aforesaid; but that he would not ask pardon of the said Committee,

Therefore, Resolved, That the said John Livingston, Jun., be committed to close custody.

And Ordered, That the Officer in whose custody the said John Livingston, Jun., now is, be requested safely to convey said Livingston to the Jail in this City, and deliver him up to Daniel Goldsmith, Jailer, who is hereby directed and required to keep him in close custody until the further order of this Congress.

Two Members from the General Committee of New-York having attended, to request an explanation or removal of some difficulties which appear to the said General Committee in the late Resolutions of this Congress for an election of Members to form a plan or Constitution of Government for this Colony,

Ordered, That Mr. Scott and Mr. Jay be a Committee of this Congress to go to the General Committee and explain those Resolutions, and endeavour to remove the difficulties which appear to the said General Committee.

A draft of a Letter to the President of the Convention of the Dominion of Virginia was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 6,1776.

SIR: I have received your letter of the 22d ultimo, covering a copy of the resolve of the Convention of Virginia relative to Independence, which were immediately communicated to the Congress of this Colony, and will be considered by them with all the deliberation due to the importance of the subject. They have directed me to request the favour of you to convey their thanks to the Convention of Virginia for this mark of their attention, and to assure them that the Congress of this Colony will invariably adopt and pursue every measure which may tend to promote the union and secure the rights and happiness of the United Colonies.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant.

By order.

To the Hon. Edmund Pendleton, Esq.

9 ho. Friday morning, June 7, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Jay, Mr. Van Zandt, Mr. Hallett,
Mr. Randall, Colonel Broome.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Cuyler, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Ten Broeck.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Schenck, Mr. Livingston, Mr. DeLavergne.

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

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Haring, Mr. Little.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Morris, Colonel G. Drake, Colonel L. Graham, Major Lockwood, Captain Fleming.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Leffertse, Mr. Remsen.

FOR QUEEN’S.—Mr. Samuel Townshend, Mr. James Townshend, Mr. Van Wyck.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Cortelyou, Mr. Conner.

FOR ULSTER.—Colonel Hasbrouck, Major Parks.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster, Colonel Malcom.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

It was represented to the Congress that Henry Dawkins, one of the Prisoners in the City Hall, is injured by his irons so that his legs swell.

Ordered, That Captain Wool be, and he is, hereby, authorized and requested to have the irons taken off Henry Dawkins.

A Letter from the Hon. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, was received and read, and is in the words following:

“Philadelphia, June 4, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: Our affairs are hastening fast to a crisis, and the approaching campaign will, in all probability, determine forever the fate of America. Such is the unrelenting spirit which possesses the tyrant of Britain and his Parliament, that they have left no measure unessayed that had a tendency to accomplish our destruction. Not satisfied with having lined our coasts with ships of war to starve us into a surrender of our liberties, and to prevent us from being sup0plied with arms and ammunition, they are now about to pour in a number of foreign troops, who, from their want of connections and those feelings of sympathy which frequently bind together the different parts of the same empire, will be more likely to do the business of their masters without remorse or compunction.

“By the best intelligence from Canada, it appears that our affairs in that quarter wear a melancholy aspect. Should the Indians and Canadians take up arms against us, (which there is too much reason to fear,) we shall then have the whole force of that country to contend with, joined to that of Great Britain and all her foreign auxiliaries. In this situation, what steps must we pursue? The Continental troops alone are unable to stem the torrent, nor is it possible at this day to raise and discipline men ready to take the field by the time they will be wanted.

“From the secrecy with which the Ministry carry on their machinations, we neither know their views or how near our enemies may be; perhaps at this moment they are landing on some part of our country. In this difficult and trying situation of our affairs, the Congress have come to the enclosed resolves, which I have it in command to transmit you by express, containing matters of the greatest importance, and to which I beg leave to request your attention. You will there find the Congress have judged it necessary to call upon the Militia at this alarming crisis.

“Should the United Colonies be able to keep their ground this campaign, I am under no apprehensions on account of any future one. We have many disadvantages at present to struggle with, which time and progress in the art of war will remove. But this circumstance should arouse us to superior exertions on the occasion. The Militia of the United Colonies are a body of troops that may be depended upon. To their virtue their Delegates in Congress now make the most solemn appeal. They are called upon to say whether they will live slaves or die freemen; they are requested to step forth to defend their wives, their children, their liberty, and everything they hold dear. Their cause is certainly a most glorious one, and I trust every man in the Colony of New-York is determined to see it gloriously ended, or perish in the ruins of it. In short, on your exertions at this critical period, together with those of the other Colonies in the common cause, the salvation of America now evidently depends. Your Colony, I am persuaded, will not be behindhand. Exert, therefore, every nerve to distinguish yourselves. Quicken your preparations, and stimulate the good people of your Government, and there is no danger, notwithstanding the mighty armament with which we are threatened, but they will be led on to victory, to liberty, and to happiness.

“I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the Honourable the Convention of New-York.”

The Resolutions of the Continental Congress, received in Mr. Hancock’S Letter, were also read, and are in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, June 1, 1776.

“Resolved, That six thousand Militia be employed to reinforce the Army in Canada, and to keep up the communication with that Province. And, to make up that number,

“JUNE 3, 1776.—Resolved, That the General be empowered to employ in Canada a number of Indians not exceeding two thousand.

“That thirteen thousand eight hundred Militia be employed to reinforce the Army at New-York. To complete which number,