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the efforts of the United Colonies, in opposing the present oppressive system of the British ministry,

Resolved, That the said armed vessels be authorized and directed to seize and detain, until the further order of this Congress, all such ships and vessels as they may find employed in such exportations from the places aforesaid.

Resolved, That the naval committee be directed to employ the armed sloop, commanded by captain Abraham Whipple, of Rhode-Island, now on a voyage to this port, and despatch her forthwith to aid the marine business to the southward.

That the said committee be directed to prepare a proper commission for the captains or commanders of the ships of war in the service of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the colonel, or commanding officer of the battalion, now in the barracks at Philadelphia, be ordered to keep a regular guard over the ships and stores belonging to the United Colonies, at or on the wharves, or in the stores on the wharves of Messrs. Willing and Morris, and Mr. Cuthbert.

The assembly of New-Jersey having, by a resolution of their house, accepted the resignation of two of their delegates, and confirmed the other three, and, by another resolution, enlarged their power, the said resolutions were laid before Congress and read as follows:

"NEW-JERSEY, HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, November 22, 1775.

The house, taking into consideration the request of Jame Kinsey and John De Hart, esqrs. two of the delegates appointed by this house to attend the Continental Congress, for leave to resign their said appointment,

Resolved, That the reasons given by those gentlemen for their resignation, appear to this house to be.satisfactory, and that their resignation therefore be accepted; thereupon,

Resolved, That the three remaining delegates, or any two of them, represent the colony during the present continental Congress.

THURSDAY, November 30, 1775.

The house, taking into consideration the inconveniences arising from requiring the attendance of two of the delegates to represent the colony in the Continental Congress,

Resolved, That any one of the three delegates appointed to attend the Congress be, and such delegate is hereby fully authorized to represent this colony during Congress.

A true copy from the votes, RICHARD SMITH, Clerk of Assembly.” The committee appointed to prepare the form of a commission, reported the same, which was read and agreed to.

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Ordered, That three hundred copies be immediately printed, with proper blanks.

Application being made in behalf of captain Jenkins, for leave to export a quantity of provisions to the island of Nantucket, for the internal consumption of its inhabitants, and it being represented that he had applied to the assembly or general court of Massachusetts-Bay, and that the committee of Falmouth, to whom he was by them referred, not having it in their power to furnish the provisions wanted, had recommended him to Congress to be supplied with the same at some port in the middle or southern colonies.

Resolved, That permission be granted to captain Jenkins, to carry the provisions specified in the certificate of the committee of Falmouth, for the internal consumption of the inhabitants of Nantucket, he first taking an oath, and giving bond to the committee of inspection and observation, for the city and liberties of Philadelphia, to pursue their instructions in his voyage, and to use his ut

most endeavors not to fall into the power of the cutters or armed vessels of

the enemy.

The committee on the state of the treasury brought in a report, which was

read: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the number and denominations of the bills ordered to be emitted, be as follows:

Resolved, That the plates used in the last emission, be used for striking off and printing the above bills.

Resolved, That the gentlemen who superintended the press at the last emission, be empowered to superintend the printing these bills.

Resolved, That the committee on the state of the treasury, be directed to enquire about proper persons to sign and number said bills, and report to Congress.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the general's letter: Whereupon, Resolved, That the regiment of artillery consist of one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors and twelve companies.

That the general be informed that two gentlemen, namely, Thomas Crafts, jun. and George Trott, esqrs. have been recommended to Congress as proper persons for field officers in said regiment, and that the general enquire into their characters and abilities; and if, upon enquiry, he shall judge them proper, and that the appointment of them will occasion no disturbance or disgust in the regiment, that he appoint them, and acquaint Congress thereof.

Resolved, That it be an instruction to the committee appointed to contract for supplying the prisoners, that Mr. D. Franks, of this city, be permitted to supply the troops, who are prisoners in this colony, with provisions and other necessaries, at the expense of the crown, and to sell his bills for such sums of money as are necessary for that purpose, and that the said committee confer with Mr. Franks, and enquire whether he will also undertake, on the same terms, to supply the prisoners in other colonies.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee o conference: Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the assembly, or general court of the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, to use all the means in their power, that the army before Boston be supplied with wood and hay, on the most reasonable

terms.

That in the new establishment of the army, the general officers be not allowed regiments, nor the field officers companies.

That all persons taken in arms on board any prize, be deemed prisoners at the disposal of the general, whether the prize be taken by vessels fitted out in pay of the continent or by others.

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That such as are taken be treated as prisoners of war, but with humanity, and be allowed the same rations as the troops in the service of the continent; that the officers being in pay should supply themselves with clothes, their bills to be taken for the same, that the soldiers be furnished as they now are.

That as the new army in Massachusetts-Bay is calculated to oppose the army at Boston, it is not expected that the general should detach any part of it to New-York or elsewhere, unless it appear to him necessary so to do, for the common safety.

That the troops in the new army be paid monthly.

That an exchange of prisoners will be proper, citizens for citizens, officers for officers of equal rank, and soldier for soldier.

That ensign Moland be detained in the place where he now is, until exchanged.

That this Congress approve the terms on which the artificers of different sorts have been employed in the army; and that the general go on upon the present agreement, as being the best that can probably be made.

That the general be directed to pick out from each of the rifle companies, such as are not marksmen, and dismiss them in such manner as will be safest, with an allowance of pay to go home, if they do not chuse to inlist in other battalions, and, in the mean time, that all receive their pay.

That what artillery of different kinds can be spared from New-York and Crown-Point, be procured and forwarded to the army before Boston.

That the Indians of St. Francis, Penobscot, Stockbridge, and St. John's, and other tribes, may be called on in case of real necessity, and that the giving them presents is suitable and proper.

That a committee of three be appointed to devise the best mode of having expresses (persons of character) posted along the roads at different distances, for the purpose of conveying early and frequent intelligence.

The members chosen, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Deane.

That as much lead as can be spared from the northern department, and is wanted at the camp at Cambridge, be sent down from Ticonderoga to Cambridge.

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That the Congress approve the general's fitting out armed vessels to intercept the enemy's supplies.

That when the army receives such supplies of powder as to be enabled to spare some to the country, that it be sold to them at a reasonable price.

That the secret committee be directed to enquire what articles are necessary for the use of the army, and how they may be procured, and report to Congress.

Ordered, That the resolutions passed on the general's letters, and on the report of the committee of conference, and such other resolutions as relate to the establishment of the new army, not already forwarded, be sent by express to the general.

The Congress being informed that Mr. Eathan Allen, who was taken prisoner near Montreal, is confined in irons on board a vessel in the river St. Lawrence,

Resolved, That general Washington be directed to apply to general Howe on this matter, and desire that he may be exchanged.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, December 4, 1775.

The committee, to whom the accounts from Massachusetts-Bay were referred, reported, that for want of proper vouchers, they were not able to proceed on that business, and therefore desired to be discharged.

Resolved, That the said committee, upon their request, be discharged.

Resolved, That the sum of forty thousand dollars be advanced to the colony of New-Hampshire, on account of expenses by them incurred, the said colony to be accountable.

Resolved, That the sum of four hundred and forty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty-three dollars and one-third of a dollar, be paid to the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, in part of their account, the said colony to be accountable.

Resolved, That the said sums be paid out of the emission last ordered by Congress.

The committee on the state of Virginia, to whom were referred the letters received on Saturday last, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That three companies of the battalion raised in the colony of Pennsylvania, immediately march under the command of lieutenant-colonel Irvine,

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into Northampton county, is Virginia, for the protection of the association in those parts, and for the defence thereof against the designs of the enemies of America.

Resolved, That it be and it is hereby recommended to the inhabitants of the colony of Virginia, to resist to the utmost the arbitrary government intended to be established therein, by their governor lord Dunmore, as manifestly appears by the whole tenor of his lordship's conduct for some months past.

Whereas lord Dunmore, by his proclamation lately published, has declared his intention to execute martial law, thereby tearing up the foundations of civil authority and government within the said colony:

Resolved, Therefore, that if the convention of Virginia shall find it necessary to establish a form of government in that colony, it be recommended to that convention to call a full and free representation of the people, and that the said representatives, if they think it necessary, establish such form of government as in their judgment will best produce the happiness of the people, and most effectually secure peace and good order in the colony, during the continuance of the present dispute between Great-Britain and the colonies.

Resolved, That the committee on the state of Virginia have leave, at their request, to sit again.

Resolved, That in the present situation of affairs, it will be very dangerous to the liberties and welfare of America, if any colony should separately petition the king or either house of parliament.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with the assembly of New-Jersey.

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

*Resolved, That Carlisle, in the colony of Pennsylvania, be assigned as well as the three towns of Reading, Lancaster and York, for the reception of the prisoners taken at St. John's.

Resolved, That the president write to Mr. Knox, by the first express to Albany, and desire him, in case the services he is upon will admit, to repair to the fortresses on Hudson's river, in the highlands, inspect the state of the works carrying on there, and the situation of the places adjacent, and transmit an account thereof to Congress.

The delegates of Massachusetts-Bay laid before Congress a resolution of the general court of that colony, passed in November last, extending the commission of their delegates to the last day of January; which was read. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, December 5, 1775.

Resolved, That the naval committee be instructed to engage the seamen and marines to the first of January, 1777, unless sooner discharged by Congress.

It being suggested that the resolution of Congress, passed the 2d instant, relative to captain Jenkins, was grounded on a mistake with regard to facts, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take the matter into consideration, enquire into facts, and report to Congress.

The members chosen, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Cushing, and Mr. M'Kean. The committee of claims applying for instructions with regard to sundry charges in the accounts laid before them from the colony of Rhode Island, Resolved, That the charge for purchasing and repairing arms be not allowed. That the expense of removing the stock from Block-Island and other places, in consequence of the request of the general, be charged to the continent.

That the twelve cannon furnished to the army in the camp at Cambridge, by the government of Rhode-Island, be allowed in their accounts.

Resolved, That the farther consideration of this matter be deferred till to

morrow.

Resolved, That those who supply the three companies ordered to Northampton with arms, shall either have the same returned in kind as soon as they can be procured, or their value paid for by the United Colonies, the value of which is to be deducted from the pay of the soldiers.

A letter from lord Sterling, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress and read.

Resolved, That the naval committee has liberty to purchase duck and such other articles as they may want for fitting out said vessels, and to enable them the better to perform this service, that they be empowered to take to their assistance the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia.

Resolved, That the form of the bills ordered to be emitted be as follows:

CONTINENTAL CURRENCY.

This bill entitles the bearer to receive

No.

Dollar

Spanish milled

dollars, or the value thereof in gold or silver, according to a resolution of Congress passed at Philadelphia, November 29, 1775.

Resolved, That each denomination or class of bills be numbered, beginning with one, upwards, in ink of a different color from the last emitted bills.

The committee on re-captures brought in their report, which being read and debated, the Congress came to the following resolution :

Resolved, That, in cases of recaptures, the re-captors have and retain, in lieu of salvage, one-eighth part of the true value of the vessel and cargo, or either of them, if the same hath or have been in possession of the enemy twenty-four hours; one-fifth part, if more than twenty-four hours, and less than forty-eight hours; one-third part, if more than forty-eight and less than ninety-six hours; and one half, if more than ninety-six hours, unless the vessel shall, after the capture, have been legally condemned as a prize by some court of admiralty, in which case the re-captors to have the whole; in all which cases the share detained, or prize to be divided between the owners of the ship making the re-capture, the colony or the continent, as the case may be, and the captors, agreeable to a former resolution.

Resolved, As,the army to the northward is likely to be supplied with clothing at Montreal, that the clothing purchased for the said army, and sent to Albany, be forwarded by land to Mr. Mifflin, quarter-master general, for the use of the army before Boston.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow..

WEDNESDAY, December 6, 1775.

The committee of claims reported that there is due to Robert Ervin for wagon hire, the sum of 355.7 dollars.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

Resolved, That the three prisoners taken by captain A. Whipple, in his passage to Philadelphia, who are now on board his vessel, be delivered to the committee of safety of the colony of Pennsylvania, who are directed to secure them in safe custody in some gaol in said colony.

A return being laid before Congress of the number of flints for sale in the city of Philadelphia, amounting to upwards of 200,000,

Resolved, That the committee of inspection of the city and liberties of Philadelphia be desired to purchase said flints for the use of the United Colonies, and that in making the purchase, attention be paid to that part of the association against raising the prices of goods.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the instructions to be given to the committee of claims, and on the question put,

Resolved, That the charge for bounty in the account exhibited by Rhode-Island against the United Colonies be not allowed.