Resolved, That the same be granted.

A memorial from the captains and subalterns of the first Pennsylvania battalion, was presented to Congress and read, complaining of the conduct of their colonel:

Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee of qualifications, and that they be directed to hear the parties, and report to Congress.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the propriety of opening the ports after the first of March next; 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, and had come to a resolution, which he read in his place, and delivered in.

The report being again read,

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, to consider under what regulations and restrictions the trade of the United Colonies ought to be carried on, after the first of March next.

The members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Morris, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Sherman.

Resolved, That a member be added to the committee appointed to confer with Mr. Romans.

The member chosen, Mr. Wolcott.

The committee appointed to prepare instructions for the officers in the recruiting service, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration, the Congress, thereupon, came to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the colonels of the several battalions ordered to be raised, do immediately order their officers, on recruiting service, to such parts where they are best known, and have the greatest probability of success.

That the recruiting officers ought to be careful to inlist none but healthy, sound and able-bodied men, and not under sixteen years of age.

That the colonels of the several battalions aforesaid, appoint some place or places of rendezvous, to which the recruits may be sent, and where the battalions may be quartered.

That the greatest attention ought to be paid to the behaviour of the troops in quarters, that they may give no reasonable cause of complaint.

That the quarters of the troops be duly discharged once every week.

That an allowance of one dollar and a third of a dollar per man, be made to the recruiting officers in lieu of their expenses in recruiting, exclusive of the subsistence-money allowed them. And that, in case any man be inlisted contrary to the foregoing regulations, the pay they may have received, and the subsistence-money that may be paid for them, shall be stopped from the pay of such recruiting officers.

That the colonels of the several battalions to be raised in Pennsylvania, be supplied with money for the recruiting service, by the committee of safety of said colony, and disburse the same to the several recruiting officers; the colonels and other officers to be accountable for what they shall receive, and all arrears they may fall into, to be stopped from their pay.

Resolved, That the sum of one dollar and one-third of a dollar per man, be allowed to the officers of the first Pennsylvania battalion, for each man by them inlisted, who shall have passed muster.

Resolved, That the treasurers be empowered to advance to Mr. Regonville a sum not exceeding 400 dollars, taking his draught or bill on his agent in Canada, for the same.

A letter from general Schuyler, dated January the 13th, enclosing copies of letters from gen. Wooster, colonel Arnold, and others, were laid before Congress, and read, containing an account of an unsuccessful attempt made to gain

possession of Quebec by storm, on the 31st of December, and of the death of general Montgomery.

The committee to whom the matter of South-Carolina, respecting the engag ing of seamen, was referred, brought in their report, which was read. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, January 18, 1776.

The committee to whom the petition of Dr. Church was referred, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That governor Trumbull be desired to give order for the removal of Dr. Church to some more comfortable place of confinement than that where he now is, if such can be found in that colony; and that, for the advancement of his health, the said Dr. Church be permitted to ride out, at proper seasons, under a trusty guard, who will be careful to prevent his carrying on any correspondence, or doing any act prejudicial to the safety and welfare of the United Colonies.

A letter from the committee of Frederick-town, Maryland, enclosing sundry intercepted letters found upon Dr. John Smith, one of Connolly's associates, being brought by the guard who had the charge of bringing down said Smith, was laid before Congress and read:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety for the colony of Pennsylvania, to take the examination of the said Dr. Smith, and then commit him to safe and close confinement.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the letter from general Schuyler of the 13th of January, with the enclosures, and report thereon to Congress.

The members chosen, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Ward, and Mr. S. Adams.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, January 19, 1776.

Resolved, That five members be elected for the committee of claims, in the room of those who are absent.

The members chosen, Mr. Wolcott, for Connecticut, in the room of Mr. Deane; Mr. Floyd, for New-York, in the room of Mr. Lewis; Mr. M'Kean, for the lower counties on Delaware, in the room of Mr. Rodney; Mr Rogers, for Maryland, in the room of Mr. Johnson; Mr. E. Rutledge, for South-Carolina, in the room of Mr. Gadsden.

The committee to whom the letters from Lancaster were referred, brought in an answer, which was read and approved:

Ordered, That the same be transcribed and forwarded.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the matter of South-Carolina, respecting seamen; Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be recommended to captain Cochran, who is arrived here for the purpose of recruiting seamen, to pursue the following plan in the inlist» ing service in which he is employed by the colony of South-Carolina.

That he offer to each able-bodied seaman the wages of eight dollars per month, and that he pay to them nine dollars bounty, and, upon their arrival in South-Carolina, the further bounty of five dollars.

That captain Cochran repair immediately to the camp at Cambridge, and take the advice and direction of general Washington on this affair, and proceed to inlist his seamen in such parts of the country as will be the least prejudicial to the continental service.

That the president write to general Washington, acquainting him with the situation of South-Carolina, the necessity that colony is in for seamen, and desiring that he will please to forward this service.

The cómmittee of claims reported, that there is due,

To the committee of Berks county, for provisions, ammunition, &c. furnished the rifle companies, £11 14 10, and for necessaries furnished the prisoners from St. John's, the sum of £8 13 11, amounting, in the whole, to £20 8 9, equal to 54.5 dollars, to be paid to Dr. Jonathan Potts.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

Résolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favor of the delegates of South-Carolina, for the sum of 10,000 dollars, which was appropriated for Indian affairs in the southern department.

The council of safety for the three lower counties on Delaware, having recommended sundry gentlemen for field officers, of the battalion ordered to be raised in that colony, the Congress proceeded to an election, and the ballots being taken,

John Haslet, esq. was elected colonel, and

Gunning Bedford, esq. lieutenant-colonel.

The Congress resuming the consideration of the report of the committee on the state of the colonies:

Resolved, That four battalions be raised in the colony of New-York, for the defence of that colony, upon the same pay with those directed to be raised in the colony of Pennsylvania; and that they be stationed as the commanding officer of the New-York department shall think best, to garrison the several forts in that colony, from Crown-Point to the southward, and to prevent depredations upon Long-Island, and to promote the safety of the whole.

Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing resolution be transmitted to the council of safety of New-York; and that they be requested, with all possible expedition, to transmit to Congress, the names of a number of gentlemen, at least two for each command, out of whom the Congress may elect field officers for said battalions.

The committee on qualifications brought in a report, which was agreed to as follows:

That Roger Stayner, and George Jenkins, be appointed first lieutenants in the first Pennsylvania battalion.

That the two eldest ensigns he promoted to be second lieutenants in the room of the above.

That Robert Allison be appointed an ensign in said battalion.
That Jacob Shallus be appointed quarter-master of said battalion.

The committee appointed to hear the complaints of the officers, and colonel Bull's defence, brought in their report, which, after debate, was referred till to-morrow.

The committee to whom general Schuyler's letter of the 13th of January, with the papers and letters enclosed, was referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the American army in Canada be reinforced with all possible despatch, as well for the security and relief of our friends there, as for better securing the rights and liberties not only of that colony, but the other United Colonies.

That an express be sent to the committee of safety of New Jersey, and an application made to that of Pennsylvania, immediately to quicken the officers employed in levying the forces directed to be raised in those colonies, and marched to Canada, and do all in their power to forward the service. And that the committee of inspection of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, be requested forthwith to use their utmost endeavors to aid Mr. J. Mease in procuring of the householders therein, such blankets as may be spared from their respective families, for the use of the battalion destined for this important expedition, at so severe a season; for which the owners shall be allowed the value of such blankets, according to the estimation of the said committee of inspection. VOL. I.

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And that colonel Bull and colonel Maxwell, do, without delay, march such of the companies of their battalions as are now ready, to general Schuyler.

That general Washington be requested to detach from the camp at Cambridge, one battalion, if the service there will permit him to spare one, with orders to march with the greatest expedition possible to Canada.

That for the more speedy raising the battalions, ordered on the 8th of January, to be raised in the colonies of New-Hampshire, Connecticut, New-York, and Pennsylvania, for the defence of Canada, it be recommended to the general assemblies, conventions, or councils, or committees of safety, of those colonies respectively, to exert their utmost endeavors in raising the said battalions, upon the same pay and subsistence as the army at Cambridge, and to furnish them with provisions, ammunition, and other necessaries, for expediting their march to Canada. And, for farther encouraging the men more cheerfully to enter into the service of their country, to give a bounty of six dollars and two-thirds, to every able-bodied effective man, properly clothed for the service, and having a good firelock, with a bayonet, and other accoutrements; and four dollars to every soldier not having the like arms and accoutrements; the arms to be supplied by the colony, and the cost to be deducted out of the soldiers' pay; and also to provide a blanket and haversack for every inlisted soldier, and, morever, to advance one month's pay to every officer and soldier before their march, that they may be able to purchase necessary clothing.

That the first two companies which shall be complete of every battalion, do march to that country so soon as they shall be ready, and be followed in the same numbers, with like expedition, by the rest of the corps. And that it be recommended to the general assemblies, conventions, and councils or committees of safety, of the colonies in which battalions are directed to be raised, that they respectively attend to this business.

The committee desired leave to sit again, which was granted.
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, January 20, 1776.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the committee of safety for Pennsylvania, for the sum of 15,000 dollars, for the use of the five battalions to be raised in said colony; the said committee to be accountable.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To captain Henry Shylock, for his expenses in bringing Dr. John Smith from Hagarstown, and for his expenses in returning home, the sum of 89.3 dollars. To John Nelson, for his expenses in bringing the said Dr. John Smith from the Little Meadows to Hagarstown, and for his trouble in attending him to this city, with allowance of expenses in returning home, the sum of 75 dollars. To Francis Johnson, esq. for sundry expenses incurred by guards for powder, wagons, &c. the sum of 38 dollars.

To Thomas Dewees, for supporting several prisoners, the sum of 43.2 dollars.

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Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

A memorial from colonel Bull was presented to Congress and read, praying for leave, on account of ill treatment he had received from many officers of his corps, to resign his commission.

The committee on general Schuyler's letter, brought in a farther report, which being taken into consideration, the Congress came to the following re'solutions:

Resolved, That general Washington be desired to despatch a general officer, if he can be spared from the service at Cambridge, to command the army in Canada.

That, it being necessary to procure a large quantity of specie for the operations in Canada, which cannot be successfully carried on without that article, it be recommended to the general assemblies, conventions, and councils or com mittees of safety, upon the continent, to employ proper persons, within their respective colonies, to collect all the gold and silver coin they can, and inform Congress of the sum collected.

That it will not be expedient at present to send a committee of Congress to Canada:

That the committee of secrecy be desired to despatch one ton of gun-powder with the first companies that shall march from Pennsylvania to Canada, and that governor Trumbull be desired to send the like quantity of gun-powder with the first detachment of forces directed to march thither from Connecticut:

That the losses sustained by captain Hazen be ascertained by commissioners to be appointed by the commanding officer in Canada, and that the commissioners report their proceedings, with the examination of the witnesses, and their own opinion thereupon, to Congress :

That the general assemblies, conventions or councils, or committees of safety, of the colonies, in which forces are directed to be raised for the service of Canada, be desired to raise, for the same service, one company of matrosses, consisting of forty privates, in each colony, under proper officers; and where a company cannot be completed, to raise as many as they can, under subaltern officers, in proportion to their numbers:

'Phat general Wooster be desired to take possession of the medicine chest. mentioned by colonel Campbell, to be claimed by Dr. Beaumont, and if it appear to him to be private property, to pay the value thereof to the owner:

That the general assemblies, conventions, or councils or committees of safety, be desired to take the most effectual measures for recovering the arms, accoutrements, batteaus, tools, and other stores of the continent, said to have been carried off by some of the soldiers who have returned from Canada:

That 12,500 dollars be advanced to each of the general assemblies or councils, or committees of safety, of the colonies in which forces are directed to be raised for the service of Canada, for the purpose of recruiting their respective regiments :

That, from the necessity of the case, and to prevent delays, blank commissions be issued by the president for the field officers, captains, and subalterns, who are to command the battalions ordered to be raised for Canada, in New Hampshire, and Connecticut, to be filled up with the names of such gentlemen as shall be judged most proper by the convention or committee of safety of New-Hampshire, and by the governor and council of Connecticut:

That the foregoing resolution be not drawn into a precedent:

That, exclusive of colonel Livingston and his regiment, already determined on, there be one thousand Canadians more raised, for one year, or during the present disputes, at six dollars and two-thirds bounty, and the usual pay, which number shall compose four, battalions, and form one regiment, five companies of fifty men to each battalion, one captain, one lieutenant, and one ensign, to each company, and four majors, one lieutenant-colonel, and one colonel, to the whole regiment:

That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be desired to provide and despatch fifes and drums to Canada, for the two regiments directed to be raised in that colony..

Resolved, That orders be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the delegates of New-Hampshire, for the above sum of 12,500 dollars; and in favor of the delegates of Connecticut, for the like sum of 12,500 dollars; and in favor of the delegates of New-York, for the like sum of 12,500 dollars, for the use of the battalions to be raised for Canada; and that the said delegates be desired to forward the said sums to their respective colonies with all expedition; the several colonies to be accountable for the same.