have orders, a plenty of cider and beer can be had, which would answer perhaps as well.

“We send, enclosed, a copy of an affidavit, which proves the assiduity of our enemies, and the necessity of a watchful eye on all their motions.

“In consequence of the resolves of the Provincial Congress, of the—instant, to which we beg to refer, we have called chiefly Continental Troops to this post, thinking they are most to be depended upon. These troops, we think, are and ought to be under our sole directions, as to the work that is to be done. As to what little military parade that is at present necessary, we conceive the eldest Captain here abundantly sufficient, the present body being merely a working party.

“We are, gentlemen, with much esteem, your very humble servants,

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

Die Sabbati, 10 ho. A. M., March 30, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: William Paulding, Esq., Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel Lott, Mr. Prince, Major Stoutenburgh, Mr. Helme.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwel.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Everson.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Leffertse.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Adrian Bancker.

Colonel McDougall informed the Committee that Colonel Trumbull, the Commissary-General, stood in great need of some place to store Provisions in. Colonel McDougall further informed the Committee that the cellars of the Hospital are well calculated for the purpose.

Ordered, That Colonel Trumbull, Commissary of Provisions, be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered to take possession of the Cellars of the Hospital in this City, and make use of the same, for the purpose of storing Provisions and other articles in his department.

A Certificate of Dr. Jones was read, in the words following:

“New-York, March 28, 1776.

“This is to certify that Mr. Gerard G. Beekman is, by my advice, going to Bristol, in Pennsylvania, in order to drink the mineral waters of that place for the benefit of his health, which, for some time past, has been sensibly impaired.”

Mr. Beekman requested a passport, that he might be permitted to go to Bristol and return, unmolested. Thereupon, the following Certificate was given Mr. Beekman:

“It is hereby certified, that Mr. Gerard G. Beekman is permitted to go to Bristol, for the benefit of his health; that he is a friend to the cause of American liberty. It is therefore recommended to all the friends of liberty, to suffer him to pass unmolested.”

Ordered, That Mr. Joshua Potts be permitted to go on board of the Packet, with the Port-Master, to procure a passage to England, he having been sworn that he will not convey any intelligence relative to the Fortifications erecting for the defence of this City and Colony.

Ordered, That the General Committee of the City of New-York, or their sub-Committee, be, and they are hereby, authorized to permit Paul Pincknam to lade on board the Sloop Royal County such Provisions as he may want, (Beef and Pork excepted,) and take the same to Falmouth, in the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay.

Captain Andrew Billings, of Dutchess County, attended, and was admitted. He informed that his Company is nearly completed, and (except a few men at work or on duty in one of the Minute Regiments now at New-York) are now on duty at the Fortifications in the Highlands; that many of his men have been inlisted a considerable time; and that he stands in great need of cash to pay his men, that they may be enabled to purchase necessaries.

Ordered, That Captain Billings, and the Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers of his Company, be considered as part of the four Regiments raising in this Colony for Continental service; and that Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, advance to Captain Andrew Billings the sum of three hundred Pounds on account, to be by him applied towards the pay of his Company as above-mentioned; and that the said Treasurer take Captain Billings’s receipt for the same.

Ordered, That Colonel Curtenius, Commissary of the Provincial Congress, deliver to Captain Andrew Billings, for his Company, in the Continental Troops raising in this Colony, the following articles, viz: 30 wooden Bowls, 86 wooden Spoons, 86 Frocks, 86 pair of Shoes, 86 Hats, 14 Iron Pots, 86 Canteens, 4 Canteens for Officers, 86 pair of yarn homespun men’s Hose, and Blankets for 86 Soldiers, 4 Officers, and 1 Drum and Fife; and that he also deliver to Captain Billings the like quantity or number of each article (except Blankets and Hose) for Captain Jacobus Rosekrans’s Company; and that Mr. Curtenius take Captain Billings’s receipt for the same.

A Letter from Captain John Grenell to Thomas Tredwell, Esq., dated the 27th March, resigning his Warrant as Captain of Artillery in the Continental service, and declining the service, was read and filed.

Major Sebastian Beauman having signified his willingness to render any services in his power for the defence of the liberties of this country; this Committee, reposing especial confidence in his patriotism, valour, conduct, and fidelity, think him well qualified to command an Artillery Company in the Continental service.

Resolved and Ordered, That Sebastian Beauman, Esq., be, and is hereby, appointed Captain of the Continental Company of Artillery ordered to be raised in this Colony; which Company Mr. Beauman is hereby authorized and requested to inlist with all possible despatch.

A draft of a Letter to the Commissioners erecting the Fortifications near Pooplopen, in answer to theirs of the 28th, was read, and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, March 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We are favoured with your letter of the 28th instant. In answer thereto, we inform you that Mr. Abraham, Livingston has some days ago contracted to supply the troops at the posts in the Highlands with the rations allowed by Congress. Mr. Livingston has a vessel with necessaries, and a Commissary, ready to go up to the Highlands; and you may assure the troops that they will be supplied with every part of the rations allowed by Congress, that can reasonably be procured, as soon as wind and weather will permit. This supply has some days ago been attended to, and no unavoidable delay will be made.

Rum for fatigue parties, in our opinion, cannot easily be obtained at present; besides, the price is exorbitant. The Commissary will furnish the troops with a quart of spruce beer per man per day, or the molasses allowed by Congress. If you find it necessary to make a further allowance of beer or cider, you are hereby authorized to procure and allow the fatigue-men one quart of small-beer or cider per man per day. But we beg leave, in this matter, to recommend frugality as much as is consistent with the good of the service, as an extra allowance to fatigue-men is not by order of Continental Congress, and may therefore be a Colony charge.

We approve of your calling in the Continental troops as fast as possible. Colonel Nicoll was appointed to command at the Fortifications in the Highlands, in pursuance of an intention of Continental Congress that a gentleman of that rank should command there. We doubt not but you will receive his aid by commanding and inspiriting the men at the works, as he is answerable for their defence in case of an attack. We have not heard any objections to Colonel