That the plates engraved for the two last emissions, shall be used in the emission now directed, and that the bills be expressed in the following words: Dollar This bill entitles the bearer to receive Spanish milled dollars, or the value thereof in gold or silver, according to a resolution of Congress, passed at Philadelphia the 9th of May, 1776. That the said bills be signed by two signers, and each different denomination numbered from number one progressively. The committee, appointed to examine and ascertain the value of the several species of gold and silver coins current in these colonies, and the proportions they ought respectively to bear to Spanish milled dollars, brought in their report, which was read: Ordered, To lie on the table. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, May 23, 1776. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to confer with general Washington, major-general Gates, and brigadier-general Mifflin, upon the most speedy and effectual means for supporting the American cause in Canada: The members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Rutledge. Resolved, That the committee appointed to contract for the making fire-arms, be directed to order the manager of the continental factory of fire-arms, at Lancaster, and the manager of the gun-lock factory at Trenton, to deliver to colonel Shee, or his order, all the muskets and gun-locks that each of them may have ready, in order to the more expeditious arming the continental battalion under his command : That the said committee be directed to bring in a resolution for promoting and encouraging the making of good fire-arms. A letter from Charles Miller to Joseph Trumbull, esq. commissary-general, was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three: The members chosen, Mr. Whipple, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. F. Lee. Resolved, As the opinion of this Congress, that James M'Knight ought to restore to the owners the money found on board the sloop Sally, and also the ffects, or the money he received for the effects, on board the said sloop, at the time she was run on shore, and for the wreck, tackle and furniture of the said sloop; which effects, wreck, tackle, and furniture, were sold or pretended to be sold, or secreted by him, the said James McKnight. Ordered, That general Washington attend in Congress to-morrow. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, May 24, 1776. A letter from Mrs. Abi. Grant was laid before Congress and read, requesting permission to return to her husband and family in London, and to take on board necessary stores for the voyage: Resolved, That her request be granted, and that the president give her a passport to the place where she shall choose to embark. The committee for superintending the treasury, to whom was referred the account and claim of captain Herman Allen, of lieutenant-colonel Warner's battalion, brought in their report, which was agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That there be allowed to captain Herman Allen, for sundry disbursements for the use of his company, the sum of 360 dollars, over and above the account allowed by the convention of New-York, amounting to £. 240 18, New-York currency. The committee, to whom was referred the petition of Joseph Trumbull, esq. commissary-general, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration and agreed to; Whereupon, Resolved, That there be allowed to the several persons under mentioned, employed in the commissary-general's department, in the continental army, the wages and rations annexed to their names respectively, during the time they have been, and shall continue, in the service of the United Colonies: In the issuing store at Cambridge: Charles Miller, issuing store-keeper, 50 dollars per month, and 4 rations : Peter Roe Dalton, first clerk, 4s 8, lawful money, a day, and 3 rations: Ebenezer Perry, and Thomas Durant, clerks in store,3s 4 do. and 2 rations: William Brown, and Josiah Brown, clerks at scales, 3s 4 do. and 2 do rations: Robert Davis, clerk of weekly allowances, 3s 4 do. and 2 do. Eight laborers, one cooper, and one cook, each 2s 8, lawful money, a day, and 1 ration: Employed to issue to two brigades. In the store at Roxbury: Aaron Blaney, issuing store-keeper, 50 dollars per month, and 4 rations; On Prospect Hill: Peter Philips, issuing store-keeper, 40 dollars a month, and 4 rations : One clerk in store, and one at scales, each 3s 4, lawful money, a day, and 2 rations: One cooper, and four laborers, each 2s 8 do. and 1 do. Employed to issue to one brigade. At Medford: a day, and 3 rations: do. Moses Emerson, issuing store-keeper, 40 dollars a month, and 4 rations : do. and 1 do. In the magazine at Cambridge: Samuel Gray, Reuben Stiles, and Daniel Brown, clerks and magazine keepers, 4s 8, lawful money, a day, and 3 rations: One cooper, 2s 8, lawful money, a day, and 1 ration. In the magazine at Roxbury: Jabez Porter, and James Jauncey Pendleton, clerks and magazine keepers, 4s 8, lawful money, a day, and 3 rations: One cooper, 2s 8 do. and 1 do. Joseph Farnsworth, commissary to colonel Arnold's detachment, returned from Fort-Halifax, 10, lawful money, a month, and 3 rations per day: John Thomas, employed constantly in riding to collect stores, procure teams, &c. himself and horse, 8s, lawful money, a day, and 3 rations: William Hoskins, and Elisha Avery, principal book-keepers and payers of small bills, £10, lawful money a month, and 3 rations per day. Resolved, That an addition of forty dollars a month be made to the pay of the commissary-general. The committee appointed to confer with his excellency general Washington, major-general Gates, and brigadier-general Mifflin, brought in their report; which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That the commanding officer in Canada, be informed, that Congress are fully convinced of the absolute necessity of keeping possession of that country, and that they expect the forces in that department will contest every foot of the ground with the enemies of these colonies; and, as Congress have in view the cutting off all communication between the upper country and the enemy, they judge it highly necessary that the exertions of the forces be particularly made on the St. Lawrence, below the mouth of the Sorell: That the commanding officer in Canada be directed to make exact and frequent returns of men, provisions and military stores in the Canadian department, to the general and commander in chief of the United Colonies : That general Schuyler be desired to take care that the army in Canada be regularly and effectually supplied with necessaries: That the troops ordered for Canada be hastened into that country so soon as provisions can be forwarded for their support: That the commanding officer in Canada be assured of the resolution of Congress, to afford him every support, in his endeavors to carry their views into execution. Resolved, That Mr. R. R. Livingston be added to the committee of conference; and they be directed farther to confer with the generals, touching the most proper posts, and measures to be taken for effectually preventing the enemy's communication with the upper country from Canada, and such other measures as shall tend to secure the frontiers. Agreeable to order, general Washington attended in Congress, and, after some conference with him, Resolved, That he be directed to attend again to-morrow. A letter of the 26th of April from the convention of North-Carolina, with a list of prisoners by them sent to Pennsylvania, was laid before Congress, and read: Whereupon, Resolved, That the said letter and list be sent to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, and that they be desired to have the said prisoners properly and safely secured and provided for, agreeably to the resolutions of Congress, at the expense of the United Colonies. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Jacob Hiltzheimer, for sundry expresses, the sum of 372.3 dollars. To captain Nathaniel Falconer, for his and Mr. Ashe's expenses, together with the expenses of two servants going to New-York, with money, and returning, the sum of 98.5 dollars: To Daniel Smith, for expenses of guards, &c. at the city tavern, over brigadier-general Prescot, and captain Chase, the sum of 118 dollars. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. Sundry resolutions, passed by the convention of Maryland, were laid before Congress, and read. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, SATURDAY, May 25, 1776. A letter from colonel William Wind, dated the 18th, and a petition from the committee of the county of Lincoln, were presented to Congress; also a petition from John Wilcox, and John and Peter Chevalier, was presented and read. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to sell to the petitioners, John Wilcox, and John and Peter Chevalier, 75 lb. of gun-powder. That the said committee be directed to deliver to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, half a ton of powder, in order to prove cannon, the said committee to be accountable. Resolved, That an order for 20,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of James Mease, commissary, for the use of the Pennsylvania battalions, he to be accountable: That Mr. J. Mease be directed to provide a stock of shoes, hats, and stockings for the use of the troops in the continental service, on the most reasonable terms. A petition from James M'Knight was presented to Congress and read. A memorial from the committee of inspection and observation of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, was presented to Congress and read : Ordered, To lie on the table. Ordered, That a copy of said memorial be delivered to Mr. R. Morris, who desires the same in behalf of the assembly of Pennsylvania. Resolved, That an order for 65,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of the delegates of Virginia, for the use of the battalions raised in that colony, the said colony to be accountable. Agreeable to order, general Washington attended, and after some conference with him, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to confer with his excellency gen. Washington, major-general Gates, and brigadier-general Mifflin, and to concert a plan of military operations for the ensuing campaign. The members appointed, Mr. Harrison, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Whipple, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Read, Mr. Tilghman, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Middleton, and Mr. Hall. The committee of safety of Pennsylvania, to whom were referred the letter from the convention of North-Carolina, and the list of the prisoners sent from thence, having appointed colonel Roberdeau to wait upon Congress and inform them that the prisoners are arrived, and that they have ordered them to be closely confined, and have appointed an officer's guard for their better security; and farther, to enquire what allowance for subsistence is to be granted them: Resolved, That the disposition of the prisoners, made by the committee of safety, is approved, and that they have the allowance granted to other officers who are prisoners. The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letter from general Washington, of the 11th of May, the letter from general Schuyler, of the 3d, and the letter from captain Daniel Robertson, of the royal Highland emigrant regiment, of the 9th, which was in part agreed to: Where upon, Resolved, That lieutenant-colonel Burbeck be dismissed from the continental service. That a letter be witten to the president of the convention of Virginia, requesting that they will immediately forward to Philadelphia such quantity of lead as can be spared from that colony: That one battalion of Germans be raised for the service of the United Colonies : That general Schuyler be empowered to increase the number of batteaus to two hundred : That four of the prisoners taken at St. Johns, and suggested, by the letter from captain Robertson, to have inlisted in the continental army, viz. William Roughhead and Elisha Grisler, in captain Hubley's company; John Stanton, in captain Brown's company; and John Mayot, in a company unknown, be dismissed the service and return to their corps at Lancaster. Resolved, That the consideration of the first paragraph in said report be postponed, and that the third and fifth paragraphs be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the generals. A number of deputies, from four of the Six Nations of Indians, having arrived in town, and notified Congress that they are desirous of an audience, Resolved, That they be admitted to an audience on Monday next, at eleven o'clock. Ordered, That notice be given to the colonels of the association of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, to draw out their battalions in review, on Monday morning, as early as they can conveniently; and that the Congress, with the generals in town, will attend the review at nine o'clock. Resolved, That the arms, ammunition, and military stores, taken by the armed schooner Franklin, or any other of the armed vessels in the pay of the United Colonies, be at the disposal of the general or commander in chief of the American forces. The committee, to whom the resolutions of the convention of South-Carolina, respecting the battalions raised in that colony, were referred, brought in their report, which was read. Resolved, That the several reports on general Washington's letters, not yet considered, and the general's letters which were referred to a committee of the whole Congress, be committed to the committee appointed to confer with the generals. As two of the committee to whom the letter from colonel Hand, of the rifle battalion, was referred, are absent, Resolved, That two other members be chosen in their room : The members elected, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Wolcott. The committee to whom was referred the letter from Charles Miller to the commissary general, brought in their report, which was read and agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That the commissary general be directed to order so much of the provisions stored in the continental magazine in Massachusetts-Bay, to be delivered, for victualling the five ships of war, now building at Portsmouth, Newburyport, and Providence, as the marine committee shall direct; and to keep the residue for the use of the continental army, that is or may be stationed in the eastern department. That the commissary-general be directed to receive the amount of the pork, beef, and fish, supplied the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and credit the same in his account with the United Colonies. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday. MONDAY, May 27, 1776. A letter of the 16th from George Morgan, esq. to Lewis Morris, esq. was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the standing committee on Indian affairs. A petition from Samuel de Lucena was presented to Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee for promoting the manufacture of sulphur and salt-petre. A petition from the committee of the county of Monmouth, in the colony of New-Jersey, was presented to Congress, and read: Ordered, To lie on the table. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to send forward with all convenient despatch, one ton of powder, lent for the defence of the western frontier; of which 800 lb. to be lodged in Fort Pitt, 600 lb. with the committee of West-Augusta, and 600 lb. with the committee of Westmoreland, to be used only in case that country is attacked. Agreeable to order the Indians were admitted to an audience. After they withdrew, Resolved, That the standing committee for Indian affairs, be directed to |