In Provincial Congress N. York June 10th 1775
Gentlemen,
A Certain Captain Coffin being suspected of taking on board his Vessell Provisions for the Army and Navy at Boston, tho' consigned to persons in Rhode Island, We have thought proper to delay his Voyage until we have the Sentiments of the General Congress on the Subject, Our reason of Suspicion is this, that it hath been intimated to us that Messrs Lopez and Roam2 to whom great part of the Cargo is consigned are commissionated to supply those Articles to the Army and Navy, which is done as is alledg'd by suffering Vessells, which Contain Provisions to lie in the Harbour unladen, untill seiz'd by a Ship of War according to Agreement for that purposeć¼
We should have made enquiry and Order in the premisses, but that One of our Sister Colonies being Concern'd it might tend to create divisions amongst us at a time when unanimity is so necessary to the public Safety.3 We are Gent. [&c.]
P. vB. Livingston, Presidt
1. President's Letter Book, III, LC.
2. Aaron Lopez and George Rome, the latter an avowed Tory.
3. For action upon this letter, see Journal of the Continental Congress, June 14 and 15, 1775.