Congress of New-Jersey to President of Congress

v4:986

[Read February 13 — Referred to Mr˙ Smith, Mr˙ Bartlett, and Mr˙ Adams.]

In Provincial Congress, New Jersey, Brunswick, February 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Sensible of the importance that the battalions raised in this Province should be as speedily as possible furnished with arms, we collected, for the supply of the First and Second Battalions, all the arms fit for service that could be obtained in this Province. We have, therefore, no resource of providing arms for the Third Battalion, but from our own manufactories or importation. How soon they can be manufactured is uncertain, and we have no present prospect of receiving them from abroad; but, being informed that two thousand stand have been lately imported, and that they are within your disposal, we should be glad that part of them may be ordered for the use of the Third Battalion, unless some more immediate publick service calls for them.

We beg leave to propose, whether it would not be advisable to clothe the battalion now raising in uniform, deducting the expense attending it out of the men' s wages.

We are informed that considerable quantities of powder are lately arrived, and it being probable that the assistance of the Militia of this Province may be speedily wanted, for the defence of this, or a neighbouring Colony, we request the favour of your assistance in supplying us with ten tons of gunpowder, and twenty tons of lead, or as much as may be spared.

On a requisition from Lord Stirling, the Committee of Elizabethtown have furnished him with six thousand cartridges, Somerset County four quarter-casks of powder, Woodbridge a considerable quantity, and Brunswick one hundred and fifty weight of lead.

Our Miliiia are very illy supplied with ammunition; those who have given the above supplies to Lord Stirling are, therefore, very desirous that they may be immediately replaced.

By order of Congress:

I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable Continental Congress.