[New York] Die Martis, 9 HO.A.M. October 17th, 1775.
A draft of a letter to the Continental Congress was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:
In Provincial Congress, New-York, October 17th, 1775
Sir ー We have used all possible despatch to complete the fortifications on Hudson's river, and we expect they will be in such forwardness in about six weeks, as to have most of the cannon mounted. The commissioners have been directed to make the necessary inquiries respecting the other small batteries, and in the obstructing of the navigation of Hudson's river, mentioned by Congress in their order of the 7th inst. to which due attention shall be paid. We are of opinion that four companies of matrosses, consisting of at least eighty men each, will be wanted to occupy these forts when completed, and that one company at least should be immediately raised, that we may in time have more properly trained to the use of cannon, as the utility of our fortifications will much depend upon it.
We are, &c.
Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed by the President, and . . . transmitted.
Messrs. John Griffith and Thomas Vardell, two of the wardens of the port of New-York, delivered in an estimate of the pilot boat named the Bishop of Llandaff, which was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:
New-York, Oct. 18th [sic 17th] 1775.
We, the subscribers, have examined the pilot boat named the Bishop of Landaff, and find her to be worth the sum of four hundred and ninety-six pounds this currency.
John Griffith,
Thomas Vardell.
Robert North and Terboss, two of Hudson's river skippers, came into Congress, and complained of some disagreeable treatment which they received at the new fortifications.2 Thereupon a draft of a letter to the said commissioners was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:
In Provincial Congress, New-York, Oct. 17th, 1775.
Gentlemen ー We have received complaints from sundry persons, with relation to the conduct of some among you, who have maltreated the commanders and passengers of vessels navigating Hudson's river, for not lowering the peak of their mainsail upon passing the fort. Those who have been provoked by this demand, complain that you should of your own authority, without the recommendation of the Congress, exact instances of respect from your fellow citizens. You must at once be sensible that so trivial a token, or the omission of it, can never mark out our friends from our foes, or answer any other valuable purpose. At the same time it is evident that great disgusts have arisen from the peremptory demand, and probably bloodshed may ensue. The Colonies have sufficiently suffered through punctilio, and we beg you will desist from exacting marks of submission or respect of any kind, until a plan which is now in agitation shall be completed, which may tend to obviate the future intentions of our foes to pierce into the interior of the Colony, through the natural communication which the river affords; to prevent this, is the intention of the fortification which you superintend, and therefore all signals from vessels going backwards and forwards should in our opinion be singly [or simply] confined to that object, and be by no means used as instances of complaisance to the Congress or its officers, when the peace and safety of the community so loudly forbid it.
We are, gentlemen, [&c.] By order.
Nath. Woodhull, President.
Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed by the president, and transmitted.
