Congress shall hereafter give in the premises, when you shall have notice thereof.

“XI. If you shall do anything contrary to these Instructions, or to others hereafter to be given, or willingly suffer such things to be done, you shall not only forfeit your Commission and be liable to an action for breach of the condition of your bond, but be responsible to the party grieved for damages sustained by such malversation.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.”

Die Sabbati, 4to ho. P. M., April 13, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Mr. William Paulding, Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Scott, Mr. Randall, Mr. Imlay, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Sands, Colonel Lott, Captain Rutgers, Mr. J. Van Cortlandt.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Covenhoven.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Everson.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Lawrence.

A Letter from Major-General Schuyler to General Thompson, was read, of which the following extract is the last sentence, to wit:

“Will you be so good as to request the New- York Congress that the sailors may be sent up without delay.”

Captain Jacobus Wynkoop, on request, attended the Committee, and agreed to accept of and execute the following order:

Ordered, That Captain Jacobus Wynkoop do inlist the number of Mariners desired by Major-General Schuyler, for the service at the Lakes, with all possible despatch. That Captain Wynkoop proceed to Albany with the said Mariners to General Schuyler, and take his directions as to the vessels on the Lakes, until the honourable the Continental Congress shall have appointed him to that command, or some other gentleman shall arrive at the Lakes authorized to take the command.

Ordered, That Mr. Scott, Colonel Brasher, and Mr. Van Cortlandt, be a Committee to wait on General Washington.

A Return of Prisoners in Jail, &c., NEW-YORK, the 15th of APRIL, 1776.

Die Lunæ, A. M., April 15, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present; William Paulding, Esquire, Chairman. FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Scott, Mr. Van Zandt, Mr. Beekman, Mr. Sands, Mr. Randall, Mr. Rutgers, Major Stoutenburgh.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Covenhoven.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Everson.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding.

No other Members attending, the Committee could not proceed to business, for want of a representation from another County.

A Return of the Prisoners in the Committee Jail, and by whom committed, was read and filed.

A Letter from Thomas Vernon, one of the said Prisoners, requesting his discharge, was read and filed.

Die Mercurii, April 17, A. M., 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: William Paulding, Esquire, Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel McDougall, Mr. Van Zandt, Mr. Randall, Mr. Rutgers, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Roosevelt, Colonel Lott.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell,

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Everson.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Bancker.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Paulding.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Vanderbilt.

Mr. William Mercier (who is appointed to superintend the fitting out the armed Sloop Montgomery, whereof Mr. Rogers is Commander) applied for an order on the Storekeeper, for 6 pair of. Pistols, 200 pounds of Musket-Balls, 20 Cartridge-Boxes, and 600 pounds of Gunpowder. Mr. Mercier also applied for the sum of two hundred Pounds, to be applied towards defraying sundry expenses accrued in fitting out said Sloop.

Thereupon Ordered, That Mr. Richard Norwood deliver to Captain Mercier, 6 pair of Pistols, 200 pounds of Musket-Balls, 20 Cartridge-Boxes, and 600 pounds of Gunpowder, for the use of the armed Sloop Montgomery, Captain Rogers.

Ordered further, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, advance to Captain William Mercier the sum of two hundred Pounds, to be applied towards paying off the Accounts and expenses accrued in fitting out the armed Sloop Montgomery, and take his receipt, on account, for the same.

Colonel Mifflin attending, informed the Committee that General Washington is very solicitous to have the great number of Taverns and Tippling Houses in this City suppressed, because they tend greatly to debauch the Soldiers; and requests that this Committee will be pleased to regulate and make out a list of such Tavern-keepers and Retailers of Spirituous Liquors as this Committee shall deem necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants of this City.

The Committee, taking the same into consideration,

Ordered, That Mr. Evert Bancker be, and he is hereby, directed to withhold granting the Excise on Spirituous Liquors to any person within the City and County of New-York, until the further order of the Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety of this Colony.

Colonel Mifflin further informed the Committee, that it would be necessary to erect a Wharf on Nutten-Island, for the more convenient and safe landing of the Troops and. Stores, which may, from time to time, be ordered to that Island; and requested the assistance of this Committee, in procuring Timber for the same.

Mr. Van Zandt said he would assist to procure Logs.

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