A draft of a letter to Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, that is to say:

White Plains, July 13th 1776.

Sir ー Be pleased to order such a number of your regiment to guard the stores in which provisions and other effects belonging to the public, are lodged at and near Peekskill, as you may think necessary. Col. [Samuel] Drake will afford them the necessary supplies of bread and pork.

As it would not be prudent on every little alarm to call great numbers of the inhabitants from their farms, we hope the detachments you may order in service, will not be greater than the exigency of affairs may require.

We are sir, [&c.] By order.

To Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt.

A draft of a letter to Lieut. Colo. [James] Hammond, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, that is to say:

White Plains, 13th July, 1776.

Sir ー We last evening ordered Col. [Thomas] Thomas to send you a reinforcement of 40 or 50 men, together with 100lbs. of lead, and 2 quarter casks of gunpowder, all of which we hope you have received.

There is no great reason to apprehend that any considerable incursions into the country will be made by parties from the ships in the river, and therefore are of opinion it would not be expedient for great numbers of the militia to leave their farms at this busy season of the year.

Great attention should be paid to the conduct of the disaffected among us, and care taken to prevent any unusual gatherings of them, and let all such of them be apprehended and secured as may give any aid to the enemy, or threaten to give you any molestation. Col. Drake will give the necessary orders for provisions, and we hope the Whigs of this country will distinguish themselves by their zeal and alacrity on this occasion.

We are, sir, [&c.]

Lieut. Col. Hammond.

A draft of a letter to His Excellency Genl. Washington, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, that is to say:

Saturday morning, July 13th, 1776

Sir ー On being informed yesterday afternoon that two ships of war had gone into the North River, and passed by all the fortifications on York island, the Convention immediately sent an express to the commanding officer of the fort at the Highlands, advising him thereof. Last evening advice arrived that two frigates and two or three tenders were at anchor at Tarry Town, whereupon the Convention sent the inhabitants a supply of powder and ball, and took immediate measures for reinforcing the inhabitants along that shore. This morning the Convention were informed that the frigates and tenders still lay there at anchor, and that several barges were busy in sounding the river. Another detachment of the militia has been directed to guard the stores in that neighborhood, in which are sundry effects belonging to the public. The Convention will endeavour to prevent their making incursions into the country, and beg leave to suggest to your Excellency, the propriety of keeping a strong guard at King's Bridge, the destruction of which they apprehend to be an object with the Enemy.

I have the honr. to be with esteem, [&c.] By order. His Excellency Genl. Washington.