to this city, or to be applied for arming the troops raising in that quarter. We assure you, sir, we shall not fail to furnish you with returns of the men and arms, as often as we shall be able to procure them.

We would beg leave, sir, to inform you that, since the commencement of hostilities, our situation and the publick exigencies have obliged us to submit to the burden of a great variety of departments, not properly within the sphere of a Provincial Congress, such as Paymaster, Commissary, &c., for Continental service, in the course of which we have received and issued large sums of Continental money; and though our accounts are nearly ready to lay before Congress, they are so excessively voluminous that it will require some weeks to complete them. However, though the balance is not struck, we are sure it must be considerably in our favour. In the mean time, sir, we should think ourselves inexcusable were we not to inform you that we have not one farthing of Continental money in our hands, and that the publick service under our care is now suffering for want of an immediate supply. We shall, without delay, apply to Congress; but we cannot have the necessary relief from that quarter so soon as the despatch of business requires it. We are, therefore, constrained to request of you the advancement of six thousand pounds, of which, if you please, you may estimate the subjoined advancements to the different commanding officers as a part, and for which we are ready to give you a receipt; or, if you think it best to advance the whole sum to us, we will debit the Congress with the moneys advanced to those gentlemen.

We are, sir, with the greatest respect and esteem, your most obedient servants.

To His Excellency General Washington.

On a separate sheet, was transmitted with this Letter, a list of the Field-Officers of the four Regiments raised for the defence of this Colony; the list of the Moneys lent to the General Officers, and the copy of the state of the Companies, as undernamed, viz:

The following Companies are placed in Colonel Ritzema’s Regiment:

Captain Billings, a full Company, at the Fortifications in the Highlands, ordered to New-York.

Captain Denton, a full Company, at New-York.

Captain Riker, a few men.

Captain Hardenbergh, a full Company, at the Fortifications, ordered to New-York.

Captain Horton, no return made.

Captain Hobby,      do.

Captain Hutchins, nearly full, at New-York.

Captain Pearce,     do.     ordered to the City.

Besides the above Regiment, Colonel McDougall’s, and that raising in Albany and Tryon County, the following Companies, at the time of the last returns to the Committee, consisted of the following numbers, and will speedily be regimented:

Ordered, That Captain Ezekiel Hyatt, with his Subalterns and Company, be a part of the First Regiment in this Colony in the Continental service, on condition that he bring a full Company; and he is hereby directed to join his Regiment with as much despatch as possible.

Ordered, That Colonel McDougall take such prudent measures as he may think proper, to secure and have brought to this City such Arms taken from disaffected persons as are now in the custody of Alexander Hunt, of Rye, who has offered to deliver them to the order of this Committee.

Ordered, that Mr. Richard Norwood, Commissary, &c., deliver to Mr. Jacamiah Allen twelve pounds of Gunpowder, to enable him to clear shot and stones out of the Cannon near King’s Bridge.

Ordered, That Colonel Curtenius take all such Muskets and Firelocks, which are in Mr. Norwood’s Store, and may be made fit for the use of the Troops, and have them marked and appraised, and then repaired and made fit for use.

The Committee agreed that Mr. Robert Randall shall have the Sloop Bishop of Landaff, at four hundred and twenty-five Pounds.

Ordered, That Mr. Van Zandt advance to Thaddeus Noble thirty Pounds, and take his obligation for that sum; and that he contract with Mr. Noble for thirty Muskets, at eight Dollars each, without Bayonets; and to be allowed a reasonable price for fixing Baynets to them if he shall have to put Bayonets to them.

Die Veneris, 10 ho. A. M., April 26, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esq., Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Van Zandt, Mr. Beekman, Mr. Prince, Mr. Evert Bancker, Major Stoutenburgh.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Oothoudt.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Cuyper.

FOR KING’S.—Colonel Van Brunt.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Mr. Tredwell.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Van Cortlandt.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Adrian Bancker.

Mr. Van Zandt delivered in a Contract by him made with Thaddeus Noble, for the making of Muskets, which was read, and filed.

The said Noble has thereby agreed to deliver to Mr. Van Zandt, on account of the Provincial Congress, thirty good Muskets, well finished, and with Steel Ramrods, on or before the 10th day of June next, at the price of eight Dollars each; and if he should deliver Bayonets fitted to the said Muskets out of some of the old Bayonets brought from Crown-Point, Noble is to be allowed a reasonable reward for the same.

Mr. Van Zandt also delivered the obligation of Noble, by him taken for the payment of thirty Pounds advanced to Noble, agreeable to the order of this Committee, made yesterday; and the same was read, and filed.

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, pay to Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt, thirty Pounds, to repay him the money advanced (by order of this Committee, made yesterday) on a contract with Thaddeus Noble, for the making of Arms.

A draft of an Answer to the Letter of the Committee of King’s District was read, and approved, and is as follows, to wit:

SIR: Your letter by Mr. Noble was received, read, and immediately taken into consideration. In consequence of your recommendation, we have contracted with Mr. Noble, and advanced him thirty pounds. We think the Committee of King’s District have merited the applause of their country, by interesting themselves in the promoting a manufactory so necessary for the defence of the rights and liberties of America.

We are, &c.

To Matthew Adgate, Esq., Chairman, and the Members of the Committee of King’s District.

A copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the Mayor of this City, dated the 19th instant, was read. He thereby informs that the Commander of the King’s Ships on this station had thought it necessary to burn the Pilot-House, near the Light-House; that proper care has been taken of Adam Dobbs and his family and effects; and that if a Sloop is sent down to receive Dobbs, his servants, and effects, she will be permitted to return safe.

Ordered, That Captain William Dobbs wait on his Excellency General Washington, with the said copy of a Letter.

The residue of the morning was spent in hearing applications of country Officers, and other matters relative to the raising of the four Regiments, to be raised in this Colony, for the Continental service.