Resolved, That four muskets and bayonets be lent to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of the guards that accompany the powder sent to that colony.

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of New-York, and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have come to certain resolutions, which they directed him to lay before Congress; which being done,

Resolved, That captain Nelson, with his rifle company, be directed immediately to repair to New-York.

Resolved, That the governor of Connecticut, the conventions or councils, or committees of safety of New-York and New-Jersey, be requested to hold their militia in readiness to march in such numbers, and at such times, for the defence of New-York, as the continental commander at New-York, shall desire, and that the pay of the militias called to the defence of New-York, be the same as that of the continental troops raised and employed in the middle department, to commence from the time they begin their march.

Resolved, That lord Sterling be directed to order the troops destined for Canada to proceed on their march, agreeable to their former orders. The matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, March 16, 1776.

A letter from lord Sterling of the 14th, enclosing a copy of general orders for the defence of New-York, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That a letter be written to lord Sterling, directing him immediately to send forward the powder destined for Cambridge, unless he has received express advice from general Washington, that the enemy's fleet and army have sailed out of the harbour of Boston.

Resolved, That the account of Mr. Price, of Canada, be referred to the committee of claims.

A petition from Coquataginta or captain White-Eyes, was presented to Congress and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen, Mr. L. Morris, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. R. H. Lee. Resolved, That captain Duncan Campbell, a prisoner at Lancaster, be permitted to come to Philadelphia to meet his wife and children, and there reside till further orders.

Mr. W. Livingston, pursuant to leave granted, brought in a resolution for appointing a fast, which being taken into consideration, was agreed to as follows:

In times of impending calamity and distress; when the liberties of America are imminently endangered by the secret machinations and open assaults of an insidious and vindictive administration, it becomes the indispensable duty of these hitherto free and happy colonies, with true penitence of heart, and the most reverent devotion, publicly to acknowledge the over-ruling providence of God; to confess and deplore our offences against him; and to supplicate his interposition for averting the threatened danger, and prospering our strenuous efforts in the cause of freedom, virtue, and posterity.

The Congress, therefore, considering the war-like preparations of the British ministry to subvert our invaluable rights and privileges, and to reduce us by fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness, and our own domestics, to the most abject and ignominious bondage: Desirous, at the same time, to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God's superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely, in all their lawful enterprizes, on his aid and direction, do earnestly recommend, that Friday, the 17th day of May next, be observed by the said colonies as a day of

humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and trangressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies; and by inclining their hearts to justice and benevolence, prevent the further effusion of kindred blood. But if, continuing deaf to the voice of reason and humanity, and inflexibly bent on desolation and war, they constrain us to repel their hostile invasions by open resistance, that it may please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the continental arms, by sea and land, with victory and success: Earnestly beseeching him to bless our civil rulers, and the representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions; to preserve and strengthen their union, to inspire them with an ardent, disinterested love of their country; to give wisdom and stability to their councils; and direct them to the most efficacious measures for establishing the rights of America on the most honorable and permanent basis-that he would be graciously pleased to bless all his people in these colonies with health and plenty, and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism, and of pure undefiled religion, may universally prevail; and this continent be speedily restored to the blessings of peace and liberty, and enabled to transmit them inviolate to the latest posterity. And it is recommended to Christians of all denominations, to assemble for public worship, and abstain from servile labour on the said day.

Resolved, That another brigadier-general be appointed in the continental

Resolved, That Frederick William, baron de Woedtke, appointed brigadier general in the army of the United Colonies, be ordered immediately to repair to New-York, there to remain until the commissioners appointed to go into Canada shall reach that colony: and that he be directed to join and accompany them into Canada, and there serve under the command of the continental troops in that province.

Resolved, That Carpenter Wharton continue, agreeable to his contract, to supply with rations the Pennsylvania battalions serving in New-York.

A petition from Joseph Blewer and Daniel Robinson was presented to Congress, and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of the whole Congress.

The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the memorial from the merchants, traders, and others, inhabitants of Philadelphia, the memorial from Edmund Custis, the letters from the committees of Accomac and Northampton, and the petition from Joseph Blewer and Daniel Robinson, &c. and after some time the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the matters referred to them.

Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, March 18, 1776.

Resolved, That the treasurers be directed to lay on the table an account of the siver and gold-coin in the treasury.

Resolved, That Monsieur Arundel be directed to repair to the southern department, and put himself under the command of general Lee; and that ge

neral Lee, if he find him capable, be directed to employ him in the artillery service.

Resolved, That an order for 20,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of Mr. James Mease, to be applied to the procuring necessaries, and to the payment of the subsistence of the Pennsylvania battalions; and that the colonies be directed to account with Mr. Mease for the several sums advanced to them.

The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the memorial from the merchants, traders, and others, inhabitants of Philadelphia, the memorial of Edmund Custis, the letters from the committees of Accomac and Northampton, and the petition of Joseph Blewer and Daniel Robinson, and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions, but that not having concluded, they desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Mr. Henry, not having accepted the commission of colonel, the Congress proceeded to the election of a colonel for the first Virginia battalion, and the ballots being taken,

William Christian, esq. formerly lieutenant-colonel in said battalion, was elected colonel : and,

Francis Eppes, esq. formerly major, was elected lieutenant-colonel; and John Green, esq. was elected major.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the matters referred to them.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, March 19, 1776.

Resolved, That Monsieur Dohicky Arundel be appointed a captain of artillery in the continental service.

That general Lee be directed to set on foot the raising a company of artillery, and that it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of Virginia, to appoint the other officers of the said company of artillery.

A letter of the 15th, from col. Dayton, was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee for procuring muskets. A letter of the 17th, from the convention of New-Jersey, was laid before Congress, and read: Whereupon,

Resolved, That captain Woolverton, with his company, be taken into the service of the United Colonies; and that he be directed to repair, with his company, as soon as properly armed and accoutred, to New-York, and put himself under the commanding officer there; and that the pay of captain Woolverton's company commence from the time they are provided with arms and accoutre

ments.

A letter from colonel Beletre, a Canadian prisoner, and sundry letters from Cameron and Smith, were read:

Resolved, That they be referred to the committee on prisoners.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to supply captain Barry, of the brig Lexington, with one ton of powder.

Ordered, That the committee to whom was referred the state and situation of the prisoners at Trenton, report thereon as soon as possible.

Resolved, That the sum of 250,000 dollars be sent to the pay-master general, for the use of the army under the immediate command of general Washington: That the sum of 50,000 dollars be sent to general Schuyler, for the use of the army under his command.

The committee appointed to prepare instructions, &c. to the commissioners going to Canada, brought in a draught of farther instructions, and of a commission, which was read.

The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the memorial from the merchants, traders, and others, inhabitants of Philadelphia, the memorial from Edmund Custis, the letters from the committees of Accomac and Northampton, and the petition of Joseph Blewer and Daniel Robinson, and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions, which they directed him to lay before Congress:

The report of the committee being read,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draw a declaration pursuant to said report, and lay the same before Congress :

The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Wilson.

Resolved, That it be an instruction to said committee, to receive and insert a clause or clauses, that "all seamen and mariners on board of merchant-ships and vessels, taken and condemned as prizes, shall be entitled to their pay, according to the terms of their contracts, until the time of condemnation.59

The committee to whom the letter and queries of Mr. Mease, were referred, brought in their report, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Resolved, That Mr. Whipple be appointed a member of the marine committee, and of the committee for receiving the applications and examining the qualifications of gentlemen applying for offices in the continental service.

The committee to whom the letters from general Washington, dated the 14th and 26th of February last, and the letter from lord Sterling, of the 25th of same month, were referred, brought in their report, which was read; and the same being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That the first part thereof be re-committed.

Resolved, That the value of the passage boat, York, be made good to Michael Kearney, jun. the owner thereof; it appearing that she was impressed into the continental service, and employed in taking the ship Blue-Mountain Valley, and for that reason, afterwards seized and detained by order of captain Parker, commander of the British ship of war Phoenix; and that lord Sterling be desired to appoint proper persons to value said boat, and report such valuation to Congress.

Resolved, That a member be elected for the secret committee, in the room of Mr. Bartlett, who is absent.

The ballots being taken,

Mr. R. H. Lee was elected.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, March 20, 1776.

A letter form lord Sterling, of the 16th, was laid before Congress, and read. Resolved, That three members be elected for the committee appointed to consider the propriety of a war-office, in the room of three, who are necessarily absent:

The members chosen, Mr. Duane, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. Johnson.

Resolved, That the sum of 3000 dollars be advanced to colonel Magaw, for the purpose of purchasing fire arms for his battalion, he to be accountable.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the instructions and commission to the deputies or commissioners going to Canada, and the same being debated by paragraphs, were agreed to as follows:

GENTLEMEN,

INSTRUCTIONS, &c.

You are, with all convenient despatch, to repair to Canada, and make known to the people of that country, the wishes and intentions of the Congress with respect to them.

VOL. I,

Represent to them, that the arms of the United Colonies, having been carried into that province for the purpose of frustrating the designs of the British court against our common liberties, we expect not only to defeat the hostile machinations of governor Carleton against us, but that we shall put it into the power of our Canadian brethren, to pursue such measures for securing their own freedom and happiness, as a generous love of liberty and sound policy shall dictate to them.

Inform them, that in our judgment, their interests and ours are inseparably united; that it is impossible we can be reduced to a servile submission to GreatBritain without their sharing our fate: And, on the other hand, if we shall 'obtain, as we doubt not we shall, a full establishment of our rights, it depends wholly on their choice, whether they will participate with us in those blessings, or still remain subject to every act of tyranny, which British ministers shall please to exercise over them. Urge all such arguments as your prudence shall suggest, to enforce our opinion concerning the mutual interest of the two countries, and to convince them of the impossibility of the war being concluded to the disadvantage of these colonies, if we wisely and vigorously cooperate with each other.

To convince them of the uprightness of our intentions towards them, you are to declare, that it is our inclination, that the people of Canada may set up such a form of government, as will be most likely, in their judgment, to produce their happiness: And you are, in the strongest terms, to assure them, that it is our earnest desire to adopt them into our union, as a sister colony, and to secure the same general system of mild and equal laws for them and for ourselves, with only such local differences as may be agreeable to each colony respectively.

Assure the people of Canada, that we have no apprehension that the French will take any part with Great-Britain; but, that it is their interest, and we have reason to believe their inclination, to cultivate a friendly intercourse with these colonies.

You are from this, and such other reasons as may appear most proper, to urge the necessity the people are under of immediately taking some decisive step, to put themselves under the protection of the United Colonies. For expediting such a measure, you are to explain to them our method of collecting the sense of the people, and conducting our affairs regularly by committees of observation and inspection in the several districts, and by conventions and committees of safety in the several colonies. Recommend these modes to them. Explain to them the nature and principles of government among freemen; developing, in contrast to those, the base, cruel, and insidious designs involved in the late act of parliament, for making a more effectual provision for the government of the province of Quebec. Endeavour to stimulate them by motives of glory, as well as interest, to assume a part in a contest, by which they must be deeply affected; and to aspire to a portion of that power, by which they are ruled; and not to remain the mere spoils and prey of conquerors and lords.

You are further to declare, that we hold sacred the rights of conscience, and may promise to the whole people, solemnly in our name, the free and undisturbed exercise of their religion; and, to the clergy, the full, perfect, and peaceable possession and enjoyment of all their estates; that the government of every thing relating to their religion and clergy, shall be left entirely in the hands of the good people of that province, and such legislature as they shall constitute; provided, however, that all other denominations of Christians be equally entitled to hold offices, and enjoy civil privileges, and the free exercise of their religion, and be totally exempt from the payment of any tithes or taxes for the support of any religion.

Inform them, that you are vested, by this Congress, with full powers to ef