independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown: and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great"Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, June 11, 1776.

Two letters, of the 9th and 10th, from general Washington, were read and referred to the committee appointed on the 6th.

A letter from H. E. Stanhope, of the 11th, and one from E. Webb, of the 12th of May, both dated from Northampton gaol; also, one from Mrs. Connolly, were read :

Resolved, That these be referred to the committee on prisoners.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to consider of a compensation to the secretary for his services:

The members chosen, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. Hewes.

Resolved, That an order for 10,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of Carpenter Wharton, for the use of the Pennsylvania battalions, he to be accountable.

Resolved, That the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be paid the Indian interpreter for his services, and to defray his expenses.

The present for the Indians being provided, they were called in, and the speech agreed to, was delivered as follows:

Brothers, We hope, the friendship that is between you and us will be firm, and continue as long as the sun shall shine, and the waters run, that we and you may be as one people, and have but one heart, and be kind to one another as brethren.

Brothers, The king of Great-Britain, hearkening to the evil counsel of some of his foolish young men, is angry with us, because we will not let him take away from us our land, and all that we have, and give it to them, and because we will not do every thing that he bids us; and hath hindered his people from bringing goods to us; but, we have made provision for getting such a quantity of them, that we hope we shall be able to supply your wants as formerly.

"Brothers, We shall order all our warriors and young men not to hurt you or any of your kindred, and we hope you will not suffer any of your young men to join with our enemies, or to do any wrong to us, that nothing may happen to make any quarrel between us.

"Brothers, We desire you to accept a few necessaries, which we present you with, as tokens of our good-will towards you."

The presents being delivered, the Indian chief begged leave to give a name to the president; the same being granted, an Onondago chief arose, and saluted the president by the name of Karanduaan, or the Great Tree, by which name he informed him the president will be known among the Six nations. After which the Indians took their leave and withdrew.

A letter from brigadier-general Sullivan, dated St. John's, June 1, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That colonel Shee and colonel Magaw, be ordered immediately to march with their regiments to New-York.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to lend the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, four tons of powder.

Resolved, That letters be sent, by express, to the several colonies who are to furnish militia for the defence of New-York, acquainting them of the necessity of forwarding the supplies with all possible despatch.

Resolved, That the committee, for preparing the declaration, consist of five: The members chosen, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. R. R. Livingston.

VOL. I.

47

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare and digest the form of a confederation to be entered into between these colonies:

That a committee be appointed to prepare a plan of treaties to be proposed to foreign powers.

Mr. Chase, and Mr. Carroll, of Carrollton, two of the commissioners being arrived from Canada, attended, and gave an account of their proceedings, and the state of the army in that country.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, June 12, 1776.

Colonel Roberdeau, on behalf of the owners of the privateers which have taken some prizes, on board of which was a quantity of dollars to the amount of 22,000, having tendered to Congress the moiety belonging to them, in exchange for continental bills of credit,

Resolved, That their offer be accepted, and that application be made to the agent for the men, for the moiety belonging to them, and that continental money be given them in lieu thereof.

Congress proceeded to the election of a deputy pay-master general for the eastern department, and, the ballots being taken,

Ebenezer Hancock was elected unanimously.

Resolved, That the sum of 150,000 dollars be sent to Mr. E. Hancock, deputy pay-master general, for the use of the continental troops in the eastern department.

The committee, to whom colonel Hand's letter, of the 3d of May last, was referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That general Washington be directed to order the rifles of such men belonging to the rifle regiment as will not re-inlist, to be purchased, and that the general order the payment out of the military chest.

That the rifle regiment be allowed a drummer and fifer to each company: That 9000 dollars be advanced to colonel Hand, to purchase an uniform for the rifle regiment, the said sum to be stopped out of the pay of the said regi

ment.

Resolved, That captain Grier, who is returned from Virginia with his detachment, and a number of recruits, be directed to join the battalions on their march to New-York, and that Mr. C. Wharton be directed to supply them with rations.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver to colonel Magaw, for the use of his battalion, the 191 muskets sent up by captain Barry. Resolved, That the committee to prepare and digest the form of a confederation to be entered into between these colonies, consist of a member from each colony :

The members appointed, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Sherman, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. M'Kean, Mr. Stone, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Hewes, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. Gwinnett.

Resolved, That the committce to prepare a plan of treaties to be proposed to foreign powers, consist of five :

The members chosen, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. R. Morris.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on a waroffice: Whereupon,

Resolved, That a committee of Congress be appointed by the name of the board of war and ordnance, to consist of five members.

That a secretary and one or more clerks, be appointed by Congress, with competent salaries, to assist the said board in executing the business of their department:

That it be the duty of the said board, to obtain and keep an alphabetical and accurate register of the names of all officers of the land forces in the service of the United Colonies, with their rank and the dates of their respective commissions; and also regular accounts of the state and disposition of the troops in the respective colonies; for which purpose, the generals and officers commanding in the different departments and posts, are to cause regular returns to be made in the said war-office:

That they shall obtain and keep exact accounts of all the artillery, arms, ammunition and war-like stores, belonging to the United Colonies, and of the manner in which, and the places where, the same shall, from time to time, be lodged and employed; and that they shall have the immediate care of all such artillery, arms, ammunition, and war-like stores, as shall not be employed in actual service; for preserving whereof, they shall have power to hire proper magazines at the public expense:

That they shall have the care of forwarding all despatches from Congress to the colonies and armies, and all monies to be transmitted for the public service by order of Congress; and of providing suitable escorts and guards for the safe conveyance of such despatches and monies, when it shall appear to them to be necessary:

That they shall superintend the raising, fitting out, and despatching all such land forces as may be ordered for the service of the United Colonies:

That they shall have the care and direction of all prisoners of war, agreeable to the orders and regulations of Congress:

That they shall keep and preserve, in the said office, in regular order, all original letters and papers, which shall come into the said office by order of Congress, or otherwise, and shall also cause all draughts of letters and despatches to be made or transcribed in books to be set apart for that purpose, and shall cause fair entries, in like manner, to be made, and registers preserved, of all other business which shall be transacted in the said office:

That before the secretary, or any clerk of the war-office shall enter on his office, they shall respectively take and subscribe the following oath, a certificate whereof shall be filed in the said office:

"I, A. B. do solemnly swear, that I will not directly or indirectly, divulge any matter or thing, which shall come to my knowledge, as secretary of the board of war and ordnance, (or clerk of the board of war and ordnance,) established by Congress, without the leave of the said board of war and ordnance, and that I will faithfully execute my said office, according to the best of my skill and judgment. So help me God."

That the said board of war be authorized to hire suitable apartments, and provide books, papers, and other necessaries, at the continental expense, for carrying on the business of the said office.

The committee to whom the several letters, from the commissioners in Canada, and major-general Schuyler, with the papers enclosed therein, were referred, brought in their report, which was read:

The commissioners to Canada also brought in a report in writing, which was read:

Resolved, That the said two reports be referred to the committee of the whole Congress.

Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the reports to them referred; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have made some progress in the matters referred to them; but, not having finished, directed 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 referred to them.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, Juñe 13, 1776.

A letter from Mr. M'Kean, dated 2 o'clock, this morning, and a letter from the committee of Lewistown, of the 11th, were laid before Congress, and read: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to forward one ton of gunpowder, and a proportionable quantity of lead, if to be got, to the committee of safety of the counties on Delaware, for the use of the militia in that govern

ment:

That it be recommended to the assembly of Pennsylvania, immediately to order a battalion of the provincial riflemen to march to the assistance of the militia in Delaware government:

That it be recommended to the assembly, or committee of safety of Delaware government, to cause all the disaffected, in their colony, to be disarmed, and the arms to be disposed of agreeable to a former resolution of Congress:

That the commanding officer of the rifle battalion of associators in this city, be requested to order a company of the said battalion to escort the powder sent to the Delaware government, until they shall reach the provincial battalion of riflemen, ordered to march to the assistance of the Delaware militia.

A letter from James M'Lene, chairman of the committee of Shippensburg, enclosing certain resolutions respecting some powder they have stopped, which was sent by Mr. L. Morris to George Morgan, esq. at Pittsburg, was laid before Congress and read.

Resolved, That the president return an answer, and inform the committee, that the powder was sent to G. Morgan, esq. by order of Congress, and request them to use their endeavors to have the same forwarded, with all safety and despatch, to Mr. Morgan, at Pittsburg.

A letter of the 11th from the convention of New-York was also read, and referred to the committee appointed the 6th.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to stop the exportation of any salted provisions, which they may have ordered to be made from New-York. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver 100 lb. of powder to the order of the committee appointed to contract for the casting of cannon. Resolved, That an order for 600 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of captain James Grier, he to be accountable for the same, and to render an account thereof to the pay-master general, upon his arrival at New-York. Resolved, That the pay of the secretary of the board of war and ordnance, be at the rate of 800 dollars a year.

Congress having proceeded to the election of a committee to form the board of war and ordnance, the following members were chosen :

Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. E. Rutledge:

Richard Peters, esq. was elected secretary of the said board.

The committee on qualifications having recommended doctor Benjamin Allison as surgeon to the first Pennsylvania battalion now in Canada;

George Tudor to be captain of the company lately commanded by Walter Stewart, in the third Pennsylvania battalion;

Mr. John Duguid, as first lieutenant in the said third battalion;
Mr. Herman Stout, as a second lieutenant in the said battalion ;
And Mr. Andrew Graydon, as an ensign in the said battalion :

Resolved, That they be accepted, and that commissions be granted to them accordingly.

Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports to them referred, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have made some further progress in the matters referred to them, but not having yet come to a conclusion, 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 to them referred.

The marine committee reported, that complaints are made against commodore E. Hopkins, captain Saltonstal, and captain Whipple, for breach of orders, and other mal-practices: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the marine committee be directed to inform commodore E. Hopkins, captain Saltonstal, and captain Whipple, of the complaints lodged against them, and order them immediately to repair to Philadelphia, to answer for their conduct.

Resolved, That in case the enemy's ships of war attempt to come up the rive Delaware, that the secret committee be empowered and directed to deliver such a quantity of powder as they shall judge necessary, to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, June 14, 1776.

Resolved, That an order for 1500 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of Mr. George Evans, commissary, for the use of the continental troops in Delaware government, he to be accountable.

A letter of the 10th, from the committee of safety of Maryland, was laid before Congress and read; also, a letter of the 16th of May, from the commissioners in Canada, recommending major Dubois to the notice of Congress for promotion.

Resolved, That the commanding officer in the barracks be directed to deliver the prisoner in his custody to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, who are desired to treat him agreeable to former resolutions of Congress.

A letter of the 13th, from general Washington, enclosing two letters from major-general Schuyler, of the 8th, and sundry other letters and papers, was laid before Congress and read:

Resolved, That the same be referred to the standing committee on Indian affairs, and that the committee be directed to sit forthwith.

A letter of the 13th, from W. Livingston, enclosing a letter from Thomas Little, of the 2d, was laid before Congress and read :

Resolved, That they be referred to the committee appointed to enquire into and remedy the defects of the powder manufactured at Mr. O. Eve's mill.

The committee to whom were referred the letters from general Washington, of the 9th and 10th, and a letter from the president of the convention of NewYork, with the papers enclosed, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention of the colony of NewYork, to make effectual provision for detecting, restraining, and punishing disaffected and dangerous persons in that colony, and to prevent all persons from having any intercourse or correspondence with the enemy; and that general Washington afford his aid therein, when necessary.

Whereas it has been represented to this Congress, that great quantities of salted beef and pork have been purchased for exportation, which, if not restrained, may render the supplies of the army difficult and uncertain:

Resolved, therefore, That no salted beef or pork, except as much as may be necessary for the use of the crew, be exported from any of the United Colonies, in any vessel, under any pretence whatever, until the further order of this Congress.

The committee appointed to consider of a compensation to the secretary, for his services, brought in their report, which was agreed to, as follows:

That the sum of one thousand two hundred dollars be granted and paid, out of the public treasury, to Charles Thomson, sécretary to the United Colonies,