Ordered, That Mr. [Thomas] Randall and Colonel Ten Broeck be added to the committee to confer with Lord Stirling, on the subject of a communication with the ships of war, &c. and that Mr. [John Sloss] Hobart and Mr. [Leonard] Gensevoort be excused from attending the said committee.

A letter from Capt. Joseph Smith, setting forth his distress, and offering his service to his country particularly in any marine department, if there is or should be a vacancy, was read and filed.

Ordered, That the said letter remain on file ー to be taken up if an opportunity should offer in which his services will be useful.

The committee who went to confer with Lord Stirling on the sundry matters given to them in charge, as appears by the entry thereof in the minutes of yesterday, reported that they had conferred with Lord Stirling; that he had given the following information to them, which he had received this morning, to wit:

"That a brigantine tame into the Hook yesterday evening and came to anchor under the stern of the Phoenix, and that the people on board gave three cheers; that four sail of large vessels are in the Hook, a snow in the offing; that by another person advice was received from Nassau island, that six or seven top sail vessels are in the Hook."

Thereupon,

Ordered, That Capt. [Anthony] Rutgers and Capt. Randall be a committee to despatch a proper person to the Narrows by land, and another person in a whale boat to the Hook to make discoveries, and return and report to this committee with all possible despatch.

The said committee reported as to the matters given them in charge, that they had settled a plan with Lord Stirling for supplying the ships of war and Governor Tryon's ship with provisions, (subject to the approbation and confirmation of this Congress) in the words following, to wit:

In order to prevent any obstructions to the supply of provision and other necessaries being furnished to the ships of war and the Governor's ship, pursuant to a former order of this Congress, it is

Resolved and Ordered, That whenever provisions or supplies are to be furnished to either of the said ships, the port master appointed by this Congress shall go with the said provisions or supplies, and see the same delivered on board the said ships, and that he take with him only such persons as are necessary to navigate the boat or boats, carrying such provisions and supplies, or such person or persons as shall have the special permission of the Congress or Committee of Safety, countersigned by the General; and that the said port master and all the navigators of the said boat or boats be under oath that he or they will not disclose any matter whatsoever on board of the said ships relative to the fortifications erecting for the defence of this Colony. That he the said Port Master will not suffer any of the men that he carries with him in the said boat or boats to go on board either of the said ships, and that he will not carry or suffer to be carried, any letters or papers to or from the said ships, but such as he shall be first satisfied contain no intelligence of a public nature.

That this supply is to take place and be continued on condition that there be no obstruction given to any boats or vessels bringing provisions, provender or firewood, to this city.

The Congress agreed with their committee in this part of their report and confirms the same.

The said committee farther reported that as to the firing of the sentinels on the boats coming to and departing from this city, they had, in conjunction with Lord Stirling, settled and agreed on such orders with him, to be issued to the troops by Lord Stirling, as will prevent that inconvenience for the future; and that Lord Stirling will, towards evening, transmit to this Congress a copy of such orders, and requested a copy of the regulations for supplying provisions to the ships by them above reported, if the same should be agreed to and confirmed by this Congress.

Ordered, That one of the secretaries prepare and certify a copy of the said plan or regulations agreed on, for supplying the ships of war and Governor Tryon's ship, with provisions, and transmit the same to Lord Stirling. And,

Ordered, That another copy be prepared for the port-master, and that he attend here at five o'clock to receive instructions.

The said committee farther reported that as to the other matter given to them in charge, to wit, the apprehending and sending into confinement in this and a neighbouring Colony, sundry inhabitants of this city and Colony, without the knowledge of, or application to, this Congress, and that the reasons thereof, that Lord Stirling had assured them that the like should not happen in time to come; that he informed them that John Gregg was apprehended, and is now confined in the guard house at the barracks, for having, in the night time, attacked the sentinels on duty at their posts, and that he submits his trial and punishment to the Congress; That Governor Tryon's two servants and his linen will be sent to his ship by the first provision boat; that the seamen who lately came from the ship Dutches of Gordon, and were apprehended, desire that they may not return on board; ... That his Lordship assured them for the future any persons apprehended, shall not be sent out of the Colony, but their cases respectively, (if any be apprehended,) shall be referred to this Congress. That he farther declared that it was not his wish or desire to interfere with the civil government or police of the city or Colony, but on the contrary to harmonize with and aid the civil government....

Die Veneris, 4 ho. P.M. March 8th, 1776.

Capt. Rutgers and Mr. Randal informed the Congress that from various informations which they have obtained, (the particulars whereof they mentioned,) they have good reason to believe that the report of a number of topsail vessels being at Sandy Hook, is false. But they have notwithstanding despatched Capt. Mcllroy to the Narrows to make discovery, and that this Congress may expect his information this evening.

Christopher Duyckinck, who was sent to apprehend some pilots late of this city, and now in the service of the ministerial navy, being at the door was admitted. He says those pilots came on shore, but with a boat with armed men for their protection; that they came on shore frequently in that manner; that they had been three times on shore, since he went to endeavor to apprehend them; that without the assistance of 25 or 30 men, with muskets, he thinks it is not probable they will be apprehended; that he thinks that number, with three or four days' provision and properly armed and lodged, may effect the taking of them; that a brigantine, having on board rum, sugar and salt, was taken yesterday evening; that Francis James, the pilot, went out in the vessel that seized and took her, and was active therein; that the Phoenix has a number of boats about her.

Ordered, That Colo. [Alexander] McDougall give such directions as he may think necessary, for apprehending the said pilots, and that that matter be committed solely to him, and Duyckinck take his directions.

Capt. McIlroy, who was sent out at noon by Capt. Rutgers and Capt. Randall, returned. He was brought near the chair. He says that there is not any topsail vessel below, but a brigantine which belongs to one Barnes of Elizabeth Town and which is seized by the Phoenix;
² that four sloop rigged vessels (one of them very small) lie near the Phoenix; that a person informed him that he had seen five sail off of the Hook, that two of them were brigantines.