prepare a speech, to be delivered to the Indians, and to procure such articles as they judge proper for a present. The delegates from North-Carolina, and the delegates from Virginia, laid before Congress, certain instructions which they received from their respective conventions. Resolved, That the sum of 30,000 dollars be transmitted to the assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, to be by them exchanged for silver and gold, for the Canada expedition, agreeable to a former resolution of Congress. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, TUESDAY, May 28, 1776. Resolved, That colonel Turbutt Francis be desired to attend at the next conference with the Indians, and assist in interpreting for them. The committee, to whom it was referred to consider of a mode for regulating the price of salt, brought in their report, which was read Ordered, To lie on the table. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, WEDNESDAY, May 29, 1776. : A letter from general Wooster, of the 27th of April last, and a letter from William Palfrey, with a weekly account from the 19th to 25th May inclusive, were laid before Congress, and read. A petition from captain Budden was presented to Congress and read; Whereupon, Resolved, That midshipman Draper be offered in exchange for captain William Budden. A letter from Levi Hollingsworth, and Thomas Richardson, to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, dated Newport, 21st instant, also a memorial from sundry members of the general assembly of Rhode-Island, were presented to Congress, and read : Ordered, To lie on the table. The committee appointed to confer with the generals, brought in a report, which was read and considered: Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed till to morrow. Resolved, That the committee have leave to sit again. A letter from Mr. Jay, introducing a foreigner to the notice of Congress, was presented and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the secret committee, and that they be directed to confer with the gentleman. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, For ferriages of two brass field-pieces, sent to Virginia, the sum of 6 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to James Davidson: To Walter Stewart for his expenses in going on board the Liverpool frigate, the sum of 8 15-90 dollars : To David Lenox, for his expenses going to New-York as an escort of money, the sum of 62 68-90 dollars: To William Sheppard, for wagon-hire on two journies to New-York, and on a journey to Port-Royal, in Virginia, with general Lee, the sum of 102 4-90 dollars: On several certificates for entertaining general Lee's guard, the sum of 37 78-90 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to George Ross, esq. To Robert Erwin, for wagonage of gun-powder to the city of New-York, the sum of 414 dollars. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. The said committee farther reported, that captain John Lowdon had laid before them, an account of the expenditure of money paid into his hands, for the purpose of raising a company of riflemen, amounting to the sum of 582 7-90 dollars: Transporting baggage from Northumberland to Reading, 40 dollars: Amount of divers articles ordered to be charged to captain Lowdon, which now appear to be continental charges, 50 3-90 dollars: Amount of John Harris, and Elias Younkman's bills, which have been twice paid, and twice charged to captain Lowdon, and which ought now to be charged to the committee of Berks, 86 44-90 dollars: The whole amounting to 758 54-90 dollars: Ordered, That captain Lowdon be credited with the above sum, and that the THURSDAY, May 30, 1776. Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the mode of regulating the price of salt; and, thereupon, came to the following resolu tion: Whereas it hath been represented to Congress, that avaricious, ill-designing men, have taken the advantage of the resolve of Congress, passed the 30th of April, for withdrawing, from the committees of inspection, the power of regulating the price of goods, to extort from the people a most exorbitant price for salt: Resolved, That it be recommended to the committees of observation and inspection in the United Colonies, so to regulate the price of salt, as to prevent unreasonable exactions on the part of the seller, having due regard to the difficulty and risque of importation; subject, however, to such regulations as have been, or shall hereafter be made, by the legislatures of the respective colonies. The committee, to whom the letter from Joseph Woodward, chairman of the committee of the New-Hampshire grants, was referred, and who were directed to hear the persons mentioned in the said letter, brought in their report, which was read. The committee to whom it was referred to consider of an adequate reward for the person who brought the late intelligence from England, brought in their report; Whereupon, Resolved, That he receive his pay, being a soldier in captain Morgan's company of riflemen, to be continued from the time of his captivity until the 15th day of June next, and a gratuity of one hundred dollars. A petition from captain Herman Allen was presented to Congress, and read. Resolved, That six of the heaviest cannon at Newport, and fourteen of the heaviest cannon at New-London, belonging to the continent, be transported to Philadelphia as soon as possible: That a copy of the above resolution be transmitted to the governors of RhodeIsland and Connecticut. Congress then took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to confer with his excellency general Washington, major-general Gates, and brigadier-general Mifflin; and, after some debate, Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of the whole Congress. Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee of conference; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into consideration the matter referred to them, and have come to a resolution thereon; but, not having had time to go through the whole, desired him to move for leave to sit again. 1 The resolution reported from the committee of the whole Congress being read, was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That the general be authorized to direct the building as many fire-rafts, row-gallies, armed boats, and floating-batteries as may be necessary, and suitable for the immediate defence of the port of New-York, and Hudson's river. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the committee of conference. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, FRIDAY, May S1, 1776. A letter of the 22d from commodore E. Hopkins, enclosing the proceedings of two courts-martial on John Hazard, commander of the sloop Providence, and Abraham Whipple, commander of the Columbus, was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee on the instructions given to commodore Hopkins. A letter of the 21st from Jonathan Trumbull, deputy pay-master general; and a petition from Hugh King, in behalf of himself and others, were laid before Congress, and read. Resolved, That an order for 50,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of brigadier-general Mifflin, to enable him to pay for tents, entrenching tools, and sundry other articles, which he, as quarter-master general, has bought in Philadelphia, for the use of the continental army; he to be account able. The committee of conference brought in a farther report, which was read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee of the whole Congress. Resolved, That John Connolly, John Smith, and Allan Cameron, three of the prisoners confined in the gaol of Philadelphia, who are represented to be in a dangerous state of health, be permitted, for the recovery of their health, to walk two hours in the day in the yard of the prison, in company with, or under the inspection of at least two of the guards. Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports of the committee of conference; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into their further consideration the matters to them referred, but, not having yet finished, desired him to move for leave to sit again. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports of the committee of conference. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, SATURDAY, June 1, 1776. Letters from the committees of Hartford and Northampton, in Connecticut, respecting prisoners, being laid before Congress and read, Resolved, That they be referred to the committee on prisoners. A letter of the 27th of May from governor Trumbull was also read; and a letter from colonel J. Read, imforming, that, upon his arrival at New-York, finding a gentleman of character and abilities performing the services of secretary, with satisfaction to the general, he was induced to request, and has obtained the general's leave, to resign that office. VOL. I. 46 The committee on Indian affairs, to whom it was referred to consider of a proper present for the Indians, brought in their report: Whereupon, Resolved, That the said committee be empowered and directed to purchase goods for a present to the Indians, to an amount not exceeding 426 60-90 dollars. The Congres then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the report of the committee of conferrence; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee had taken into further consideration the matters to them referred, and come to some resolutions, which they desired him to report; but, not having yet come to a conclusion, directed him to move for leave to sit again. The report from the committee of the whole Congrees was read: Whereupon, Resolved, That six thousand militia be employed to reinforce the army in Canada, and to keep up the communication with that province; to make up which number, Resolved, That the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, be requested to supply, of their militia 4 battalions. 3000 Connecticut, of their militia New-York, of their militia 750 2 battalions. 1 battalion. 1 battalion. Resolved, That the further consideration of the report be postponed till Monday next. Resolved, That the Congress will, on Monday next, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the report of the committee of conference. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Anthony Fricker, for boarding the Scots hostages from the 22d of March to the 4th of June instant, 246 78-90 dollars: To Samuel Patterson, for wagon-hire and dining the prisoners brought from North-Carolina, the sum of 7 60-90 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Thomas McKean, esq. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock on Mondoy next. MONDAY, June 3, 1776. Sundry letters received by general Washington, were laid before Congress, and read. Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, for 1066 2-3 dollars, in favor of Ephraim Blaine, esq. in advance, for the purchase of shoes, to be sent to Williamsburg, for the use of the continental army; he to be accountable. The committee of conference brought in a farther report, which was read: Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee of the whole Congress. The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the reports of the committee of conference ; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions thereon, which they have directed him to report; but, not having yet come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again. The report from the committee of the whole Congress being read, was agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That 13,800 militia be employed to reinforce the army at NewYork; to complete which number, Resolved, That the colony of Massachusetts-Bay be requested to furnish of their militia Connecticut of their militia New-York, of their militia New-Jersey, of their militia 2000 5500 3000 3300 Resolved, As the opinion of Congress, that the eleven battalions, raised and ordered to be raised for the protection of the four New-England colonies, are sufficient. Resolved, That a flying camp be immediately established in the middle colonies; and, that it consist of 10,000 men; to complete which number, Resolved, That the colony of Pennsylvania be requested to furnish of their militia Maryland, of their militia Delaware government, of their militia 6000 3400 600 Resolved, That the militias be engaged to the first day of December next, unless sooner discharged by Congress; That the pay of the militias commence from the day of their marching from home, and that they be allowed one penny a mile, lawful money, in lieu of rations, for travelling expenses, and one day's pay for every twenty miles, between home and the general rendezvous, going and returning: That three major-generals, and two brigadier-generals, be added to the continental establishment of general officers, and that the vacancies in the offices of adjutant-general, and quarter-master general, be filled up: That the general assembly of the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, the governor and assembly of the colony of Connecticut, the conventions of New-York and New-Jersey, and the several conventions of such other of the United Colonies, in which there are any lead-mines, be requested to transmit to Congress, with all convenient despatch, the state and condition of the lead-mines in their respective colonies, and use the most speedy means to procure their being wrought to effect: That it be earnestly recommended to the assemblies, conventions, and committees of safety of the United Colonies, to fall upon the most effectual means of removing the stock, grain, and meal, from such parts of their respective colonies, as are invaded, or are in imminent danger of being invaded by the enemy. That two provincial brigadier-generals be employed in the Canada department; one from Massachusetts-Bay, and one from Connecticut: That four provincial brigadier-generals be employed in the New-York department; one from Massachusetts-Bay, one from Connecticut, one from New-York, and one from New-Jersey: That three provincial brigadier-generals be employed for the flying-camp; two from Pennsylvania, and one from Maryland: That the said brigadier-generals be appointed by the respective colonies abovementioned. That the commander in chief be authorized to form and fix such magazines of provisions and military stores, as he may judge necessary. Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for electing the three major-generals and the two brigadier-generals, and for filling up the vacancies in the offices of adjutant-general, and quarter-master general. Resolved, That the secret committee be empowered to export produce of these colonies to the foreign West-Indies, sufficient to pay for ten thousand stand of arms, ordered to be procured from thence by the committee of secret correspondence. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the committee of conference. |