Resolved, That an order for 600 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of Samuel Fairlamb (who has contracted to supply colonel Wayne's battalion, quartered in and near Chester, at the rate of seven-ninetieths of a dollars per ration) to enable him to execute his contract, he to be accountable. The committee appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of the United Colonies, brought in a draft, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Resolved, That captain Gordon, upon giving his parole, be permitted, while he remains in town, to visit general Prescot at proper seasons. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, February 14, 1776.

Resolved, That two of the brass six pounders at New-York, belonging to the United Colonies, be sent to Virginia for the use of the forces there. Sundry letters being received, were read:

One from general Schuyler of the 7th of this month; one from general Wooster of the 29th of January, and one from general Arnold of the 24th of said month.

Resolved, That the foregoing letters, with the papers enclosed, be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Chase.

A letter from the committee of Amboy, dated 10th of this month, was read, and referred for consideration till to-morrow.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To John Ware, for conducting a French gentleman from Harwick township, in Sussex county, to Philadelphia, the sum of 13.2 dollars.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

Application being made by some of the master-carpenters employed in building the continental frigates, to some members of this house, informing, that about fifty of their journeymen and apprentices had engaged as volunteers to march with the battalion of associators of New-York, and that their zeal for the public service was such, that they cannot be persuaded to desist by any arguments or influence of said builders:

Resolved, That the spirit and zeal of the said journeymen and apprentices is highly approved of by Congress; but, nevertheless, it is the opinion of this Congress, that the public will be more essentially served by their continuing at work on the said continental frigates; and that, therefore, all the carpenters, journeymen, and apprentices, employed as aforesaid, be requested to remain in that service, as there is no doubt but other associators will complete the number wanted.

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee on the regulations and restrictions under which the ports should be opened after the first day of March next; and, after some time spent thereon, 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 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 farther consideration, the report of the committee on the restrictions and regulations of trade after the first of March next. The committee of correspondence, who were ordered to confer with the gentlemen from Canada, brought in their report, which was read:

Resolved, That the consideration thereof be referred till to-morrow.

The committee appointed to consider the best method of subsisting the troops in New-York, laid their report on the table.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

4.

THURSDAY, February 15, 1776.

Resolved, That the secret committee deliver one hundred and fifty stand of arms to colonel Maxwell, for the use of such of the companies of his battalion as want them, in order that they may immediately proceed to Canada.

The committee to whom the letters from the convention of New-Jersey, and from the field officers of the third battalion, ordered to be raised in that colony, were referred, brought in their report, which was read, and agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That colonel Heard be directed to furnish colonel Dayton with such of the arms lately brought from Long-Island, as are or may be made fit for service, or so many of them as colonel Dayton may desire:

That 30,000 dollars be advanced to Thomas Lowry on account; and that he be fully authorized to procure all necessaries (except arms) ordered by Congress, for the three battalions raised, or to be raised, in the colony of NewJersey:

That the convention or committee of safety of New-Jersey be allowed from the continental stock, half a ton of powder, out of which they are to re-pay what has been borrowed from Elizabeth-Town, Somerset, Woodbridge, and Brunswick:

That to the same convention or committee of safety, be advanced the further sum of 5,000 dollars, for the purpose of completing the three battalions there with arms, which they are desired to accomplish with all possible expedition.

Resolved, That two tons of the powder, belonging to the continent, be delivered to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of the forces in that colony. Sundry letters by col. Ritzema being received, were read, viz.

One from general Lee, dated the 11th, and one from general Schuyler, of the 4th of this month, with one from general Wooster of the 27th of January. Resolved, That the said letters be referred to the committee to whom the letters received yesterday were referred, and that the said committee be directed to confer with colonel Ritzema, and report to Congress.

Information being received that general Clinton was gone from New-York, the Congress came to the following resolution:

The Congress have a proper sense of the spirit and patriotism of the associators of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, in cheerfully offering and preparing to march, in order to assist in the defence of New-York; but, as the danger which occasioned an application for their service, is at present over, Resolved, That their march to New-York be suspended.

Resolved, That a pay-master be appointed for the troops in Virginia, and that his pay be 50 dollars per month.

The Congress then proceeded to the election, and Benjamin Harrison, jun. of Berkly, was chosen.

The Congress taking into consideration the report of the committee of correspondence,

Resolved, That a committee of three (two of whom to be members of Congress) be appointed to repair to Canada, there to pursue such instructions as shall be given them by Congress:

The members chosen, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. S. Chase, and Mr. C. Carroll, of Carrollton.

Resolved, That Mr. Carroll be requested to prevail on Mr. John Carroll to accompany the committee to Canada, to assist them in such matters as they shall think useful:

That this Congress will make provision to defray any expenses which may

attend this measure.

Resolved, That eight tons of powder be immediately sent to Canada, for the use of the forces there.

VOL. I.

34

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Richard Smith, for provisions furnished by sundry persons in New-York government, to captain Ross's company of rifle men, the sum of 28.8 dollars: To Michael Connolly, on account of expenses in bringing the women and children belonging to the 26th and 7th regiments from Esopus to Reading, the sum of 1082.8 dollars:

To colonel Simes on account of expenses, in bringing the baggage of the 26th and 7th regiments from Walpack to Lancaster, and several other small expenses, the sum of 569 dollars:

To Thomas M'Enry, for 800 canteen straps, the sum of 1333 dollars.
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

The committee, to whom the letter from the committee of safety of NewYork of the 3d of January, and the letter from governor Trumbull of the 6th of the same month, were referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That no farther works be erected on Martler's rock, but, that those already erected there, be supported and garrisoned:

That a fascine battery, to mount heavy cannon, not exceeding eighteen in number, to be thrown up on the Gravel Hill, eastward of Martler's rock, marked in the draught LL, so as to command the west point, the reach down the river from the west point, and part of the reach up the river: and that a convenient road be opened from this battery to the barracks on Martler's rock:

That a redoubt of earth and fascines be built on the eminence on the east side of the river, opposite to the west point marked in the draught A, to mount thirty guns:

That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of NewYork, to forward the battery at Pooplopen's kill; and that the said battery be made of earth and fascines, and to mount a number of guns, not exceeding forty:

That such of the continental troops as are or may be stationed at the aforesaid places, be employed in erecting these works and batteries, under the direction of the engineer:

That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of NewYork, to prosecute the discovery of the lead mine at New Canaan: and that a copy of the report of Joseph Hopkins to the general assembly of Connecticut respecting this mine, be sent to them.

The Congress took into consideration the report from the committee of the whole house, and after debate,

Resolved, That the same be re-committed.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a > committee of the whole, to take into consideration the propriety of opening the ports, and the restrictions and regulations of the trade of these colonies after the first of March next.

Resolved, That the committee on ways and means to procure cannon, be directed to enquire what quantity of brass can be procured, and that they be empowered to contract for the same.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, February 16, 1776.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to furnish colonel St. Clair's battalion with arms, and that the president write to colonel St. Clair, and direct him to use the utmost diligence in getting his battalion ready, and to march the companies, one at a time, as fast as they can be got ready, to Canada, with all possible expedition.

The committee appointed to make an estimate of the cannon wanted for the defence of the colonies, and to devise ways and means for procuring them, &c. brought in their report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

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, and the restrictions and regulations of the trade of these colonies 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 referred to them, but not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the propriety of opening the ports, and the restrictions and regulations of trade after the first of March next.

The committee to whom general Washington's and general Schuyler's letters were referred, laid their report on the table.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to morrow.

SATURDAY, February 17, 1776.

Resolved, That an order for ten thousand dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of James Mease, for the use of the Pennsylvania battalions, he to be accountable.

That colonel James Irvine, of the sixth Pennsylvania battalion, be authorized and empowered to purchase good arms for the use of his battalion, the price of the same to be deducted out of the pay of the men.

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

Resolved, That a standing committee of five be appointed for superintending the treasury:

That it be the business of this committee,

To examine the accounts of the treasurers, and, from time to time, report to Congress the state of the treasury;

To consider of ways and means for supplying gold and silver for the support of the army in Canada :

To employ and instruct proper persons for liquidating the public accounts, with the different pay-masters and commissaries in the continental service, and the conventions, committees of safety and others who have been or shall be entrusted with the public money; and, from time to time, to report the state of such accounts to Congress:

To superintend the emission of bills of credit:

To obtain from the different assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies, accounts of the number of inhabitants in each colony, according to the resolution of Congress on that subject.

The members chosen, Mr. Duane, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Gerry, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Willing.

The Congress taking into consideration the report of the committee on the treasury;

Resolved, That a farther sum of four millions of dollars be emitted on the same security as the sums heretofore emitted by Congress have been :

That the committee for superintending the treasury be directed to consider the numbers and denominations of the bills in which it will be proper to emit the above four millions, and report to Congress.

The committee appointed to consider into what departments the middle and southern colonies ought to be divided, brought in their report, which was read. The committee to whom sundry letters from brigadier-general Arnold, brigadier-general Wooster, major-general Schuyler, and major-general Lee, were referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; Where

upon,

Resolved, That major-general Lee be directed immediately to repair to Canada, and take command of the army of the United Colonies in that province:

That major-general Schuyler be directed to repair, as soon as his health will permit, to New-York, and take the command of the forces, and conduct the military operations there: and that the president inform him by express of this arrangement, and the reasons that led to it:

That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of NewYork, to supply general Lee with a quantity of suitable cannon, not exceeding twelve, and one or more mortars, if to be had, with balls, shells, and other necessaries for the siege or assault of Quebec; and that they assist him in for warding the same with all possible expedition:

That the regiment of Canadians, the raising of which is mentioned in brigadier-general Arnold's letter, of the 12th of January last, to have been put on foot by him, receive the same pay, and be subject to the same regulations as the other forces employed in Canada, and be accounted part of the number designed to be raised for that service.

That the appointment of captain

Rensselaer to be deputy muster

master general of the forces in Canada, be confirmed:

That the appointment of John Halsted, esq. to be commissary for the army before Quebec, be confirmed:

That major-general Schuyler be directed to have provisions stored in proper places near Hudson's river, between Albany and the Highlands, to supply such troops as it may be necessary to call out of the country:

That the offer made by general Schuyler to pay at the rate of four shillings per day for each of the sleds hired to forward the Pennsylvania and New-Jérsey forces in their march to Canada, be complied with:

That the officers in the continental armies be enjoined to use their utmost diligence in preventing every kind of plunder; and that all who shall offend herein, be punished according to the strictest discipline :

That the resolves of Congress for encouraging suttlers to attend the army in Canada, be published, with the information that hosiery, shoes, coarse linens, soap, rum, sugar, and wine, are much wanted there :

That a few artificers, such as armorers, smiths, carpenters, harness-makers, and wheel-wrights, with proper persons to superintend them, be forthwith sent to Canada.

That it be recommended to the convention of New-York, that such of the officers who served faithfully in Canada the last campaign, as are willing to continue there, be preferred, in the new levies of the colony of New-York, to others. Resolved, That a committee of three be chosen to prepare instructions for the committee appointed to go to Canada.

The members elected, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. Sherman.

Resolved, That this Congress will, on Tuesday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the propriety of opening the ports, and the restrictions and regulations of trade, after the first of March next. Resolved, That the committee appointed to purchase sundry articles of clothing for the northern army, be directed to contract for good strong shoes for the army in Canada.

The Congress taking into consideration the report of the committee on the method of subsisting the troops in New-York, &c.

Resolved, That the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars be advanced to the convention or committee of safety of New-York, for the support of the troops employed in the defence of that colony; the said convention or committee of safety to be accountable for the expenditure thereof; and that an order be drawn on the treasurers for the above sum, in favor of the delegates of that colony, who are directed to forward the same :

That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of NewYork, to contract with proper persons for supplying the said troops with the rations allowed by Congress, and with fuel and other necessaries, on the most reasonable terms in their power.

1