when it could do so,^ and, sometimes, it hired Arms, when it could not in other way procure them.^ In short, there seemed to be nothing left, in all which related to the raising, the equipment of, and the furnishing of supplies for, the troops, which was permitted to be done by any other agency; and it affords subjects for thought and inquiry, as one reads of its uninvited interference with the instructions of the Quartermaster-general of the Continental Army to his subordinates, concerning purchases of Timber and Oak-plank and old Vessels, for the obstruction of the Hudson-river;' of its direct participation in the purchase of Lime, Brick, Oak-plank, Cordwood, Grain, and Clothing for the Continental Army, although the Quartermaster-general's officers were present and engaged in the same work and when it also found employment in attending to the Cooperage of leaky Oilcasks belonging to the Continent.*

The establishment of a new form of Government

ties of Albany, XJlster, Orange, Duchess, and Westchester, eight hundred to each ; and, in the last-named County, Stephen Ward, William Millar, and Thuddeus Crane were appointed "to procure the proportion *' of Lances affixed to their respective names." {Juiinial nf Committee of Safety, "Die Mercurii, 4 ho., P.M., Sept. 4, l"7l>.") Models were made from Spears procured in New York, {the same, " Die Luna>, 11 lio., A M., " Sept. 9, 1776 ; ") and, including the long handles, five shillings and sixpence was paid for those which were not steeled, and six shillings and six-pence for those which were steeled, {Journnl of the Convention, "Die " Jovis, 9 ho., A.M., Octor. 3, 1770.")