in his Regiment, which is not finally settled, may be fully paid off and discharged.

A Letter from Garret Abeel, Deputy Chairman of the General Committee of the City of New-York, was read and filed. He thereby informs that a sub-Committee of their body viewed the Houses lately inhabited by the Troops; that it would be difficult to clean and repair them, and suggests that it would be proper for this Congress to appoint some person to see that business executed.

Ordered, That Mr. Garret Roorback, the Barrack-Master, be, and he is hereby, directed to employ as many persons as he shall judge necessary to clean all the Houses and yards lately occupied by the Troops in this City; that Mr. Roorback superintend the cleaning of the said Houses and yards, and render an account of the expenses attending the same to this Congress.

Colonel Remsen informs the Congress that it frequently and necessarily happens that the Colonels of the respective Regiments in this City are out of town for a short time; that in the absence of any such Colonel, any person of his Regiment or Battalion cannot obtain a furlough to go out of the City on any emergency whatever. For remedy whereof,

Ordered, That any of the Field Officers of any Battalion or Regiment of Militia in the City and County of New-York be empowered to give such leave of absence as by a Resolution of this House of the 10th instant is directed and permitted to be given by the Colonel or Commanding Officer of such Regiment or Battalion.

P. M. May 18, 1776.

A Letter from General Washington, dated the 17th instant, was read, as follows, viz:

“New-York, May 17, 1776.

“SIR: As I have no doubt of the willingness of the Militia of this City to join in its defence against the attempts of the enemies of America, it is highly necessary, in order to avoid confusion in the time of any alarm, that the posts of the several Regiments of Militia be fixed on in conjunction with those of the Continental Army, and that they be allotted to the Brigades most convenient to their several situations; and as I am now arranging that part of the business of the Army, it will, I presume, be proper that directions be given to the Commanding Officers of the several corps to take the stations I shall assign, and to obey the orders they may in time of danger receive from me or the Brigadier-Generals of the Continental Army. The like measure will be equally necessary with regard to the Militia of King’s County and part of Queen’s County, on Long-Island, and also the Militia of Staten-Island; and I am persuaded that the mention of a matter so obviously necessary will be sufficient to induce the Congress of this Province to give such directions as are proper on this occasion.

“I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, your most obedient servant,

“GEORGE WASHINGTON.

“To the Hon. the President of the Colony of New-York.”

A Letter from the Committeeof Dutchess County was read, as follows, viz:

“Dutchess County, May 6, 1776.

“SIR: It having been represented to the General Committee of this County that the Southern Regiment of Militia was too large and extensive, containing twelve Companies and covering a space of country upwards of thirty miles in length, we have, therefore, not only because in other respects it was expedient, but also in compliance with the resolution of Congress prohibiting a Regiment to consist of more than ten Companies, divided it, and, instead of one, have formed the Militia in that quarter into two Regiments. Enclosed you have a description of the Regiments, together with a list of persons nominated Field Officers. As this part of our Militia will remain unregimented till the Officers receive their commissions, we must request that the commissions be made out as soon as possible, and sent to the Committee in Rombout’s Precinct, with directions to forward them to the Officers immediately.

“I remain, by order of the Committee, your very humble servant,

EGBERT BENSON, Chairman.”

The description of the two Regiments enclosed in the Letter from the Committee of Dutchess was read, as follows:

“One Regiment to consist of all the Militia in Pauling’s Precinct except the Northern Company, all the Militia in Southeast Precinct, and the Militia on the Northern and Middle Short Lots in Fredericksburgh Precinct, in the County of Dutchess.

“John Field Colonel, Andrew Morehouse Lieutenant Colonel, Jonathan Paddock First Major, Isaac Tallman Second Major, Isaac Crane Adjutant, Reuben Crosby Quartermaster.

“The other Regiment to consist of all the Militia in Fredericksburgh Precinct, except the Northern and Middle Short Lots, and all the Militia in Philips’s Precinct, in the County of Dutchess.

“ Moses Dusenbury Colonel, Henry Luddington Lieutenant-Colonel, Reuben Ferris First Major, Joshua Nelson Second Major, Joshua Myrick Adjutant, Solomon Hopkins Quartermaster.”

A Letter from General Schuyler was read, as follows:

“Saratoga, May 13, 1776.

“SIR: Mr. Duer informs me that he has presented a petition in behalf of a considerable number of freeholders and freemen in the County of Charlotte to your honourable House, in which he engages himself to support the facts therein alleged before the Convention, on or about the 14th day of this present month.

“As I find it necessary to the publick service to engage Mr. Duer’s assistance in executing an important commission, I have to request the favour that your House will not proceed to determine with respect to the election lately held in Charlotte County till Mr. Duer’s arrival in New-York, which will be as soon as the matter is completed in which he is at present embarked. I have no doubt but you will then be of opinion that his stay was not only justifiable but highly expedient.

“I am, sir and gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

“To the Honourable the President and Members of the Provincial Convention at New-York.”

“Mr. Duer begs Mr. Van Buren will deliver this into the hand of J. M. Scott, Esq.; in case of Mr. Scott’s absence, to Jacob Cuyler, Esq.

A Letter from Christopher Smith, directed to Mr. Robert Benson, dated at Jamaica, on Long-Island, on the 14th instant, was read. He therein mentions that he had read in the Newspapers a Resolve of Congress, ordering every person who has withdrawn himself from the City since the 1st of June last, to return without delay; and requesting, from infirmity of body, that he may be exempt from said Resolve.

Ordered, That said Letter be not answered by this House, but that Mr. Benson is directed to answer the same.

Die Solis, 10 ho. A. M., May 19, 1776.

The Congress met, &c.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Hallett, Mr. J. Van Zandt, Colonel Remsen, Major Stoutenburgh, Mr. Sands, Captain Denning, Mr. Beekman, Mr. Bancker, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Scott.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Glenn, Mr. Cuyler.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Colonel Gilbert Drake, Mr. Morris, Major Lockwood.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Journey, Mr. Conner.

FOR SUFFOLK.—General Woodhull, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Gelston.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Leffertse, Mr. Polhemus, Mr. Vander-bilt.

Mr. Morris, from the Committee who conferred with General Washington, informed the Congress that sundry matters of great importance had been conferred on with the General; that the General wished for the advice and assistance of this Congress to carry into execution his own powers, if not also the assistance of the powers of this Congress; that the matters conferred on are of such importance that, in order to preserve secrecy, it is necessary that each particular

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