Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. THURSDAY, January 11, 1776, Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of New-York, to endeavor to obtain a release of lieutenant Tiley, of brigadier Wooster's regiment, now confined on board the Asia man of war, by exchanging for him an officer of the same rank of the British troops in our custody. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare instructions to the officers in the recruiting service. The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Dyer, and Mr. Harrison. The Congress taking into consideration the report of the committee on the bills of credit, emitted by this Congress, thereupon came to the following resolution: Whereas it appears to this Congress, that several evil disposed persons, in order to obstruct and defeat the efforts of the United Colonies, in defence of their just rights, have attempted to depreciate the bills of credit emitted by the authority of this Congress, Resolved, therefore, That if any person shall hereafter he so lost to all virtue and regard for his country, as to refuse to receive said bills in payment, or obstruct and discourage the currency or circulation thereof, and shall be duly convicted by the committee of the city, county, or district, or in case of appeal from their decision, by the assembly, conyention, council or committee of safety of the colony where he shall reside, such person shall be deemed, published, and treated as an enemy of his country, and precluded from all trade or intercourse with the inhabitants of these colonies. Ordered, That the foregoing resolve be immediately published. Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, for the sum of 6000 dollars, for the use of the first Pennsylvania battalion, the said committee to be accountable for the same. A representation of the field officers of the Pennsylvania battalions, setting forth the inconveniencies that will arise from the battalions consisting of seven battalion companies, was presented to Congress and read: Ordered, That the same be referred for consideration till to-morrow. FRIDAY, January 12, 1776. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Henry Dewson, for provisions to captain Ross's company, the sum of 27.5 dollars. From Turbett Francis, esq. one of the commissioners for Indian affairs in the northern department, a balance in his hands amounting to 194 dollars. To Volkert P. Douw, another of the commissioners of said department, expenses attending the treaty at Albany, a balance amounting to 2171.9 dollars, and that there will remain in his hands, two matrasses, about fifteen gallons of wine, some spirits, and some boards, belonging to the colonies. Ordered, That the sums due to Henry Dewson, and Volkert P. Douw, esq. be paid; the latter through the hands of James Duane, esq. The committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the officers who are prisoners, and the manner in which they are at present subsisted, brought in their report, which was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That the conduct of the officers at Trenton, though in other respects unexceptionable, is, as to their manner of living, exceedingly extravagant, they being boarded at taverns, and the inn-keepers supplying them in a luxurious manner, on the credit of the continent : That the Congress will, for the future, allow two dollars per week for the board and lodgings of officers, who are prisoners, (for which sum they may have decent lodgings) to be repaid by the officers before they are released from their captivity. That the accounts of the several inn-keepers against the officers be paid by the continent, which are also to be repaid by the said officers before their discharge. That no tavern-keeper supply the said officers, for the future, on the credit of the continent. That the officers now at Trenton, be directed to remove to some other place at a proper distance from the public post-road. That the officers at Trenton have liberty to chuse the places of their residence, the choice being made consistent with former resolutions of Congress. That a copy of the above resolutions, together with a copy of the resolution granting officers liberty to sell bills for their subsistence, be transmitted to the several committees, where officers who are prisoners reside; and that the said committees be directed to apply to the said officers for their bills to discharge the debts already incurred, and also to inform them, it is expected they will from time to time draw for their future subsistence. Ordered, That Rachel Stille's account for subsistence of officers to the 4th of January 1776, amounting to 423.6 dollars, be paid. The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into con sideration the trade of the United Colonies, and after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matter to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, 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 trade of the United Colonies. A memorial from the field-officers of the first Pennsylvania battalion, was presented to Congress: Ordered, That the same be referred till to-morrow. The several matters to this day referred being postponed, SATURDAY, January 13, 1776. A letter from general Washington, dated January the 4th, 1776; also a letter from the committee of safety of New-York, dated January the 3d, being received, were read: Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the letter from the committee of safety of New-York, and to confer with Mr. Romans, and report to Congress. The members chosen, Mr. Paine, Mr. Dyer, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. W. Livingston. The secret committee having made report respecting the purchase of the salt-petre lately imported, Resolved, That the said committee be directed to purchase the salt-petre on the best terms they can, and have it manufactured into gun-powder as soon as possible! Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to supply colonel Heard with 200 pounds of gun-powder, to enable him to carry into execution the orders of Congress. Resolved, That John Morgan be promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, in one of the companies of colonel Bull's battalion. Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday. MONDAY, January 15, 1776. A paragraph of a letter from Peter Timothy, secretary to the provincial convention and committee of safety of South-Carolina, dated January 5th, to C. Gadson, esq. was read, informing that the said convention have resolved to continue the delegates, and have constituted any two of them to be a quorum to represent said colony. A letter from general Washington, dated the 31st of December, 1775, with sundry papers enclosed, among which, a draught of captain Matthews on the treasury of Virginia, for £100, lawful money, advanced him by the general; also two letters from lord Sterling, dated January 8th and 11th, and a letter from governor Trumbull, with three papers enclosed, being received, were read : Resolved, That the letter from general Washington be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Wilson. The members chosen, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. M'Kean, Mr. Floyd, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Alexander. That the letter from governor Trumbull, with the enclosed papers, be re.ferred to the committee appointed to confer with Mr. Romans. A letter from the committee of safety of New-York, dated January 11th, 1776, was read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee on the state of the colonies. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to make an estimate of the number of cannon, that may be wanted for the defence of the United Colonies, and to devise ways and means for procuring them, and that it be an instruction to said committee to enquire what size cannon can be cast in these colonies. The members chosen, Mr. Wisner, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Paine. Resolved, That no bought indented servants be employed on board the fleet, or in the army of the United Colonies, without the consent of their masters. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Jacob Hiltzheimer, for expresses, the sum of 356.1 dollars. To Jonathan Trumbull, jun. for his expenses to Philadelphia, and returning to New-York with money, the sum of 99.7 dollars. To Thomas Apty, for boarding several prisoners, 109.6 dollars. Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, to enquire into the characters of the recruits or privates taken on board the Rebecca and Frances transport, and to dismiss such of them as they judge may, with safety to the colonies, be discharged. The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the trade of the United Colonies; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into their farther consideration the matter to them referred, but that not having come to a conclusion, they desired him to move for leave to sit again. Resolved, That this Congress will, on Friday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration the trade of the United Colonies Resolved, That captain Matthew's draft on the treasury of Virginia, be delivered to the delegates of that colony; and that they be desired to receive the money, and pay the same to the continental treasurers. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. TUESDAY, January 16, 1776. The colony of Connecticut having appointed new delegates, the same attending, produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read as follows: "At a general Assembly of the governor and company of the English colony of Connecticut, in New-England, in America, holden at New-Haven, in said colony, on the second Thursday of October, Anno Domini 1775. "Resolved, By this assembly, that Roger Sherman, Oliver Wolcott, Samuel Huntington, Titus Hosmer, and William Williams, esqrs. be, and they are hereby appointed delegates to represent this colony at the general Congress of the United Colonies in America, for the year ensuing, and until new be chosen; that is to say, the said Roger Sherman, Oliver Wolcott, and Samuel Hun-tington, esqrs. do attend said Congress, and on the failure of either of the said gentlemen, by sickness, or otherwise, then the said Titus Hosmer, or William Williams, esqrs. are to supply the place or places of any or either of the said three gentlemen first named, in such manner, that three of said delegates, and three only, do attend said Congress at any one time; and the said three delegates, or any or either of them, who shall be present in said Congress, are hereby fully authorized and empowered to represent this colony in said Congress, to consult, advise, and resolve upon measures necessary to be taken and pursued for the defence, security and preservation of the rights and liberties of the said United Colonies, and for their common safety; and of such their proceedings and resolves they do transmit authentic copies, from time to time, to the general assembly of this colony. That the said delegates now appointed do repair to, and take their seats in said Congress, by the first day of January next, in case said Congress shall be then sitting, or as soon after as said Congress shall be convened; and that the said gentlemen, who are now attending said Congress in behalf of this colony, do continue in their said office until the gentlemen now chosen, and directed to attend in manner aforesaid, shall arrive at said Congress. t GEORGE WYLLYS, Secretary." A letter from Mr. Lewis, dated January 8th, was read, recommending a stranger to the notice of Congress. Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee on the qualifications of persons applying for offices. Resolved, That a member, in the room of Mr. Dyer, be added to the committee appointed to draw up instructions to the officers employed in the recruiting service. Resolved, That the several petitions of gentlemen, praying to be appointed officers in the Pennsylvania battalions, be referred to the committee on qualifications. Application being made in behalf of Mr. Judge and the owner of a vessel lately arrived in Delaware, for leave to export provisions to the amount of the cargoes by them'imported: Resolved, That this be referred to the secret committee. Resolved, That two members be added to the secret committee: The members chosen, Mr. Hewes and Mr. Alexander. The committee on the state of the colonies brought in a report, which being -taken into consideration, Resolved, That another battalion be raised in the colony of North-Carolina, in order to defeat any attempt which may be made in opposition to the measures recommended by the Continental Congress. Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be referred till to morrow. The committee having desired leave to sit again, the same was granted. Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for taking into consideration, in a committee of the whole, the propriety of opening the ports after the first of March next. The delegates of South-Carolina having informed the Congress, that their colony, being in want of seamen, had given orders to offer high wages to such as would engage in their service, desired the advice and opinion of Congress on this matter: Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of five. The members chosen, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Huntington, Mr. Paine, Mr. Morris, and Mr. Floyd. Resolved, That the naval committee be empowered to purchase a small vessel for a tender. The committee appointed to procure powder from Providence, brought in a report, with an account of a cargo provided for that purpose by Willing and Morris, amounting to 3233.2 dollars; Whereupon, Resolved, That the said committee be authorized to give such orders to the captain of the vessel, as they may think proper. That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of Willing and Morris, for the said sum of 3233.2 dollars. The committee on general Washington's letters, brought in a report, which being taken into consideration, the Congress, thereupon, came to the following resolutions: Resolved, That the pay-master general of the army at Cambridge, be empowered to draw bills upon the president of the Congress, or, in their recess, upon the committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, for any sums of money which may be deposited in his hands, not exceeding, in any one month, the monthly expense of the army, and that such bills, countersigned by the general or commander in chief of the said army, be accepted and paid. That the free negroes who have served faithfully in the army at Cambridge, may be re-inlisted therein, but no other. That, if general Washington think proper, colonel R. Gridley be continued chief engineer in the army at Cambridge. That the pay of the assistant engineers in the army at Cambridge be 26 dollars and two-thirds per month. The committee having desired leave to sit again, the same was granted. Resolved, That four members be added to the committee on the qualifications, &c. in the room of those absent. The members chosen, Mr. Wolcott, for Connecticut, in the room of Mr. Dyer; 'Mr. Duane, for New-York, in the room of Mr. Jay; Mr McKean, for the lower counties on Delaware, in the room of Mr. Rodney; and Mr. Rogers, for Maryland. Resolved, That Thursday next be assigned for taking into consideration the report of the committee on Indian affairs. Resolved, That a list of the committees who have not reported, be prepared and laid on the table. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, January 17, 1776. A petition from Dr. Benjamin Church was presented to Congress, and read: Resolved, That the same be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Paca, and Mr. Hooper. A petition from Ibbetson Hamar, a prisoner at Trenton, was presented to Congress and read, praying for leave to reside at Mr. Stainforth's, near Prince Town. |