Report of Committee of War

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Mr˙ Hobart, from the Committee of War, who were directed this morning to confer with General Lee, verbally reported in substance: That, in obedience to the order of Congress, they had conferred with the General, and examined the Plans of the City and Harbour with him and his Engineer, and some other officers, that the General informed them that he has given orders to take a survey of the vessels now-in port; that this evening the depth and breadth of the channel at the most proper places are to be sounded and taken; that General Lee thinks it of great importance to obstruct the navigation of the East-River against line-of-battle Ships, and seems to have it much at heart; that General Lee, on being asked how the west side of the town could be protected, allowed that a ship might come to the

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Mr˙ Hobart reported further, that, on the whole, nothing certain as to the practicability of obstructing the navigation of the East-River was yet determined on.

Mr˙ Hobart further informed Congress, that they had some conversation with General Lee on the subject of preventing persons having permissions from this Congress or the Committee of Safety to go on board of any Ship in this Harbour, from being obstructed by the Port-Guard; and that they had Intimated to the General that perhaps it might be proper to place a proper person near the sentries, to give information and directions concerning such persons as may have such permissions as above-mentioned.

The Congress then went into the consideration of that matter.

And thereupon Agreed unanimously, That it is impracticable, at present, totally to cut off all communication of the Inhabitants of this Colony with the Ships-of-War now in this Port, and with the Ship on which His Excellency Governour Tryon resides.

And whereas, though it is, in the opinion of this Congress, impracticable, at present, totally to cut off all communication of the Inhabitants of this Colony with the Ships-of-War now in this Port, and the Ship on board of which His Excellency Governour Tryon resides, yet it appears necessary to confine such communications to certain particular objects, to the end that the publick service may not be injured by a free and unlimited intercourse between them and this Colony.

It is therefore Ordered, That all communication between the said Ships-of-War and all the Inhabitants be, and is hereby, prohibited, except upon special permits, to be obtained from this Congress, or the Committee of Safety; and, also, except for supplying them (the said Ships-of-War, respectively) with necessary Provisions, from time to time, for the use and consumption of their respective crews only, under the following restrictions and regulations, to wit: That no Provisions shall be supplied for their use and consumption by any other persons than their respective agent-victuallers in this City, upon permits to be obtained by them, respectively, from time to time, for the purpose, from this Congress, or the Committee of Safety; which Provisions shall not, in any case, be put on board any Boat, for such supply as aforesaid, at any other place than the Ferry stairs, near the Exchange in this City, and that in the presence of a Port-Master, to be appointed by this Congress, or the Committee of Safety, who shall carefully inspect the same, and compare the Provisions with the permit, and keep an exact and particular account of the same, to be reported by him to this Congress, or the Committee of Safety, from time to time, when called for.

Ordered further, That Elias Nixen be, and he is hereby, appointed Port-Master for and during the pleasure of this Congress, with an allowance at, and after the rate of, eighteen and one-third Dollars per month, for so long a time as he shall continue in the said service.

Ordered further, That all communication between the said Inhabitants and the said Ship of His Excellency the Governour be, and is hereby, prohibited, excerpt with respect to his Honour the Lieutenant-Governour, the Members of his Majesty' s Council, the Surveyor-General, the Deputy Secretary of this Colony and his necessary Clerks, and such other persons as shall, from time to time, have particular Permits for the purpose from this Congress, or the Committee of Safety; and except, also, such intercourse as may be necessary for supplying the Governour with the necessary Provisions for himself and his family; which supplies shall, from time to time, be sent from the said Ferry stairs, and no other place, and that in the presence, and under the inspection, of the said Port-Master, who shall keep exact and particular accounts of the same, to be reported as aforesaid; and except, also, that the brewers supply the said three Ships with Beer as usual till further order of this congress, or the Committee of Safety.