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cause of his non-attendance, the ill state of his health and the extreme weakness of his constitution. A Letter from John Williams, Esq., lately elected one of the Deputies of Queen’s County, dated the 27th of May, was also read and filed.* Mr. Williams therein shows, for cause or excuse of his non-attendance, that he is so little acquainted with such business that he should be of no service, but remains a hearty friend in the American cause. Ordered, That copies of said Letters be made, and transmitted to the County Committee of Queen’s County. Ordered, That the Officer commanding the Guard over the Prisoners confined on suspicion of counterfeiting Continental money, be, and he is hereby, authorized and requested to permit George Youngs to speak to his sons, Israel and Isaac Youngs, this morning only, in the presence and hearing of said Officer. A Return of the Officers elected in the Out Ward of the City of New-York, in Beat No. 28, of the City, in the presence of Daniel Shaw and Henry Rutgers, Jun., two of the Committee, was read and filed. It thereby appears that Josiah Firman was elected First-Lieutenant, Stephen Hilli-Jcer Second-Lieutenant, and Adam Vandenburgh Ensign. A Return of Officers elected in the Out Ward of the City of New- York, in Beat No. 29, of the City, in the presence of Abraham P. Lott and Jecamiah Allen, two of the Committee, was read and filed. Martin Shire is thereby returned as duly elected Captain, and Jacob Van Orden First-Lieutenant of the Company of Militia in that Beat. Ordered, That Commissions issue for those gentlemen in the respective ranks in which they were elected. And Commissions were issued for them accordingly. A Letter from Captain James Smith, late Commander of the armed Sloop Schuyler, dated yesterday, was read and filed, † He therein enclosed his late Commission as Commander of the Sloop Schuyler, in order to cancel the Bond given for his punctual observance of his instructions; and returns his sincere thanks for all past favours. Ordered, That the said Bond be cancelled, and that the said Commission be also filed. A Letter from Colonel Allison, at Goshen, to John Haring, Esq., dated the 27th of May, was read and filed. He therein informs that he has purchased several small parcels of Saltpetre, in pursuance of his appointment, with Mr. Ha-ring, as a Committee for that purpose; that he is not provided with cash for that purpose, and therefore requests some cash may be furnished to him. Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Congress of this Colony, advance to Colonel William Allison, of Orange County, five hundred Dollars, to pay for Saltpetre which he has purchased, and to enable him to continue to purchase Saltpetre; that Colonel Allison give his receipt for that money to the Treasurer, and be accountable for the same. Jacob Brush was brought into Congress and examined; Whereupon, Ordered, That Mr. McKesson, one of the Secretaries, withdraw, and take down in writing the examination of said Jacob Brush.
Whereas, from the oath of Jacob Brush, it appears that there is great reason to believe that Philip Youngs has been party or privy to a design of counterfeiting the Bills of Credit now current and passing in this and some of the other United Colonies: Ordered, That the said Philip Youngs be immediately arrested, taken, and sent in safe custody to this Congress, and that the Committee of Huntington direct Samuel Brown to attend at the Congress Chamber in New-York without delay; and all Officers, civil and military, in this Colony, and Minute-men and Militia of any District, Town, Precinct or place on Nassau-Island, are hereby directed to give all necessary aid to the Committee of Huntington to carry these orders into execution. And the Committee of Huntington are hereby requested and authorized to cause the strictest search to be made in the house of the said Philip Youngs, and in such other houses or places as they may think proper, for any plates that may have been made for counterfeiting any Paper money or Bills of Credit whatever, and for any counterfeited Paper money or Bills of Credit, and report their proceedings thereon to this Congress. A Letter to the Committee of Dutchess County was read and approved of. Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted. A Resolution of the Committee of New- York, passed the 25th ultimo, requesting that this Congress would publish an order that no persons in this Colony shall presume to ask Gold or Silver in preference to the Continental Bills of Credit or the Bills of Credit of this Colony, unless previously authorized by this Congress, was read.* Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed. A Letter from Captain Thomas Harriott, now confined by order of the General Committee of the City and County of New- York, was read, † Ordered, That the said Thomas Harriott be brought before the bar of this House, in custody of the Jailer, this afternoon at five o’clock. A Letter from Thomas Vernon and Henry Killegrove, praying to be discharged, was read and filed. ‡ the duty of a Deputy. This, I hope, will be considered by the Congress as a sufficient apology for my non-attendance. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, THOMAS HICKS. To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President of the New-York Provincial Congress. * QUEEN’S COUNTY, HEMPSTEAD, May 27, 1776. I recieved your letter, bearing date 21st instant, which requires me to give my attendance, to which I send you these lines, desiring to be excused, as I am so little acquainted with such business that I shall be of no service; but remain your hearty friend in the American cause. JOHN WILLIAMS. To John McKesson, New-York Congress. † NEW-YORK, May 31, 1776. HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: This morning, agreeable to my request, was informed by Captain Randall that I am no longer in publick service, since delivering my accounts for the sloop Schuyler on the 1st instant, for which reason think it highly necessary to enclose my late commission of the 17th April for the sloop Schuyler, in order to cancel the bond for the same. Gentlemen, I return you my sincere thanks for all past favours; mean time remain, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, JAMES SMITH. To the Honourable Provincial Congress. * NEW-YORK COMMITTEE-CHAMBER, May 25, 1776. Upon motion, Resolved, That the Provincial Congress be requested by this Committee to publish an order from that honourable House that no person or persons in this Colony shall presume to ask Silver or Gold in preference to the Continental Bills of Credit, or the Bills of Credit emitted by this Colony, unless by authority previously obtained from Congress. Extract from the Minutes: JOSEPH WINTER, Secretary. † NEW-JAIL, June 1, 1776. GENTLEMEN: I do hereby declare that I will not, at any time, do anything prejudicial to the interests of my country, and that I never meant to do anything injurious to this Colony, or to the continent in general; and I hereby request my enlargement. If my word or honour as a gentleman should be thought necessary, or security should be desired, I am willing to give either that I will never take an active part against the United Colonies, if you will be pleased to give me my liberty. I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant, THOMAS HARRIOTT. ‡ NEW CITY-HALL, June 1, 1776. HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: The humble petition of Thomas Vernan, who humbly implores of your Honours to take into consideration to relieve the distressed, who has now been in this prison these three months, and ever since had no hearing of any crime alleged to me to this day. I solemnly declare to the Almighty God that it was never my intention to be any way an enemy to this country, but always made it my endeavour to the reverse of what some cruel persons have reported of me, especially ever since my first coming to this country, I found great encouragement, which is now nine years, and have kept business in this town, and freeman of this city of York. Honourable gentlemen, I humbly implore of your Honours to permit me to have my liberty, so as to follow my business as usual, and to take care of my poor family as before; and your Honours may be assured of my good conduct, and a true friend to the cause for the future. I remain, honourable gentlemen, yours to command, THOMAS VERNON. N. B. The humble petition of Henry Killigrove, late Pilot of this Port, till taken by his Majesty’s ship Phenix, and knowing me as the above business kept me on board for that purpose, much against my inclination. But, as his Majesty’s ships rule the sea, and therefore can command at their pleasure, your Honours, I hope, will take it into consideration relative to the annexed petition of Thomas Vernon. Now, honourable gentlemen, I humbly implore of you to let me free from this prison and confinement that I endure, at the same time my poor family famishing. I have no objections to fitting your vessels for the sea, or any of that kind. I remain, honourable gentlemen, yours to command, HENRY KILLEGROVE. To the Honourable Congress at New-York.
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