A member informed the Congress that Mr. Foxcroft is under apprehensions that the order of this Congress made yesterday, permitting him to go to the Ship Asia, for the mail from England, and to bring the same on shore, may be considered as obligatory on him to bring the same on shore, and that he may in the said mail receive instructions from his superior in office, to the contrary. Thereupon.

Resolved, That the order of this Congress of yesterday for permitting John Foxcroft, Esqr. to go to His Majesty's Ship Asia for the mail from England, was by no means intended to be obligatory on that gentleman to do any act contrary to his instructions, or to oblige him to bring the said mail on shore, but only to operate as a permission to him to go on board and return with the said mail if he should think proper.

Mr. [Thomas] Randall from the marine committee, reported the said committee are of opinion on the information received from Mr. Bernard of Elizabeth Town, and from other circumstances, known to them, that a letter should be immediately written to the Honoble. Continental Congress, requesting that they order an armed vessel fitted out, to join one from this port for the protection of trade, to cruize between the Capes of Delaware and Sandy Hook, and they had prepared a draft of a letter for that purpose. Thereupon the draft of the letter reported by the marine committee, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provindal Congress New York March 12th 1776

Sir. As we are informed from undoubted authority that Captain Parker of his Majesty's Ship Phoenix is now fitting out a small Schooner to carry Guns & 40 Men &a Brigt of 8 or 10 Carriage Guns for the purpose of intercepting Vessels between the Capes of Delaware & Sandy Hook; And as we have already given Orders for the immediate fitting out an Armed Vessel for the protection of our Trade that way we think it necesasry to acquaint You that such a one from Philadelphia will also be necessary to be immediately ready to meet ours for this purpose; And that She be of such a draught of Water as that she may run into Barnegat & Egg Harbour - It is also necessary to be immediately informed by You, what Your Marine Committee regulations are, respecting the Wages &c of Officers and Men that we may regulate ourselves accordingly. - We are Sir [&c.]

Nathl Woodhull Presdt

Honble John Hancock Esqr

President of the Continental Congress. ー
²

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted.

Die Martis, 3 ho. P.M. March 12, 1776.

Mr. [John Sloss] Hobart informed the Congress that Major Malcom [William Malcolm], who was sent to dismantle the light~house, was returned, and had executed that matter effectively, with the assistance of Colo. Geo. Taylor and some of his men; that Major Malcom found it impossible to take out and save the glass, as well for want of tools as by reason of the time necessary for that purpose, and was therefore obliged to break it; that Major Malcom had delivered the lamps and oil, two tackle falls and blocks, removed from the light-house, to Colo. Gecirge Taylor, and taken a receipt for the same, which was read and filed.

Middletown, March 8th, 1776.

Received from William Malcom, eight copper lamps, two tackle falls and blocks and three cask, and a part of a cask of oil, being articles brought from the light-house on Sandy Hook, and which I will deliver to him, or to the order of the Provincial Congress of the colony of New-York, when called for.

George Taylor, Colonel.