The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, TUESDAY, June 4, 1776. Resolved, That an order for 800 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of Joseph Swift, jun. being in full of a draught the 10th May, in his favor by. B. Franklin, S. Chase, and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, commissioners in Canada, for value by them received there, and employed in the public service. Resolved, That it be recommended to the assemblies and conventions of the colonies, requested to supply or furnish militia by the resolutions of yesterday, to take particular care that the militias come provided with arms, accoutrements, and camp kettles. A letter of the 3d from William Palfrey, pay-master general, was laid before Congress, and read. Resolved, That it be referred to the committee to whom the letters received the 21st of May last were committed. A letter of the 31st of May from John Macpherson, was laid before Congress and read: Resolved, That it be referred to Mr. Read and Mr. McKean, who are directed to confer with Mr. Macpherson. A petition from colonel Turbutt Francis, was presented to Congress, and read. Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of seven. The members chosen, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Harrison, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Wythe, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Braxton. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver the muskets lately imported, to col. Shee, for the use of his battalion. Resolved, That captain Herman Allen have leave to withdraw the petition by him delivered, in behalf of the inhabitants of the New-Hampshire grants, he representing that he has left at home some papers and vouchers necessary to support the allegations therein contained. Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be empowered to negotiate with captain Bellew, on the best terms they can, for an exchange of the prisoners on board the Liverpool; Provided always, that this shall not be construed so as to enable them to deliver up lieutenant Bogar and lieutenant Ball in the exchange. Agreeable to order, Congress 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 farther consideration the matters to them referred, and have come to some farther resolutions thereon, but not having yet come to a conclusion, directed him to move for leave to sit again. The resolutions agreed to by the committee of the whole Congress, being read, Resolved, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow. 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, WEDNESDAY, June 5, 1776. A letter of the 2d from major-general Putnam, with sundry, letters and papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee on prisoners. A letter from the committee of Greenwich, in Cumberland county, in NewJersey, dated the 3d, was laid before Congress and read, informing that the sloop Betsey and Ann, B. T. master, was arrived there from Bermudas, with ✅ 1700 bushels of salt, and two puncheons of rum, which he is desirous of exchanging for provisions, which the inhabitants of Bermuda are in extreme want of: Whereupon, Resolved, That the said master be allowed to exchange his cargo for provisions, and to export the same, under the inspection and direction of the committee of Greenwich, who are desired to take an oath, or such other security as they think proper,, of the said master, that he will carry the same to the islands of Bermuda, and will use his utmost endeavors to avoid all English men of war and cutters. Congress took into consideration the report from the committee of the whole : Whereupon, Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider what is proper to be done with persons giving intelligence to the enemy, or supplying them with provisions : The members chosen, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. R. Livingston. Resolved, That the deputy commissaries-general, deputy quarter-masters general, deputy adjutants-general, and deputy muster-masters general, make regular returns and reports to Congress, and to the respective officers to whom they are deputies, at least once a month, and that the principals also make returns to Congress at the same periods. That the pay-master general, and the deputy pay-masters general, make monthly returns to Congress of their expenditures, and the state of the military chests in their several departments : That the flying camp be under the command of such continental general officers as the commander in chief shall direct: That expresses be established between the several continental posts: That the militia, when in service, be regularly paid and victualled in the same manner as the continental troops: That the aids-de-camp of the commander in chief rank as lieutenant-colo.nels: That the aids-de-camp of major-generals rank as majors: That Robert Hanson Harrison, esq. have the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the continental army: That the assistant quarter-masters be allowed captain's pay: That the pay of the regimental surgeons be augmented to thirty-three dollars and one-third of a dollar a month. Resolved, That a committee, to consist of one member from each colony, be appointed, to consider of ways and means of establishing expresses between the several continental posts: The members are, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Lewis, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Lynch, jun. and Mr. Gwinnett. Congress then proceeded to the election of an adjutant-general and quartermaster general, to fill up the vacancies in those offices; when the ballots being taken and examined, Joseph Reed, esq. was elected adjutant-general; and Stephen Moylan, esq. was elected quarter-master general. Resolved, That Joseph Reed, esq. have the pay of 125 dollars a month, and the rank of a colonel : That Stephen Moylan, esq. have the pay of 80 dollars a month, and the rank of colonel. Resolved, That the election of major-generals be postponed. Resolved, That no person shall be appointed to any place of profit, unless the person be appointed shall have a majority of the voices of the colonies represented at the time of the election. Congress then proceeded to the election of two brigadier-generals, when the ballots being taken,, the following gentlemen were duly elected: John Whitecombe, esq. and IIugh Mercer, esq. The order of the day, and the several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, June 6, 1776. Sundry letters were laid before Congress and read, viz. Two from major-general Schuyler, of the 31st May and 1st June. One from the commissioners in Canada, of the 27th and 28th of May. Three from general Thomas, of which two to the commissioners of the 15th and 20th May, and one to general Wooster, of the 27th of the saine month: Three from brigadier-general Arnold, of the 17th, 25th, and 27th of May, to the commissioners in Canada, enclosing a cartel entered into between him and captain Foster, for exchange of prisoners: One from brigadier-general Thompson, of the 25th of said month, to the commissioners. Resolved, That a copy of the letter from the commissioners be sent to general Washington; That brigadier-general Wooster be directed immediately to repair to headquarters at New-York: That the letters received and read, be referred to a committee of five : The members chosen, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Sergeant, Mr. F. Lee, and Mr. Gwinnett. The draught of a speech to be delivered to the Indians, being read, was agreed to: Resolved, That the delivery of it be deferred for some days. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To captain William West, for expenses in conducting money to Williamsburg, horse-hire, &c. included, the sum of 219 40-90 dollars : To Melchior Meng, for twenty-one days hire of his wagon and horses carrying money to Virginia, the sum of 42 dollars: To Benjamin Towne, the sum of 26 27-90 dollars for cartouch-boxes, being so much paid him less than the price contracted for: To Robert Porter, for accoutrements for colonel Hartley's regiment, the sum of 18 66-90 dollars, and that the same ought to be charged to the said regiment: To John Kuntz, the sum of 21 40-90 dollars, of which sum there is due, for entertaining general Lee's guards, the sum of 10 60-90 dollars, and for expresses, the sum of 10 70-90 dollars: To Michael Staddleman, for entertaining general Lee's guard, the sum of 11 39-90 dollars: To Benjamin Smith, for board and accommodations for prisoners at Trenton, the sum of 31 4-90 dollars, which became due before the regulation of Congress, determining the price of their board, took place: For expenses in apprehending Henry Edwin Stanhope and George Gregory, who broke their parole and ran away from Northampton, in Connecticut, the sum of 47 48-90 dollars, and that the same ought to be charged to the said Stanhope and Gregory: Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. The marine committee having recommended sundry gentlemen for captains and subaltern-officers for the ships building or built for the continent: Resolved, That Thomas Thompson be appointed captain of the frigate built in New-Hampshire: John Hopkins, and Samuel Tomkins, for those building in Rhode-Island: Christopher Miller, for one of those building at New-York: Nicholas Biddle, John Barry, Thomas Read, Charles Alexander, for those building in Philadelphia: James Nicholson for that building in Maryland. Resolved, That the names of the thirteen frigates be, the Congress, Randolph, Hancock, Washington, Trumbull, Raleigh, Effingham, Montgomery, Warren, Boston, Virginia, Providence, and Delaware. Resolved, That Israel Turner be first-lieutenant; Joseph Doble, secondlieutenant; Mark Dennet, third lieutenant, of captain Manly's ship. Resolved, That the marine committee be empowered to affix the names to each particular ship, and determine the vessel which each captain is to take command of: That the marine committee be empowered and directed to consider the propriety of building two more ships of war, and their size, and report to Congress. Resolved, That three members be added to the committee appointed to devise ways and means for raising ten millions of dollars, voted the 6th of May: The members chosen, Mr. Braxton, Mr. R. Livingston, and Mr. Tilghman. Resolved, That doctor Jonathan Potts be employed as a physician and surgeon in the Canada department, or at Lake-George, as the general shall direct; but, that this appointment shall not supersede Dr. Stringer. Resolved, That an express be sent to Hugh Mercer, esq. who was yesterday appointed a brigadier general, with his commission, and that he be desired immediately to repair to head-quarters, at New-York. A memorial of Jacob Ummensetter was presented to Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee appointed to contract for the casting of cannon. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, FRIDAY, June 7, 1776. The committee to whom was referred the letter from Eseck Hopkins, commodore of the continental fleet, dated Providence, May 22d, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to; Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. Charles Walker, of New-Providence, be paid the value of the sloop Endeavour, as also of four tons of lignum-vitæ, and one hundred cedar posts, taken by the said commodore, for the use of the colonies, and the damages the said Walker has sustained by the taking and detention of the said vessel, lignum-vitee and posts; the said Walker giving a full acquittance for the said vessel, goods and damages. Resolved, That the governor of the colony of Connecticut be requested to appoint judicious and disinterested persons to appraise the vessel and goods aforesaid, at the time when they were taken, for the service of the colonies, and to estimate the full damages sustained by the said Walker, and report to this Congress forthwith, that the said Walker may be indemnified by this Congress. Resolved, That the said Walker have his election to receive his vessel again, and the hire of her, and his damages, or the value of her to be ascertained as aforesaid. Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the resolutions of the convention of South-Carolina, respecting the battalions raised in that colony; and, after some debate, Resolved, That it be recommitted. Congress being informed that complaint is made with respect to the powder manufactured at Oswald Eve's mill: Resolved, That Mr. Wisner, Mr. Paine, and Mr. R. Livingston be a committee to enquire into the defect, and take measures to have it remedied. Certain resolutions respecting independency being moved and seconded, Resolved, That the consideration of them be referred till tomorrow morning; and, that the members be enjoined to attend punctually at 10 o'clock, in order to take the same into their consideration. The committee to whom was referred the consideration of the attempt made to counterfeit the bills of credit, emitted by Congress, brought in their report: Ordered, To lie on the table for consideration. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, SATURDAY, June 8, 1776. Resolved, That the resolutions respecting independency be referred to a committee of the whole Congress. The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into consideration the matter to them referred, but not having come to any resolution thereon, directed him to move for leave to sit again on Monday. Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, at 10 o'clock, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the resolutions referred to them. A petitition of John Bayard, Joseph Deane, and William Erskine, being presented to Congress, and read, Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to sell the petitioners 550 lb. of powder, and 400 lb. of swivel and grape-shot, for the use of their privateer Hancock, and also 750 lb. of powder before applied for. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, MONDAY, June 10, 1776, Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read, viz. Two from general Washington, of the 7th and 8th, together with copies of twenty-one letters and papers from general Schuyler and others: One from the commissioners in Canada, of the 17th of May; and Resolved, That the said letters and papers be referred to the committee, appointed on the 6th, to consider sundry letters that day read. A letter from Stephen Moylan, esq. expressing his grateful thanks to Congress for appointing him to the office of quarter-master-general; and a letter from the convention of New-York of the 7th, were laid before Congress, and read. Resolved, That the pay of the continental troops, in the middle department, he henceforth the same as that of the troops in the eastern. Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for the appointment of a deputy paymaster general for the eastern department. Agreeable to order, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the resolutions to them referred; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters referred to them, and have come to a resolution thereon, which they directed him to report. The resolution agreed to in committee of the whole Congress being read, Resolved, That the consideration of the first resolution be postponed to Monday, the first day of July next; and in the mean while, that no time be lost, in case the Congress agree thereto, that a committee be appointed to prepare a declaration to the effect of the said first resolution, which is in these words: "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and |