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in consideration of his faithful services for one year, ending the 10th of May last.

The committee to whom general Washington's letter of the 15th, and majorgeneral Schuyler's of the 8th, were referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That general Schuyler and the other commissioners for Indian affairs in the northern department be directed immediately to hold a conference with the Six Nations; to engage them in our interest upon the best terms that can be procured, and treat with them on the principles and in the decisive manner mentioned in his letter:

That general Schuyler's preparations for immediately taking post at Fort Stanwix, and erecting a fortification there, be approved of; and that general Washington be instructed to give him directions for carrying that measure into

execution.

Resolved, That the committee on spies be directed to revise the rules and articles of war, and to make such additions and alterations as they may judge proper, and lay the same before Congress for their consideration.

A petition from Mrs. ***, was presented to Congress, and read:
Resolved, That it be referred to the committee on spies.

A memorial from the committee of safety of Pennsylvania was presented to Congress, and read; setting forth, that a committee of the assembly, accompanied by the general officers lately in town, and a skilful engineer, have viewed the river Delaware, and the fortifications and defences erected at the expense of the colony of Pennsylvania to oppose and prevent the passage of the enemy's ships; and that they have judged it necessary, for farther security, that a redoubt should be erected at Billingsport, on the New-Jersey side, and that a boom should be there thrown across, or some other obstructions fixed in the channel; and praying, as the place for the redoubt is out of their government, and as their colony has expended a very large sum for the defence of the river, that the Congress would direct the works to be done at the continental expense; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be empowered, at the continental expense, to erect the redoubt, and to fix the boom, or other obstructions, at the places aforesaid:

Thomas Bales, blacksmith, proposing to supply the continental troops with a quantity of camp-kettles, of sheet-iron at one and one-third dollar each, provided he can have credit for five tons of sheet-iron :

Resolved, That Timothy Matlack, esq. be directed to write to Thomas Mayberry, of Mountholly, the manufacturer of sheet-iron, to send down to him five tons of sheet-iron, for which he will be paid on the delivery; and, that Mr. Matlack be directed to receive the said iron, and deliver it out, as it may be wanted, to Thomas Bales, and receive the kettles as fast as made. The matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, June 15, 1776.

Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read, viz.

One from Mr. M'Kean of the 13th, and one from Mr. P. Peters:

One from general Washington of the 14th, enclosing the copy of a letter

from general Shuyler of the 10th, and sundry other papers:

One from governor Trumbull, of the 10th, with sundry papers enclosed: One from David Waterbury, of the 6th, with accounts enclosed:

Resolved, That the letter from D. Waterbury, with the accounts enclosed,

be referred to the committee of claims.

A letter from the committee of safety of Virginia, of the 5th, informing of the arrival of five tons of powder, on account of the continent, was read; Whereupon,

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Resolved, That one half of the said continental powder be left in Virginia, and the other half forwarded to the commaning officer in South-Carolina.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the state of Georgia, and report thereon to Congress:

The members chosen, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. S. Adams. 'The marine committee having recommended

Mr. Hector M'Neal to command the frigate Boston,

Mr. John Brown to be lieutenant of the same.

Mr. Thomas Grennel to command the frigate Montgomery,

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

A memorial from the owners of four private ships of war, fitted and fitting out in Philadelphia, was presented to Congress, and read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

For expenses of sick men belonging to the 6th Pennsylvania battalion, the sum of 58 30-90 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to captain Samuel Benezet.

To Hugh Hodge, for sundry necessaries for the sick of the third Pennsylvania battalion, the sum of 34 15-90 dollars:

To Robert Erwin, wagon-master for transporting salt-petre from Egg-harbour to Cooper's ferry, the sum of 210 70-90 dollars:

To Peter Agnew, for repairing arms for the fifth Pennsylvania battalion, the sum of 11 36-90 dollars.

The said committee farther reported, that Peter Noble, a soldier belonging to colonel Hinman's battalion. (captain Watson's company) who was taken prisoner near Montreal, with colonel Eathan Allen, ought to have the sum of 40 dollars advanced to him, and his receipt taken for the same, as part of his pay:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

It being represented to Congress, that a number of officers, whose men left them last winter in Canada, and who remained and served there during the whole winter, were returned, and were desirous of being some way employed and provided for:

Resolved, That this case be referred to the board of war and ordnance, who are desired to sit as soon as conveniently they can, and report thereon to Congress.

Resolved, That the president write to governor Trumbull, desiring, that he will deliver to the agent of the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, the cannon and trucks ordered by Congress to be taken from New-London, and that he be informed, the Congress expect this resolution will be immediately complied with.

Resolved, That the letters from governor Trumbull, general Washington and general Schuyler, be referred to the board of war and ordnance.

Resolved, That the report of the committee on general Washington's letters of the 9th and 10th, which was left unfinished, together with the amendments moved and seconded, 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 referred to them; 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 ordered him to report; but, not having yet finished, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The report from the committee of the whole being delivered in,

Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to digest and arrange the several resolutions agreed to in the committee of the whole, in order to be laid

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before Congress; and that the committee of the whole be discharged of the reports, so far as they relate to the cartel entered into between brigadier-general Arnold and captain Foster for an exchange of prisoners, and that the same be referred to the committee now to be appointed:

The members chosen, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Paine, and Mr. Middleton.

Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, again resolve itself inte a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports to them referred.

Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, June 17, 1776.

A letter of the 7th of May from brigadier-general Armstrong, and one of the 6th of June from the committee of Albany, were laid before Congress, and read :

The board of war and ordnance, to whom the letter from governor Trumbull, of the 10th of June, was referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the governor and assembly of Connecticut, to send the two battalions mentioned in the said letter as raised, one for Boston, and one for New-York, into Canada forthwith, as proposed in the said letter; and that a battalion of militia be sent to Boston, instead of the one intended for that place:

That blank commissions be sent to governor Trumbull, for the officers of the battalion intended for New-York; the present exigency requiring this measure, the same not to be drawn into precedent:

That 10,500 dollars be paid into the hands of the delegates of Connecticut, to be sent to that colony, to defray the expenses of raising the said regiment: That governor Trumbull be informed, that Congress are of opinion, that the provision made by the late act of assembly of Connecticut, for the purpose of engaging one-third of the militia on the sea-coast, and one-fourth in the interior part of that colony, for the defence thereof, and of the neighbouring colonies, will, by no means, answer the object the Congress had in view by their resolution of the 3d of June; and request, that such steps may be taken by the assembly of that colony, as shall seem to them most likely to carry into effect the said requisition.

Resolved, That commissions be granted to the officers appointed by the assembly of Connecticut for the regiment ordered to be raised in that colony, for the service of the continent.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to sell two tons of gunpowder to the convention of New-Jersey, for the use of their militia.

The committee appointed to digest and methodize the resolutions entered into by the committee of the whole, having performed that service, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That an experienced general be immediately sent into Canada, with power to appoint a deputy adjutant-general, a deputy muster-master general, and such other officers as he shall find necessary for the good of the service, and to fill up vacancies in the army in Canada, and notify the same to Congress for their approbation; that he also have power to suspend any officer there, till the pleasure of Congress be known, he giving his reasons for so doing in the orders of suspension, and transmitting to Congress, as soon as possible, the charge against such officer: provided, that this power of suspending officers and filling up vacancies, shall not be continued beyond the first day of October next :

That general Washington be directed to send major-general Gates into Canada, to take the command of the forces in that province:

That no officer suttle or sell to the soldiers, on penalty of being fined one month's pay, and dismissed the service with infamy, on conviction before a court-martial:

That the baggage of officers and soldiers be regulated conformably to the rules in the British armies:

That all sales of arms, ammunition, clothing, and accoutrements, made by soldiers, be void:

That no troops employed in Canada be disbanded there; that all soldiers in Canada, ordered to be disbanded, or whose times of inlistment being expired, shall refuse to re-inlist, shall be sent, under proper officers, to Ticonderoga, or such other post on the lakes as the general shall direct, where they shall be mustered, and the arms, accoutrements, blankets, and utensils which they may have belonging to the public, shall be delivered up, and deposited in the public store :

That a deputy muster-master general be immediately sent into Canada:

That the local commissaries and quarter-masters, appointed at the different garrisons or posts, shall make weekly returns to the general of the provisions and stores in the places at which they may happen to be stationed:

That the general officers, deputy quarter-master general, local commissaries, pay-master in Canada, and all other persons there, who have received public monies, be ordered, without delay, to render and settle their accounts; on which settlement, no general officer shall receive pay as colonel of a regiment, nor field-officer as captain of a company:

That general Schuyler be directed to make a good wagon-road from FortEdward to Cheshire's; to clear Wood-creek, and to construct a lock at Skenesborough, so as to have a continued navigation for batteaus from Cheshire's into Lake Champlain; to erect a grand magazine at Cheshire's and secure it by a stockade fort; to erect a saw-mill at Scoon-creek; to order skilful persons to survey and take the level of the waters falling into Hudson's river near Fort-Edward, and those which fall into Wood-creek and interlock with the former, particularly Jones' run and Half-way brook, the latter of which is said to discharge itself into Wood-creek at Cheshire's; that he be directed to have a greater number of boats and hands kept on Hudson's river, at the different stations between Albany and Fort-Edward, in order to save the expense of wagonage; that he be empowered to appoint proper officers to superintend the carriage by land, and transportation by water, of provisions, military stores, and other things into Canada, that neither waste or delay may arise therein; that he build, with all expedition, as many gallies and armed vessels as, in the opinion of himself and the general officer to be sent into Canada, shall be sufficient to make us indisputably masters of the lakes Champlain and George; and that, for this purpose, there be sent to him a master carpenter acquainted with the construction of the gallies used on the Delaware, who shall take with him other carpenters, and models also if requisite; and that it be submitted to general Schuyler, whether a temporary fortification or entrenched camp, either at Crown-point or opposite Ticonderoga, may be necessary:

That the commissary-general be directed to supply the army in Canada with provisions, and to appoint proper officers under him to receive and issue the same at the several posts, taking the directions of the general; that he be empowered to contract with proper persons in Canada for supplying the army there with fresh provisions; that he be directed to purchase for them a quantity of Albany peas, and to furnish as much biscuit as may be necessary; and that his pay be raised to 150 dollars a month:

That the quarter-master general be directed to provide and forward such tents, clothing, and utensils as are wanted for the army in Canada, subject to the direction of the commander in chief:

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That general Washington be directed to send into Canada, such small brass or iron field-pieces as he can spare; that he be instructed to issue orders that no certificates be given in future by any but brigadiers, quarter-masters and their deputies, or a field-officer on a march, or officer commanding at a detached post:

That letters be written to the conventions of New-Jersey and New-York, and to the assembly of Connecticut, recommending to them to authorize the commander in chief in the colony of New-York, to call to the assistance of that colony, when necessity shall require it, such of the militia of those colonies as may be necessary; and to afford him such other assistance as the situation of affairs may require; and, that it be further recommended to the convention of New-York, to empower the said commander in chief to impress carriages and water-craft, when necessary for the public service, and also to remore ships and other vessels in Hudson's and the East rivers, for the purpose of securing them from the enemy:

That the companies of riflemen from Virginia and Maryland be regimented, and that the regiment be completed to the original number of the Pennsylvania battalion:

That the Pennsylvania battalion of riflemen be completed to their original establishment:

That two companies of the forces now in the Delaware government be ordered to Cape-May:

That the committee, appointed to contract for cannon, be directed to procure a number of brass or iron field-pieces, to be made or purchased immediately:

That the committee, appointed to provide medicines, be directed to send a proper assortment of medicines to Canada:

That Mr. James Mease be directed to purchase and forward to the quartermaster general in New-York, as much cloth for tents as he can procure:

That the committee appointed to provide stockings and shoes for the troops in Canada, be directed to purchase such other articles as may be wanted for the use of the soldiers in Canada, and send the same to Albany, that they may be forwarded to the army in Canada, and that they be particularly attentive to provide, in time, a sufficient number of leathern breeches and under waistcoats, and such other winter clothing as may be necessary for them:

That the said committee be directed to forward, with all expedition, to the quarter-master in Canada, such shoes as are already provided:

That prisoners, taken by continental forces, be not exchanged by any authority but the Continental Congress :

That all vessels which sailed from the port or harbour of Boston, while the town of Boston was in possession of the enemy, having on board effects belonging to the enemies of America, and which have been or may be seized, be liable, together with the said effects, to confiscation, in the same manner and proportions as have been heretofore resolved by Congress :

That the continental agents in the respective colonies, where no courts have been established for the trials of captures, have power, and be directed, to dispose, at public sale, of such articles of a perishable nature, as shall be taken from the enemies of America, and that the money arising from such sale, be liable to the decree of such court whenever established:

That the inventory of the ordnance stores, taken by captain Manly, be sent to general Washington, and that he be requested to appoint a person on the part of the colonies, to join one on the part of captain Manly and his crew, who, having first taken an oath for that purpose, shall proceed to value the same, and if they cannot agree in the value, they shall call in a third person to determine the same; that the report of such persons be returned to Congress so'soon as may be, and the value of the stores belonging to captain Manly and his crew, be thereupon transmitted to them.

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