Thereupon, Ordered, That Mr. Jay, Mr. Morris, Mr. Philip Livingston, and Mr. Hobart, be a Committee for that purpose.

Colonel Marsh delivered to Congress a copy of the Minutes of the Committee appointed by the respective Committees of Cumberland and Gloucester Counties, recommending a Brigadier-General and Brigade Major for the Militia of Cumberland, Charlotte, and Gloucester Counties, dated May 22, which was read. The persons recommended were Jacob Bailey for Brigadier-General, and Simon Stevens for Brigade Major.

And whereas the Militia of Charlotte County is a part of that Brigade, and directed to be under the same Brigadier-General, and it appears by the said Minutes that no person from that County attended that meeting:

Therefore, Resolved, That a copy of the said Minutes of the said Committee be forwarded the first opportunity to the Chairman of the Committee of Charlotte County, and that the said Committee be requested to send some answer in the premises, and that for the present the said recommendation remain for further consideration.

Isaac Ketcham being admitted, informed Congress that he had further conversation with the two soldiers, Lynch and Hickey; that they both said the person who was to go on board the man-of-war for cutlasses was one Gilbert Forbes, an Irishman, as he believed, by trade a Blacksmith; that on Sunday last divers of their party were admitted to them; that one of their party was with them this day, and brought them some dinner; that examinant asked his name; they said his name was John Dyall, though examinant is not altogether certain as to the exact pronunciation of the surname; that he is a middle-sized, well-set Irishman, sandy complexion, hair, and eyebrows. They further informed him that one Forbes, an Irishman, who had been a regular in the last war, and kept a publick house about thirty rods from their camp, is to be their Captain, and an artful fellow; that said Forbes has received money from the Asia to treat the corps, and that whoever brings to him such a piece of paper as they showed and gave the examinant, and is by him delivered to the Committee, pays nothing for the reckoning, and may call for what he pleases; that William Green, of the Governour’s Life-Guards, an Englishman, and a kind of Camp Major, is of the corps, and acts as clerk for them; that as a certain person passed by the window yesterday they pointed at him—said his name was Taylor—that he was a constable—had been in the service the last war—an inhabitant of this town—and that he was at the head; that from their conversation, this examinant is of opinion they have not as yet fixed any plan of operation; that sometimes they talk, when the fleet arrives, of cutting down King’s Bridge; that as many of them as could would go over to the regulars, and that such as should be obliged to stay will do more execution than five times the number out of the army; that a man whom they call Colonel Webb, an Old Countryman, who came from on board the ships, is now travelling about in New-England as a private gentleman; that he has money, and is bribing the men of note, who can lead others; that they say the enemy are to land at three places in this Province—on Long-Island, Staten-Island, and either on the Island of New-York or about it; that they deferred appointing all their officers lest it should breed a wrangle among them, and the disappointed ones should discover them; that Hickey says a number of Riflemen on Staten-Island and the Cape-Cod men are concerned; Lynch says only five of the Artillery are to his knowledge engaged—Hickey says more; that they had sounded the Hairy-Caps, but had not divulged the matter to them in full, but believe the quarter part of them might be brought over; that there was a proclamation of the King on board the ships, offering free pardon to all who would come over before the time of action, and also considerable encouragement as to land and houses.

The charge of secrecy was given from the Chair to the Members relative to the information given by said Ketcham.

New-York, Monday afternoon, June 17, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Livingston, Mr. Jay, Mr. Sands, Mr. Randall, Mr. Stoutenburgh, Mr. Denning, Mr. Remsen.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Gansevoort, Colonel Rensselaer.

FOR SUFFOLK.—General Woodhull, Mr. Hobart Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Strong.

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

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Van Houten.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Schenck, Mr. J. Livingston, Mr. De Lavergne, Colonel M. Graham.

FOR ULSTER.—Colonel Hasbrouck, Major Parks.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. John Polhemus.

FOR CUMBERLAND.—Mr. Marsh.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster, Colonel Malcom.

Colonel Morris Graham took the general oath of secrecy.

Mr. Clinton having communicated the substance of a conference he had with his Excellency General Washington,

Ordered, That Mr. Philip Livingston, Mr. Morris, and Mr. Jay, be a Secret Committee to confer with General Washington relative to certain secret intelligence communicated to this Congress, and take such examinations relative thereto as they shall think proper.

The Congress then examined Henry Dawkins, on the charge against him and Philip Youngs, Israel Youngs, and Isaac Youngs, for counterfeiting Bills of Credit; from which examination it would seem that Philip Youngs was not concerned with his brothers, or had any knowledge or agency in counterfeiting the Bills of Credit in question.

Whereupon, it was Ordered, That Philip Youngs be discharged for the present, and he is hereby discharged accordingly.

Colonel Remsen stated to Congress that it would be proper to lessen the quota of Militia to be raised in New-York—because,

1st. Their quota is too large, and will take two men out of every five, which is a much larger proportion than in any other County.

2d. Because many of them are to be placed under Officers not of their own election. And

3d. By a draft the poor man, who has no real estate, and very little personal property, is placed on a footing with a man of opulence.

Colonel Remsen further mentioned that three Pounds per man, bounty, is given in New-Jersey, and drafting thereby dispensed with, and that they compute all men who have resided there but fifteen days.

The above statement was also confirmed by Colonel Lott and Major Abeel, who suggested further difficulties.

Colonel Remsen thereupon moved that the quota of Militia to be raised by New-York be lessened.

And after some time spent in the consideration thereof, the said motion was withdrawn; and the Congress determined and resolved that Captain Hamilton’s Company of Artillery be considered so many and a part of the quota of Militia to be raised or furnished by the City and County of New-York.

A Letter from the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, enclosing a Resolution of the Continental Congress of the 14th instant, prohibiting the exportation of salted Beef and Pork, and a Resolution of the same date recommending it to the Convention of New-York to make effectual provision for detecting, restraining, and punishing disaffected and dangerrous persons, were respectively read.

“Philadelphia, June 15, 1776.

“GENTLEMEN: Since my last I have nothing in charge from Congress to communicate to you, except the enclosed resolve prohibiting the exportation of salted Beef and Pork, which I request you will please to order to be published in your several newspapers.

“I am, with much respect, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“You have also enclosed a Resolution of Congress respecting the disaffected persons in your Colony, to which I beg leave to call your attention.

“To the Honourable Convention of New-York.”

“IN CONGRESS, June 14, 1776.—Whereas it has been represented to this Congress that great quantities of salted