A member informed the Congress that a very large mail, with letters for many of the inhabitants, which came by the packet, is on board of His Majesty's ship Asia, and that His Worship the Mayor, who attended for the purpose, had informed him that Mr.Foxcroft could not safely go on board of the said Ship Asia and bring the said mail on shore without the permission of the Congress.

Ordered, That John Foxcroft, Esqr. be and he is hereby permitted to go to the ship Asia, in company with the port master, to receive the mail lately arrived from England in the packet, and to bring the same to his office in this city, in order to deliver out the letters.

Sundry matters were proposed to Congress as useful and necessary to be done at and beyond Sandy Hook for the protection of trade. The Congress was unanimously of opinion that those matters will be most properly and beneficially managed by a marine committee appointed out of this Congress. Thereupon,

Ordered, That Mr. [Thomas] Randall, Mr. [Anthony] Rutgers, Capt. Denning, Mr. [Jacobus] Van Zandt and Mr. Joseph Hallett, be and they are hereby appointed a marine committee, with full powers to take such measures and give such directions, and employ such persons for the protection or advantage of trade as they may think proper, useful or necessary; that they apply to this Congress when they may be in doubt, or want advice or directions; that they be empowered to keep such matters secret as they think necessary, until they are executed; and that the said marine committee have the charge, care and direction of fitting out the sloop Biship, according to the order made on the [9] instant; that they be also authorized to give directions as to all imports already arrived, or that may arrive in any of the Colonies on account of this Colony, and that any three or more of them be a quorum for the purposes aforesaid .

Die Lunae, 4 ho. P.M. March 11, 1776.

A certificate signed by the President, and attested by both Secretaries, was given to Mr. Van Zandt, for the ship Rosamond, in the words following, to wit:

It is hereby certified, that the ship Rosamond, whereof Capt. Wright, Southgate, is master, has been laden by order of the Provincial Congress of this Colony on their account, and is now proceeding to sea on her voyage on the account and at the risk of the Colony of New-York.

Mr. Van Zandt produced a letter from ---- Snell, master of the sloop Hamden, informing that he is arrived at Philadelphia, and specifying his cargo brought on account of this Colony.

Ordered, That the marine committee give directions, and take the management of that vessel and cargo.

The Congress were informed that William Douglass, Andrew Van Tuyle and Isaac Simonson, had made affidavit as to the loss of the pilot boat Hamden, in the manner formerly directed for the other owners; the said affidavit being read and filed, is in the words following, to wit:

[Here is inserted their Indenture of March 9, 1776]

Ordered, That William Douglass, Andrew Van Tuyl and Isaac Simonsen, be paid for one-quarter part of the pilot boat called the Hamden the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, and for one-quarter part of the wages or hire of the said boat and her mariners, the sum of twenty-two pounds ten shillings, on their executing a proper conveyance for one-quarter part of the said boat, and delivering over the papers relating to the said boat to Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt, and entering into covenants with Mr: Van Zandt that if any moneys shall be allowed for the said boat or for the service or detention of the said boat while employed in His Majesty's service, that they will pay one-quarter part thereof to Mr. Van Zandt, and also a covenant that if it shall hereafter appear that the said boat was taken by collusion, or any deceit of the master or owners, or either of them, that then they will repay the said moneys to the said Mr. Van Zandt. And

Ordered, That a copy hereof be a sufficient warrant to Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esqr. as Treasurer of this Congress, to pay the said moneys.

Mr. [Thomas] Smith informed the Congress that ---- Barnard, of Elizabeth Town, is in this city; that he came this day; from on board of the ship Phoenix; that he says Capt. [Hyde] Parker [Jr.] informed him that he was about fitting out his schooner Tender with carriage guns and other necessaries to make her a vessel of force, to be stationed and cruize off Egg Harbour.

The Congress are of opinion that the said schooner may be very detrimental to the trade of this Colony and the neighouring Colonies, and at this critical juncture in particular, as ammunition, arms and other necessary stores may thereby be seized and prevented from being landed: Therefore,

Ordered, That the marine committee of this Congress take the examination of Mr. Barnard [into consideration, and ascertain] what may be necessary to be done by this Congress, and report thereon with all possible speed.