[New York] Die Veneris, 9 HO. A.M. September 29th, 1775.
Mr. Bernard Romans, attending at the door, was admitted; he delivered in proposals to contract for erecting the fortifications begun on the banks of Hudson's river, in the Highlands, which were read and filed, and are in the words following, to wit:
I will propose to undertake that the whole work be done by me for £5,000, the ordnance only excepted; that I may have the whole management under my direction and accept the work already done, at the rate expressed in my own estimate, and the tools necessary, already purchased at the cost; that the commissioners only have the trouble of supervising my execution and answering the orders I draw from time to time in favour of the workmen and furnishers of materials, and that £150 or £200 be advanced to be applied to such incidental matters as are immediately wanted and do not occur directly to the memory, and especially to furnish the people with articles they may want, as blankets, &c. and perhaps some small advance to encourage them to enter into the service.
Ordered, The consideration of the said proposals be postponed till to-morrow.
1. New York Provincial Congress, I, 159, 160.