them to accept higher wages than their neighbours for fighting in the same glorious cause, and for the attainment of the same great and valuable objects.

This Convention are most sensibly affected by the continuance of that discrimination; and though ready to consent to a still greater reduction of pay, provided it be general, yet a due regard to the honour of this Colony will no longer permit them, by a silent acquiescence in so odious a discrimination, to give posterity reason to conclude that it was established on just and proper principles. This Convention readily confess the merit of the Eastern forces, but as yet have no reason to believe it exceeds that of the troops raised in the other Colonies; and, therefore, claim of the Congress, as a matter of justice, that they be put on one general footing. It would neither be wise nor honest to conceal from the Congress the discontents that have arisen from the continuance of this invidious distinction. They are too great and too general not to injure the service, and therefore merit the notice and attention of those who alone can remove them.

By this unfortunate circumstance the levies of this Colony have been, and in all probability will continue to be, retarded; and there is now a great number of the inhabitants of this Colony, invited by higher pay, actually bearing arms in the New-England Regiments.

The resolves received this morning have been considered, and a Committee appointed to ascertain the quotas of men to be furnished by the different Counties, in order to complete the number required of this Colony, which Committee hath made report on that subject, and the said report been considered of and agreed to; but it appearing from those resolves, that although large detachments from the Militia of several other Colonies are also required for the service, yet there is an utter silence as to the quantum of pay to be allowed them, this Convention, being unable further to proceed in this business, are under the necessity of ordering one of their members, Mr. Gouverneur Morris, to repair immediately to Philadelphia, in order to obtain from the Congress information on that head, and whether the same difference of wages now unhappily subsisting between the regular troops is to be extended to the Militia of the several Colonies. Should that be the case, this Colony will be exceedingly embarrassed; for while the regard due to its honour is suffered to clash with the regard due to the general cause, there is reason to fear its exertions will be feeble, and the harmony and mutual confidence of the Colonies probably diminished.

The Convention, therefore, earnestly request the favour of the Congress speedily to dismiss Mr. Morris, they being very desirous of forming their regiments of Militia without delay.

I am directed, sir, by the Convention, to return you their thanks for your polite letter, and to assure you that they consider the remarks and exhortations contained in it as additional proofs of that zeal which you have ever manifested for the American cause.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant. By order:

NATHANIEL WOODHULL, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of the Continental Congress.

The Report of a Committee was then read and agreed to, and is in the words and figures following, to wit:

“In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 7, 1776.

“Your Committee, appointed for that purpose, having deliberately considered the Resolves of the Continental Congress of the 1st, 3d, and 4th instant, for raising a body of Militia for the defence of the Colonies in the present campaign, do report: That we have extracted from the said Resolves such parts thereof as immediately relate to this Colony, which are in substance as follows, to wit:

“It appears that 13,800 Militia from the different Colonies are destined to reinforce the Army at New-York; that 750 of the Militia of this Colony are to be levied for the Canada service, and that 3,000 is the proportion allotted to this Colony of the 13,800 who are to reinforce the Army at New-York; that the Militia are to be engaged to the 1st of December next, unless sooner discharged by the Continental Congress—their pay to commence from the day of their marching, with allowance of one penny, lawful money, per mile for their subsistence, in lieu of rations, and one day’s pay for every twenty miles between home and rendezvous, going and returning.

“That one Brigadier-General be appointed by this Congress.

“That this Congress take particular care that the Militia come well provided with arms and accoutrements and camp-kettles.

“Of the 3,000 Militia of this Colony destined to reinforce the Army at New-York, your Committee are of opinion that the following quotas be levied out of the several Counties, to wit:

[Those to consist of the two Independent Battalions, to be filled up to the complement of two Battalions by three hundred men, Officers included, from the quotas of the other Counties. The Field-Officers to be nominated out of the City and County of New-York, and the present Officers of the said two Battalions, or such Officers of the City and County of New-York, under the degree of Field-Officers, as are necessary to be provided for, in the proportion of 12 to 3.]

“To make up the 750 to reinforce the Army in Canada, as follows, to wit:

“Therefore there remains of the quota of

“The 3,750 men to be divided into five Battalions of 750 men each, and each Battalion into ten Companies, Officers included, except Field and Staff-Officers; each Battalion to have 1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 Major, 1 Adjutant, 1 Quartermaster, 1 Surgeon, and 1 Surgeon’s Mate; and each Company to consist of 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 1 Drummer, 1 Fifer, and 64 Privates, and 2 Chaplains to the four Battalions destined for reinforcing the Army at New-York, and 1 Chaplain for the Battalion destined for Canada.

“The Officers for the 3,750 men, your Committee submit, to be appointed by this Congress.

“Your Committee further beg leave to report, that it will, in their opinion, highly promote the publick service to raise the quotas of Militia by Volunteers; and, to that end, as the discrimination hitherto made between the New-York and New-England Troops, not employed in the Canada service, is exceedingly odious, and greatly discourages levies in the Colony of New-York, your Committee are, therefore, of opinion, that the pay of each Private be fixed at 53s. 4d. per month, New-York currency, unless the Continental Congress shall think proper to reduce the pay of the New-England Troops, not employed in the Canada service, to an equality with the troops of this Colony who are not employed in that service. That the most strenuous efforts be made to induce the Continental Congress to agree to such increase or reduction.

“And whereas, by the Resolutions aforesaid, it is required that the men so as aforesaid to be raised by this Colony, be well provided with arms, accoutrements, and camp-kettles, your Committee do further report it as their opinion, that it will be proper to complete the number of arms from the

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