[New York] Die Sabati, 9 Ho. A.M. September 30th 1775.
Mr. Bernard Romans attending at the door, was called in. The Committee conversed with him on the subject of his being an engineer at the fortifications on the banks of Hudson's river in the Highlands, and Mr. Romans withdrew. After some time spent therein, Mr. Romans was called in, and the Chairman by order of the Committee, informed Mr. Romans that the Committee would not contract with him for building the said fortifications; that he should be paid for his services as an engineer; that as the Continental Congress was sitting and the Provincial Congress to meet in a few days, the Committee could not make any proposal of, or any answer to, establishing him as an engineer, during the unhappy controversy in America; but that if his merits in the pressent business should appear to be such as to recommend him, it would be an advantage to his reputation; and that should the controversy unfortunately continue long, it was probable his future services might be wanted; that the Committee had been informed that twelve shillings a day sterling (and not twenty shillings sterling as he alleged,) was the value of the pay and perquisites of an engineer on the British establishment; but that the infancy and present circumstances of the country will not admit of allowing pay equal to that given in old settled States; that the Committee could not encourage him to expect more than the pay of a colonel in the Continental army, and that only for the present; but that this proposal shall not stand in the way of any better provision for him, if the Continental Congress should think proper to make any better; and that as he stood in need of cash, he should have an order on the Treasurer of the Congress of this Colony for some money. Thereupon,
Ordered, That Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, advance to Bernard Romans as engineer at the fortifications in the Highlands, the sum of twenty pounds on account.
A draft of a letter to the agents for erecting the fortifications in the Highlands was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:
In Committee of Safety, for the Colony of New-York, In the recess of the Congress of the Colony, New-York,
Sept. 30th, 1775.
Gentlemen ー We were favoured with yours of the 25th inst. In answer thereto we beg leave to observe that Mr. Romans was brought to assist in planning and directing the fortifications by your advice and request. The estimate and plans he delivered to us, we sent to the Continental Congress with a letter mentioning that at least fifteen hundred pounds beyond the estimate might be necessary for incidental charges exclusive of cannon. Mr. Romans is now to proceed to you and give you his best advice and assistance as an engineer.
The Congress of this Colony will meet next week. We also soon expect directions from the Continental Congress, and in the meantime we hope the works may be carried on with all your joint wisdom, advice and assistance.
We are, gentlemen, [&c.]
To Messrs. Samuel Bayard, William Bedlow and John Hanson, at the Highlands.
Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed by the Chairman, and transmitted.
