fect these purposes; and, therefore, press them to have a complete represen tation of the people assembled in convention, with all possible expedition, to deliberate concerning the establishment of a form of government, and an union with the United Colonies. As to the terms of union, insist on the propriety of their being similar to those on which the other colonies unite. Should they object to this, report to this Congress the objections, and the terms on which alone they will come into our union. Should they agree to our terms, you are to promise in the names of the United Colonies, that we will defend and protect the people of Canada against all enemies, in the same manner as we will defend and protect any of the United Colonies.

You are to establish a free press, and to give directions for the frequent publication of such pieces as may be of service to the cause of the United Colonies. You are to settle all disputes between the Canadians and the continental troops, and to make such regulations relating thereto, as you shall judge proper. You are to make a strict and impartial enquiry into the cause of the imprisonment of colonel Du Free, lieutenant colonel Nefeu, major St. George Du Pree, and major Gray, officers of the militia, and of John Frazer, esq. late a judge of the police of Montreal, and take such orders concerning them as you shall judge most proper.

In reforming any abuses you may observe in Canada, establishing and enforcing regulations for preservation of peace and good order there, and composing differences between the troops of the United Colonies and the Canadians, all officers and soldiers are required to yield obedience to you; and, to enforce the decisions that you or any two of you may make, you are empowered. to suspend any military officer from the exercise of his commission, till the pleasure of the Congress shall be known, if you, or any two of you, shall think it expedient.

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You are also empowered to sit and vote as members of councils of war, directing fortifications and defences to be made, or to be demolished, by land or by water; and to draw orders on the president for any sums of money, not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars in the whole, to defray the expense of the works.

Lastly, you are by all the means you can use, to promote the execution of the resolutions now made, or hereafter to be made, in Congress.

On motion, Resolved, That the following additional instructions be given to the commissioners aforesaid :

You are empowered and directed to promote and encourage the trade of Canada with the Indian nations, and to grant passports for the carrying it on as far as it may consist with the safety of the troops, and the public good.

You are also directed and authorized to assure the inhabitants of Canada, that their commerce with foreign nations shall, in all respects, be put upon an equal footing with, and encouraged and protected in the same manner, as the trade of the United Colonies.

You are also directed to use every wise and prudent measure to introduce and give credit and circulation to the continental money in Canada.

In case the former resolution of Congress respecting the English American troops in Canada, has not been carried into effect, you are directed to use your best endeavors for forming a battalion of the New-York troops in that country, and to appoint the field and other officers out of the gentlemen who have continued there during the campaign, according to their respective ranks and merit. And, if it should be found impracticable, you are to direct such of them as are provided for in the four battalions now raising in New-York, to repair to their respective corps. To enable you to carry this resolution into effect, you are furnished with blank commissions, signed by the president.

Resolved, That the memorial from the Indian traders, residing at Montreal, be delivered to the commissioners going to Canada.

The draught of the commission being taken into consideration, and debated by paragraphs, was agreed to as follows:

The delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, &c. to Benjamin Franklin, L. L. D. member of the royal academy of sciences at Paris, F. R.S. &c. &c. &c. one of the delegates of the colony of Pennsylvania; Samuel Chase, esq. one of the delegates of the colony of Maryland, and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, esq. of the said colony of Maryland, greeting: Know ye, that we, reposing special trust and confidence in your zeal, fidelity, abilities, and assiduity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, or any two of you, commissioners for and on behalf of us, and all the people of the United Colonies, whom we represent, to promote, or to form a union between the said colonies and the people of Canada, according to the instructions herewith delivered you, and such as you may hereafter receive; and to execute all such matters and things as you are or shall be directed by your said instructions; and we do require all officers, soldiers, and others, who may facilitate your negotiation, or promote the success thereof, to aid and assist you therein; and you are from time to time, to transmit and report your proceedings to Congress. This commission to continue in force till revoked by this or a future Congress.

Dated at Philadelphia, this

day of
By order of Congress.

Resolved, That Mr. Franklin, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Chase be appointed to confer with Mr. Wrixon, to examine into his military abilities, and enquire whether he is willing to engage in the service of the United Colonies, and report to Congress.

Colonel St. Clair having informed Congress that Michael Hufnagel, appointed a first-lieutenant, and James O'Hara, and Abel Morris, appointed ensigns in his battalion, have declined to accept their commissions, the committee on qualifications recommended Thomas Butler in the room of M. Hutnagel, George M'Culloch in the room of James O'Hara, and George Ross in the room of Abel Morris.

Resolved, That commissions be granted accordingly.

Resolved, That the committee of safety of New-Jersey be desired to remove the prisoners from Trenton, to such place or places in that colony, as may be thought convenient, at a proper distance from the sea and the post roads, subject to the regulations formerly made respecting prisoners.

Resolved, That all officers, prisoners, who shall refuse to subscribe the parole ordered by Congress, be committed to prison.

The committee appointed to promote the making of muskets, to whom colonel Dayton's letter respecting the quality of the arms taken by colonel Heard, on Long-Island, was referred, brought in their report, which was read: Whereupon, the Congress came to the following resolution:

Whereas in the execution of the resolve of Congress of the 14th, respecting the disarming of disaffected persons, many fire-arms may be taken, which may not be fit to arm any of the troops mentioned therein: Therefore,

Resolved, That all the fire-arms so taken, being appraised according to said resolve, none of them shall be paid for, but those that are fit for the use of such troops, or that may conveniently be so made, and the remainder shall be safely kept by the said assemblies, conventions, councils or committees of safety, for the owners, to be delivered to them when the Congress shall direct.

The committee appointed to consider the best ways and means of supplying the army in Canada with provisions and necessaries, brought in their report, which was read:

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

A petition of John Secord was presented to Congress and read, and the consideration thereof, at the request of a colony, was deferred till to-morrow.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Abraham Hunt, for provisions, fire-wood, &c. to the prisoners at Trenton, and for horse-hire for the public service, the sum of 607.6 dollars:

To Ephraim Blaine, esq. for necessaries furnished the rifle companies, the sum of 129.7 dollars; of which sum, 44.3 dollars are to be charged to captain Hendricks, and 65 dollars to captain Chambers:

To sundries, on certificates for necessaries furnished to one of the rifle companies, the sum of 122.5 dollars, of which sum 101.4 dollars, being for rifies, &c. furnished to captain Cluggage's company, to be charged to said company; the amount of the certificates to be paid to Bernard Dougherty, esq

To William Bausman, for provisions, &c. furnished the prisoners in Lancas ́ter, the sum of 1528.8 dollars:

To the committee of Frederick, the sum of 52.7 dollars, to be paid to Thomas Johnson, esq:

To Francis Lee, for 483 meals dieting of general Lee's guard, the sum of 48.3 dollars:

To Conrad Ulster, for 185 meals dieting the said men, 19 dollars:

To Mary Bryant, for 288 meals dieting the said men, 28 dollars:

To Ann Todd, for 158 meals dieting the said men, the sum of 15.8 dollars.
Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, March 21, 1776.

A letter of the 7th from general Schuyler, with a return of the forces before Quebec, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to Mr. Wythe, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. S. Adams.

Resolved, That general Washington be directed to send an account of the troops in his camp, who are deficient in arms, to the several assemblies or conventions of the colonies, to which those men belong; and request them to send a sufficient number of arms for the men coming from the respective colonies, and that, if arms cannot be procured, such as have not arms be dismissed the service.

Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be requested to em- ploy some trusty persons in each county, to purchase as many good muskets as will be sufficient to arm the battalions raised in said colony; and that they exert their utmost diligence in procuring the said arms speedily, and on the most reasonable terms; that an order for 12,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of said committee, to pay for the arms, the said committee to be accountable.

Resolved, That the sum of 600 dollars be sent to colonel Charles Stuart, and that he be desired to muster captain Woolverton's company, and when he finds them properly armed, accoutred, and ready to march, to furnish them with necessaries, and expedite their march to New-York, agreeable to the orders of Congress; Mr. Stuart to be accountable for the money put into his hands.

Resolved, That Monsieur le chevalier de St. Aulaire be permitted to raise an independent company of rangers in Canada, with the pay of a captain, or, in case he shall not be able to raise such a company, that he be recommended to the commanding officer in Canada, to be employed in such service there as may be thought suitable to his genius and ability.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several assemblies, conventions, and councils or committees of safety, and committees of correspondence and inspection, that they exert their utmost endeavors to promote the culture of hemp, flax, and cotton, and the growth of wool in these United Colonies.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the said assemblies, conventions, and councils or committees of safety, that they take the earliest measures for erecting and establishing, in each and every colony a society for the improvement of

agriculture, arts, manufactures, and commerce, and to maintain a correspondence between such societies, that the rich and numerous natural advantages of this country, for supporting its inhabitants, may not be neglected:

That it be recommended to the said assemblies, conventions, and councils or committees of safety, that they forthwith consider of ways and means of introducing the manufactures of duck and sail cloth, and steel, into such colonies where they are not now understood, and of encouraging, increasing and improving them where they are.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to superintend the printing the journals of Congress; and that, if the present printer cannot execute the work with sufficient expedition, they be empowered to employ another printer.

The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Allen.
The matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, March 22, 1776.

A letter of the 13th from general Washington, enclosing the proceedings of a council of war, also a letter from lord Sterling, of the 19th, were laid before Congress and read.

A petition from Thorowgood Smith, and others, was presented to Congress, and read, setting forth, that they have procured a vessel, and raised money to fit her out as a privateer, in order to cruize and guard the coast of Virginia, and praying that a commission be granted to William Shippen, to whom they propose to give the command of said vessel; and farther, that the Congress will grant them a small quantity of powder, upon their making satisfaction for

the same:

Resolved, That a commission be granted to William Shippen, as captain of the above-mentioned vessel, for the purposes aforesaid.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to sell capt. William Shippen 300lb. of powder, for the use of his vessel.

The committee appointed to prepare a declaration pursuant to certain resolutions, brought in a draught, which was read.

Resolved, That the petition of John Secord be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen, Mr. Penn, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. Jay.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

On account of expenses in conveying powder, the sum of 8.3 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to John Morton, esq.

To Matthias Slough, for provisions furnished the prisoners in Lancaster, the sum of 226.8 dollars.

To Ephraim Blaine, for sundry articles omitted in the account of expenses at the treaty with the Indians at Pittsburg, the sum of 90.5 dollars.

To sundries on certificates for necessaries furnished to captain Stevenson's company in Virginia, the sum of 58.3 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Timothy Matlack, of which 14.7 dollars, being for a rifle, to be charged to captain Stevenson.

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That the sum of 750 dollars be advanced to the baron de Woedtke, he to be accountable out of his pay.

Resolved, That the rank of all such officers in the continental army as held similar commissions in that service, before the term of their late appointment expired, be settled by the dates of their former, and not their present commis

sions.

The assembly of the counties on Delaware, having recommended a gentleman to be major of the battalion ordered to be raised in that colony, in the room of John M'Pherson, jun. esq. who fell before Quebec, and never received his

commission, the Congress proceeded to the election, and the ballots being taken and examined,

Thomas M'Donnough was elected.

Resolved, That an order for 12,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of the committee of safety of Delaware government, for the use of the battalion raised in that colony, the said committee to be accountable.

The Congress took into consideration the declaration brought in by the committee, and after debate, the further consideration thereof, at the request of a colony, was postponed till to-morrow.

Ordered, That the secretary publish the substance of the letters received from the camp at Cambridge.

Resolved, That the marine committee be empowered to dispose of the coal on board the Blue-Mountain Valley, in such manner as they shall judge most

for the benefit of the United Colonies.

The matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, March 23, 1776.

A letter from James Young was laid before Congress and read, requesting that his son John, who eloped from him last January, and got on board the Phoenix ship of war, but is now fortunately a prisoner in New-York, may be permitted, on his parole, to reside at the estate of his late grandfather, Dr. Græme:

Resolved, That Mr. Young's request be granted.

A letter from lord Sterling, of the 18th, enclosing a letter from William De Hart, and a letter from the captains and subalterns of the first New-Jersey battalion: also,

A memorial from Thomas Scott, of Hunterdon, desiring that he may be appointed a captain of a company of rangers: and,

A letter from S. Badlam, were laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That the said letters be referred to the committee on qualifications. Resolved, That an order for 30,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of Thomas Lowry, commissary, for the use of the New-Jersey battalions, he to be accountable.

The committee on qualifications having recommended Peter Scull to be a brigade-major in the army of the United Colonies in the middle department: Joseph Davenport to be a captain, in the third Pennsylvania battalion, in the room of Mr. Scull;

Evan Edwards to be a captain in said battalion, in the room of Mr. Allice, who has resigned;

William Tilton to be a first lieutenant in said battalion, in the room of Evan Edwards;

Garret Steddiford to be an ensign in the said battalion ;

And having also recommended the following persons for colonel Irvine's battalion, viz:

Robert Wilson to be a first-lieutenant, in the room of William M'Cleland resigned;

John Alexander to be a first lieutenant, in the room of Robert White resigned. Andrew Irvine, a second lieutenant, in the room of John Alexander:

-Neeper, an ensign in the room of John Murray, who has resigned; Resolved, That commissions be granted to them accordingly.

Resolved, That the sum of 3200 dollars, in specie, be advanced to Mr. Cole, to be by him delivered to the commanding officer in Canada, for the service of the continent, and that he be desired to proceed thither immediately.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Dr. Jonathan Potts, for attendance on the second and fourth Pennsylvania battalions, the sum of 67.6 dollars.