Die Solis, 10 HO. A. M. Feb. 11th, 1776.
This Committee observing that the cannon and military stores on and near the battery are now under removal to other parts of the city, and knowing that this transaction, both in its design and execution, is without the consent of this Committee, and even without their knowledge, otherwise than as discovered from the transaction itself, and as, perhaps, such a removal may bring on a firing upon the city from the ships of war in this port, which may greatly endanger the public records of this Colony, this Committee is fully of opinion that the publick records ought to be immediately removed to a place of greater safety than that in which they now are: Therefore,
Ordered, That the said public records of this Colony, together with Saml. Bayard, Junr. Esqr. the Deputy Secretary of this Colony, be forthwith conveyed, under a proper guard of the militia of the city of New-York to the dwelling house of Niclis. Bayard, Esqr. alderman of the out ward of the said city, and be there securely kept under such guard until further order of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, or of this Committee of Safety. And the said guard are hereby expressly required to permit the said Saml. Bayard, Junr. Esqr. to have continual access to and the direction of the said records, except that he and every other person be prevented from removing them, or any of them, from the place where they are hereby ordered to be deposited, until the further order of the Provincial Congress or of this Committee. And,
Ordered, That Col. [John] Lasher be requested to furnish a proper guard, and see this order executed.
Ordered further, That Col. Lasher fix on such officers and company of his regiment for this and any other duty that may be directed, as he shall think proper, and report the same to this Committee, the Committee hereby giving assurance that provision will be made for the pay and subsistance of such company equal to the Continental establishment while continued in service.
3 ho. P.M. February 11th, 1776.
Col. [Abraham] Lott came to the Committee and informed that the Mercury, sloop of war, and the two transports which sailed with her, are anchored near Staten Island; that he met several suspicious persons passing from Powle's Hook toward Killvankull ferry; that he was informed by a person near Killvankull that he apprehended that the ship of war and transports will commit depredations on the stock there. The Committee are of opinion that the most effectual measures to prevent such depredations, is to [write to] the committee of Elizabeth Town to request them to send a parcel of men to protect the stock on Staten Island from depredations.
In Committee of Safety,
New-York, Feb. 11th, 1776.
Gentlemen ー The Mercury, ship of war, with two transports under her convoy, are departed from this city this afternoon, and we are well informed, that they are anchored near Staten island.
We are apprehensive that they intend to commit depredations on the stock on Staten island. We applied to the Provincial Congress of your Colony yesterday, requesting that Col. Herd [Nathaniel Heard] with some of his troops should be sent to the island for a few days, and sent that letter by Col. Herd. We are apprehensive that Col. Herd will come too late to prevent any attempt that may be made to take off the stock. We, therefore, earnestly request you, on receipt hereof, to despatch a part of your militia to such parts of the island where it is most likely any attempts of that kind may be made, to guard the island until the said vessels are gone off or Col. Herd can arrive to their relief.
If their design should be such as we suspect, they may perhaps be able to land about 200 men.
Please to inform Col. Herd of this intelligence, and your proceedings in the premises.
We are, respectfully, gentlemen [&c.]
By order of the Committee.
To the Chairman and Members of the Committee, Elizabeth Town.
Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the Chairman, and transmitted by express.