Letter read from Governour Tryon to the Mayor of the City, informing him that the Commander of the King' s Ships had burnt the Pilot-House near the Light-House

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A copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the Mayor of this City, dated the 19th Instant, was read. He thereby informs that the Commander of the King' s Ships on this station had thought it necessary to burn the Pilot-House, near the Light-House; that proper care has been taken of Adam Dobbs and his family and effects; and that if a Sloop is sent down to receive Dobbs, his servants, and effects, she will be permitted to return safe.

Ordered, That Captain William Dobbs wait on his Excellency General Washington, with the said copy of a Letter.

The residue of the morning was spent in hearing applications of country Officers, and other matters relative to the raising of the four Regiments, to be raised in this Colony, for the Continental service.

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Die Veneris, 4to ho˙ P˙ M˙, April 26,1776.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esquire, Chairman.

FOR NEW-YORK. — Mr˙ Evert Bancker, Mr˙ Sands, Major Stoutenburgh, Colonel McDougall.
FOR ALBANY. — Mr˙ Oothoudt.
FOR WESTCHESTER. — Colonel Cortlandt.
FOR KING' S. — Mr˙ Van Brunt.
FOR SUFFOLK. — Mr˙ Tredwell.
FOR ORANGE. — Mr˙ Cuyper.
FOR RICHMOND. — Mr˙ Adrian Bancker.

Mr˙ Sands, from the Committee of Accounts, requested the advice of the Committee on many different matters in the Accounts delivered in by Captain Herman Allen. A considerable time spent in the examination of the sundry Papers and Accounts, and the general principles on which the Accounts should be settled, were fixed, except as to the Clothes.

Captain Heman Allen, attending at the door, was admitted. He says that he furnished his men with clothes, and did not receive any clothing for his men.

The Accounts were left with the Auditors for further consideration.

Mr˙ Sands produced the Account of Captain William W˙ Gilbert' s Company, for guarding the Records one month, amounting to two hundred and sixty-seven Pounds eleven Shillings and six Pence; and requested the advice of the Committee as to passing the same.

The Committee considering that that Guard was instituted by the Provincial Congress, on the 5th of March last, and this Committee have some time ago endeavoured to relieve the Colony from that expense, in which they succeeded for a few days only, advised Mr˙ Sands to examine and compare this account with that formerly passed for the Grenadier Company; and if further advice should appear necessary, then to delay the account, if he can, until the meeting of the Provincial Congress.

A certain Captain Cornelius Steinrod, who lately commanded a Company of Minute-men, and has formerly applied for a Warrant to raise or inlist a Company in the Continental service, attending, was admitted.

[Two leaves of the Minutes, at this place, appear to have been cut out.]