Resolved, That it be referred to the delegates of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, and New-York, to devise the mode of raising the battalion of Germans voted the 25th of May last.

Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed till to

morrow.

The committee, to whom was referred, the cartel between brigadier-general Arnold and captain Foster, for the exchange of prisoners, and the several papers relating thereto, brought in their report, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The committee on the petition of colonel Turbutt Francis reported, that they had met on the business referred to them; that the Indians refused to be examined, or to give evidence on the matter, which prevented their proceeding, wherefore they desired to be discharged:

Resolved, That they be discharged.

The committee on spies brought in their report, which was read:
Ordered, To lie on the table.

The committee to whom the letter from William Palfrey, esq. pay-master general, were referred, brought in their report, which was read: Whereupon, Resolved, That the said letters, with the weekly returns enclosed, be delivered to the superintendents of the treasury, to be filed in the auditor-general's office.

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

TUESDAY, June 18, 1776.

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

One from general Washington of the 16th, enclosing one from general Ward of the 9th, and one from Wm. Palfrey of the 16th.

Three from general Schuyler of the 11th and 12th:

Two from brigadier-general Sullivan of the 5th and 6th; and

Two from brigadier-general Arnold of the 5th and 6th:

Resolved, That these be referred to the board of war and ordnance.
A letter from W. Palfrey, with a weekly return, was read:
Ordered, To be delivered to the superintendents of the treasury.

A letter from J. Trumbull, commissary-general, of the 17th, informing, that he has found it necessary to order a quantity of flour to be purchased in Philadelphia, and that to pay for the same, he has drawn on the president in favor of Mr. Matthew Erwin, for 60,000 dollars, and, as he shall be under the necessity of giving orders for purchasing pork and flour in Philadelphia, desiring to know whether he may, from time to time, continue to draw on the president for the payment of those articles.

Resolved, That the president pay such bills as are or may be drawn by Joseph Trumbull, esq. for the purposes abovementioned, and that the same, as paid, be charged to his account.

A letter from the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, requesting the opinion of Congress, whether persons taken on board merchants' ships and river-craft, ought to be exchanged for seamen taken from the enemy's ships

of war?

Resolved, That the president inform the committee of safety that the Congress judge it improper that such exchange be made.

Resolved, That Gunning Bedford, esq. deputy muster-master general, be promoted to the rank of muster-master general, and that he be directed immediately to repair to head-quarters at New-York.

Resolved, That general Washington be empowered and directed, to nominate and send a deputy muster-master general to Canada.

Resolved, That two members be added to the committee for superintending the treasury:

The members chosen, Mr. Hewes, and Mr. M'Kean.

A memorial from Dr. John Morgan, director-general and chief physician of the hospital, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That it he referred to the committee appointed to provide medi

cines.

The committee to whom the report on the resolutions of the convention of South-Carolina, respecting the battalions raised in that colony, were recommitted, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, the Congress came to the following resolutions:

Whereas the Congress, on the 4th day of November last, resolved, that for the defence of South-Carolina, there be kept up in that colony, at the continental expense, three battalions of foot; each battalion to consist of the same number of men and officers, to be upon the same pay, and under the same regulations as the continental army; and, on the 25th day of March last, resolved, that the convention, or council of safety of South-Carolina, be permitted to raise and embody two other battalions, and that they be on the pay, and at the expense of the continent, as soon as they shall be armed fit for service, and accordingly mustered; and whereas the convention of South-Carolina, on the 22d day of February last, ordered that their council of safety return the thanks of that colony to the Congress for their attention to its security; that they state the peculiar circumstances and the heavy expenses which have been and will be incurred by that colony in the measures necessary for its defence, and that they request the Congress to allow that colony so much money as the expenses of three battalions, upon the continental establishment, would amount to for one year, and to give continental rank to the officers of the three regiments raised in June, and of the regiment of artillery raised in November, from the dates of their respective commissions, or at least from the fourth day of November, when they resolved to allow that colony three battalions; and whereas, the delegates from that colony in Congress, have represented the peculiar circumstances and heavy expenses of that colony; and that the troops raised in it were inlisted for three years, upon a different establishment of pay, and under different articles of war, so as to render it inconvenient to place them, in all respects, upon the continental establishment; therefore,

Resolved, That the battalion of artillery, and the two battalions of foot, raised in South-Carolina, and kept up in that colony for the defence of the same, be considered as continental forces, and allowed the same pay, rations and disbursements as other forces on the continental establishment:

That the two battalions, under the command of colonels Gadsden and Moultrie, be allowed all the advantages of the continental establishment, from the 4th of November last, and the regiment of artillery, from the time when the same was ordered to be raised by the convention of South-Carolina :

That the two battalions of riflemen, raised in and for the defence of the said colony, be considered as continental troops from the 25th day of March last, and be entitled to all the advantages of the same:

That all the above mentioned troops be liable to the articles for the government of the forces in the said colony:

That the said forces be continued on the continental establishment until the expiration of their inlistment, unless they shall be sooner disbanded by Congress :

That not more than one-third of the effective men of the abovementioned forces be ordered out of the said colony, without the express order of Congress or the consent of the president of that colony.

Resolved, That Mr. Heyward, and Mr. Hall be added to the committee for providing medicines.

Resolved, That Mt. Rodgers, be appointed a member of the marine committee.

Resolved, That a commissioner be appointed to settle in Canada the debts due on certificates, given by officers to the Canadians for carriages and other services; and to settle the accounts for such goods, as may have been seized, through necessity, for the use of the army; that it be given as instruction to him, to attend particularly to the case of Mr. Bernard; and that, in settling the certified debts, he state carefully the names of all those who have given certificates, the nature of the service, and the time when performed, and return the whole, when settled and stated, to the committee of the treasury, to be by them examined and discharged:

That Thursday next be assigned for electing the said commissioner.

Resolved, That no man in these colonies, charged with being a tory, or unfriendly to the cause of American liberty, be injured in his person or property, or in any manner whatever disturbed, unless the proceeding against him be founded on an order of this Congress, or the assembly, convention, council or committee of safety of the colony, or committee of inspection and observation, of the district where he resides; provided, that this resolution shall not prevent the apprehending any person found in the commission of some act destructive of American liberty, or justly suspected of a design to commit such act, and intending to escape, and bringing such person before proper authority for examination and trial.

Information being given, that some of the officers, who were prisoners at Lebanon, in the colony of Pennsylvania, have, in violation of the parole by them given and subscribed, made their escape,

Resolved, That it be referred to the board of war and ordnance to consider what steps are necessary to be taken on the occasion.

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

WEDNESDAY June, 19, 1776.

A letter from the convention of New-Jersey of the 18th, enclosing an ordinance for raising 3300 militia for the defence of New-York, together with their proceedings in apprehending William Franklin, esq. late governor of that colony, was laid before Congress, and read; Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention of New-Jersey, to pro-ceed on the examination of Mr. Franklin, and if, upon such examination, they shall be of opinion that he should be confined, to report such opinion to this Congress, and then the Congress will direct the place of his confinement, they concurring in sentiment with the convention of New-Jersey, that it would be improper to confine him in that colony.

The board of war and ordnance, to whom sundry letters and papers were referred, particularly one from general Washington of the 16th, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the commission's granted by brigadier-general Sullivan, to sundry officers in Canada, mentioned in general Washington's letter, be approved and confirmed, provided, general Gates and the general officers in Canada, on consultation, shall think the measure will conduce to the public service. That 300,000 dollars be sent to the pay-master general at New-York, for the use of the army.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To John Jervis, for horse-hire, ferriages, &c. the sum of 33 10-90 dollars: To John Bruce, the sum of 13 36-90 dollars, being the balance of his bill for cartouch boxes:

To Joseph Fernaur, the sum of 17 3-90 dollars, the balance of his bill for tin cartouch boxes:

To Sacheveral Wood, the sum of 187 26-90 dollars, for victualling prisoners confined in gaol by order of Congress:

To George Reinheart, for the carriage of powder, arms, and bullets, the sum of 20 48-90 dollars:

To Thomas Harvey, for cash paid by him for guards of powder-wagons, and also his bills for ferriages, the hire of wagons, &c. the sum of 27 20-90 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Samuel Hillegas, esq.

To Mary Thomas, for nursing and boarding two of captain Benezet's men, in the small-pox, the sum of 12 dollars :

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

A muster-roll of the ninth Virginia battalion, commanded by colonel Flemming, taken the 31st of May last, was laid before Congress: Whereupon, Resolved, That the said battalion be taken into continental pay from the said 31st day of May.

Resolved, That one ton of gun-powder be sent to the colonel or commanding officer of the said battalion :

That the committee for preparing medicine-chests, be directed to send one to the surgeon of the said battalion.

Resolved, That the marine-committee be directed to carry into execution the resolution of the 17th, for sending carpenters to general Schuyler.

A memorial from the mates of the hospital was laid before Congress and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee for providing medicines. Whereas it is indispensably necessary for the good of the service, that the soldiers of the United Colonies be well provided with blankets and clothing; therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the assembles and conventions of the United Colonies, forthwith to cause a suit of clothes, of which the waistcoat and breeches may be made of deer leather, if to be had on reasonable terms, a blanket, felt hat, two shirts, two pair of hose, and two pair of shoes, to be manufactured, or otherwise procured at reasonable rates, in their respective colonies, for each soldier of the American army, inlisted therein for the present campaign, and that the same be baled, invoiced, and stored in suitable places, to be delivered to the order of Congress, or the commander in chief of the American army:

That sufficient sums of money be granted to the assemblies and conventions aforesaid, on applying for the same, to enable them to discharge the demands arising from the purchase of the articles aforesaid :

That the commander in chief of the American army be empowered to draw on the assemblies and conventions, for such articles of clothing aforesaid, as he shall, from time to time judge necessary, and that the cost thereof be deducted from the pay of the soldiers who shall receive the same, by the proper officer for examining and discharging the accounts and pay-rolls of the respective regiments.

The marine committee, to whom the petition of William Adams, surgeon, was referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the resignation of William Adams be accepted.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, June 20, 1776.

A letter of the 17th from general Washington, and a letter from the convention of New-Jersey, were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That in order to give time to the several committees, to prepare for the house the matters referred to them, it be a standing rule of Congress, that adjournments from the Friday evening, be always to Monday morning, unless on any particular occasion, the Congress shall order otherwise.

A petition from Carpenter Wharton was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the board of war and ordnance.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the cartel between brigadier-general Arnold and captain Foster, for exchange of prisoners; and, after debate, the farther consideration thereof was postponed till to-morrow.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draw up rules and regulations for the conduct of the house during debates:

The members chosen, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Paine.
The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To captain William Richards, for the detention of his shallop twenty days on the public service, the sum of 40 dollars:

To Robert Erwin, wagon-master, for wagonage, the sum of 207 30-90 dollars : To David Williamson, for wagon-hire, carrying captain James Grier's baggage from Fredericksburg to New-York, and returning home, the sum of 147 dollars:

To Abraham Mills, for nursing and boarding six soldiers in the small-pox, the sum of 33 86-90 dollars:

To Samuel Cooper, for ferriage and storage, the sum of 26 12-90 dollars: To Leonard Storeburner, for one team hauling the baggage of captain Williams's company 18 miles beyond Goshen, and two teams hauling the haggage of captain Jones's company to Albany, the sum of 414 54-90 dollars:

On two certificates produced by H. Wisner, esq. the sum of 11 45-90 dollars, expenses of the first Pennsylvania battalion, at Goshen, and that the same ought to be paid to Henry Wisner, esq. and charged to J. Shallus, quarter-master of the said battalion :

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider what provision ought to be made for such as are wounded or disabled in the land or sea service, and report a plan for that purpose:

The members chosen, Mr. Paine, Mr. F. Lee, Mr. Hall, Mr. Ellery, and Mr. Lewis.

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

FRIDAY, June 21, 1776.

Resolved, That general Washington be directed to permit brigadier-general Wooster to return to his family in Connecticut.

Resolved, That the commanding officer of the Delaware battalion, be directed to send a proper guard, with the powder ordered to colonel Flemming's regiment, on the Eastern-Shore of Virginia.

1

Resolved, That an order for 300,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the delegates of South-Carolina, for the use of the continental battalions in that colony; the said delegates to be accountable:

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Rowland Swan, a captain of his Britannic majesty's 7th regiment of foot, the sum of 36 dollars, for eighteen weeks' allowance, and 12 dollars for bringing his baggage from New-York to Philadelphia, together with the baggage of capt. Dundee, and three privates of the said regiment:

To Joseph Haight, for supplying the prisoners at Burlington with provisions to the 4th of June instant, the sum of 238 dollars:

To Andrew McNair, the sum of 120 23-90 dollars for provisions, &c. for the twenty-four Indians, while at the state-house, which was twenty days:

To Michael Clark, for liquor for the above Indians, the sum of 27 66-90 dollars :

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

A letter of the 21st, from the convention of New-Jersey, was laid before Congress and read, together with sundry letters from the prisoners in Burlington.