A letter from the commissioners for erecting fortifications in the Highlands, requesting the instructions of this Committee with regard to the plan and expense of the said fortifications.

Mr. [William] Bedlow, one of the commissioners, attending at the door, was called in and informed that it was the sense of this Committee to have a conference with the commissioners, and the engineer who is expected from Philadelphia, previous to the giving them any instructions.

The Committee having sent for the persons belonging to and taken on board the North river sloop last Sunday [September 3], proceeded to their examination. After some time spent therein,

Ordered, That they be taken back to jail, and there confined until further orders.

Thursday 4 o'clock P.M. September 7th, 1775.

Mr. Isaac Sears informed the committee that by an order from the General committee, he had been with several others in quest of Capt. Isaac L., Winn, who sailed in a sloop bound to the eastward, and suspected of a design of furnishing the army and navy with necessaries; that they overtook the said sloop above Hellgate, and that Capt. Winn requested to be examined by this Committee. Whereupon Mr. [John Morin] Scott and Mr. [Gilbert] Livingston were appointed to examine Capt. Winn, who reported that Capt. Winn had given them such sufficient satisfaction of his friendly disposition to the liberties of America, as induced them to believe the suspicions against him to be entirely groundless.

Capt. Winn informed the Committee that a paragraph had appeared in Mr. Holt's. journal of this day, to his prejudice, and requested that a certificate be given to him certifying the sense of this Committee with respect to his conduct.

Thereupon a certificate was prepared, read and approved of, and ordered to be signed by the chairman and delivered to Capt. Winn.

In Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, during the recess of the Provincial Congress, September 7, 1775.

Whereas the necessities of the times have rendered it prudent to detain Captain Isaac L. Winn and his vessel for examination, and whereas an article has been inserted in Mr. Holt's New-York Journal of this day, that may be prejudicial to Captain Winn's reputation, it is hereby certified that, after full examination, this Committee is entirely satisfied that he still maintains his former well known friendly sentiments to the liberties of America; and that he is therefore fully and freely permitted to prosecute hu, intended voyage, without any interruption or molestation whatsoever; of which all the friends of America are requested to take due notice, and govern themselves towards him accordingly. By order;

Attest: Robert Bensan, Secretary.