Smith, Samuel Townshend, Thomas Hycks, Esqs., and Captain John Williams, were legally chosen to represent the said County in Provincial Congress, and that they, or any three of them, when met in Congress, to have full power to transact all matters which may concern the said County, and particularly to assist the other Counties in the choice of persons to represent this Colony in Continental Congress, and to appoint out of their body any number of persons to be a Committee of Safety for this Colony, if it be thought necessary.

A Certificate, dated April 16, 1776, and signed by John Leffertse, Chairman, and Abraham Van Ranst, Clerk of the Committee of King’s County, was read and filed. It thereby appears that John Leffertse, Nicholas Covenhoven, Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, Lefferts Leffertse, Rudgert Van Brunt, Jeremiah Vanderbilt, and John Vanderbilt, were chosen to make out a representation for the said County out of their body, and that any four, three, two, or one of them, make a quorum, with full powers, in behalf of the said County, to appoint Delegates to represent this Colony in Continental Congress, and to make such orders and take such measures as they shall judge necessary, not repugnant to, or inconsistent with, any rules or orders of the Continental Congress for the preservation of the rights, liberties, and privileges of the inhabitants of this Colony.

A Certificate, with a Resolve and Order subjoined, from the Committee of Tryon County, dated April 16, 1776, and signed by William Seeber, Chairman, and attested by John Eisenlord, Clerk, were read and filed; whereby it appears that Christopher P. Yates, Isaac Paris, John Moore, and William Harper, were duly elected, and that they, or any two of them, have power to represent the said County in Provincial Congress for not longer than twelve months from the said 16th of [April]

A Letter from the Committee of Richmond County, dated April 23, 1776, signed by Christian Jacobson, Chairman, and attested by Israel D. Bedell, Clerk, directed to Messrs. Paul Micheau, Richard Conner, Aaron Cortelyou, and John Journey, was read and filed; whereby it appears that those gentlemen were duly elected to represent the said County in Provincial Congress, with power to any two of them to constitute a quorum, to represent the said County as aforesaid until the second Tuesday in May, 1777.

A Letter from the Committee of Charlotte County, dated at New-Perth, May 1, 1776, signed by John Williams, Chairman, and Edward Savage, Clerk, was read and filed; whereby it appears that Colonel John Williams, Major Alexander Webster, and Major William Malcom, were legally chosen to represent the said County; and it further appears, by a Resolve and Order of the said Committee subjoined, that they, or either of them, shall represent the said County in Provincial Convention until the second Tuesday in May, 1777.

A Certificate from the County Committee of Orange County, with two Resolutions of the said Committee, dated the 10th day of May instant, subscribed by Elihu Marvin, Chairman, and attested by Thomas Moffat, Clerk pro tempore, was read and filed. It thereby appears that on the 16th day of April last, elections were respectively duly held in the Precincts of Goshen and Cornwall for Deputies to represent the County of Orange in the Congress of this Colony, pursuant to the Resolutions of the late Congress of the 12th day of March last, for that purpose made and provided. That Peter Clowes and William Allison, Esquires, were unanimously elected in the Precinct of Goshen, and vested with all the powers mentioned in the Resolves of the said 12th day of March last, except the power of electing Delegates to represent this Colony in Continental Congress. That Archibald Little, Esquire, was unanimously chosen in Cornwall Precinct to be one of the Deputies to represent Orange County in this Congress, with all the powers specified in the aforesaid Resolves of the 12th of March last. Thereto is subjoined Resolutions of the said Committee: 1st. That those gentlemen were duly elected, and that they be returned as legal Members to this Congress. 2d. That any two of the Deputies chosen in the said County of Orange should be a quorum to represent that County in this Congress.

A Certificate from the County Committee held on the South side of the Mountains in Orange County, on the 16th day of May instant, subscribed by Johannes Isa. Blauvelt, Chairman pro tempore, and John Coleman, Clerk, was read and filed. It thereby appears that at elections held for that purpose in the several Precincts of Orangetown and Haverstraw, on the third Tuesday in April last, (according to a determination of the County Committee,) John Herring, Esq., in Orangetown, and David Pye, Esq., and Mr. Roeloff Van Houten, in the Precinct of Haverstraw, were duly elected Deputies from Orange County to this Congress for the space of twelve months. That any two Deputies chosen in that County should be a quorum to represent that County in this Congress, with all the powers mentioned or set forth in the Resolutions of the late Congress of this Colony, of the 12th day of March last providing for such elections.

It was then proposed to determine in what manner the Votes of the respective Counties here represented shall be taken on any division; and debate arose thereon.

Thereupon, Mr. Leffertse moved, and was seconded by Mr. Gelston, that the further consideration thereof be postponed, and a future day now fixed for the consideration thereof; and that, in the mean time, the Counties respectively have the same number of votes as in the late Congress of this Colony.

The question being put thereon, it was agreed to be determined, and was determined, by polls, in the manner following, to wit:

For the Affirmative—Mr. Leffertse, Mr. Gelston, Mr. Conner.

For the Negative—Every other Member present.

After some further time spent in consideration of this matter, and debates thereon, it is unanimously resolved, agreed, and ordered, That every question on any division, be determined by a majority of the votes of the several Counties then having a representation in this Congress; and that—

The following Rules are unanimously resolved on and agreed to as the Rules of this Congress, viz:

1st. That the President, and, in his absence, a President to be appointed pro tempore, shall preside at every meeting, and keep order and decorum; and that it shall be his duty to sign all letters from this Congress.

2d. That all motions be made in writing, and read by the Member moving, in his place, and then delivered at the Chair; and that all addresses be made to the Chair, and standing.

3d. That if more than one shall rise to speak at the same time, the President shall determine who shall first be heard.

4th. That the substance of every motion made and seconded shall be entered on the Minutes, unless withdrawn by leave of the Congress.

5th. That no interruption shall be suffered while a Member is delivering his sentiments, unless by calling such Member to order.

6th. That after the determination of any matter or thing, the same shall not be resumed but with the consent of such majority as aforesaid, upon notice of a motion, for that purpose, previously given at least one day before the same is made.

7th. That when any question is determined upon a division, the names of the respective Counties shall be entered as they shall vote on each side; but any Member for any County may be at liberty to have his name and dissent from the vote of his County entered on the Minutes.

8th. That this Congress shall, from time to time, meet on their own adjournments.

9th. That, for the despatch of business, and to prevent interruptions, the doors of our meetings shall be shut, unless on any such occasion where a majority as aforesaid shall determine otherwise.

10th. That no question shall be determined on the day that it is agitated, if three Counties shall request that it be deferred to the next day.

11th. That no Members hall be at liberty to speak more