“The Commissary-General will purchase all their provisions at good prices and give them Continental bills in pay. Gold and silver he has none. The provisions are wanted for the Army; and those who are well-wishers to the cause, and live in exposed situations, will, undoubtedly, be glad to dispose of them. The disadvantages which may result to the publick by leaving them in the hands of men of a different complexion, are too obvious to need animadversion.

“I have had your report respecting the obstruction of the navigation of the Hudson River under consideration, and am pursuing measures to carry it into execution with all possible despatch.

“With great respect, I remain, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

“To the Hon. the President of the New-York Congress.”

Ordered, That Mr. Hallett and Mr. Brasher be a Committee to wait on Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., the Commissary-General, and ascertain in whose possession the Pork is; and also inquire what has become of the Pork purchased in Connecticut.

Captain Denning and Mr. Sands, the Committee appointed to call on General Washington, returned., and reported that the General has, or will have, an Engineer at the Fortifications in the Highlands; and says he will not have occasion for the further service of the Commissioners there, as he will take the sole direction of those Fortifications; that such Minute-men as are employed at those Fortifications (only as Minute-men) may be discharged, but that none who are inlisted as Continental Troops in Captain Wisner’s Company be discharged:

Resolved, therefore. That the Commissioners employed to superintend the Fortifications in the Highlands be, and they are hereby, discharged from that service, as being employed by or under direction from this Congress; and that all such Minute-men as are employed at the Fortifications, only as Minute-men, be immediately discharged; but that any men who are inlisted as Continental Troops in Captain Wisner’s Company, be not discharged.

Thursday afternoon, June 13, 1776.

Present: General Woodhull, President.

FOR. NEW-YORK.—General Scott, Mr. Hallett, Colonel Brasher, Colonel Remsen, Mr. Bancker, Mr. Jay, Mr.Randall, Captain Denning.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Haviland, Colonel G. Drake.

And from the other Counties, the same Members as in the forenoon.

Mr. Janes Beekman obtained leave of absence to escort his lady and family to Kingston, and to return as soon as possible.

A Letter from the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., enclosing a Resolution of the Continental Congress, that all the Troops raised in the Middle Colonies shall have the same pay as those raised in the Eastern Colonies, was received and read.

Another Letter from the same, giving advice of the approach of a British Fleet and Army, under command of General Howe, was received and read, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Philadelphia, June 11, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: The Congress have this day received advices, and are fully convinced, that it is the design of General Howe to make an attack upon the city of New-York as soon as possible. The attack, they have reason to believe, will be made within ten days; I am therefore most earnestly to request you, by order of Congress, to call forth your Militia, as requested in my letter of the 4th instant, and to forward them with all despatch to the city of New-York, and that you direct them to march in companies, or in any other way that will hasten their arrival there.

“The important day is at hand which will decide not only the fate of the city of New-York, but, in all probability, of the whole Province. On such an occasion there is no necessity to use arguments with Americans. Their feelings, I well know, will prompt them to their duty, and the sacredness of the cause will urge them to the field.

“The greatest exertion of vigour and expedition are requisite to prevent our enemies from getting possession of that town; I must, therefore, again most earnestly request you, in the name and by the authority of Congress, to send forward the Militia, agreeably to the requisition of Congress; and that you will do it with all the despatch which the infinite importance of the cause demands.

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

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the Honourable Convention of New-York.”

“In Congress, June 11, 1776.

“Resolved, That Letters be immediately written by the President, and sent by express to the several Colonies, who are to furnish Militia for the defence of New-York, acquainting them with the necessity of forwarding their supplies with all possible dispatch.

“JOHN HANCOCK, Priesident.”

Ordered, That the said Letter be immediately communicated to General Scott, and that he be desired immediately to take the most effectual measures for expediting the service required of this Colony.

Whereas this Congress have been informed by the Continental Congress, and have great reason to believe that an invasion of this Colony will shortly be made:

Resolved, unanimously, That it be, and it is hereby, recommended to all the Officers of Militia of this Colony to review the same, and give orders that they prepare themselves, and be ready to march whenever they may be called upon.

Ordered, That the foregoing Resolutions be published in the publick Newspapers, and printed in Handbills to be distributed.

On motion of Mr. ? seconded by Colonel Remsen, Resolved, unanimously, That the President, and five or more Members of this Congress, for the time being, be authorized to order out such detachments of the Militia of this County, or of the two Independent Battalions, as they may think necessary, to suppress Riots or tumultuous meetings in this City, at any time when this Congress are not convened.

Ordered, That the Barrackmaster cause as many of the upper Barrack Rooms to be cleared out and put in order as Colonel Malcom may direct, for the reception of his Regiment.

Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., June 14, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. Bancker, Col. Remsen, Mr. Sands, Mr. Hallett, Captain Rutgers, Captain Denning, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Randall.

FOR ALBANY.—Colonel Rensselaer, Mr. Gansevoort.

FOR QUEEN’S.—Colonel Blackwell, Mr. Lawrence.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Polhemus.

FOR ULSTER.—Colonel Hasbrouck, Major Parks.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Colonel G. Drake, Mr. Tompkins, Mr. Haviland.

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

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Gen. Woodhull, Mr.Tredwell, Mr. Strong.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. James Livingston, Mr.De Lavergnc, Mr. Paul Schenck.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Little.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

Resolved, That all Proceedings by the Loan Officers of the City and County of New-York, against all persons who owe interest on the principal sums by them borrowed of the Colony, be stayed until the third Tuesday in April next; the securities taken for the payment of the said principal sums remaining also subject to the payment of the said arrear of interest.*

*NEW-YORK, June 14, 1776.

SIR: By the request of Mr. Theodorus Van Wyck, an officer who is out of town, I am desired to acquaint you that to-morrow morning will be exposed, in publick advertisement, the houses and lands of such persons who have not paid their interest money; and many say they have it not in their power, and if their estates are sold, will be the ruin of them and their families. You will, therefore, be pleased to mention it in Congress, so as that he may know how to act; and, in so doing, you will oblige, sir, your very humble servant,

For Mr. THEODORUS VAN WYCK,
ABRAHAM VAN WYCK, Dep’t Loan Officer. To Colonel Henry Remsen.