Resolved, That the consideration of this matter be referred to Monday next. Resolved, That a just and well authenticated account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy in America since last March, be collected, with proper evidence of the truth of the facts related, the number and value of the buildings destroyed by them, also the number and value of the vessels inward and outward bound, which have been seized by them since that period, as near as the number and value can be ascertained, also the stock taken by them from different parts of the continent. That a committee of three be appointed for this purpose. The members chosen are, Mr. Deane, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wythe. Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, October 19, 1775. The committee of claims reported, that, in their opinion, the following accounts ought to be paid: The account of the committee of Lancaster, for sundries furnished the rifle companies, amounting to 2213.6 dollars. The account of Richard Bache, Stephen Paschall, and Michael Hillegas, for superintending the printing of the continental bills of credit, amounting to 272 dollars. Ordered, That the above accounts be paid. The committee appointed to take into consideration the method proposed by the commissary-general for supplying the army with provisions, brought in report, which was read. their It being represented to Congress, that captain Isaac Sears, of New-York, has, at the request of Mr. Trumbull, the commissary-general, forwarded to the camp at Cambridge, seven thousand barrels of flour, for which Mr. Trumbull has not been able to pay him, for want of money in the military chest, Resolved, That 30,000 dollars be paid to captain Isaac Sears, on account of the above flour, he giving bond to the treasurers to account for the same with Mr. Trumbull, and that the same be charged to the account of Mr. Trumbull, commissary-general. A petition from Mr. Sears, and Mr. Randal, was laid before the Congress, and read. Resolved, That the same be referred to Thursday, the 2d of November next, then to be taken into consideration. Resolved, That captain Macpherson be requested immediately to repair to the camp at Cambridge, and confer with general Washington, on the subject contained in his letter to Congress. Resolved, That the provincial convention of New-York be requested to send to this Congress, a copy of any order or proceeding of theirs, or of the mayor and corporation in consequence of governor Tryon's letter to the mayor, published in the New-York papers, under the 16th instant, also an attested copy of said letter. The order of the day being renewed, FRIDAY, October 20, 1775. The committee appointed to prepare a letter to the general, reported a draught, which was read and agreed to. Resolved, That three hundred dollars be paid to captain John Macpherson, to defray the expenses of his journey to the camp, he to be accountable. The remainder of the day, and the day following, were spent in a committee of the whole, on the trade of the United Colonies. On which, not being ready to report, the order of the day was renewed, and the Congress adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday. MONDAY, October 23, 1775. The Congress being informed that yesterday the honorable Peyton Randolph, esq. suddenly departed this life, Resolved, That the Congress will attend his funeral as mourners, with a crape round their left arm, according to the association. That the Congress thus continue in mourning for the space of one month. That the committee wait on the reverend Mr. Duche, and request him to prepare a proper discourse to be delivered at the funeral. The delegates for Delaware government having been re-appointed by their assembly, on the 21st inst. produced the credentials of their re-appointment, which were read and approved. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow, and from thence, by adjournments, to ten o'clock on Wednesday. WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1775. Sundry letters from general Washington, governor Trumbull, and the convention of New-York, being received, were read. The committee appointed to prepare an answer to the letters from the convention of New-Jersey, dated 13th and 14th instant, brought in a draught, and the same being read and debated, an answer was agreed to, and ordered to be forwarded. The committee of claims reported that there is due, To John Biddle, commissary of the rifle battalion, 4139.7 dollars. James Stewart, for provisions to riflemen, 15.7 ditto. Jacob Hoyler, for do. to capt. Ross's company, 18.3 ditto. Ordered, That the same be paid. The committee of safety, of Pennsylvania, informed the Congress, that they have taken into custody a captain Campbell, and a lieutenant Symes, together with a number of soldiers, who came from Boston in the Rebecca and Frances transport, which was cast away on Brigantine beach, and that, from general Gage's instructions to said Campbell and Symes (herewith transmitted to Congress,) it appeared they were sent to raise recruits for general Gage's army, and that from sundry examinations taken and submitted to Congress, it appeared said Campbell has heretofore been employed in the like service, and has endeavoured to inveigle recruits by the offer of grants of forfeited lands. The instructions being read, Ordered, That they be published. The examinations also being read, Ordered, That a copy of them be forwarded to the convention of New-York, with a recommendation to them to seize a Mr. Grant, who, it is said, is employed in raising recruits for general Gage's army in that colony. Resolved, That Mr. Hewes be added to the committee of claims. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, October 26, 1775. Ordered, That the resolution of the 15th of July last for encouraging the importation of arms and ammunition, and the resolution of the 18th inst. for collecting an account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy, be immediately published. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the letter from the convention of New-York, dated 20th instant, and report an answer. The members chosen, Mr. Deane, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Duane. Information being given to Congress, that there has been lately discovered, in the colony of Virginia, a mineral containing a large quantity of salt-petre, Ordered, That the delegates of Virginia send an express to enquire into the truth of the fact, and to bring a sample of the mineral. Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed to take into consideration the instructions given to the delegates of New Hampshire, and report their opinion thereon. The members chosen, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Ward, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Sherman. Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration the state of the trade of the United Colonies, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consi deration the matter referred to them, and have come to a resolution which they desired him to report, and further to move for leave to sit again. The report of the committee being read, was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That it be recommended to the several provincial assemblies, conventions, or councils of safety, of the United Colonies, to export to the foreign West-Indies, on account and risk of their respective colonies, as much provisions or other produce, except horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry, as they may deem necessary for the importation of arms, ammunition, sulphur, and salt-petre. Ordered, That a copy of the above be transmitted by the delegates to their respective assemblies, conventions, or committees of safety. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the trade of the United Colonies. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, October 27, 1775. The committee appointed to prepare an answer to the convention of NewYork, brought in a report, which was read. The remainder of the day being spent in a committee of the whole, and the order of the day renewed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. SATURDAY, October 28, 1775. The committee of safety of Pennsylvania having transmitted to Congress some further examinations of the soldiers who came in the Rebecca and Frances transport, desired the direction of Congress with regard to the officers and soldiers. Whereupon, Resolved, That capt. Campbell and lieut. Symes, and the men who came with them in the Rebecca and Frances transport, be confined in such gaols in this colony, as the committee of safety of said colony think proper, and that said captain Campbell and lieut. Symes be allowed for their subsistence 1 1-S dollars each a week, and the men one dollar a week each, to be paid out of the continental treasury. The Congress taking into consideration the report of the committee on the New York letters, Resolved, That a company of matrosses, to consist of a captain, a captainlieutenant, a first and second lieutenant, a lieutenant fire-worker, four serjeants, four corporals, eight bombardiers, sixty-eight matrosses, one drummer, and one fifer, be immediately raised in New York, for the defence of Hudson's river, and to occupy the fortifications now erecting in the highlands, and that it be recommended to the convention of said colony immediately to raise said company, and to appoint the proper officers. The committee of claims reported, that there is due on account of necessaries furnished to the hussar company, and for services therein, the following sums, viz. To James & Drinker, per account, 192.8 dollars. Thomas Clifford and Sons, 64.4 dollars. Usher & Henry, 29.2 dollars. George Fromberger, 127.3 dollars. William Ogden, 73.3 dollars. William Kerlin, 64 dollars. Lewis Prahl, to be paid by his order to Andrew Bonner, 226.6 dollars. Sundries for smaller sums to be paid by T. Matlack, 550.6 dollars. That there is due to Rachael Stille, for expenses of a guard at Trenton over the powder, 10.5 dollars. To William Holmes, for goods furnished the rifle company raised in Cumberland, 85.6 dollars. To Timothy Matlack, to pay for wood for the use of the Congress, 22 dollars. Resolved, That five of the committee of claims, of which the chairman is to be one, be empowered to act. Resolved, That the inspectors of the press deliver the proof-sheets and checks of the continental bills, to the continental treasurers, and that they deliver one of each to the delegates of every colony, to be deposited with the provincial treasurer appointed in such colony, and retain the rest in their hands. Mr. Randolph, one of the salt-petre committee, being dead, and Mr. Morton, another, desiring to be excused, on account of his attendance in the house of assembly, Resolved, That three new members be chosen for that committee. The members chosen, Mr. Paine, Mr. Humphreys, and Mr. Wythe. Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday. MONDAY, October 30, 1775. The committee appointed to prepare an estimate, and to fit out the vessels, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration, Resolved, That the second vessel ordered to be fitted out on the 13th instant, be of such a size as to carry fourteen guns, and a proportionate number of swivels and men. Resolved, That two more vessels be fitted out with all expedition; the one to carry not exceeding twenty guns, and the other not exceeding thirty-six guns, with a proportionable number of swivels and men, to be employed in such manner, for the protection and defence of the United Colonies, as the Congress shall direct. Resolved, That four members be chosen and added to the former committee of three, and that these seven be a committee to carry into execution with all possible expedition, as well the resolutions of Congress passed the 13th instant, as those passed this day, for fitting out armed vessels. The members chosen, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Hewes, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. J. Adams. The Convention of New-Jersey, having recommended sundry gentlemen for field officers to command the two battalions raising in that colony, Resolved, That the same be referred till to-morrow. A letter from W. Livingston, esq. dated the 18th instant, was read, and rẻferred till to-morrow. The order of the day being renewed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. TUESDAY, October 31, 1775. Sundry letters from general Schuyler of the 6th, 13th, 14th, and 19th instant, with sundry papers enclosed, were read. The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into 'further consideration the trade of these colonies, and after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee, having taken into consideration the matter to them referred, have come to certain resolutions, which they desired him to report, but that not having come to a conclusion, they desired him to move for leave to sit again. The report of the committee being read, Resolved, That the same be taken into consideration to-morrow morning. Resolved, That the appointment of field officers for the battalions raising in New-Jersey, be postponed to Friday next. A member from Pennsylvania laid before the Congress a resolve of the honorable assembly of that colony, in these words: "IN ASSEMBLY, October 28, 1775. "The house taking into their further consideration the resolve of Congress, for raising a battalion in this province, for general service, find it necessary that moneys should be advanced by the several captains for that purpose. "Resolved, Therefore, that the Congress be requested to order a sufficient sum of money to be put into the hands of the committee of safety of this province, to be immediately applied in raising said battalion. Extract from the minutes, "CHARLES MOORE, Clerk of Assembly." Resolved, That the consideration thereof be referred to Friday next. The order of the day being renewed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, November 1, 1775. A leter from general Washington by express, with an account of the burning of Falmouth, was read. Ordered, That a copy be forwarded by the delegates to their respective assemblies, conventions, and committees of safety. A letter from the committee of conference, with the minutes of their proceedings, was read. Ordered, To lie on the table for the perusal of the members. The Congress, taking into consideration the report from the committee of the whole, Resolved, That no produce of the United Colonies be exported, (except from colony to colony, under the direction of the committees of inspection and observation, and except from one part to another of the same colony) before the first day of March next, without the permission or order of this Congress: provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to vacate the resolutions of Congress for the importation of arms, ammunition, &c. Resolved, That New-York, the three lower counties on Delaware, NorthCarolina, and Georgia, ought not to avail themselves of the benefit allowed to them by the late restraining act, and therefore, that no person should apply at the custom-houses in those colonies for clearances or other documents, which other colonies are deprived of by said restraining act, for securing the navigation of vessels with cargoes from their ports; and that the president transmit to the assemblies or conventions of those colonies, copies of this resolution, with the thanks of this Congress, to those colonies respectively, for not having hitherto taken any advantage of the exemptions in the said act of parliament. |