Resolved, That it be referred to captain George Morgan, Eneas Mackay, esq. and captain John Neville, to adjust and determine all matters of difference between Coquataginta, or captain White-Eyes, and Messrs. Bernard Gratz and Michael Gratz; and that the arbitrators, in case either of the parties to whom it is recommended to submit to their award, shall refuse to abide thereby, report the reasons of such refusal, with a state of the case, and any other matters they shall think fit, to Congress. That disputes which shall arise between any of the white people and the Indians in their dealings, (if the latter will consent) be determined by arbitrators, chosen, one by each of the parties, and another by the commissioners. for Indian affairs, or when they are absent, by the agent in the department where the Indian party resides. The Congress then proceeded to the choice of an agent for Indian affairs in the middle department, and the ballots being taken and examined, George Morgan, esq. was elected, Resolved, That the sum of 300 dollars be presented to captain White-Eyes. Resolved, That George Morgan, esq. the agent for Indian affairs in the middle department, be empowered to purchase for captain White-Eyes, two horses with two saddles and bridles, and that the treasurers be directed to pay to the said George Morgan, a sum not exceeding 100 dollars for defraying the expenses thereof. Resolved, That the following speech be delivered to captain White-Eyes tomorrow morning. “ BROTHER CAPTAIN WHITE-EYES, "We have not been unmindful of our promise made to you and your nation, the 16th of December. We now thank you for your speech to us the 2₫ of last month. “ BROTHERS, THE DELAWARES, "At the council-fire, at Pittsburg, last fall, and since by our brother captain White-Eyes, who hath been all the winter with us, you requested our assistance to promote peace and useful knowledge among you, particularly the knowledge of the Christian religion. We rejoice, brothers, to find you thus disposed, and will, as early as we can, provide a suitable minister, and school-master, and a sober man to instruct you in agriculture. These things we agree to do, brothers, at your request, and to convince you that we wish to advance your happiness, and that there may be a lasting union between us, and that, as you express it, we may become one people. The introduction of useful arts among you will be effected, we apprehend, by encouraging handicraft men to settle and reside in your country. The method of doing this, must be left to your own discretion. “ BROTHERS, "We desire you will make it known among all the Indian nations to the westward, that we are determined to cultivate peace and friendship with them, and that we will endeavor, by making the best regulations in our power, to prevent any of our people wronging them in any manner, or taking their lands; and that we will strive to put the trade between us on such a footing, as will secure the peace, and promote the interest of all parties; and we expect, that all the wise men of every Indian nation, will use their influence for the same purpose. ،، BROTHERS, "We have named George Morgan, esq. as agent under our commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department, and we desire you will confer with him on whatever business you may have with us. We hope you will inform him of all public matters. We recommend him to your friendship. "BROTHERS, "You tell us, that your uncles, our brothers, the Wiandots, have given your nation a large tract of country, comprehended between the river Ohio on the south, the west branch of the river Muskingham and Sandusky on the west, Lake Erie on the north, and Presque-Isle on the east: Brothers, Hearken to our advice. As we are informed that your uncles, our brothers, the Six Nations, claim most of those lands, we recommend it to you to obtain their approbation of this grant to you from the Wiandots in public council, and have it put on record. Such a step will prevent uneasiness and jealousy on their part, and continue the confidence and friendship which subsists between you and them. We wish to promote the lasting peace and happiness of all our brothers, the Indian nations, who live with us on this great island. As far as your settlement and security may depend upon us, you may be assured of our protection. We shall take all the care in our power, that no interruption or disturbance be given you by our people, nor shall any of them be suffered, by force or fraud, to deprive you of any of your lands, or to settle them without a fair purchase from you, and your free consent. If, contrary to our intention, any injury should be offered to you by any of our people, inform us of it, and we shall be always ready to procure you satisfaction and redress. "BROTHER CAPTAIN WHITE-EYES, We desire you will inform your nation, your uncles the Six Nations, and Wiandots, your grand children the Shawanese, and all the other nations, what you have seen and heard among us, and exhort them to keep fast hold of the covenant-chain of friendship, which we have so lately repaired and strengthened. As you are now about to depart, we present you with some money to buy clothes and necessaries, and pay your expenses, and we wish you a good journey, and bid you farewell. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, April 11, 1776. A letter of the 7th, from general Putnam, at new-York, with sundry papers enclosed, was presented to Congress, and read. Resolved, That an order for 10,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favour of Carpenter Wharton, commissary, for the use of the Pennsylvania battalions, he to be accountable. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To lieutenant-colonel Zedwitz, for expenses in curing a wound received by him in falling from the walls of Quebec, and his expenses from thence to Philadelphia, the sum of 255.6 dollars: To John Hales, for carriage-hire, &c. for the commissioners going to Canada, the sum of 223 dollars: To Oliver Wolcott. esq. for his expenses in attending a treaty with the Six Nations at Albany, the sum of 60 dollars: To Dr. Jonathan Potts, for attending the prisoners at Reading, the sum of 76.6 dollars; and for medicines, &c. provided for the troops in the middle department, the sum of 134.6 dollars, amounting, together, to the sum of 211.2 dollars. To the following persons for boarding, &c. gen. Lee's guard, viz. To captain Long, for so much advanced by him to captain John Nelson, of one of the rifle companies, the sum of 10.7 dollars : ! Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. Resolved, That the committee of claims allow, for the support of the hostages sent by general Schuyler from Tryon county, the sum of two dollars a week. Resolved, That two new members be added to the cannon committee, in the room of two who are absent: The members chosen, Mr. Clinton, and Mr. Whipple. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to supply the delegates of Maryland with one ton of powder, for the use of the inhabitants of the Eastern Shore, in that colony. Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, be requested to provide proper barracks or quarters for such of the continental troops, as may be, from time to time, in the city of Philadelphia. Resolved, That the commanding officer at New-York be directed to discharge the militia of New-Jersey who are in the pay of the continent: That the commanding officer at New-York be directed to discharge the whole, or such parts of the militia of New-York and Connecticut, now in the pay of the continent, as the public service will permit. A petition from Eliphalet Dyer and William Williams, in behalf of the colony of Connecticut, was presented to Congress and read, setting forth, that the colony has advanced large sums of money for the continent over and above what have been paid them; that tho' they have used their utmost diligence, they have not yet been able to prepare a full state of their accounts to lay before Congress, and as their treasury is exhausted, and the colony and the public interest in danger of suffering for want of supplies, praying that the Congress would advance to the colony the sum of fifty thousand pounds, lawful money, in part of their advances. Resolved, That the sum of 166,666 2-3 dollars be advanced to the colony of Connecticut, on account of their advances for the service of the continent, the said colony to be accountable. Captain White-Eyes being called in, the speech was delivered to him, and the money paid. Resolved, That fifty dollars be paid to Isaac Stille the interpreter. Resolved, That it be recommended to the conventions and committees or councils of safety of Virginia and North-Carolina, to provide for the maintenance and security of such of the enemy as are made prisoners in their colonies, agreeable to the regulations of Congress for the support of prisoners, and that the expense thereof be defrayed by the continent. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the truth of the report respecting governor Tryon's exacting an oath from persons going by the packet, and to ascertain the fact by affidavits taken before a chief justice, or other chief magistrate. The members chosen, Mr. Jay, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. Wilson. Resolved, That the sum of thirty dollars be advanced to John Harkness, a wounded soldier, who was discharged at Cambridge without any pay. Information being given that Mr. Hewes, a prisoner, has been defrauded of a large quantity of goods, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the truth of this matter, and report to Congress: The members chosen, Mr. McKean, Mr. Huntington, and Mr. Duane. The committee to whom the petition of John Secord was referred, brought in their report, which was read. Resolved, That it be recommended to the several assemblies, conventions, and committees or councils of safety of the United Colonies, to use their best endeavors in communicating to foreign nations the resolutions of Congress relative to trade Adjourned to ten o'clock to morrow. 40 FRIDAY, April 12, 1776. A letter of the 21st March, from W. H. Drayton, president of the convention of South-Carolina, with a copy of the act of parliament prohibiting all trade and commerce with the American colonies: also, A letter of the 10th instant, from col. John Haslet, enclosing an account of the engagement between the detachment of the Delaware battalion at Lewis, and a tender of the Roebuck; also informing that another company is wanted at Lewistown, and that he has ordered one to march thither, were laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That the conduct of colonel Haslet, in ordering another company to Lewistown, be approved. The committee on qualifications having recommended James Hunter as a fit person to fill the oldest vacancy of second lieutenant, and Joel Westcoat as a suitable person to fill the second oldest vacancy of second lieutenant in the third Pennsylvania battalion, Resolved, That commissions be granted to them accordingly. Resolved, That the treasurers be directed to pay Mr. Price, the sum of 16,000 dollars in specie, in part of the sum ordered to be advanced to him and Mr. Haywood. A petition from colonel James Easton was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Duane, and Mr. Alexander. Resolved, That the assemblies, conventions, and committees or councils of safety of the colonies respectively, in which prisoners are or shall choose, or be appointed to reside, be empowered to remove such prisoners from place to place within the same colonies, as often as to such assemblies, conventions, or committees or councils of safety, respectively, it shall seem proper, having regard to the former resolutions of Congress concerning prisoners. Resolved, That Mr. Alexander be appointed a member of the marine committee, in the room of Mr. Chase, who is absent. A memorial from the Scotch hostages was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee of claims. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Henry Holler, for rifles and cash furnished to captain Nelson's company of rifle-men, the sum of 364.8 dollars, to be charged to said company; and for provisions for said company, the sum of 171.3 dollars; and for necessaries provided for prisoners at Reading, 1203 dollars; and for his pay as quartermaster in procuring provisions, 59 dollars; for provisions made for receiving the prisoners from Johnstown, the sum of 240 dollars; for expresses and incidental charges, the sum of 62.9 dollars; the whole amounting to 2101 dollars: Ordered, That the same be paid. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. SATURDAY, April 13, 1776. Resolved, That an order for 20,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of James Mease, commissary, for the use of the Pennsylvania battalions, he to be accountable. Mr. Mease having applied to Congress for advice how to conduct himself in paying the sixth Pennsylvania battalion, Resolved, That the queries propounded by Mr. Mease, be referred to the committee for procuring fire-arms. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Robert Erwin, the balance of his account for wagon-hire, the sum of 456 dollars. Ordered, That the same be paid. A petition from the committees of the townships of Walpack, Sandystone, and Montague, in the county of Sussex, in New Jersey, was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That the same be referred to the commissioners for Indian affairs, who are members of Congress. The committee appointed to prepare a resolution for the sale and consumption of the teas now in these colonies, brought in the same, which was read and agreed to as follows: Whereas, by the third article of the association entered into by the late Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, on the 24th day of October, in the year of our Lord, 1774, it was agreed, that, from that day, the inhabitants of the United Colonies "would not purchase nor use any tea imported on account of the East-India company, or any on which a duty had been or should be paid, and from and after the first day of March then next following, they would not purchase or use any East-India tea whatever:" And whereas, it has been represented to this Congress, that the time, as aforesaid limited for the consumption of the tea then on hand, was too short; whereby many zealous friends to the American cause, who had imported large quantities of that commodity, with design not merely to advance their fortunes, but to counteract the plan then pursued by the ministry, and India company, to introduce and sell in these colonies tea subject to duty, are likely to become great sufferers; the greater part of the estates of many of them being vested in that article, and they, by that means, rendered incapable not only of paying their debts and maintaining their families, but also of vigorously exerting themselves in the service of their country: And whereas, it was originally the design of Congress, that all India tea, which had been imported agreeable to the tenor of the said association, might be sold and consumed, but the time limited for that purpose proving too short; Resolved, That all India tea, imported as aforesaid, expressly excepting all teas imported by or on account of the East-India company, now remaining on hand in these colonies, be sold and used : And whereas, from the future importation of tea being prohibited, some teaholders may be tempted to avail themselves of the scarcity which will be occasioned by it, and exact exorbitant prices for an article of little real value in itself, and which owes its worth to a habit, in many respects, pernicious to the inhabitants of these colonies, Resolved, therefore, That Bohea tea ought not to be sold by retail in the smallest quantities, at a higher price, in any colony, than at the rate of threefourth parts of a dollar per pound; and other teas at such a price as shall be regulated by the committees of the town or county where the tea is sold; and that all persons who shall either give or take a greater price for it, ought to be considered as enemies to the American cause, and treated accordingly. And it is earnestly recommended to all committees of inspection and observation, as well to be vigilant in carrying this resolve into execution, as those which prohibit the importation of India tea from any part of the world, it being the desire of Congress to exclude all teas, except such as may make part of the cargoes of prizes taken by ships of war or privateers belonging to these colo nies. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver to lieutenant-colonel Hartley one quarter cask of powder, to repay so much by him borrowed for the use of the continent. The committee appointed to prepare a letter to the committee of safety of New-Jersey, brought in a draught, which being read, was agreed to: Ordered, That the same be transcribed, signed by the president, and transmitted. The committee appointed to consider the representation and queries of James |