Mr. [Comfort] Sands one of the sub-committee appointed by the Provincia] Congress to freight a vessel to the West Indies with provision, &c. to purchase arms and ammunition, Reports:

That in pursuance of said appointment he has freighted the sloop James Richard, Pooler, master, for St.Eustatia, belonging to Stephen Thorne, and loaded her with provisions as per invoice, amounting to £777 7s.9d. consigned to Mr. Samuel Curson, merchant there; that the freight of said sloop is as per agreement £3 10s. per ton, merchants' tonnage; and in case said sloop is seized by the ministerial army or navy in consequence of carrying provisions to said island, the Congress are to pay to Stephen Thorne for said sloop the sum of £500, as per agreement annexed. He further Reports:

That by order of the Committee of Safety, he has loaded the Schooner Polly, Matthew Van Alstyne, master, whereof Abm P. Lott and Matthew Van Alstyne are owners, for Martinico, Guadaloope and St. Eustatia, with provisions as per invoice, amounting to £1,278 2s.10d. consigned to said master to purchase arms and ammunition; that the freight agreed for is £3 10s. per ton, merchants' tonnage; and in case said schooner is seized in consequence of carrying provisions to said islands, the Congress are to pay Abm. P. Lott and H. Van Alstyne, the sum of £500, as per agreement, also annexed. Has also loaded the sloop Sally, Wilkie Dodge, master, whereof himself is owner, for Curacoa, with provisions as per invoice, amounting to £1,132 8s.11d. consigned to Mr. Isaac Governeur, merchant there, to purchase duck, flints and ammunition; that the freight of said sloop is as the former, at £3 10s.Od. per ton, merchants' tonnage; and in case said sloop is seized in consequence of carrying provisions to said island, the Congress are to pay for said vessel to said Comfort Sands, the sum of £650. He further Reports:

That in order to get said vessels out of this port, he has been obliged to give bonds to the Custom House to land said cargoes in some of the English islands in the West Indies, and requests the Committee of Safety will idemnify him from said bonds.

Mr. Sands delivered in the agreements made by him for the respective vessels above mentioned, and the invoices and bills of lading and papers relating to the said several vessels and cargoes, which are now filed.

The above report being read and fully approved of, the Committee agrees that the said report, and the several agreements therein mentioned, stand confirmed, and be considered as the agreements of the Committee of Safety, made for and on behalf of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, and on their account and risk. And

Resolved, That the said Comfort Sands shall be, and hereby is, fully indemnified by this Committee of Safety and the Provincial Congress of this Colony, for the time being, against any bonds which he has entered into at the Custom House for the said vessels and cargoes, or on account of lading and sending them to sea or either of them and that in case any costs or damages shall accrue or be suffered by the said Comfort Sands or his representatives by means of entering into such bonds or either of them; that all such costs and damages as may arise, happen or accrue by means thereof, shall be borne by this Colony; and the said Comfort Sands having now delivered in the accounts of the cargoes or ladings of the said several vessels amounting in the whole to the sum of three thousand one hundred and eighty-seven pounds eighteen shillings and eleven pence, and therein credited the sum of £2,500 received by virtue of an order of the Provincial Congress of the 19th December last, whereby a balance of £687 18s.11d. is stated as due the said Comfort Sands; the Committee not having hitherto had time to examine and audit the said account, that Mr.Sands may not continue so large a sum in advance for the public service;

Ordered, That Peter V. B. Livingston, Esqr. as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, pay to Comfort Sands on account of the moneys he has advanced for the public service by order of the Provincial Congress and of this Committee of Safety, in purchasing the cargoes for sundry vessels, the sum of £600 on account, and that Mr.Livingston take Mr. Sands receipt for the same.