That the petition from William Holton be referred to the board of war and ordnance.

Resolved, That an order for 24 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor major Bicker; he to be accountable.

Sundry letters from the southward, being received by express, were laid before Congress, and read, viz.

One from general Lee, dated Little-River, June 6th, enclosing two to him, one from John Rutledge, esq. the other from brigadier-general Armstrong; both dated Charleston, South-Carolina, June 4th, advising, that 51 sail of the enemy were arrived there, and lying in sight of the town:

One from brigadier-general Lewis, dated Williamsburgh, the 18th of the same month, enclosing one to him from general Lee, of the 4th:

Resolved, That the said letters be referred to the board of war and ordnance: B The Congress then took into consideration the letter from governor Trumbull; and, after some debate,

Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed; and, in the mean while, that governor Trumbull be desired to send to Congress, an account of the cannon left at New London by commodore Hopkins, their number, size, bore and weight, and also an account of the other cannon there.

A letter from the commissioners for Indian affairs in the southern department, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read.

The board of war and ordnance, to whom the paragraph of a letter from the general was referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That six companies of riflemen, in addition to the three companies now at New-York, be raised and the whole regimented; and that a commission be granted to captain Stevenson, to be colonel of the said regiment of riflemen, which is to be inlisted for three years, unless sooner discharged by Congress; the men to be allowed a bounty of ten dollars; and that Moses Rawlins be lieutenant-colonel, and Otho Holland Williams, major of the said regiment:

That four companies of riflemen, for the said regiment, be raised in Virginia, and two in Maryland, the pay of the men to commence from the time they shall be armed and mustered: their arms to be appraised by the committee of the county, and paid for by the United Colonies:

That general Washington be directed forthwith to send to Congress a complete list of all the vacancies in the army, and the names of such officers as he can recommend for filling them.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Robert Erwin, wagon-master, the sum of 241 51-90 dollars, a balance due for three teams that went to North-Carolina with powder;

To Doctor Frederick Phyle, for medicines and attendance on the 5th Pennsylvania battalion, from the time of their enibodying to the 15th of June, 1776, the sum of 532 51-90 dollars.

To John Bales, for camp-kettles, the sum of 68 dollars:

To Elizabeth Slaydon, the sum of 24 dollars, for nursing and boarding two soldiers, of which sum captain Steward is to be charged with 13 30-60 dollars, for nursing and boarding the man he wounded in the state-house yard; the remainder to the continent; the said 24 dollars to be paid to colonel T. Matlack :

To Rachel Hewen, the sum of 5 30-90 dollars, for nursing and boarding two soldiers of the continental army:

That there be repaid to Robert Moore the sum of seven dollars, which was stopped out of his pay by captain M. Smith; the same having been by him expended for provisions, when he was left sick by his company in Canada : Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That the pay of doctor Huston, who was appointed surgeon of the

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5th Pennsylvania battalion, he stopped till farther orders of Congress, and that the pay-master be notified thereof.

The committee to whom it was referred to devise a mode of raising the German battalion, voted on the 25th of May last, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That four companies of Germans be raised in Pennsylyania, and four companies in Maryland, to compose the said regiment:

That it be recommended to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, immediately to appoint proper officers for, and direct the inlistment of, the four companies to be raised in that colony:

That it be recommended to the convention, or, in their recess, to the council of safety of Maryland, immediately to appoint proper officers for, and direct the inlistment of, the four companies to be raised in that colony:

That the said companies be inlisted to serve for three years, unless sooner discharged by Congress, and receive bounty, pay, rations, and all other allowances equal to any of the continental troops:

That the said companies be entitled to pay and subsistence from the time of inlistment:

That the said companies, when raised, be formed into a battalion, under the command of such field officers as Congress shall appoint:

That the rank of the captains of the said companies be regulated as Congress shall hereafter direct:

That 5,000 dollars be sent to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, and 5,000 dollars to the convention, or, in their recess, to the council of safety of Maryland, to defray the expense of raising the said companies.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention, or, in their recess, to the council of safety of Maryland, to appoint the officers, and forward, with all possible expedition, the raising the two companies of riflemen. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, June 28, 1776.

The committee of claims, to whom were referred the petition and accounts of Thomas Thomson, reported,

That there ought to be paid to Thomas Thomson the sum of 750 dollars, in part of an account for lumber, said to have been delivered by Simon Metcalf to the forces belonging to the continent, at St. John's, in Canada :

The said committee farther reported, that there is due,

To Thomas Mayberry, the sum of 117 29-90 dollars, for plated iron :
Ordered, That the said sums be paid.

A petition from colonel James Easton was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada.

A petition from William Poole was presented to Congress and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee for making provision for wounded and disabled soldiers.

Francis Hopkinson, esq. one of the delegates of New-Jersey, attended, and produced the credentials of their appointment, which was read, as follows, viz. IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, New-Jersey, Burlington, June 21, 1776. The Congress proceeded to the election of delegates to represent this colony in Continental Congress, when Richard Stockton, Abraham Clark, John Hart, and Francis Hopkinson, esqs. and Dr. John Witherspoon, were elected by ballot, to serve for one year, unless a new appointment be made before that time. Resolved, That the following instructions be given to the delegates as aforesaid: The Congress empower and direct you, in the name of this colony, to join with

the delegates of the other colonies in Continental Congress, in the most vigorous measures for supporting the just rights and liberties of America; and, if you shall judge it necessary or expedient for this purpose, we empower you to join with them in declaring the United Colonies independent of Great-Britain, entering into a confederation for union and common defence, making treaties with foreign nations for commerce and assistance, and to take such other measures as may appear to them and you necessary for these great ends; promising to support them with the whole force of this province; always observing, that, whatever plan of confederacy you enter into, the regulating the internal police of this province is to be reserved to the colony legislature. By order of Congress.

Extract from the minutes:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.
WM. PATTERSON, Secretary.

The board of war brought in a report, which was read in these words: Monsieur Le chevalier de Kirmovan, having produced to the board indubitable credentials of his good character and superior abilities in the art of war, and particularly as an engineer, the board resolved to recommend him to Congress as a person who can be much confided in; and it is the opinion of the board, that the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be reqested to employ him in planning and laying out the fortification agreed by Congress, to be erected at Billingsport, on the river Delaware.

The said report being again read,

Resolved, That the same be agreed to.

Resolved, That Mr. Hopkinson be added to the committee for preparing. a plan of confederation.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to sell the committee of Salem county, in New-Jersey, 300 lbs. of powder.

The committee appointed to prepare à declaration, &c. brought in a draught, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

A petition from Christopher Champlain was presented to Congress and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. Morris, Mr. Alsop, and Mr. Gerry. Resolved, That Mr. Wisner, Mr. Paine, and Mr. Floyd be a committee to confer with Anthony Mosengeil, on the subject of manufacturing sulphur: That 30 dollars be advanced to the said committee, they to be accountable. Resolved, That the treasurers be empowered to advance to the committee of safety of Pennsylvania 100,000 dollars; the colony of Pennsylvania to be accountable.

:

Resolved, That the committee for superintending the treasury, be directed to nominate and appoint six persons to sign and number the million of dollars ordered to be struck in small change.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to nine o'clock on Monday next.

MONDAY, July 1, 1776.

Sundry letters were laid before Congress and read, viz.

Three from general Washington, of 27th and 28th of June, with sundry let

ters and papers enclosed:

One from the convention of New-Jersey, of the 29th:

One from the convention of New-Hampshire of the 17th :

One from brigadier-general Lewis of the 17th:

One from Benjamin Harrison, jun.

Resolved, That an order for 6000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of Richard Graham, of Virginia, in full of a draught in his favor of the 20th

June, by brigadier-general Lewis; and that the same be charged to the account of Benjamin Harrison, deputy pay-master general for Virginia.

A resolution of the convention of Maryland, passed the 28th of June, was laid before Congress and read, as follows: "That the instructions given to their deputies in December last, he recalled, and the restrictions therein contained, removed; and that the deputies of said colony, or any three or more of them, be authorized and empowered to concur with the other United Colonies, or a majority of them, in declaring the United Colonies Free and Independent States; in forming such further compact and confederation between them making foreign alliances, and in adopting such other measures as shall be adjudged necessary for securing the liberties of America; and that said colony will hold itself bound, by the resolutions of the majority of the United Colonies, in the premises; provided, the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police of that colony be reserved to the people thereof."

The order of the day being read,

in

Resolved, That this Congress will resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the resolution respecting independency : That the declaration be referred to said committee.

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole. After some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee had come to a resolution, which they desired him to report, and to move for leave to sit again.

The resolution agreed to by the committee of the whole being read, the determination thereof was, at the request of a colony, postponed till to-morrow. Resolved, That a brigadier-general, acting in a separate department, be allowed an aid-de-camp.

A letter of the 29th from general Washington was laid before Congress and read.

Resolved, That the letters this day received, be referred to the board of war. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the declaration respecting independence.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, July 2, 1776.

Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read:

One from general Washington, of the 30th of June, enclosing sundry papers; among which, a copy of a letter from lieutenant-colonel Campbell to general Howe:

One from the council of Massachusetts-Bay of the 26th:

One from governor Trumbull of the 20th of the same month, and one from the pay-master general, with a weekly account:

Ordered, That the last be delivered to the board of treasury:

That the letter from lieutenant-colonel Campbell to general Howe, be published:

That the other letters be referred to the board of war.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the resolution reported from the committee of the whole; which was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them, and the state of GreatBritain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress 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 had under consideration

the declaration to them referred; but, not having had time to go through the same, 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 declaration respecting independence.

Congress being informed, that, in obedience to their order, captain Whipple and captain Saltonstal were arrived in Philadelphia,

Resolved, That the marine committee enquire into the complaints exhibited against them, and report thereon to Congress.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, July 3, 1776.

A letter from the convention of New-Jersey, of the 2d, and a letter from the commissioners for Indian affairs in the southern department, dated Augusta, May 21, together with an account of their expenses, and the minutes of their conference with the Indians in that department, were laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That the account of the commissioners be referred to the commit tee on the treasury.

Congress took into consideration the letter from the convention of NewJersey; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be requested to send as many of the troops of their colony as they can spare, to Monmouth county, in New-Jersey, to the assistance of the inhabitants of that colony, and to be subject to the orders of the commander in chief; the said troops to be allowed the same pay and rations as the troops in the service of the continent, from the time of their march until their return:

That a circular letter be written to the committees of inspection of the several counties in Pennsylvania, where troops are raised, or raising, to form the flying-camp, requesting them to send the troops by battalions, or detachments of battalions, or companies, as fast as raised, to the city of Philadelphia, except those raised in the counties of Bucks, Berks, and Northampton, which are to be directed to march, as aforesaid, to New-Brunswick, in New-Jersey: That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent to general Washington, and that he be desired to appoint a proper officer to command the flying-camp, and also direct proper persons to supply the men with rations.

Resolved, That the marine committee be empowered to contract with shipwrights, to go to Lake-Champlain, on the following terms:

To allow each man 34 dollars and two-thirds per month; one month's pay to be advanced, on their giving security, if required:

Each man to be allowed a ration and a half, and one half-pint of rum, per day:

Their tools and arms to be valued:

Two-thirds of their wages to be paid, monthly, to whomsoever they shall leave the power of receiving it:

Their pay to commence from the day they sign articles, and continue until they are discharged, with an allowance of one day's pay for every twenty miles, between the place where they are discharged, and their respective homes.

Resolved, That Dr. Franklin and Mr. Wilson, two of the commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department, be authorized to discharge the bills drawn by Mr. Morgan on the commissioners of that department.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the declaration; and. after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee, not having yet gone through it, desired leave to sit again. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a comVOL. I.

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