Resolved, That it be recommended to the several towns and districts in the colonies of Massachusetts-Bay, New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, and the eastern division of NewJersey, to collect all the salt-petre and brimstone in their several towns and districts, and transmit the same, with all possible despatch, to the provincial convention at New-York.

That it be recommended to the provincial convention of the colony of New-York, to have the powder-mills, in that colony, put into such a condition as immediately to manufacture, into gun-powder, for the use of the continent, whatever materials may be procured in the manner above directed.

That it be recommended to the committees of the western division of NewJersey, the colonies of Pennsylvania, lower counties on Delaware and Mary. land, that they, without delay, collect the salt-petre and sulphur in their respective colonies, and transmit the same for the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia; to the end, that those articles may be immediately manufactured into gun-powder, for the use of the continent.

That it be recommended to the conventions and committees of the colonies of Virginia, North-Carolina and South-Carolina, that they, without delay, collect the salt-petre and sulphur in their respective colonies, and procure these articles to be manufactured, as soon as possible, into gun-powder, for the use of the continent.

That it be recommended to the several inhabitants of the United Colonies, who are possessed of salt-petre and sulphur, for their own use, to dispose them for the purpose of manufacturing gun-powder.

That the salt-petre and sulphur, collected in consequence of the above resolves of Congress, be paid for out of the continental fund.

That Mr. Paine, Mr. Lee, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Schuyler and Mr. Johnson, be a committee to devise ways and means to introduce the manufacture of saltpetre in these colonies.

The committee for examining governor Skene's letters,' &c. having communi. cated to Congress what they found relative to the dispute between Great-Britain and these colonies;

Upon motion, Resolved, That governor Philip Skene, lieutenant Moncrief, and Mr. Lundy be released from their present confinement, and permitted to go at large any where within eight miles of the city, between Delaware and Schuylkill, on their parole of honor, not to pass those limits, and that they will hold no correspondence with any person whatsoever, on any political subject.

That Mr. Gadsden be added to the committee for examining governor Skene's papers, and that said committee have it in charge to execute the above resolve.

Adjourned till Monday at nine o'clock.

MONDAY, June 12, 1775. Met according to adjournment.

The committee, appointed to prepare a resolution for a fast, brought in their report, which, being read, was agreed to as follows:

As the great Governor of the world, by his supreme and universal providence, not only conducts the course of nature with unerring wisdom and rectitude, but frequently influences the minds of men to serve the wise and gracious purposes of his providential government; and it being, at all times, our indispensable duty devoutly to acknowledge his superintending providence, especially in times of impending danger and public calamity, to reverence and adore his immutable justice as well as to implore his merciful interposition for our deliverance:

This Congress, therefore, considering the present critical, alarming and calamitous state of these colonies, do earnestly recommend that Thursday, the VOL. I.

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20th day of July next, be observed, by the inhabitants of all the English colonies on this continent, as a day of public humiliation, fasting and prayer; that we may, with united hearts and voices, unfeignedly confess and deplore our many sins; and offer up our joint supplications to the all-wise, omnipotent, and merciful Disposer of all events; humbly beseeching him to forgive our iniquities, to remove our present calamities, to avert those desolating judgments, with which we are threatened, and to bless our rightful sovereign, king George the third, and to inspire him with wisdom to discern and pursue the true interest of his subjects, that a speedy end may be put to the civil discord between Great-Britain and the American colonies, without farther effusion of blood: And that the British nation may be influenced to regard the things that belong to her peace, before they are hid from her eyes: That these colonies may ever be under the care and protection of a kind Providence, and be prospered in all their interests; that the divine blessing may descend and rest upon all our civil rulers, and upon the representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions, that they may be directed to wise and effectual measures for preserving the union, and securing the just rights and privileges of the colonies; that virtue and true religion may revive and flourish throughout our land; and that all America may soon behold a gracious interposition of heaven, for the redress of her many grievances, the restoration of her invaded rights, a reconciliation with the parent state, on terms constitutional and honorable to both; and that her civil and religious privileges may be secured to the latest posterity.

And it is recommended to Christians, of all denominations, to assemble for public worship, and to abstain from servile labour and recreation on said day. Ordered, That a copy of the above be signed by the president and attested by the secretary, and published in the newspapers, and in hand-bills.

The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money, and having spent thereon the remainder of the day, and the day following, adjourned till Weduesday at nine o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, June 14, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

Agreeable to the standing order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America; and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had come to certain resolutions, which he was ordered to report; but not having come to a conclusion, they desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The resolutions being read, were agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; that each company consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and sixty-eight privates.

That each company, as soon as completed, march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light-infantry, under the command of the chief officer in that army.

That the pay of the officers and privates be as follows, viz. a captain 20 dollars per month; a lieutenant thirteen dollars and one-third of a dollar per month; a serjeant eight dollars per month; a corporal seven dollars and onethird of a dollar per month; a drummer or trumpeter the same; privates six dollars and two-thirds of a dollar per month; to find their own arms and clothes.

That the form of the enlistment be in the following words:

I

have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said army. Upon motion, Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare rules and regulations for the government of the army.

The following persons were chosen to compose that committee: Mr. Washington, Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Deane, Mr. Cushing, and Mr. Hewes.

A letter from the convention of New-York, dated 10th instant, respecting a vessel which is stopped there, on suspicion of having on board provisions for the army and navy at Boston, was read and referred to the delegates of Massachusetts-Bay, Connecticut, and New-York.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration the ways and means of raising money, and the state of America. This to be a standing order, until the business is completed.

Adjourned till to-morrow at nine o'clock.

THURSDAY, June 15, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The committee, to whom the letter from the convention of New-York was referred, brought in their report, which being read,

Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be given to the convention of New-York, for their vigilance in the case of capt. Coffin's vessel, and that it be recommended to them that the vessel be unloaded, and the cargo safely stored, until all just suspicions, concerning the destination of it, shall be removed.

Ordered, That the above be transmitted, by the president, in a letter to the chairman of the convention of New-York.

Agreeable to order, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had come to some farther resolutions, which he was ordered to report.

The report of the committee being read and considered,

Resolved, That a general be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty.

That five hundred dollars, per month, be allowed for the pay and expenses of the general.

The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a general, by ballot, and George Washington, esq. was unanimously elected.

Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

FRIDAY, June 16, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The president informed col. Washington that the Congress had yesterday unanimously made choice of him to be general and commander in chief of the American forces, and requested he would accept of that employment; to which colonel Washington, standing in his place, answered:

"MR. PRESIDENT,

"Though I am truly sensible of the high honor done me, in this appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust: However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, and for support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation.

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But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every gentleman in the room, that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command

I am honored with.

"As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of iny expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire."

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draught a commission and instructions for the general.

The persons chosen to compose the committee, were Mr. Lee, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. J. Adams.

The papers transmitted from the convention of New-York, being read,

Resolved, That the same be referred to a committee of five, and that they report what steps, in their opinion, are necessary to be taken for securing and preserving the friendship of the Indian nations.

The following persons were chosen for this committee, viz. Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Henry, Mr. Duane, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. P. Livingston.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of the report from the committee of the whole, and came to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That two major-generals be appointed for the American army. That the pay of each of the major-generals be one hundred and sixty-six dollars per month.

That when any of these act in a separate department, he be allowed, for his pay and expenses, three hundred and thirty-two dollars per month.

That there be eight brigadiers-general.

That the pay of each of the brigadiers-general be one hundred and twentyfive dollars per month.

That there be one adjutant-general.

That his pay be one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month.

That there be one commissary-general of stores and provisions.

That his pay be eighty dollars per month.

That there be one quarter-master-general for the grand army, and one deputy, under him, for the separate army.

That the pay of the quarter-master-general be eighty dollars per month, and that of the deputy forty dollars per month.

That there be one pay-master-general, and a deputy under him, for the army in a separate department; that the pay, for the pay-master-general himself, be one hundred dollars per month, and for the deputy pay-master, under him, fifty dollars per month.

That there be one chief engineer at the grand army, and that his sixty dollars per month.

pay be That two assistants be employed under him, and that the pay of each of them be twenty dollars per month.

That there be one chief engineer for the army, in a separate department, and two assistants under him; that the pay of the chief engineer be sixty dollars per month, and the pay of the assistants each, twenty dollars per month. That there be three aids-de-camp; and that their pay be thirty-three dollars per month each.

That there be a secretary to the general; and that his pay be sixty-six dollars per month.

That there be a secretary to the major-general, acting in a separate department; and that his pay be thirty-three dollars per month. That there be a commissary of the musters. That his pay be forty dollars per month.

A letter from the convention of New-York, received by express, was laid before the Congress and read, and the same being taken into consideration, Resolved, That the provincial convention of New-York, be desired immediately to apply to governor Trumbull to order the Connecticut troops, now stationed at Greenwich, Stanford, and parts adjacent, to march towards NewYork.

Adjourned till to-morrow at nine o'clock.

SATURDAY, June 17, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The committee appointed to draught a commission to the general, reported the same, which, being read by paragraphs and debated, was agreed to as follows:

IN CONGRESS.

The delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina:

To George Washington, Esq.

WE, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be general and commander in chief, of the army of the United Colonies, and of all the forces now raised, or to be raised, by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service, and join the said army for the defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof: And you are hereby vested with full power and authority to act as you shall think for the good and welfare of the service.

And we do hereby strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the exercise of their several duties.

And we do also enjoin and require you, to be careful in executing the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict discipline and order to be observed in the army, and that the soldiers be duly exercised, and provided with all convenient necessaries.

And you are to regulate your conduct in every respect by the rules and discipline of war, (as herewith given you,) and punctually to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of these United Colonies, or committee of Congress. This commission to continue in force, until revoked by this, or a future Congress.

By order of the Congress.

Ordered, That the same be fairly transcribed, signed by the president, attested by the secretary, and delivered to the general.

Resolved unanimously, Whereas, the delegates of all the colonies, from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, in Congress assembled, have unanimously chosen George Washington, esq. to be general and commander in chief, of such forces as are, or shall be, raised for the maintenance and preservation of American liberty; this Congress doth now declare, that they will maintain and assist him, and adhere to him, the said George Washington, with their lives and fortunes in the same cause.

The Congress then proceeded to the choice of the officers in the army by ballot:

Artemus Ward, esq. was chosen first major-general.

Horatio Gates, esq. adjutant-general.

Resolved, That Horatio Gates, esq. now chosen adjutant-general, shall have the rank of brigadier-general.

Charles Lee, esq. second major-general.

Adjourned till Monday at nine o'clock.