The president informed the Congress that he had put into his hands this morning a letter from [Robert and John] Murray containing a number of papers which he was desired to lay before the congress, the purport of them he did not know as he had not had an opportunity of reading them.

Ordered to lye on the table That the president look them over [and then lay them] before they are laid before the congress.

The City and County of New York having through the delegates of that Colony, applied to the congress for their advice how they ought to conduct themselves with regard to the troops expected there, . . .

The matter under consideration being resumed, the Congress came to the following resolution,

Resolved, That it be recommended for the present to the inhabitants of New York, that if the troops, wch are expected should arrive, the sd Colony act on the defensive so long as may be consistent with their safety and security: that the troops be permitted to remain in the barracks, so long as they behave themselves peaceably and quietly, but that they be not suffered to erect fortifications or take any steps for cutting off the communication between the town and country; and that if they commit hostilities or invade private property, the inhabitants should defend themselves and their property and repel force by force; that the warlike stores be removed from the town; that places of retreat in case of necessity be provided for the women and children of New York; and that a sufficient number of men be embodied and kept in constant readiness for protecting the inhabitants from insult and injury. . . .

Resolved, that a committee be appointed to consider what posts are necessary to be occupied in the Colony of New York, and by what number of troops it will be necessary they should be guarded.

Resolved, That Mr. [George] Washington, Mr. [Thomas] Lynch, Mr. S[amuel] Adams, and the delegates from New York, be the committee for the above service, and that they be desired to report as speedily as possible.