Some of us consider ourselves as bound "by our instructions not to vote on that question; "and all of us wish to have your sentiments thereon.

"The matter will admit of no delay; we have, "therefore, sent an express who will wait your " orders.

" We are. Sir, with the greatest respect,

"Your most obt. hum. servts. " William Floyd, " Hexry Wisxer, "RoBT. R. Livingston, "Frans. Lewis. "To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., Prest. "of THE Hon. THE Convention OF New- York."'

This letter was received, early in the morning, and the Provincial Congress, very leisurely, read it, in secret Session ; and, notwithstanding the urgency for speedy action which accompanied it, that was all which was done, concerning Independence, at that Session.' Late in the afternoon, the Congress very leisurely returned to the subject ; and, then, it indulged itself by hearing the reading of the letter, a second time ; by listening, while the Clerk read the powers of the Provincial Congress, which were very briefly presented in the Resolutions calling for the election of its members ; ' and by hearing the same stately official read the powers of the Delegates of the Colony in the Continental Congress,* closing its desperate

1 Jouraal of the Provincial Coagreat, " Die Lunae, 9 ho., A.M., June 10, "1776. ' >lbid.

» It waa stated iu the Ciedentiald of the Deputies fiom Orange-county that (lie Resolutions of thesecoud I'ruvincial Congress, providing for the election of the third Provincial Congress and defining ils authority, were adopteil on the twelfth of March preceding; but there is no mention of the adoption of any Resolutions whatever, on that subject, on that or any otherday, ou the published Journal of the secoud Prorincial Congress.