Notes of Captain Jonathan Clarke’s intelligence, which he gave to the Congress, were taken on the rough short Notes of the day, and are filed.

A Bond from Messrs. Lindlay Murray and Robert Murray, to Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., in the sum of £200, with a condition there under-written, that the said Lindlay Murray will erect Works for the manufacturing of Salt in this Colony, and the repayment of the sum of £100 lent thereon, agreeable to the Resolution of the late Provincial Congress on the 12th day of March last, was read.

Thereupon, Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of this Congress, advance to Mr. Lindlay Murray the sum of £100 on receipt of the said Bond, and take Mr. Lindlay Murray’s receipt for the same.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report to the said Committee on the ways and means to prevent the danger to which this Colony is exposed by its intestine enemies. The same was again read, paragraph by paragraph, and on reading the second paragraph thereof, Mr. Sands moved, and was seconded, that Richmond County be inserted amongst the names of the Counties in the second clause.

Debates arose on the said motion, and the question being put thereon, it was carried in the affirmative, in manner following, to wit:

Thereupon, Ordered, That Richmond County be inserted.

On reading the blank paragraph of the said Report, Mr. Scott moved, and was seconded, that the oath therein-mentioned be extended to all such as refused to sign the Association.

Debates arose thereon, and the question being put, it was carried in the affirmative by every County present. Mr. Morris dissented from Westchester County.

Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., May 22, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Alsop, Major Stoutenburgh, Mr.Evert Bancker, Mr. Sands, Mr. Scott, Mr. Randall, Mr. Lewis.

FOR ALBANY.—Colonel Glenn, Captain Cuyler.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Vanderbilt, Mr. Polhemus.

FOR QUEEN’S.—Mr. Lawrence.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Morris, Colonel Drake, Mr.Tompkins, Mr. Haviland, Mr. Paulding.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Haring, Mr. Little.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

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

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

Ordered, That Mr. Richard Norwood, Commissary of Colony Stores, from time to time deliver to Colonel Curtenius, or his Order, for the use of the Continental Troops raised in this Colony, as many Pouches and Belts, BayonetBelts and Gun-slings, as Colonel Curtenius shall order and direct. That Mr. Norwood take from time to time receipts for such parcels as he may from time to time deliver.

A Letter from Doctor John Hill, dated at Albany, the 12th instant, was read and filed. He thereby requests that he may be appointed Surgeon to Colonel Clinton’s Regiment.*

Mr. Haviland, of Westchester County, and Mr. Haring, of Orange County, respectively attended as Members to take their seats, and each of them respectively was duly sworn, and took the general oath of secrecy, in the words following, to wit:

“I do solemnly swear on the Holy Evangelists of Al-mighty God, that I will, at all times, keep secret all such matters and things as shall at any time be given in charge from the Chair, by order of this Congress, to be kept secret, until leave shall be given from the Chair, by order of this Congress, to reveal the same.”

Ordered, That Mr. Cuyler and Colonel Gilbert Drake be a Committee to take into consideration the charge against Joseph Blanchard (a prisoner on his parole) for having kept a communication with some person on board of either one of the ships of war, or the ship on board of which Governour Tryon resides, contrary to the regulations established for that purpose. That the said Committee have power to send for and examine persons and papers, and that they make report by what persons and by what means such communication has been kept open, and such other matters relative thereto as the said Committee may think necessary or proper.

The Secretaries, agreeable to directions given yesterday evening, brought this morning a fair copy of the Report of the Committee appointed to consider of ways and means to prevent the dangers to which this Colony is exposed by its intestine enemies.†

*ALBANY, May 12, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have had an inclination for a long time past to enter into the Continental service as Surgeon, and learn by Doctor Stringer of this place that Colonel Clinton’s Regiment is unsupplied with any gentleman of that profession; on which account, in case I meet with the approbation of you and your colleagues, 1 am willing immediately to engage in that capacity. Doctor Stringer and Doctor Young (who are the gentlemen appointed to examine Doctors here who are about to enter into the service) do both highly approve of my abilities, and I flatter myself that Colonel Clinton will have no objections, as he has known me long. I have (yesterday) written to him by Doctor Stringer, and expect his answer soon. But if you, sir, and the other gentlemen, do not think it expedient that I should serve under Mr. Clinton, I shall take it very kind if you will try to provide for me in some other manner. I am well known to several of your Members, and in particular to Matthew Rea, Esq., and Mr. Arthur Parks, from Ulster County, by which gentlemen the Congress could be informed of my moral character, abilities in Surgery, &c. I would also inform the Congress that I am possessed of a large quantity of medicine of the best quality; also with all necessary instruments; and as I caw confide in my own medicines best, I should choose to use them in case a proper allowance be made me on that account. I have taken lodgings in Albany, and should be glad to have the attendance of the troops quartered in town, until I could be better provided for. Doctor Stringer, who has formerly had the care of them, is about to leave town and go to Quebeck, and I do not hear that any person is appointed in his place. I should have waited upon you in person, but find it would be very detrimental to my business, and attended with expense. Your answer to my requests I shall expect as soon as possible; and am, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HILL.

To the President of the Provincial Congress in New-York.

† Your Committee do report: That there is great reason to believe that the enemies of American liberty have a general communication with each other through this and part of the neighbouring Colonies, by reason whereof the influence of the British Government is much extended, and the minds of the people poisoned by false reports and suggestions.

That many ill-disposed people have lately resorted unto and a great number dwell in the southern and eastern parts of Queen’s County; that there are also several ill-disposed persons in the City and County of New-York, in King’s County, in Richmond County, and in sundry other parts of this Colony, many of whom will most probably take up arms on the part of our foes whenever they shall see a prospect of success.

That, from various reports and the best intelligence which can be obtained from Europe, as also from the positive assertions of the disaffected throughout this and the neighbouring Colonies, and from such of their measures as have come to the knowledge of your Committee, there is no room to doubt that a large hostile armament will soon arrive in this Colony.

That the greater part of those who now hold offices and commissions under the Crown, and many others who are generally reputed inimical to American liberty, will be liable to suffer injuries from the resentment of the people, and the Colony in general exposed to great danger from the active exertions of those among us who are determined to assist in the subjection of America.

Your Committee are therefore of opinion, that, as well out of regard to the safety of individuals, as for the general welfare of America, it is highly and indispensably necessary to take speedy and effectual measures to prevent the hostile intentions of our foes, to stop the channels of intelligence and communication among the disaffected, and to quell the spirit of opposition which has hitherto in some measure prevailed.

Your Committee do propose that, for these purposes, it will be proper to take the assistance of his Excellency General Washington, and to march several detachments of the troops under his command into Queen’s County, and disarm the inhabitants, excepting those who shall subscribe the following Declaration, viz:

“ We, the subscribers, inhabitants of . . . . ., in Queen’s County, in the Colony of New-York, do voluntarily and solemnly engage, under all the ties held sacred amongst mankind, at the risk of our lives and for tunes, to defend by arms the United American Colonies against the hostile attempts of the fleets and armies belonging to or in the pay of Great Britain, until the present unhappy controversy between the two countries shall be terminated: Provided always, That this Declaration shall not be construed to bind us to defend in person any other than the Colony of New-York, or, for that purpose, to march out of the said Colony.”

That all such persons as are required as aforesaid to be disarmed, shall,