To Rebecca Reynolds, for horse hire, the sum of 6.9 dollars, and the same ought to be paid to Henry Wisner, esq. Ordered, That the above be paid. Resolved, That orders be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the reverend Mr. Elihu Spencer, and the reverend Mr. Alexander M'Whorter, who have undertaken to go to North-Carolina, for the sum of 120 dollars each, being three months' advance, they to be accountable. The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the petition of David Beveridge, which was agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That the said petition is unreasonable: Resolved, nevertheless, that for the more speedy arming these colonies, the said David Beveridge be permitted to export a cargo of the produce of America (live stock and lumber excepted) to any part of the world, except Great Britain, the British Islands, Ireland, or the British West-Indies, on his giving bond, with sufficient security, in double the amount of the said cargo, to the chairman of the committee of inspection of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, or to such persons as the said committee shall appoint, that he will import, into these colonies, by the first day of June next, the amount of the proceeds of the said cargo, in arms, ammunition, or salt-petre, and shall dispose of the same to the Congress, for the use of the United Colonies, at such reasonable prices, as by the committee of inspection of the place in which the vessel shall arrive, shall be ascertained and determined. The Congress resumed the consideration of the general's letters, and thereupon came to the following resolution : Resolved, That the several vessels heretofore taken and carried into Massachusetts-Bay, by the armed vessels in the service of the United Colonies, be proceeded against by the rules of the law of nations, and libelled in the courts of admiralty erected in said colony. The Congress, taking into consideration the dispute between the people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, on the waters of Susquehanna, came to the following resolution : Whereas a dispute subsists between some of the inhabitants of the colony of Connecticut, settled under the claim of the said colony, on the lands near Wyoming, on the Susquehanna river, and in the Delaware country, and the inhabitants settled under the claim of the proprietors of Pennsylvania, which dispute, it is apprehended, will, if not suspended during the present troubles in these colonies, be productive of pernicious consequences, which may be very prejudicial to the common interest of the United Colonies; therefore, Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Congress, and it is accordingly recommended, that the contending parties immediately cease all hostilities, and avoid every appearance of force, until the dispute can be legally decided; that all the property taken and detained, be restored to the original owners; that no interruption be given by either party to the free passing and repassing of persons behaving themselves peaceably through the disputed territory, as well by land as water, without molestation of either persons or property; that all persons seized and detained on account of said dispute, on either side, be dismissed and permitted to go to their respective homes; and that, things being put in the same situation they were before the late unhappy contest, they continue to behave themselves peaceably on their respective possessions and improvements, until a legal decision can be had on said dispute, or this Congress shall take further order thereon; and nothing herein done shall be construed in prejudice of the claim of either party. Adjourned to ten o'clock to morrow. THURSDAY, December 21, 1775. Ordered, That an authentic copy of the resolution passed yesterday, relative to the dispute between the people of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, be transmitted to the contending parties. The convention of Maryland having added two new members to their delegates, one of them attending, produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read, and are as follows: "ANNAPOLIS (MARYLAND.) IN PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, DECEMBER 9, 1775. “Resolved, That Robert Alexander and John Rogers, esqrs. together with those already appointed, be deputies to represent this province in the Continental Congress, and that the said deputies, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures, which such Congress shall deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances, and be authorized to represent and act for this province in any Continental Congress, which may be held before the 25th day of March next. Extract from the minutes, G. DUVALL, Clerk." The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the qualifications of officers applying, &c. and the same being debated, Resolved, That forty iron pots be provided for the soldiers, while in the barracks near Philadelphia. Resolved, That the commissioned officers of each company be allowed, every week, a quarter of a cord of hickory, or other wood in proportion. Resolved, That there be provided for the battalion raised in Pennsylvania, one hundred haversacks, a camp kettle for every six men, a tomahawk, canteen, cartouch box, knapsack, and two belts for each man. Resolved, That a coat of uniform be provided for each soldier, and that what the coat cost more than the hunting shirt, which was to have been given them, be deducted from their wages. Resolved, That the said battalion be paid one month's pay as soon as may be, that afterwards they receive monthly half a month's pay only, until se much is retained, as will amount to the money advanced for their fire arms, clothing, &c. after which they shall receive their full pay monthly. Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety of Pennsyl vania, to provide arms, for the three companies which are ordered to march; and also to provide the articles ordered above for the use of the said battalion, and likewise to furnish the said battalion with drums, colors and fifes. Dr. James Holmes was chosen surgeon to colonel Maxwell's regiment. Matthias Halsted was elected quarter-master to lord Sterling's regiment. Resolved, That the committee on the qualifications of officers, &c. be directed to procure proper medicine-chests for the battalion raised in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey. The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration that part of the report of the committee of conference, relative to an attack on Boston, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matter referred to them, but not having come to a determination thereon, desired him to move for leave to sit again. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the report of the committee of conference, relative to the attack on Boston. Resolved, That Mr. M'Kean, Mr. Lee, and Mr. S. Adams, be a committee to consider what allowance should be made to the officers who are prisoners, for their support. Resolved, That Mr. Regonville, a Canadian prisoner at Trenton, be permit ted to come to Philadelphia, and there wait the orders of Congress. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, December 22, 1775. A letter from general Schuyler of the 14th: also a letter from lord Sterling of the same date, and a letter from captain Livingston, being received, were read. The committee appointed to fit out armed vessels, laid before Congress a list of the officers by them appointed, agreeable to the powers to them given by Congress, viz. Ezek Hopkins, esq. commander in chief of the fleet. First lieutenants. John Paul Jones, Rhodes Arnold, sted Hacker, Jonathan Pitcher. Stansbury, Her Second lieutenants. Benjamin Seabury, Joseph Olney, Elisha Warner, Thomas Weaver, McDougall. Third lieutenants. John Fanning, Ezekiel Burroughs, Daniel Vaughan. Resolved, That the pay of the commander in chief of the fleet be 125 dollars per calendar month. Resolved, That commissions be granted to the above officers agreeable to their rank in the above appointment. Resolved, That the committee for fitting out armed vessels, issue warrants to all officers employed in the fleet under the rank of third lieutenants. Resolved, That the said committee be directed (as a secret committee) to give such instructions to the commander of the fleet, touching the operations of the ships under his command, as shall appear to the said committee most conducive to the defence of the United Colonies, and to the distress of the enemy's naval forces and vessels bringing supplies to their fleets and armies, and lay such instructions before the Congress when called for. Resolved, That the said committee be directed to consider how the shares of the prizes allotted to the captors ought to be divided between the officers and men, and report to Congress. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with the Indians lately arrived, and report to Congress. The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. S. Adams. Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration the report of the committee of conference relative to an attack on Boston, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matter referred to them, and had come to a resolution thereon, which he was ready to report. The report of the committee being read, was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That if general Washington and his council of war should be of opinion, that a successful attack may be made on the troops in Boston, he do it in any manner he may think expedient, notwithstanding the town and property in it may thereby be destroyed. Resolved, That the quarter-master general have the rank of a colonel in the army of the United Colonies. The committee of claims reported that there is due, To Benjamin Harrison, esq. for his expenses in his late journey to Maryland, the sum of 72.4 dollars. Ordered, That the same be paid. Ordered, That the examination of Connolly and the others taken with him, also the papers found in the said Connolly's possession, be printed. Resolved, That Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Hooper, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Deane, be a committee to examine the journals, and lay before Congress a list of the matters therein that are unfinished, and which are proper to be acted upon. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. SATURDAY, December 25, 1775. A letter from lord Sterling of the 19th, being received, was read. A petition from Seth Paddock, master of the sloop Mayflower, and Sylvanus Coffin, master of the schooner Dolly, of the island of Nantucket, was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That the said petition be referred to a committee of three, and that it be an instruction to said committee, to enquire what quantity of provisions and fuel is necessary for the annual internal consumption of the inhabitants of said island of Nantucket, and what quantity has been exported from the different ports of the United Colonies, during the present month of December. The members chosen, Mr. McKean, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Sherman. One of the committee appointed to repair to Ticonderoga, and confer with general Schuyler, being returned, laid before Congress a report of their proceedings, which was read. The committee of claims reported that there is due, To Ephraim Blaine, for expenses incurred by the treaty with the Western Indians, and paid by him, the sum of £533 19 4, and that there is due to Ephraim Steel, for sundries furnished two rifle companies, the sum of £ 14 8, which ought to be paid to the said Blaine; and also 4s 8, due to John M'Kee, of which two last sums there ought to be charged to the continent, the sum of £5-13.3 dollars, for the two cwt. lead, and the remainder to the companies respectively, the whole being 1462.9 dollars. Ordered, That the same be paid. The committee to whom the application from the convention of the colony of New-York, for the loan of £45,000 was referred, brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to as follows: Notwithstanding it appears to this committee that the credit of the colony of New-York is unquestionable, and their application for the loan of £45,000 was suggested by disinterested principles, yet, that it would not be advisable, in the opinion of this committee, for the Congress to make the loan proposed. The committee appointed to confer with the Indians, made report of their proceedings, which was read. Whereas the colony of Connecticut has, by a certain act of their assembly, resolved that no further settlements be made on the lands disputed between them and Pennsylvania, without license from the said assembly. Resolved, That it be recommended to the colony of Connecticut not to introduce any settlers on the said lands till the further order of this Congress, until the said dispute shall be settled. The committee on the state of the treasury brought in a report, which being read, and in part debated, Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed. The committee appointed to consider what articles are necessary for the army, brought in their report, which was read. The committee to whom the petition of Peter Berton was referred, brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to, and is as follows: That, after mature consideration had thereon, they are of opinion that it is not advisable or proper for the Congress to grant the prayer of the said pe tition. Ordered, That the delegates of Pennsylvania call on the treasurers, and enquire of them what sum of hard money they have collected, and report to Con gress. E L Resolved, That the committee appointed to confer with the Indians conclude their conference with them by returning them a friendly answer, and making them a small present. The committee appointed to examine the journal, &c. laid before Congress a list of the several matters therein, which are yet unfinished. Ordered, That the several committees to whom any matters are referred, conclude their business with all convenient despatch, and report to Congress. Ordered, That the second paragraph in general Schuyler's letter, relative to the measures taken by the ministerial agents, to engage the Indians in a war with these colonies, be published. Adjourned to ten o'clock on Tuesday next. TUESDAY, December 26, 1775. Two letters from general Washington, of the 14th and 16th, with one enclosed from Dr. Morgan, a letter from governor Trumbull of the 20th, with a resolution of the assembly of the colony of Connecticut, also a letter from sundry masters of vessels, dated Guadaloupe, September 19, being received, were read. The deputy muster-master general sent to Congress the muster rolls of the Pennsylvania battalion by him mustered. Resolved, That the deputy muster-master be directed to repair to New-Jersey, and muster the battalions raised in that colony, and make return to Congress. Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for taking into consideration the propriety of opening the ports of the United Colonies after the 1st day of March next. The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the state of the treasury, and thereupon came to the following resolutions : Whereas an estimate hath lately been formed of the public expense already arisen, and which may accrue in the defence of America, to the 10th day of June next, in pursuance whereof this Congress, on the 29th of November, resolved that a farther sum of three millions of dollars be emitted in bills of credit. Resolved, That the thirteen United Colonies be pledged for the redemption of the bills of credit so directed to be emitted. That each colony provide ways and means to sink its proportion of said bills, in such manner as may be most effectual, and best adapted to the condition, circumstances, and equal mode of levying taxes in each colony. That the proportion or quota of each respective colony be determined according to the number of inhabitants, of all ages, including negroes and mulattoes in each colony. That it be recommended to the several assemblies, conventions, or councils, or committees of safety of the respective colonies, to ascertain, by the most impartial and effectual means in their power, the number of inhabitants in each respective colony, taking care that the lists be authenticated by the oaths of the several persons who shall be entrusted with this service; and that the said assemblies, conventions, councils, or committees of safety, do respectively lay before this Congress a return of the number of inhabitants of their respective colonies, as soon as the same shall be procured. That each colony pay its respective quota in four equal payments; the first to be made on or before the last day of November, 1783; the second, on or before the last day of November, 1784; the third, on or before the last day of November, 1785; and the fourth or last, on or before the last day of November, 1786; and that, for this end, the several assemblies or conventions provide for laying and levying taxes in their respective colonies, towards sinking the continental bills: that the said bills be received by the collectors in payment of such |