prevent the Small-Pox in the Army, and had issued General Orders similar to the Resolve of Congress; notwithstanding which, a certain Dr. Betts had had the assurance to inoculate a number of people. He thereby requests some immediate exertions on this matter, and offers any aid in his power, and by a postscript thereto, informs that Dr. Foster is an evidence to the above.

Ordered, That the said Letter be sent and referred to the General Committee of the City of New-York, who are requested to examine into the matter with all possible despatch; to examine the said Betts and the said witness above named, and any other witnesses that they may know of or can obtain in that matter; that, if they find the charge proved against said Betts, they immediately cause him to be sent to jail; and that the said Committee be further requested to report thereon to this Congress.

The Congress were informed that Colonel Ritzema had many Arms, which had been collected for his Regiment, which want repairs; that he has Armourers in the Regiment who could repair those Arms if they were supplied with tools for that purpose.*

Ordered, That Colonel Curtenius procure and deliver to Colonel Ritzema, or his order, such Armourer’s Tools as he may require for the purpose of employing some of the men of his Regiment in repairing such of the Arms of the said Regiment as may be out of repair.

The Report of the Committee, for that purpose, on the danger to which this Colony is exposed from the intestine enemies, and the ways and means necessary to be taken to guard against those dangers, being fairly copied, agreeable to the directions given to the Secretaries yesterday evening, the same was signed by John Alsop, Esq., their Chairman, read, and approved of; and it is agreed that a recital of the Resolution of the Continental Congress, of the 6th day of October last, recommending †

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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, and in King’s 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 the 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 hath hitherto prevailed.

Your Committee do propose that, for these purposes, the following persons be apprehended, by the assistance of the Continental Troops now stationed in and near this city, to wit:

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That a Committee be appointed to confer with the Commander-in-Chief, now here, upon the subject of apprehending the persons above-named, and to superintend the taking of them; that, upon and after the apprehension of the said persons, such of them as shall give good and sufficient security, on oath and otherwise, as the said Committee shall think proper, that they will not be concerned in any measures taken or to be taken against the United American Colonies, or any or either of them, and that they will discover all measures taken or to be taken against the said Colonies, or any or either of them, as far as the same shall come to their knowledge respectively, be permitted to go at large; and that, as to such persons as shall refuse such security, it shall be in the discretion of the said Committee to admit on their parole of honour, to be given to the said Committee as to the Continental Congress, as many of the said persons as may, in the judgment of the said Committee, safely be trusted on their said parole to reside in some part of one of the neighbouring Colonies, such as shall be chosen by the said respective persons, and approved of by the said Committee; and that all such persons as, in the opinion of the said Committee, cannot safely be trusted on their said parole, or, if to be trusted, shall refuse to give such parole, shall be reported to this Congress, to be severally dealt with as this Congress shall think proper.

That it be recommended to all the General County Committees in the several Counties of this Colony to apprehend all persons holding military commissions under the King of Great Britain, and also all such persons holding civil offices under the said King, or being possessed of influence, in their respective Counties, as are suspected of holding principles inimical to the said United Colonies; and, after they shall have been apprehended, to deal with them in such manner as is prescribed for the conduct of the Committee above-named.

All which is, nevertheless, most humbly submitted.

JOHN ALSOP, Chairman.

Colonel John Broome and Mr. Anthony Rutgers, of New-York, Mr. Jeremiah Vanderbilt, from King’s County, and Colonel Aaron Cortelyou, of Richmond County, attending to take their seats, were duly sworn, and severally took the oath of secrecy agreeable to the Resolution of the 19th instant.

The Order of the Day being read, the Congress proceeded to take into consideration the Resolutions of the Continental Congress, of the 15th of May instant, on the subject of composing and erecting some form of Government.

Mr. Morris opened the business by a long argument, showing the necessity of the measure, and that this is the crisis in which it should be done, and concluded with a motion, and was seconded by Mr. Webster, in the words following, to wit:

I move that a Committee be appointed to draw up a recommendation to the people of this Colony for the choosing of persons to frame a Government for the said Colony.

Mr. Scott, who came in when Mr. Morris was speaking, opposed the motion in a long argument, and concluded that he is of opinion this Congress has power to form a Government; or, at least, it is doubtful whether they have not that power; and that therefore, in his opinion, that point ought to be reserved, and a Committee appointed to consider of and report on that matter.

Thereupon, Mr. Sands moved, and was seconded by Mr. Scott, for the following amendment to Mr. Morris’s motion, to wit: “ I move that the words therein following after the word appointed, be obliterated, and the following words there inserted, viz: To take into consideration the Resolutions of Continental Congress of the 15th May instant, and report thereon with all convenient speed.”

* From the universal bad state of the arms in the Army here, it is become impossible for me to have the arms I have got in my Regiment put even in a tolerable condition by the Continental Armourers. I have, out of my Regiment, collected six men—two of whom are very good gunsmiths—for the purpose of repairing the arms. Mr. Buys, the blacksmith in the Bowery, has offered me the use of his forge, but I want a few tools, such as handvices, screws, and planes. Mr. Abeel will not furnish them without an order of Congress; pray be so kind as to apply, in my behalf, for an order, that my men may go to work immediately; also for an order to Norwood for muskets. McDougall’s fortnight ends Saturday next. I shall dine at Manners’s, where you will be pleased to leave the order. Yours, in haste,

RUDOLPH. RITZEMA.

To Secretary Benson, Congress.

Thursday morning.

† FRIDAY,October 6, 1775.—Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, and Councils or Committees of Safety, to arrest and secure every person, in their respective Colonies, whose going at large may, in their opinion, endanger the safety of the Colony or the liberties of America.