The Removal of the Cannon

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Die Soils, 10 ho˙ A˙ M˙, February 11, 1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Colonel McDougall, Mr˙ Sands, Colonel Brasher, Mr˙ Tredwell, Mr˙ Scott, Mr˙ Oothoudt, Mr˙ M˙ Graham.

Mr˙ Henry Oothoudt was unanimously chosen Chairman pro tempore.

This Committee observing that the Cannon and Military Stores, on and near the Battery, are now under removal to other parts of the city, and knowing that this transaction, both in its design and execution, is without the consent of this Committee, and even without their knowledge, otherwise than as discovered from the transaction itself, and as, perhaps, such removal may bring on a firing upon the city, from the ships-of-war in this port, which may greatly endanger the publick Records of this Colony, this Committee is fully of opinion, that the publick Records ought to be immediately removed to a place of greater safety than that in which they now are.

Therefore, Ordered, That the said publick Records of this Colony, together with Samuel Bayard, Jun˙, Esq˙, the Deputy-Secretary of this Colony, be forthwith conveyed, under a proper guard of the Militia of the city of New-York, to the dwelling-house of Nicholas Bayard, Esq˙, Alderman of the Out-Ward of the said city, and be there securely kept under such guard until the further order of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, or of this Committee of Safety; and the said guard are hereby expressly required to permit the said Samuel Bayard, Jun˙, Esq˙, to have continual access to, and the direction of the said Records, except that he, and every other person, be prevented from removing them, or any of them, from the place where they are hereby ordered to be deposited, until the further order of the Provincial Congress or of this Committee.

And Ordered, That Colonel Lasher be requested to furnish a proper guard, and see this order executed.

And Ordered, further, That Colonel Lasher fix on such Officers and Company of his Regiment, for this, and any other duty, that may be directed, as he shall think proper, and report the same to this Committee; the Committee hereby giving assurance that provision will be made for the pay and subsistence of such Company, equal to the Continental establishment, while continued in service.