The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

On an account exhibited by the committee of Frederick county, Maryland, to be paid to S. Chase and W. Paca, esqs the sum of 860.9 dollars, of which 268.4 being for rifles, &c. furnished captain Cressop's company of riflemen, ought to be charged to the said company, and the remainder to the continent:

To Nicholas Hower, for wagonage, the sum of 74.4 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Daniel Hower.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, February 19, 1776.

Met according to adjournment, and having attended the oration delivered in honor of general Montgomery, and of those officers and soldiers who magnanimously fought and fell with him in maintaining the principles of liberty, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, February 20, 1776.

The convention of New-Jersey having made a new choice of delegates to represent that colony in Congress, three of said delegates attending, produced their credentials, which were read as follows:

"IN PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, NEW-JERSEY, BRUNSWICK, 14th Feb. 1776: Resolved, on motion, unanimously, That William Livingston, John De Hart, Richard Smith, John Cooper, and Jonathan Dickenson Sergeant, esqrs. be delegates to represent this province in the Continental Congress, for the space of one year, or until others shall be legally appointed in their stead; and that they, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures which such Congress shall deem necessary; and this province bind themselves to execute, to the utmost of their power, all resolutions which the said Congress may adopt. And further, if the said Congress shall think necessary to adjourn, we do authorize our said delegates to represent and act for this province, in any one Congress to be held by virtue of such adjournments, during their delegation.

A true copy from the minutes,

WILLIAM PATTERSON, Secretary."

A letter from general Lee, of the 17th instant, was read.

A memorial from a number of the inhabitants of Northumberland, in the colony of Pennsylvania, with six papers therein enclosed, was presented to Congress and read: Also,

A petition from sundry inhabitants near Pittsburg, was presented and read: Resolved, That the above memorial and petition be referred to a committee of five.

The members chosen, Mr. Hewes, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Paca, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. Chase.

Lieutenant Brasher, who had the orders of general Schuyler to conduct a number of Canadian prisoners to New-Jersey or Pennsylvania, having executed his orders, laid his instructions before Congress, which were read. Also, Mr. Shallus, quarter-master of the first Pennsylvania battalion, having had orders to conduct certain prisoners down from Kingston, and having executed his orders, laid his instructions before Congress, which were read.

Resolved, That these be referred to the committee on the prisoners. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver to colonel Maxwell, or order, twenty stand of arms for the use of his battalion, he to be ac countable for the same.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the ways and means of procuring cannon: Whereupon,

Resolved, That two hundred and fifty twelve pounders, sixty nine pounders, and sixty-two four pounders, be purchased for the use of these colonies:

A

1

That the committee on the ways and means of procuring cannon, be empowered to purchase or contract for making the same:

That a new member be added to that committee:

The member chosen, Mr. W. Livingston.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Michael Connolly, expenses for wagon-hire, carrying the prisoners' baggage from Bethlehem to Reading, and his own expenses four days, the sum of

160 dollars.

To Richard Howel, for transportation of powder to Burlington, the sum of 342 dollars.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

Resolved, That colonel Wayne be directed to march with his battalion to New-York, and put himself under the command of general Lee, or the commanding officer there.

The Congress being informed that two prisoners taken at Chambly, and who had leave to stay at Newark in the province of New-Jersey, on condition of their making gun locks, for the use of the United Colonies, are not employed in that work:

Resolved, That the said two prisoners be ordered to Philadelphia, and put under the direction of Mr. Rittenhouse, to carry on the above business.

The Congress being informed that a quantity of powder, belonging to the United Colonies, was arrived at Brunswick, in New-Jersey,

Resolved, That Mr. Lewis, Mr. Alsop, and Mr. P. Livingston, be directed to forward the said powder, under a guard, with all possible expedition, to general Washington, for the use of the army under his command.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favor of M. la Junesse, for the sum of 250 dollars, for his services in behalf of the United Colonies. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, February 21, 1776.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To

Shallus, for his expenses in conducting prisoners from Albany to Trenton, the sum of 17 3-4 dollars.

To Caspar Shaaf, for wagonage, the sum of 104 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to S. Chase, and W. Paca, esqrs.

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Two letters from general Schuyler, of the 10th and 13th instant; being received, were read:

Resolved, That the same be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. S. Adams.

A letter from the committee of safety for Pennsylvania, of the 20th instant, respecting the prisoners at Lancaster, was read:

Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee on the prisoners. The committee on the treasury, to whom it was referred to consider the numbers and denominations of the bills, &c. brought in their report, which was considered, and agreed to, as follows:

That the four millions of dollars now to be emitted, consist of the following denominations :

That the plates engraved for the two former emissions, be used in the new emission of the bills from one to eight dollars inclusive, and that those bills be expressed in the following words:

No.

This bill entitles the bearer to receive

Dollars.

Spanish milled dollars, or the value thereof in gold or silver, according to a resolution of Congress, passed at Philadelphia, February 17, 1776.

That the said bills be signed by two signers, and each different denomination numbered from No. 1. progressively.

That one plate with proper devices be engraved for the smaller bills now to be emitted, under the value of one dollar :

That the form of the bills be as follows:

One

of a dollar, according to a resolution of Congress, passed at Philadelphia, February 17, 1776.

That each of these bills be signed by one signer only, and that each different denomination be numbered from No. 1. progressively as aforesaid:

That Michael Hillegas, Richard Bache, and Stephen Paschall, esqrs. be appointed and authorized to inspect the press :

That before they enter upon their office, they shall respectively take an oath or affirmation, to be to them administered by any magistrate, "well and faithfully to execute the trust reposed in them by a resolution of Congress, as inspectors of the press, according to the best of their skill and judgment." A certificate of which oath, or affirmation, shall be delivered to the committee on the treasury:

That each of the said inspectors respectively, shall be allowed two dollars a day for their services, while they shall be employed in inspecting the press,

in the execution of the said trust.

Resolved, That the committee on the treasury, be directed to have the foregoing resolutions carried into execution with all convenient despatch.

The committee for receiving the applications for offices in the continental army, reported, that they have nominated Mr. Lewis Durham, for surgeon to the third battalion, now raising in the colony of New-Jersey, and recommend him to the Congress for appointment to the said office.

Resolved, That the report be agreed to, and that a commission be granted to Mr. Lewis Durham accordingly.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, February 22, 1776.

Two letters from general Washington, both of the 9th of this month, being received and read,

Resolved, That the said letters be referred to a committee of the whole Congress.

Accordingly, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the letters just received from general Washington, and after some time the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the letters 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, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the letters from general Washington.

Information being given by a delegate from New-Jersey, that the regiment of militia, ordered by the convention of that colony to march for the defence of New-York, in consequence of the resolve of Congress of the 12th instant, wanted arms, with which they could not be furnished, unless the Congress would supply them out of the public stock; the Congress took this matter into consideration, and being of opinion, that it would not be proper to spare the public arms, which are wanted for the battalions raising in the continental service,

1

Resolved, That the march of the said battalion of militia be countermanded. Resolved, That orders issue to quicken colonel Wayne in getting his battalion ready; and that, as fast as he can get a company properly equipped, he cause it immediately to march to New-York.

Resolved, That the president be directed to write to the convention of NewYork, and desire them to inform Congress, what progress they have made in raising the four battalions recommended to be raised in that colony for the defence of the same.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, February 23, 1776.

Colonel Braxton, a delegate from Virginia, attending, produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read, as follows:

"VIRGINIA, IN CONVENTION, December 15, 1775.

The convention, according to the order of the day, proceeded to the appointment of a delegate to represent this colony in the general Congress, in the room of the late hon. Peyton Randolph, esq. and the members having prepared tickets with the name of the delegate to be appointed, and put the same into the ballotbox, Mr. Thomas Ludwell Lee, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Digges, Mr. William Cabel, and Mr. Carter, of Lancaster, were appointed a committee to examine the ballot-box, and report on whom the majority fell; and, it appearing, from their report, that there was a majority of the whole convention in favour of Carter Braxton, esq.

A copy,

Resolved, therefore, That the said Carter Braxton, esq. be appointed a delegate to represent this colony in the room of the late hon. Peyton Randolph, esq. JOHN TAZEWELL, Clerk of the Convention.” Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to return to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, the arms borrowed of them for the use of the continent.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Francis Daymon, for translating into French the rules and articles for the better regulating the continental troops, the sum of 13 1-5 dollars :

To Mons. Mesplet, for printing the military rules, and French letters to the inhabitants of Canada, the sum of 44 dollars:

To colonel Harrison, for expenses of himself, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Allen, on their journey to New York, the sum of 150.9 dollars:

To Jeremiah Traxler, for provisions, &c. for Indians who were in Philadelphia in December last, the sum of 40.8 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Mr. Kachlein :

To sundry persons for rifles furnished captain Morgan's company, the sum of 118.3 dollars, which ought to be paid to colonel Nelson, and charged to the said company.

To Clement Biddle, for shot-pouches, powder-horns, and bullet-moulds, purchased by him for the Canada regiment, the sum of 1169.3 dollars:

To sundry persons for blankets supplied captain Price's company, the sum of 32.9 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to George Read, esq. To captain Little, for provisions for guards attending captain Campbell, the sum of 9.5 dollars:

To Christian Rhorbeck, for necessaries furnished to several prisoners of the 7th and 26th regiments, the sum of 9.4 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Adam Kimmel:

To Henry Shits, for rifles, &c. furnished to captain Stevenson's cómpany, the sum of 78.6 dollars, to be charged to the said company:

To Abraham Ebrasher, for attending several French noblesse, from Albany to Bristol, the sum of 32 dollars.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to contract for the making of muskets and bayonets for the use of the United Colonies, and to consider of farther ways and means of promoting and encouraging the manufacture of fire arms in all parts of the United Colonies.

The members chosen, Mr. Paine, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Huntington, Mr. Lee, and Mr. L. Morris.

Resolved, That the letter of Mr. Christopher Leffingwell, dated the 29th November, 1775, with sundry papers relating to the cargo of the brig Nancy, be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Huntington, and Mr. Gerry.

Resolved, That the secret committee be empowered for the pupose of procuring arms and ammunition, to export the produce of these colonies, equal to the amount of that by them exported in two vessels lately taken by the enemy. Resolved, That the committee, for superintending the treasury, be authorized to employ one or more clerks for stating, keeping, and liquidating the public accounts, under their direction, and to provide books and a suitable office for that purpose:

That they have power to call upon the different committees of Congress, assemblies, conventions, councils or committees of safety, continental officers, and private persons, who have been or shall be entrusted with public money, for their accounts and vouchers, and for such other materials and information, as the said committee on the treasury shall judge to be useful, in stating, checking and auditing the public accounts.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several assemblies, conventions, councils, or committees of safety, and committees of correspondence and inspection in the United Colonies, to exert themselves, in devising farther ways and means of promoting and encouraging the manufacture of salt-petre, and of introducing that manufacture into private families.

That it be recommended to the assemblies and conventions in the United Colonies, that they immediately establish public works in each and every county, in their respective colonies, at the expense of such colonies, for the manufacture of salt-petre, and appoint committees of their own members immediately to set up such manufactures:

That it be recommended to the assemblies and conventions, councils, or committees of safety, of every colony, forthwith to erect powder-mills in their respective colonies, and appoint committees to build such mills, and procure persons well skilled in the manufacture of powder, at the expense of such colonies:

That a committee of this Congress, to consist of one member from each colony, be appointed to consider of further ways and means of promoting and encouraging the manufactures of salt-petre, sulphur and gun-powder in these colonies, and to correspond with the several assemblies and conventions, and councils or committees of safety in the several colonies, that Congress may be, from time to time, truly informed of the progress made in these manufactures. The members chosen, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Paine, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Huntington, Mr. L. Morris, Mr. Sergeant, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Read, Mr. Paca, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Hewes, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. Bullock.

Ordered, That the above resolutions respecting salt-petre, &c. be published. It being represented that capt. Harman has inlisted into his company, and carried with him to Canada, thirteen servants, without the consent of their masters; Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into this matter, and to report to Congress.

The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Willing, and Mr. Wythe.

Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the letters from general Washington, &c.

Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

VOL. I.

35