and Colonels of the Battalions in the said County, that they assist Captain Wikoff by furnishing him with Arms for his levies in General Heard’s Brigade, as far as they may be able, to expedite the equipment of the said levies. It is further recommended to the said Committees and Colonels, that Captain Wikoff be furnished with such of the Arms and Accoutrements taken from non-Associators, &c., within their bounds, as may be fit for service, he giving sufficient vouchers on receiving the said Arms.

Ordered, That Philip Johnston, Esq., be Colonel, Joseph Phillips, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel, and Platt Bayles Major, of the Battalion raised in the Counties of Hunterdon and Somerset, in the Brigade under the command of General Heard, destined to reinforce the Army at New-York.

Ordered, That the several Battalions in the Brigade under General Heard take rank according to the date of the commissions of the Colonels; that the several Companies in each Battalion in said Brigade take rank according to the date of the commissions of the Captains; and that the rank of all the Officers be regulated according to the date of their several commissions.

John Wetherill, Esq., Colonel of the Second Battalion of Foot Militia in the County of Middlesex, having informed Mr. Combs, a Member of this House, that he was not able to perform the duty of his office, owing to his indisposition and advanced age, and was desirous of resigning his commission, if agreeable to Convention:

Ordered, That the said resignation be accepted.

Azariah Dunham, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Battalion of Foot Militia in the County of Middlesex, having informed a Member of this House that, as he is engaged in the office of Commissary, he cannot discharge the duty of his military office, and that he was desirous of resigning his commission, if agreeable to Convention:

Ordered, That his resignation be accepted.

Ordered, That John Neilson, Esq., be Colonel, and John Duychinck, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Battalion of Foot Militia in the County of Middlesex.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o’clock.

Friday, August 2, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Ordered, That John Dunn, Esq., be Major of the Battalion detached from the Militia of the Counties of Middlesex, Monmouth, and Salem, destined to reinforce the Flying-Camp, in the room of Major Duyckinck, who was appointed to that command but refused to accept of it.

Ordered, That Robert Hoops, Esq., be Brigade-Major of the Militia of this State under Brigadier-General Dickenson.

Ordered, That Reuben Potter be Second Major of the First Battalion of Foot Militia in the County of Middlesex.

Ordered, That Captain John Sherrerd be required to apprehend Peter Cyphers, and bring him forthwith before this Convention in custody.

The draft for amending the Militia Ordinance was read a second time, and referred to further consideration.

The Petition of sundry persons in the First Regiment of Foot Militia in the County of Monmouth, praying that further Regulations may be made respecting the Militia, &c., was read, and ordered a second reading.

Adjourned to three o’clock, afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

Guisebert Guisebertson, Captain of a Company in the Second Battalion of Foot Militia, in the County of Monmouth, having resigned his commission for reasons mentioned in his Letter:

Ordered, That his resignation be accepted.

Resolved, That the several County Committees in this State do cause Inventories and Appraisements to be made of the Estates, real as well as personal, of all such persons within their respective bounds as have or shall have absconded from their homes and joined themselves to the enemies of this State, causing all perishable articles to be sold, and the moneys arising therefrom, and all other the Goods and Estates of such persons, that they keep in safe and secure custody until the further order of this Convention, or the determination of other proper judicature: Provided, That the said Committees be empowered to leave any part of the said Es-states in the hands of the relations or friends of such absconding persons, taking such security as they may think proper for the return thereof, or of the value.

The Convention resumed the consideration of the draft prepared by the Committee for amending the Militia Ordinance, and recommitted it to the same Committee.

The Petition of sundry persons in the Second Battalion of Monmouth; read the second time, and referred to the same Committee.

The Memorial of Captain Hankinson, of Monmouth, setting forth, that he had raised a Company of Minute-men, to continue in service for the space of two months, agreeable to the directions of the late Committee of Safety; that the said Company had been called to the Hook on the arrival of General Howe; and praying that the said Company may be paid for such service, an account of which accompanied the aforesaid Memorial; read, and referred to the Committee of Accounts.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o’clock.

Saturday, August 3, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Ordered, That the County Committee of Essex proceed to hear and determine the charges exhibited against the four persons apprehended by order of the Secret Committee of the State of New-York, who remained confined in the common Jail of that County on the 24th day of July last; and that they be vested with full power to acquit, amerce, or imprison said persons.

The Committee to whom was referred the draft of an Ordinance for amending the Militia Ordinance, made Report; which was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Petition of Ebenezer Foster, now on his parole at Barnard’s Town, praying that he may be permitted to return to his farm at Woodbridge; read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Letter of John Duyckinck, Esq., appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Battalion of Foot Militia in the County of Middlesex, enclosing his commission, with a resignation of the same; was read.

Ordered, That his resignation be accepted.

The Report of the Committee to whom was referred the draft of an Ordinance for amending the Militia Ordinance, read the second time; and after sundry Amendments, on the question, Whether the same do pass? It was carried as follows, viz:

Thomas Skinner and Isaac Bonnel, Esqs., appeared before Convention, and took, on oath, the Test inserted in the Election Ordinance. Whereupon,

Ordered, That they be released from their parole, and be entitled to all the rights and immunities of others the good subjects of this State.

Adjourned to Monday afternoon, five o’clock,

Monday, August 5, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

A sufficient number of Members not attending, adjourned to three o’clock to-morrow afternoon.

Tuesday, August 6, 1776.

Met according to adjournment,

Ordered, That Doctor Jacob Jennings be Surgeon to the Battalion directed to be detached from the Militia in the Counties of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Sussex, to be under the command of Colonel Mark Thompson, destined to reinforce the Flying-Camp.

The Representation of the County Conimittee of Monmouth,