Carpenter

v5:324

A Letter from the Committee of Cumberland County, signed by Benjamin Carpenter, their Chairman, dated the 2d day of February last, delivered to the President by Major William Williams, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Cumberland County, Westminster, February 2, 1776.

"SIR: As this is an infant County, (though heartily disposed in the cause of American liberty,) we are at present unable to furnish our Delegate with the cash which, perhaps, may be absolutely, necessary to supply his present necessities. The County is about raising a tax, which is already voted by the County Committee, and we are determined to raise said tax as quick as we possibly can; therefore should be exceeding glad, under our present necessities, that our Delegate (Major William Williams) might receive out of the Provincial Treasury the sum of forty pounds, New-York currency.

"We hope soon to be able to remit said sum of forty pounds to the honourable Provincial Congress, at New-York. The Congress complying with our request will much oblige your most obedient servants, &c.

"By order of the Committee of Safety for Cumberland County:

"BENJAMIN CARPENTER, Chairman.

"To the Honourable the President of the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York."

The Congress took the said Letter into consideration; and thereupon,

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq˙, the Treasurer of this Congress, advance on loan to Major William Williams, on the credit of Cumberland County Committee in general, and of Benjamin Carpenter (the Chairman of the said Committee) in particular, and Major William Williams therein-named, the sum of forty Pounds, to be repaid in such manner as this or some future Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety shall direct; and that in the mean time, until such payment be made or discounted by some order of Congress or Committee of Safety, the said Benjamin Carpenter and William Williams jointly, and each of them separately, be considered as indebted to the said Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq˙, his executors or administrators, in the sum of forty Pounds, New-York money, for so much money lent, to be repaid on demand; and in default of such payment or discount by order of Congress or of Committee of Safety, to be recovered by the said Peter Van Brugh Livingston, his executors or administrators, by suit at law or otherwise, with all costs and disbursements.

And Ordered further, That the said original Letter be made a part of the draft of the Minutes of this Congress; and that the Secretaries deliver certified copies of the said Letter and this entry, to be filed with the said Treasurer as his voucher for the said sum of forty Pounds.