list of the matters therein that are unfinished, and which are proper to be act ed upon. SATURDAY, December 23, 1775. A letter from lord Sterling of the 19th, being received, was read. A petition from Seth Paddock, master of the sloop Mayflower, and Sylvanus Coffin, master of the schooner Dolly, of the island of Nantucket, was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That the said petition be referred to a committee of three, and that it be an instruction to said committee, to enquire what quantity of provisions and fuel is necessary for the annual internal consumption of the inhabitants of said island of Nantucket, and what quantity has been exported from the different ports of the United Colonies, during the present month of December. The members chosen, Mr. M'Kean, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Sherman. One of the committee appointed to repair to Ticonderoga, and confer with general Schuyler, being returned, laid before Congress a report of their proceedings, which was read. The committee of claims reported that there is due, To Ephraim Blaine, for expenses incurred by the treaty with the Western Indians, and paid by him, the sum of £533 19 4, and that there is due to Ephraim Steel, for sundries furnished two rifle companies, the sum of £ 14 8, which ought to be paid to the said Blaine; and also 4s 8, due to John M‘Kee, of which two last sums there ought to be charged to the continent, the sum of £5-13.3 dollars, for the two cwt. lead, and the remainder to the companies respectively, the whole being 1462.9 dollars. Ordered, That the same be paid. The committee to whom the application from the convention of the colony of New-York, for the loan of £45,000 was referred, brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to as follows: Notwithstanding it appears to this committee that the credit of the colony of New-York is unquestionable, and their application for the loan of £45,000 was suggested by disinterested principles, yet, that it would not be advisable, in the opinion of this committee, for the Congress to make the loan proposed. The committee appointed to confer with the Indians, made report of their proceedings, which was read. Whereas the colony of Connecticut has, by a certain act of their assembly, resolved that no further settlements be made on the lands disputed between them and Pennsylvania, without license from the said assembly. Resolved, That it be recommended to the colony of Connecticut not to introduce any settlers on the said lands till the further order of this Congress, until the said dispute shall be settled. The committee on the state of the treasury brought in a report, which being read, and in part debated, Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed. The committee appointed to consider what articles are necessary for the army, brought in their report, which was read. The committee to whom the petition of Peter Berton was referred, brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to, and is as follows: That, after mature consideration had thereon, they are of opinion that it is not advisable or proper for the Congress to grant the prayer of the said petition. Ordered, That the delegates of Pennsylvania call on the treasurers, and enquire of them what sum of hard money they have collected, and report to Con gress. Resolved, That the committee appointed to confer with the Indians conclude their conference with them by returning them a friendly answer, and making them a small present. The committee appointed to examine the journal, &c. laid before Congress a list of the several inatters therein, which are yet unfinished. Ordered, That the several committees to whom any matters are referred, conclude their business with all convenient despatch, and report to Congress. Ordered, That the second paragraph in general Schuyler's letter, relative to the measures taken by the ministerial agents, to engage the Indians in a war with these colonies, be published. Adjourned to ten o'clock on Tuesday next. TUESDAY, December 26, 1775. Two letters from general Washington, of the 14th and 16th, with one enclosed from Dr. Morgan, a letter from governor Trumbull of the 20th, with a resolution of the assembly of the colony of Connecticut, also a letter from sundry masters of vessels, dated Guadaloupe, September 19, being received, were read. The deputy muster-master general sent to Congress the muster rolls of the Pennsylvania battalion by him mustered. Resolved, That the deputy muster-master be directed to repair to New-Jersey, and muster the battalions raised in that colony, and make return to Congress. Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for taking into consideration the propriety of opening the ports of the United Colonies after the 1st day of March next. The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the state of the treasury, and thereupon came to the following resolutions: Whereas an estimate hath lately been formed of the public expense already arisen, and which may accrue in the defence of America, to the 10th day of June next, in pursuance whereof this Congress, on the 29th of November, resolved that a farther sum of three millions of dollars be emitted in bills of credit. Resolved, That the thirteen United Colonies be pledged for the redemption of the bills of credit so directed to be emitted. That each colony provide ways and means to sink its proportion of said bills, in such manner as may be most effectual, and best adapted to the condition, circumstances, and equal mode of levying taxes in each colony. That the proportion or quota of each respective colony be determined according to the number of inhabitants, of all ages, including negroes and mulattoes in each colony. That it be recommended to the several assemblies, conventions, or councils, or committees of safety of the respective colonies, to ascertain, by the most impartial and effectual means in their power, the number of inhabitants in each respective colony, taking care that the lists be authenticated by the oaths of the several persons who shall be entrusted with this service; and that the said assemblies, conventions, councils, or committees of safety, do respectively lay before this Congress a return of the number of inhabitants of their respective colonies, as soon as the same shall be procured. That each colony pay its respective quota in four equal payments; the first to be made on or before the last day of November, 1783; the second, on or before the last day of November, 1784; the third, on or before the last day of November, 1785; and the fourth or last, on or before the last day of November, 1786; and that, for this end, the several assemblies or conventions provide for laying and levying taxes in their respective colonies, towards sinking the continental bills: that the said bills be received by the collectors in payment of such น taxes, and be by the collectors paid into the hands of the provincial treasurers, with all such other moneys as they may receive in lieu of the continental bills; which other moneys the provincial treasurers shall endeavor to get exchanged for continental bills; and where that cannot be done, shall send to the continental treasurers the deficiency in silver and gold, with the bills, making up the quota to be sunk in that year; taking care to cut, by a circular punch of an inch diameter, an hole in such bills, and to cross the same, thereby to render them unpassable, though the sum or value is to remain fairly legible; and the continental treasurers, as fast as they receive the said quotas, shall, with the assistance of a committee of five persons, to be appointed by the Congress, if sitting, or by the assembly or convention of the province of Pennsylvania, examine and count the continental bills, and, in the presence of the said committee, burn and destroy them; and the silver and gold sent them to make up the deficiencies of quotas, they shall retain in their hands, until demanded in redemption of continental bills, that may be brought to them for that purpose, which bills, so redeemed, they shall also buru and destroy in the presence of the said committee; and the treasurers, whenever they have silver and gold in their hands for the redemption of continental bills, shall advertise the same, signifying that they are ready to give gold or silver for such bills, to all persons requiring it in exchange. The reports of the committees on general Schuyler's letters, and the report of the committee sent to Ticonderoga, being read, Resolved, That the same be recommitted to Mr. Dickinson, Mr. McKean, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Langdon. The report of the committee, to whom was referred a paragraph of lord Sterling's letter to the Congress, complaining that several of his recruits had been arrested and imprisoned for trifling debts, being taken into consideration, was agreed to as ollows: Whereas there is reason to believe, that divers persons, either from inattention to the public good, or with design to retard the recruiting service, have arrested and imprisoned, for very trifling debts, many soldiers, who had engaged to risque their lives in defence of the liberties of America; and, as it has always been found necessary, in time of war, to regulate and restrain a practice of such pernicious tendency, and in such cases, to abate the rigour of the law: Resolved, therefore, That it be recommended to the several legislatures in these colonies, whether assemblies or conventions, to pass acts or ordinances, prohibiting the arrests of continental soldiers for small debts; and in order that the same rule may pervade all the colonies, that no soldier be arrested at the suit of any of his creditors, unless the said creditor make oath, that the said soldier is justly indebted to him in the sum of thirty-five dollars over and above all discounts; and that the estate of no such soldier be liable to attachment at the suit of, or for the benefit of all his creditors, unless their debts in the whole, on being ascertained by their oaths, shall amount to more than one hundred and fifty dollars. Resolved, That'the several letters received from lord Sterling, be referred to a committee of three, who are directed to report an answer. The members chosen, Mr. Adams, Mr. W. Livingston and Mr. Jay. Resolved, That the battalion raised in Pennsylvania, be supplied with gunbrushes, prickers, double-worms, screw-drivers, and oil; and that it be recommended to the committee of safety of the said colony to provide the Whereas this Congress, by a resolution passed the 15th day of July last, did direct that every vessel importing into these colonies, gun-powder, saltpetre, sulphur, and other military stores therein specified, within nine months from the date thereof, should be permitted to load and export the produce of these colonies, to the value of such powder and stores aforesaid, the non-exportation agreement notwithstanding, by permits from the committees of the several colonies; to the end, therefore, that this Congress may be the better informed of the quantity of military stores, which are or shall be so imported, and of the produce exported in consequence of the resolution aforesaid. Resolved, That it be recommended to all committees by whom any permits, under the said resolution, have been or may be granted, to transmit to this Congress, from time to time, a true account of the military stores, &c. imported, and of the produce exported, with the price and value of both. Ordered, That the foregoing resolution be published. The committee appointed to prepare instructions to lieut. col. Irvine brought in a draught, which being read, was agreed to. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, December 27, 1775. A letter of the 21st from the committee of inspection of the town of Lancaster, enclosing the paroles of the officers there, being received, was read. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with captain Motte, and consult with him on the best method of providing the guard under his command with provisions on their return home. The members chosen, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Deane, and Mr. Lynch. The Congress then took into consideration the report of the committee on the state of Virginia, and after debate, the farther consideration thereof, at the request of a colony, was postponed till to-morrow. The committee appointed to confer with captain Motte, brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to as follows: to That they find some of said guard have upwards of 240 miles to march: that they will be content with eight dollars each, and bear their own expenses their respective homes, or to be supplied by a commissary, or any other way as the Congress shall judge best. It is the opinion of the committee, that the said guard receive a sum not exceeding eight dollars each, in lieu of all other povision for their return: therefore, Resolved, That captain Motte be empowered to pay to his guard for the purpose aforesaid, a sum not exceeding eight dollars to any one, according to their respective distances, and that he return to the committee of claims, a list of his men, and an account of the payments to them made. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, December 28, 1775. The committee of claims reported, that there is due to Sacheveral Wood, the sum of 91.9 dollars, for support of 17 men to the 21st December, who are confined in the gaol of Philadelphia, by order of Congress. Ordered, That the same be paid. Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favor of G. Wythe, esq. one of the committee appointed to confer with the Indians, for the sum of 13 1-3 dollars, as a present to said Indians. Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, for the sum of 8000 dollars, for the use of the battalion raised in said colony, the said committee to be accountable for the same. The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the state of Virginia; and thereupon came to the following resolution: Resolved, That six battalions are necessary to be immediately raised in Virginia, and that they be raised accordingly, upon the same terms, and paid Vol. I. 28 as the continental forces in the camp at Cambridge, unless the convention of that colony can raise them on better terms. The Congress took into consideration the report of the secret committee, which being in part agreed to, Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the state of New York, and report thereon to Congress. The members chosen, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Deane, Mr. Wythe, Mr. W. Livingston, and Mr. Jay. The committee to whom the petition of captains Paddock and Coffin was referred, brought in their report, which was read. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, December 29, 1775. A petition of captain Sellick was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That the said petition, with the papers accompanying it, be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. Smith, Mr. Floyd, and Mr. F. Lee. A petition from a number of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, being read, Ordered, To lie on the table. Information being given to Congress of a quantity of arms and ammunition which may be procured, Resolved, That a committee of three, be appointed to enquire farther into this matter. The members chosen, Mr. M'Kean, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Lynch. Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress.resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the trade of the United Colonies, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration, the matter to them referred, and had come to certain resolutions, which he was ready to report. The report of the committee being read, the Congress took the same into consideration, and, thereupon, came to the following resolution: Resolved, That the colonies of Virginia, Maryland, and North-Carolina, be permitted to export produce from their respective colonies, to any part of the world, except Great-Britain, Ireland, the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Aldernay and Man, and the British West-India islands, and in return to import so much salt from any part of the world, not prohibited by the association, as the conventions or councils of safety of the two former colonies, and the provincial council of the other shall judge necessary, for the use of the inhabitants thereof, now suffering great distress by the scarcity of that necessary article, proper caution being taken to prevent any abuse of this indulgence, by exceeding in the quantities exported or imported, and that no provisions, staves, or naval stores be exported, if other commodities may answer the purpose. Resolved, That as the importation of any universally necessary commodity, and the exportation of our produce, to purchase the same, must give a proportionably greater opportunity to our enemies of making depredations on the property of the inhabitants of these colonies, and of occasionally distressing them by intercepting such commodities, it is earnestly recommended to the several assemblies or conventions immediately to promote, by sufficient public encouragements, the making salt in their respective colonies. Ordered, That the foregoing resolution be immediately published. The committee on Indian trade, brought in their report. The committee on lord Sterling's letters, also brought in their report. A letter of the 16th, from the committee of correspondence, in Virginia, was laid before Congress, and read: Ordered, To lie on the table 1 |