10 Tlte action of the Continental Congress of 1774, concerning the Commerce of the Colonies, may be seen in the Association which it " recom- " mended."

"We beg leave to hint, that in the present declension of Trade, the "seamen of this Port ought to be employed upon this article of service " [balteaux-jnen, for the Northern Army,] "as well as that of building "batteaux," (CommillA-e of Safely to General Schuyler, "In Committee of "Safetv, New-York, 17th Jany., 1776.")

II "We W(juld beg leave to mention it as necessary to employ as many "of the Carpentere of this City, as possible" [in the construction of batteaux, for the Northern Army] " to prevent them and their families "from starving by means of tlie stagnation of business, which is more "severely felt in this City than in any other part of the Province," (The Committee of Safely to General Schuyler, "In Committee of "Safety, New- York, 17th Jany., 1776.")

" I cm easily conceive that it is very difficult, at New York, for arti- " ficers to procure a subsistence for their families-- the like difficulty "prevails here," (General Schuyler to the Committee of S<ifety, "Albany "January 25, 177U.")

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

their troubles, the troops from Connecticut, who had been unnecessarily brought to the City of New York -- " the movement seemed to have for its ead to coerce " rather than to defend New York ' " -- who were unemployed, endeavored to make additions to their military pay, by underbidding the local mechanics, for work to be done, in that City : ^ and the Provincial Congress was compelled to seek employment, for both classes, elsewhere;' to establish manufactories for the employment of them ; * and to supply provisions and firewood, to prevent their families from starving or perishing from the cold.* As many as could do so, said to be one-half of the population, abandoned the City of New York, with their families, to find safety and employment and charity, elsewhere ; ° and many, driven by necessity ' and the neglect of the Government to protect them,* as well as for the promised pay