of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 133

forwarding the Business you may have provincial Money from
our Treasurer for any Sum in Gold or Silver Coin you may
lodge with him.
The Council went to Whetstone Point to inform themselves
of the situation thereof, and consider of the practicability of
fortifying the same.
Council adjourns till Tomorrow morning 10 o'Clock.

C. S. J.

[Alexander to Council.]

Gent. You have inclosed two Resolutions of Congress one
respecting the Collection of Gold & silver for the pay of the
Troops in Canada, the other on the Case of M^r Juge, referred
to Congress by the Convention of your Province. In conse-
quence of the Resolve of the Convention, we made application
to Congress to grant permission to consume the Tea imported
before the first of Feb^y last, the application was referred to a
Committee of the whole House, where the Subject was debated
for two Days & overruled by a Majority 7 colonies to 5, the
last N. York, Jersey, Penn^sa Delaware & Maryland, and a
Report made by the Chairman, that it was inexpedient to alter
the association, this Report now lies on the Table, the Loss
of Gen^l Montgomery with the particulars of his unfortunate
attach on Quebeck, you will have heard. Measures are now
taken by Congress, which 1 trust will reduce Carlton & his
few Troops before the End of February, had one third of the
Succours been sent Montgomery, in all human probability, the
Life of that brave & gallant Officer had been saved & Quebeck
long e'er this in our Possession, the Instructions of the Con-
vention are come to Hand, but not as yet laid before Congress.
I am much pleased with them, they intirely coincide with my
Judgment & that Line of Conduct which I had determined to
persue, the Farmer and some others to whom in Confidence
they were shewn, say they breath that Spirit, which ought to
govern all publick Bodies, Firmness tempered with Moderation:
I am Gen^l with respect y^r Hble. Servant.
Phil^a 30 Jan^y 1776. Rob^t Alexander.

Original.

[Dorsey and others to Council.]

Elk Ridge Feb^y 2^d 1776.
Gentlemen. The Honorable Convention having been
pleased to appoint us Field Officers for the Elk Ridge Battalion
of Militia, and we well knowing the situation of said Battalion,
respecting Fire arms, many being without any, and others in
such order that were we called to action, would not be able to
make a proper defence, and we considering that at a very

Original.