That two tons of the powder now arrived, belonging to the United Colonies, be delivered to the committee of safety for Pennsylvania, in part of the powder borrowed of them:

That one ton of said powder be delivered to the delegates of North-Carolina, in consequence of a former order of Congress, which has not yet been complied with:

That the committee appointed for manufacturing the salt-petre into gunpowder, be directed to enquire into the state and quantity of the arms, powder and salt-petre now arrived, and report to Congress.

A memorial from Stacy Hepburn was presented to Congress and read ;
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. M'Kean, Mr. Nelson, and Mr. Penn.
Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday next.

MONDAY, February 12, 1776.

A letter from general Lee, dated the 9th instant, being received, was read, wherein he informs that a transport with troops was arrived at New-York, that more might be expected, and, therefore, that a farther reinforcement was necessary to secure and defend that place: Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of New-Jersey, immediately to send detachments of their minute-men equal to a battalion, under proper officers, to New-York, there to be under the command of major-general Lee:

That it be also recommended to the committee of safety for Pennsylvania, immediately to send detachments of the four battalions of associators in Philadelphia, to New-York, there to put themselves under the command of general Lee.

Resolved, That the colonels of the battalions ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania, be directed to make an immediate return to Congress of the men inlisted, the places where they now are, and the manner in which they are appointed.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to send to New-York, one ton of the powder belonging to the United Colonies, and that the same be delivered to the order of general Lee:

That the said committee be empowered to purchase, for the use of the United Colonies, on the best terms they can, what powder and arms arrive belonging to private persons,; and that they furnish with good arms such of the three remaining companies of the first Pennsylvania battalion, destined for Canada, as may want them, in order that they may immediately proceed on their march.

Resolved, That fifty tons of salt-petre be delivered by the secret committee to the committee of safety for Pennsylvania, who are requested to have the same manufactured into gun-powder, in the cheapest and most expeditious manner; and that this Congress will confirm any contracts made for the above purpose:

That ten tons of salt-petre be by them sent to Mr. J. R. Livingston's mill, in the colony of New-York, and that Mr. Livingston be desired to manufacture it into powder, as soon as possible, and to enlarge his works, if it can conveniently be done :

That ten tons of salt-petre be also by them sent to the council of the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and that they be desired to have it manufactured into gun-powder, with all possible expedition, and sent to general Washington, for the use of the army, under his command.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of inspection for the county of Chester, to aid colonel Wayne in procuring blankets for his battalion.

The Congress being informed that a gentleman was arrived from Canada, who had matters of importance to communicate,

Ordered, That the committee of correspondence confer with him and report to Congress.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, February 13, 1776.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favor of John Chapman, for the sum of 800 dollars, to discharge a draught of the pay-master general, in favor of William Thomson, esq. dated the 28th of December last; and that the same be charged to the account of the pay-master general. Sundry letters being received, were read, viz.

One from the convention of New-Jersey, dated the 10th; and one from Messsrs. Dayton and Barber, of the 12th; and one from captain John Neville, dated Pittsburg, of the 1st of this month; and one from John Gibson, dated the 20th of January last.

Resolved, That the two last letters be referred to the committee on the Indian affairs, in the middle department:

That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the two former letters.

The members chosen, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bartlett, and Mr. Adams.

Resolved, That an order for 8000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of the committee of safety for the three lower counties on Delaware, for the use of the battalion raising in that government, the said committee to be accountable:

That an order for 10,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of James Mease, for the use of the Pennsylvania battalions; he to be accountable: That Mr. Mease be directed to supply the troops in the barracks near Philadelphia, with wooden bowls, buckets, and other necessaries.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety for Pennsylvania, in case the barracks near Philadelphia cannot contain all the troops raised in said colony, that they cause part of them to be quartered in the pest-house and old gaol of this city.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favor of colonel Bull, for the sum of 150 dollars, to defray his expenses in carrying money to Cambridge, he to be accountable.

The committee on the petition of Stacy Hepburn, brought in their report, which was agreed to as follows:

That the said petitioner be permitted to load the sloop Dolphin, with the produce of these colonies, (live stock and lumber for making casks excepted) and to transport the same to Hispaniola, he promising to use his utmost endeavors to remit the amount of said cargo in military stores, into some port of this continent, as soon as possible.

The committee appointed to prepare a resolution for the exportation of naval stores, brought in the same, which was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That when naval stores shall be wanted in any of the United Colonies, the assembly, convention, or committee of safety of such colony, may entrust a proper person or persons to import the same, taking sufficient security of him or them, that they will faithfully use their best endeavors to import the same into such port or ports as the said assembly, convention, or committee of safety shall direct, and, as much as possible, to avoid all British men of war and cutters; giving him or them, a certificate or certificates of the naval stores wanted, and also of his having given the said security: And that it be recommended to the convention, council of safety, and committees of observation and inspection of North-Carolina, upon receiving such certificates, to permit the person or persons producing the same, to report to the colony applying for the same, the naval stores wanted by such colony:

That it be further recommended to the said convention, council of safety, and committees of inspection and ohservation in North-Carolina, to give per

mission to such vessels as may have arrived in that colony, for those articles, or such of the vessels belonging to that colony, as they may think proper, to export naval stores to any of the United Colonies, taking security as in the other cases above mentioned.

Resolved, That the pay and subsistence of two of the battalions ordered to be raised in the colony of Virginia, commence from the first day of November last; from which time they have been in actual service.

The convention of Virginia having recommended persons for field officers of the six battalions ordered to be raised in that colony, the Congress proceeded to an election, when,

Patrick Henry, esq. was elected colonel, William Christian, esq. lieutenantcolonel, Frank Eppes, esq. major, of the first battalion.

William Woodford, esq. colonel, Charles Scott, esq. lieutenant-colonel, Alexander Spottswood, esq. major, of the second battalion.

Hugh Mercer, esq. colonel, George Wedon, esq. lieutenant-colonel, Thomas Marshal, esq. major, of the third battalion.

Adam Stephen, esq. colonel, Isaac Road, esq. lieutenant-colonel, Robert Lawson, esq. major, of the fourth batalion.

William Peachy, esq. colonel, William Crawford, esq. lieutenant-colonel, Josiah Parker, esq. major of the fifth battal on.

Mordecai Buckner, esq. colonel, Thomas Elliot, esq. lieutenant-colonel, James Hendricks, esq. major, of the sixth battalion.

Ordered, That the president fill up commissions to the above officers, and that he send blank commissions to the convention of Virginia, to be by them filled up with the names of the officers appointed by them in the said battalions, under the rank of a major.

Resolved, That the deputy muster-master general be directed to muster the battalion raised in the three lower counties on Delaware, and also those raised in Pennsylvania, and make return to Congress.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider into what departments the middle and southern colonies ought to be formed, in order that the military operations of the colonies may be carried on in a regular and systematic manner:

The members chosen, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Penn, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Alexander.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the delegates of Virginia, for the sum of 20,000 dollars, for the use of the battalions ordered to be raised there, the convention of that colony to be accountable.

Resolved, That Mr. M'Kean be desired to request the committee of inspection and observation for the city and liberties of Philadelphia, not to proceed in passing any censures on the venders, and users of tea, till further orders from Congress.

Resolved, That the detachments marching from Philadelphia to New-York, under the command of colonel Dickinson, be allowed for subsistence, while on their march, the sum of one dollar and one-third of a dollar per week for each of the privates and non-commissioned officers; and that the commissioned officers be allowed in proportion, according to the rations allotted to them, and that they receive the same pay as the four Pennsylvania battalions, from the time they begin their march.

That a committee of three be appointed to consider the best method of subsisting the troops in New-York, and what sum of money it will be necessary to send thither, and also what sum ought to be advanced to colonel Dickinson. The members chosen, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Duane, and Mr. Wilson.

A petition from Mr. Bernard Romans, was presented to Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention of New-York, to pay Mr. Bernard Romans up to the 9th day of the present month.

Resolved, That an order for 600 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of Samuel Fairlamb (who has contracted to supply colonel Wayne's battalion, quartered in and near Chester, at the rate of seven-ninetieths of a dollars per ration) to enable him to execute his contract, he to be accountable. The committee appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of the United Colonies, brought in a draft, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Resolved, That captain Gordon, upon giving his parole, be permitted, while he remains in town, to visit general Prescot at proper seasons. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, February 14, 1776.

Resolved, That two of the brass six pounders at New-York, belonging to the United Colonies, be sent to Virginia for the use of the forces there. Sundry letters being received, we read:

One from general Schuyler of the 7th of this month; one from general Wooster of the 29th of January, and one from general Arnold of the 24th of

said month.

Resolved, That the foregoing letters, with the papers enclosed, be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Chase.

A letter from the committee of Amboy, dated 10th of this month, was read, and referred for consideration till to-morrow.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To John Ware, for conducting a French gentleman from Harwick township, in Sussex county, to Philadelphia, the sum of 13.2 dollars.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

Application being made by some of the master-carpenters employed in building the continental frigates, to some members of this house, informing, that about fifty of their journeymen and apprentices had engaged as volunteers to march with the battalion of associators of New-York, and that their zeal for the public service was such, that they cannot be persuaded to desist by any arguments or influence of said builders:

Resolved, That the spirit and zeal of the said journeymen and apprentices is highly approved of by Congress; but, nevertheless, it is the opinion of this Congress, that the public will be more essentially served by their continuing at work on the said continental frigates; and that, therefore, all the carpenters, journeymen, and apprentices, employed as aforesaid, be requested to remain in that service, as there is no doubt but other associators will complete the number wanted.

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee on the regulations and restrictions under which the ports should be opened after the first day of March next; 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 conclusion, desired leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration, the report of the committee on the restrictions and regulations of trade after the first of March next. The committee of correspondence, who were ordered to confer with the gentlemen from Canada, brought in their report, which was read:

Resolved, That the consideration thereof be referred till to-morrow.

The committee appointed to consider the best method of subsisting the troops in New-York, laid their report on the table.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, February 15, 1776.

Resolved, That the secret committee deliver one hundred and fifty stand of arms to colonel Maxwell, for the use of such of the companies of his battalion as want them, in order that they may immediately proceed to Canada. The committee to whom the letters from the convention of New-Jersey, and from the field officers of the third battalion, ordered to be raised in that colony, were referred, brought in their report, which was read, and agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That colonel Heard be directed to furnish colonel Dayton with such of the arms lately brought from Long-Island, as are or may be made fit for service, or so many of them as colonel Dayton may desire:

That 30,000 dollars be advanced to Thomas Lowry on account; and that he be fully authorized to procure all necessaries (except arms) ordered by Congress, for the three battalions raised, or to be raised, in the colony of NewJersey:

That the convention or committee of safety of New-Jersey be allowed from the continental stock, half a ton of powder, out of which they are to re-pay what has been borrowed from Elizabeth-Town, Somerset, Woodbridge, and Brunswick:

That to the same convention or committee of safety, be advanced the further sum of 5,000 dollars, for the purpose of completing the three battalions there with arms, which they are desired to accomplish with all possible. expedition.

Resolved, That two tons of the powder, belonging to the continent, be delivered to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of the forces in that colony. Sundry letters by col. Ritzema being received, were read, viz.

One from general Lee, dated the 11th, and one from general Schuyler, of the 4th of this month, with one from general Wooster of the 27th of January. Resolved, That the said letters be referred to the committee to whom the letters received yesterday were referred, and that the said committee be directed to confer with colonel Ritzema, and report to Congress.

Information being received that general Clinton was gone from New-York, the Congress came to the following resolution :

The Congress have a proper sense of the spirit and patriotism of the associators of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, in cheerfully offering and preparing to march, in order to assist in the defence of New-York; but, as the danger which occasioned an application for their service, is at present over, Resolved, That their march to New-York be suspended.

Resolved, That a pay-master be appointed for the troops in Virginia, and that his pay be 50 dollars per month.

The Congress then proceeded to the election, and Benjamin Harrison, jun. of Berkly, was chosen.

The Congress taking into consideration the report of the committee of correspondence,

Resolved, That a committee of three (two of whom to be members of Congress) be appointed to repair to Canada, there to pursue such instructions as shall be given them by Congress:

The members chosen, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. S. Chase, and Mr. C. Carroll, of Carrollton.

Resolved, That Mr. Carroll be requested to prevail on Mr. John Carroll to accompany the committee to Canada, to assist them in such matters as they shall think useful:

That this Congress will make provision to defray any expenses which may attend this measure.

Resolved, That eight tons of powder be immediately sent to Canada, for the use of the forces there.