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ing the army with medicines, do buy a parcel of drugs in the hands of Mr. Rapalje, which he offers at the prime cost.

Adjourned to nine o'clock on Monday next.

MONDAY, September 25, 1775.

The Congress took into consideration the letters from general Washington, No. 5, and 6, and two others not numbered.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare an answer. The ballots being taken and examined, the following members were chosen, viz. Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Adams.

The committee of claims having represented to the Congress, that in consequence of the order of Congress, dated the first of August last, they have drawn out of the treasury the sum of 10,000 dollars, and that over and above, they have drawn on the treasurers for the further sum of 1,926 1-4 dollars, to discharge sundry accounts, which the Congress ordered them to pay, they therefore move that the Congress will issue an order for the same to indemnify the treasurers.

The congress taking this matter into consideration,

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Resolved, That the committee's draught for the above sum be deemed valid, and allowed good in the treasurer's accounts.

As accounts are brought in different from those committed to the foregoing committee to liquidate, and as it is proper that the accounts of the continent be put into a proper train of liquidation and settlement, in order for payment, Resolved, That a committee of accounts or claims be now appointed to consist of one member from each of the United Colonies, to whom all accounts against the continent are to be referred, who are to examine and report upon the same, in order for payment, seven of them to be a quorum.

That the committee consist of the following members, viz. Mr. Langdon, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Ward, Mr. Deane, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Smith, Mr. Willing, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Gadsden, and Mr. Zubly.

That the former committee deliver to the committee now appointed, all the books, accounts, and papers in their hands.

The delegates from Pennsylvania produced an account of the powder imported, and how it has been disposed of.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from Messrs. Morris and Wilson, of 14th September, with the enclosed papers, and after some debate, the same was referred till to-morrow.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, September 26, 1775.

The order of the day was called for, but as the delegates for Virginia and Pennsylvania were not present, the consideration of the letters and papers from Messrs. Morris and Wilson was deferred till to-morrow.

The committee appointed to prepare an answer to General Washington's letters, reported the same, which was read, debated, and agreed to.

Ordered, That the same being transcribed, be signed by the president, and be forwarded immediately.

The committee appointed to examine the journal of the Congress during the last sessions, in order for the press, reported a copy, which was in part read. Ordered, That the remainder be read to-morrow.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, September 27, 1775.

The committee of claims applied to the Congress for advice how to charge sundry accounts, and the same being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That the expense of kettles, canteens, and spoons, supplied to the soldiers, be charged to the continent.

Resolved, That the sum of 160,000 dollars be paid to Connecticut, for supplies issued by that colony for the service of the United Colonies, to be accounted for by them.

The committee of claims reported, that in their opinion, the following accounts were reasonable, and ought to be paid.

A balance due to Robert Erwin, wagon-master, amounting to 887 1-15 of a dollar.

An account of George Frank, for riding express, amounting to 38 dollars. An account of the committee of Northampton county, for money advanced for sundry rifle companies, amounting to 3182 39-90 of a dollar.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee appointed to examine the journals of the last sessions, and the same being read,

Ordered, That the journal, as now corrected, be published by the secretary, and that he superintend and correct the press.

A memorial of Samuel and Robert Purviance, was presented and read, setting forth, that they had chartered a vessel to cary a load of wheat, that the said vessel in going from Philadelphia to Chester-Town, Maryland, was lost in the late storm, by which they were prevented from exporting, before the 10th of September, the cargo which they had actually purchased; and therefore praying for liberty to export the cargo to a foreign port.

Ordered, to lie on the table.

Certain resolutions of the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, respecting an application made to them by a captain, for leave to take a cargo of flour to Gloucester, in Massachusetts-Bay, were laid before the Congress and read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Adjourned to nine o'clock on Friday.

FRIDAY, September 29, 1775.

A letter from general Washington, dated the 21st of September, with sundry enclosed papers, being received by express, was laid before Congress and read.

The committee of claims reported, as their opinion, that the following accounts ought to be paid:

A balance due to John Powell, for riding express, amounting to 45 1-3 dollars. An account of Matthias Stough, for money advanced to the rifle companies, amounting to 710 64-90 dollars.

An account of James Alexander for riding express, a balance due to him, amounting to 172 26-90 dollars.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

Resolved, That when any accounts are ordered to be paid, the orders be drawn on the treasurers and signed by the president.

Resolved, That a committee of three members be appointed to repair immediately to the camp at Cambridge, to confer with general Washington, and with the governor of Connecticut, lieutenant-governor of Rhode-Island, the council of Massachusetts, and the president of the convention of New-Hampshire, and such other persons as to the said committee shall seem proper, touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a continental army.

Resolved, That the appointment of said committee be deferred till to

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SATURDAY, September 30, 1775.

The Congress proceeded to the election of a committee, and the ballots being examined, Mr. Lynch and Dr. Franklin were found to be duly elected by a majority of votes, and two other members having an equal number,

Resolved, That the Congress proceed to the election of another member for the committee, and that this rule be observed in all similar cases.

Accordingly, the ballots being taken, the committee of examination reported, that Mr. Harrison is duly elected.

Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed to draw up instructions for the above committee.

The ballots being taken, the following members were chosen: Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. Lee, Mr. Johnson, Mr. R. Livingston, and Mr. S. Adams.

Resolved, That the president inform general Washington, by express, of the resolution of Congress, appointing a committee to wait on him, in order to consult with him, touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a continental army.

That a letter to the same import be written to the governor of Connecticut, and that the president therein request him, in case he cannot himself attend, that he will appoint a person to represent that colony, and confer with the committee of the Congress on the subjects entrusted to them.

That like letters be written to the council of Massachusetts-Bay, and to the lieutenant-governor of Rhode-Island, and to the president of the convention of New-Hampshire.

The committee of claims reported, that in their opinion, the following accounts ought to be paid, viz.

A certificate presented by William Hall, signed by captain Daniel Morgan, for necessaries furnished by George Kyser to his company, another certificate presented by said W. Hall, and signed by said D. Morgan, for necessaries. furnished his company by Mesheck Sexton, both the above sums, amounting in the whole to 71 2-3 dollars, to be charged to said Morgan's company.

An account of necessaries furnished by John Jordan, of Lancaster, for captain Ross and captain Smith's companies of riflemen, amounting to 432 1-5 dollars, to be charged to the continent.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

The committee appointed to consider the trade of America, brought in their report, which was read, and referred to Monday next. Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday next.

MONDAY, October 2, 1775.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on trade, and after some debate,

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the trade of the thirteen United Colonies.

That the above report be referred to that committee.

The committee appointed to prepare instructions, reported a draught, which being read and debated by paragraphs, was agreed to.

Ordered, That a fair copy be made out and delivered to the committee appointed to wait on the general.

Resolved, That where the word month is used, the Congress means calendar month, by which the pay of the men in the service of the continent is to be regulated.

Resolved, That the pay of the second lieutenants in the marching regiments be the same as that of the first lieutenants.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to morrow.

TUESDAY, October 3, 1775.

The committee of claims reported that, in their opinion, the following ac counts ought to be paid:

The account of Frederick Bicking for 56 reams of paper for the continental currency, amounting to 388 4-5 dollars.

The account of Samuel Boughman, for the entertainment of capt. Ross's company, amounting to 14.1 dollars.

Two accounts from the committee of Trenton for wagonage and sundry expresses, amounting together to the sum of 103 4-5.

Two accounts delivered in by Casper Weitzal, for expenses for diet and provisions for capt. Lowden's company of riflemen, amounting, together, to the sum of 44.6 dollars.

Two accounts delivered in by Miles and Wistar, for necessaries furnished by John Harris, jun. and Elias Younkman, to capt. Lowden's company of riflemen, amounting to 96 dollars, to be charged to the said company.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

The committee of claims further reported an account of Frederick Blankenberg and Leonard Stein, retained as hussars, on which they desired to know the determination of Congress.

Ordered, That the above named Frederick Blankenberg and Leonard Stein be allowed to retain the clothes made for them, and that, over and above, they be paid 16 dollars each for the time they were retained in service.

Resolved, That the commissary general contract for such quantities of beef and pork as may be thought proper by the general, and have the same salted up in convenient houses near the camp, according to his scheme recommended by the general to the consideration of the Congress.

Resolved, That the sum of three hundred thousand dollars be immediately sent to the pay-master general, for the use of the army in the Massachusetts Bay.

Resolved, That the committee who are appointed to repair to the camp, be requested to take the charge of the above sum, or as much of it as they conveniently can.

Resolved, That the expenses of the committee be paid out of the continental treasury.

One of the delegates for Rhode-Island laid before the Congress a part of the instructions given them by their two houses of legislature, August, 26, 1775. Resolved, That the Congress will on Friday next take the above into consideration.

Resolved, That the committee appointed to repair to the camp, do confer with Mr. Rittenhouse, and enquire of him whether he apprehends he can be of service to the continent as an engineer, and, if he can, to engage him, and desire he would, with all convenient speed, repair to the camp.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the trade of these colonies.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, October 4, 1775.

The committee of clains reported that, in their opinion, the following account ought to be paid.

An account of the committee of Bedford county, for necessaries furnished to the company of riflemen raised therein, amounting to 755 1-3 dollars, of which sum 128 2-3 dollars ought to be charged to the continent, and the remaining sum of 626 2-3 dollars ought to be charged to capt. Robert Cluggage's company, as so much of their pay advanced to them.

Ordered, That the above be paid.

Two members who undertook to receive and count the money, for which an order passed yesterday, to be sent to the pay-master general, reported that they found only 189,467 dollars ready in the treasury, which they received and have packed up ready to be sent forward, for which they gave their own receipts, and now return the order drawn by the president.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the trade of the thirteen United Colonies, and, after some time spent therein, 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 any resolution, desired leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into further consideration the state of the trade of the thirteen United Colonies.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, October 5, 1775.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into further consideration the state of the trade of the thirteen United Colonies, and, after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that not having come to any resolution, they desired leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the trade of the thirteen United Colonies.

Sundry letters from London were laid before the Congress and read.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a plan for intercepting two vessels, which are on their way to Canada, laden with arms and powder, and that the committee proceed on this business immediately.

The committee of claims reported, that, in their opinion, the following accounts ought to be paid :

An account of Mrs. Stille, of Trenton, for the expenses of captain Ross, and others, to be charged to the said Ross, until he makes it appear to be just and reasonable, that the same be charged to the continent, amounting to 32 7690 dollars.

An account of Charles Axford, for provisions for captain Ross's company, amounting to 8 3-90 dollars.

An account rendered by Charity Britton, for provisions for the same company, amounting to 9 66-90 dollars.

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An account rendered by Joseph Clunn, for provisions for the same company, amounting to 7 86-90 dollars.

An account of William and Thomas Bradford, for printing, amounting to 178 7-90 dollars.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

Resolved, That Timothy Matlack, of this city, be employed as a store. keeper, and that the implements provided for the hussars, and the tents and linen, &c. purchased for the army, be put under his care.

The committee appointed to prepare a plan for intercepting the two vessels bound to Canada, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration ; whereupon,

Resolved, That a letter be sent to general Washington, to inform him, that Congress having received certain intelligence of the sailing of two north country built brigs, of no force, from England, on the 11th of August last, loaded with arms, powder, and other stores, for Quebec, without convoy, which it being of importance to intercept, desire that he apply to the council of Mas

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