Ordered, That Mr. McKesson inform Colonel Nicoll that there are not any directions from Congress for raising another Battalion.

Die Vencris, A. M., April 19, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: William Paulding, Esquire, Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel McDougall, Colonel Lott, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Beekman, Mr. Smith, Mr. Rutgers, Mr. Randall.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Everson.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Van Brunt.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Colonel Gilbert Drake, Major Lockwood, Mr. Paulding, Mr. Thomas.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Bancker.

Mr. Abraham De Peyster, one of the sub-Committee of the City of New-York, appointed to procure Houses for Hospitals, together with Mr. John Berrien, another of the Committee of New-York, attended. Mr. De Peyster informed that the Barrackmaster-General had called on him for Houses for an Hospital, and that he requested the advice of this Committee in the premises.

Mr. De Peyster was thereupon advised to endeavour to get or procure empty Houses, near that already engaged for that use.

Mr. Francis Child, the Deputy Sheriff, attending, was admitted. He informed the Committee that Derby Doyle is confined as a prisoner in the Jail, and requested directions what is to be done with him.

As the said Derby Doyle was taken by military order for some correspondence with, and aid given to the Ministerial Army and Navy, and is a prisoner on that account, the particulars whereof are unknown to this Committee, Mr. Child was directed to apply to the General for directions.

Mr. Child further requested, that in fixing on rooms in the Jail for the Provost-Marshal and Courts-Martial, the Sheriff’s Jail-rooms, and the room in which he resides, may be reserved.

Benjamin Waldo, late a Mariner and Carpenter on board of the Armed Schooner Schuyler, James Smith Commander, was admitted. He complains in substance:

1st. That Captain Smith having discharged him, and knowing that he had refused to go to sea with him, Captain Smith had prevented him from being employed as a Carpenter on board of the armed vessel commanded by Captain Rodgers.

2d. That Captain Smith had violently beat and abused him very much, without any just provocation.

Ordered, That the Doorkeeper summon Captain Smith to attend at five o’clock, and the complainant to attend at that time.

A Letter from the Committee of Goshen Precinct, in Orange County, sent by Major Hetfield, as the bearer, and covering the accounts of the Blankets and Arms purchased by the said Committee, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Goshen Precinct, April 16, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: In obedience to a request of the honourable Provincial Congress of the Colony of New-York, the Committee of this Precinct hath purchased and delivered unto Captain Daniel Denton, the number of guns and blankets agreeable to the enclosed accounts with the voucher, which is humbly presented, with a request that the bills may be discharged by paying the money unto Major Moses Hetfield.

“The Committee also beg leave to inform your honourable body, that we have a number of good muskets, or firelocks, remaining on our hands, which Captain Denton would not give us his receipt for, because his soldiers did not please to take them. The Committee humbly conceive that it was not the intention of Congress that the private soldiers of any company should have it in their power to reject the arms purchased by the Committees, and adjudged by them fit for the service; and so the guns consequently fall upon the hands of those Committees who have cheerfully complied with the request of Congress. Therefore pray that you would be pleased to discharge the accounts which Major Hetfield will deliver to you of those guns also, and give further directions to this Committee in what manner you would be pleased to have them disposed of.

“I am, in behalf of the Committee, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

“JOHN HATHORN,

“Chairman of the Committee for the Precinct of Goshen.

“To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York.“

A draft of an Answer to the Committee of Goshen Precinct, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Committee of Safety, New-York, April 19, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We are favoured with your letter of the 16th instant, by Major Hetfield. We highly approve of your conduct in having so far supplied Captain Denton’s Company with blankets and arms.

Please to send the five muskets which were refused, by some safe, careful person, and the first such opportunity, to New-Windsor, that they be sent to us by Captain Jackson, or some other sloop whose Captain may be relied on.

Major Hetfield has informed us that these five arms are good muskets, and that it is his opinion that several more very good arms may be purchased in your Precinct.

We therefore earnestly request you to purchase as many more good arms as you can get at reasonable prices, and transmit them to us as above directed.

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

To the Committee of Goshen Precinct, &c.

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

Colonel Gilbert Drake, one of the Members of Westchester County, brought to the Committee of Safety a Bill of the money emitted by the late Provincial Congress, which is erased and altered; having been issued of the value of five Dollars, it has been attempted to be changed to a Bill of the value of ten Dollars, and the names.

SIR: This Committee having received information that some of the bills of the late emission of money struck by the Congress for the publick service have been counterfeited, and are now passing in your County, you are requested forthwith to call the General Committee of the County together, and take every step in your power to discover the counterfeiter or counterfeiters, and those who have passed the said bills, knowing them to be counterfeit. For this purpose you are to order the persons accused to be brought before you, and to examine on oath the witnesses for and against the accused, and transmit the whole of your proceedings to this Committee, or to the Congress if they are sitting, that they may make further order therein.

If upon the evidence that may be offered, your Committee shall be of opinion that any of the persons accused are guilty, in that case you are forthwith to order them into close custody; and if, upon the whole of the evidence, it should appear to you doubtful whether they are guilty, in that case you are to take good security that the prisoner or prisoners do appear before the Congress at such time and place as they may appoint. But, if after hearing the whole of the evidence, you should be of opinion that the accused are not guilty, you are to discharge them.

We are, &c.

To Thomas Thomas, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee of Westchester County.

Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter be engrossed and signed by the Chairman, and transmitted.

A draft of Instructions to Captain William Rodgers, Commander of the Armed Sloop Montgomery, were reported by Mr. Randall, and read and approved, and are in the words following, to wit:

SIR: As the Armed Sloop Montgomery, whereof you are Commander, is now completely fitted in a warlike manner, our orders are that you repair on board with your officers and men, and proceed to sea, and act against the enemies of the United Colonies, agreeable to your Instructions from the Congress.

You are to cruise along shore on our coasts any where between Sandy-Hook and Cape-May, or from Sandy-Hook to the east end of Long-Island. You are always to keep