The member chosen, Mr. R. H. Lee.

Resolved, That the sum of 117 11 dollars be paid to colonel Haussegger, in full of his account for boards, &c. bought for the public service, and for his experses.

Resolved, That 1000 dollars be advanced to major Ottendorff, for the purpose of recruiting his companies; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That Houelman Arnold be appointed a lieutenant of the company commanded by major Ottendorf:

That 2000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of New-Jersey, for the public service; they to be accountable:

That 50,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. J. Mease, for the public service; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That Mr. Risberg, the assistant quarter-master in Philadelphia, be directed to send by water to Christiana bridge, the military stores sent from the army, and that they be safely lodged there till farther orders.

Resolved, That 5000 dollars be advanced to Mr. Carpenter Wharton for the public service; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That the council of safety of Pennsylvania be requested to give the continental officers, and all others, employed in removing the public stores from Philadelphia, whether by land or water, all the assistance in their power. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants; of America, and a recommendation to the several states, to appoint a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer:

The members chosen, Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. Adams. Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be empowered and directed to settle and pay the arrears due to colonel Hay's battalion of the flying-camp.

Resolved, That Thomas De Naif be appointed a lieutenant of artillery under M. Romand de Lisle.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the state of the prisoners sent from New-Jersey.

The members chosen, Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. Clarke, and Mr. F. L. Lee. Whereas, in consequence of many complaints that engrossers had distressed the public, by raising salt to an exorbitant price, the council of safety of Pennsylvania, with the approbation of Congress, took the management of the affair into their hands, and have endeavoured, by as just and equal a distribution as possible of the salt imported from time to time, to supply the different parts. of the country; yet, it is found upon trial, either from the artful conduct of interested persons not discovered, or from the impossibility of the thing itself, that the remedy has been ineffectual; and, on the contrary, salt continues scarcer and dearer in this port, than when no regulations have been tried:

Therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the council of safety of Pennsylvania, to take off all restraint upon the sale of salt; and give public notice, that it shall be lawful for any person to import and sell it, in such manner, and at such prices, as shall suit voluntary purchasers.

Resolved, That 200 dollars be advanced to Mr. Govett, assistant to the auditor-general; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That in case this Congress shall be under the necessity of removing from Philadelphia, it shall be adjourned to Baltimore.

Whereas, general Washington hath repeatedly applied, and hath yesterday renewed, his application, for an immediate reinforcement for the defence ofPhiladelphia, and the state of Pennsylvania;

Resolved, That the council of safety of Pennsylvania be requested, this day, to send expresses, that can be relied on, to the several counties, earnestly requesting that they march what troops they can collect, armed and provided in the best manner possible, to the army under the command of general Washington.

Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to furnish captain Henderson's company, of the 11th Pennsylvania battalion, with blankets and stockings.

Resolved, That expresses be immediately sent to the committees of the counties of Cœcil, Baltimore, Hartford, and Frederick, in Maryland, requesting that they apply, without delay, to the militia of their respective counties, and send forward, immediately, for the defence of the city of Philadelphia, and the reinforcement of general Washington's army, as many troops as possible, informing the said committees that some assistance, in the way of arms, may be furnished here, to such as have no arms to bring with them:

That an express be sent to the council of safety of Delaware, requesting them to send forward, immediately, for the purpose aforesaid, as many troops as possible, giving them the like information with respect to arms.

Resolved, That the board of war be directed to take care of the arms belonging to the continent, and have them properly secured.

Resolved, That William Chambers be appointed captain, Alexander Wilson, first lieutenant, and Adam Hoops, second lieutenant, in the 3d battalion of the regiment commanded by colonel M. Hazen.

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

TUESDAY, December 10, 1776.

A letter, of the 8th, from general Lee, at Morristown; one, of the 9th, from general Washington, with a letter, of the 6th, from general Heath, were read. Resolved, That the prisoners sent from the state of New-Jersey by general Washington, and ordered to Fredericktown, in Maryland, be conveyed there by captain Mountjoy Baily, with a guard of 18 soldiers:

That the said guard be furnished with arms, cartridges, knapsacks, and blan

kets:

That 100 dollars be advanced to the committee of the middle district of Frederick county, to defray the charges of conveying the prisoners there, and the expense of furnishing rations to the prisoners and the guard; the said committee to be accountable.

Resolved, That general Mifflin be directed to repair immediately to the neighboring counties, and, by all the means in his power, rouse and bring them in, to the defence of Philadelphia.

As the Congress deem it of great importance to the general good and safety, that general Mifflin should make a progress through the several counties of the state of Pennsylvania, to rouse the freemen thereof, to the immediate defence of this city and county,

Resolved, That the assembly be requested to appoint a committee of their body to make the said tour with general Mifflin, in order to assist him in this good and necessary work.

Resolved, That the president return to Congress the 25,000 dollars received for the use of the marine committee.

Resolved, That major general Putnam be directed to have the several recruits, and other continental troops in Philadelphia, immediately paraded, and that he proceed, without delay, to make the proper defences for the protection and security of this city:

That the council of safety of Pennsylvania be requested to give major general Putnam all the assistance in their power, for the execution of the above necessary business, by calling forth the inhabitants, and by any other means in their judgment proper.

Resolved, That 2,000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Georgia, for the use of that state, which is to be accountable.

Resolved, That 135.30 dollars be paid to Robert Patton, for his services as messenger, from the 15th of May to the 4th of December, instant.

The committee appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of America, brought in a draught, which was read ; and, being debated by paragraphs, was agreed to.

Ordered, That the said committee have it published and dispersed.

The committee of treasury reported, that there should be advanced to Mrs. Stevenson the sum of two hundred dollars on account of her husband, James Stevenson, one of the commissioners of accounts; he to be accountable :

That there is due to John Montgomery and Jasper Yates, commissioners of Indian affairs in the middle department, for their account of debts due to sundry persons on the visit of the Indian chiefs from Pittsburg to Congress, 1178.24 dollars:

To the rev. Mr. Fowler, Indian missionary, being a balance due to him for his services at the treaty with the Indians at Pittsburg, 36 dollars :

To John Gibson, esq. for eight months' house-rent for the treasury office, as auditor general, to the 9th instant, wood for the use of the office, &c. &c. the sum of 369.61 dollars:

To St. Luke la Corn, captain Frazer, and major Campbell, for the allowance for themselves and three servants, from 24th September to 3d December, 90 dollars; the same to be paid to col. Donald Campbell :

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That the president write to general Washington, and desire him to send a party to watch the roads leading from New-Jersey to Philadelphia, above Trenton, and give Congress the earliest notice of the enemy's motions. Resolved, That 2,000 dollars be advanced to lieutenant-colonel Antil, for the purpose of recruiting the battalion commanded by colonel Moses Hazen; he to be accountable.

Resolved, I hat two of the continental battalions, now raising in Connecticut, be stationed for the defence of the said state in such parts thereof as governor Trumbull shall judge most conducive to that purpose, till Congress shall order otherwise.

Resolved, That the treasurer, upon the order of the government of Connecticut, pay out of the first moneys which shall be received into the loan office in that state, 40,000 dollars; the said state to be accountable for the expenditure thereof.

Resolved, That Antoine Seelim be appointed a captain of a rifle company in the corps commanded by major Ottendorf.

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

WEDNESDAY, December 11, 1776.

The committee appointed to prepare a resolution for appointing a day of fasting and humiliation, brought in a report, which was read and agreed to, as follows:

Whereas, the war in which the United States are engaged with Great-Britain, has not only been prolonged, but is likely to be carried to the greatest extremity; and whereas, it becomes all public bodies, as well as private persons, to reverence the Providence of God, and look up to him as the supreme disposer of all events, and the arbiter of the fate of nations; therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to all the United States, as soon as possible, to appoint a day of solemn fasting and humiliation; to implore_of Almighty God the forgiveness of the many sins prevailing among all ranks, and to beg the countenance and assistance of his Providence in the prosecution of the present just and necessary war.

The Congress do also, in the most earnest manner, recommend to all the members of the United States, and particularly the officers civil and military

under them, the exercise of repentance and reformation; and further, require of them the strict observation of the articles of war, and particularly, that part of the said articles, which forbids profane swearing, and all immorality, of which all such officers are desired to take notice.

It is left to each state to issue out proclamations fixing the day that appears most proper within its bounds.

Ordered, That the above be published by the committee who brought in the report.

A letter, of the 10th, from general Washington, at the falls of Delaware, was read.

The committee appointed to examine the prisoners sent from New-Jersey, reported, that they have performed that service, and find some considerable distinction between them; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the said committee be empowered to discharge from gaol such of the said prisoners as do not appear to have been engaged in measures against the United States of America; the said prisoners first signing a declaration, that they will not hereafter engage in such measures, nor give the enemies of America aid, information, counsel, or assistance, in any way or manner whatsoever; and that such as the said committee judge proper, give security not to depart the city of Philadelphia without leave of Congress.

Resolved, That gen. Putnam be directed to order parties of active, spirited men, with proper guides, to cross from Philadelphia to New-Jersey; and, under the conduct of good officers, to act as harassing parties, and get the best intelligence of the motions and situation of the enemy, directing them to send frequent daily intelligence through him to Congress, of the discoveries they shall be able to make of the enemy's movements and situation.

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

THURSDAY, December 12, 1776.

A letter, of the 11th, from general Washington, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war.

Resolved, That 20,000 dollars be advanced to Gustavus Risberg, and charged to the account of R. Dallam, esq.

That 50,000 dollars be advanced to the council of safety of Pennsylvania, for the public service; the said council to be accountable:

That 5000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Nicholas Way, of Wilmington, for the public service; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That the two companies raised in the town of Westmoreland, be ordered to join general Washington, with all possible expedition.

Resolved, That the continental apothecary be directed immediately to pack up all the continental medicines, and send them to the quarter-master general: That the quarter-master general be directed to remove all the medicines belonging to the continent in Philadelphia to a place of security:

That the frigate Randolph be put under the direction of the continental general commanding in Philadelphia, to act as he shall direct, for the defence of this city, and preventing the enemy from passing the Delaware.

Resolved, That 53.30 dollars be advanced to Mr. Sproat, clerk at the war office, for his services; he to be accountable.

Mr. Walton, a delegate from Georgia, attended, and produced a letter from the secretary of the convention of that state, informing him of his appointment, with others, to represent that state for the ensuing year:

Resolved, That he be admitted to a seat.

Resolved, That Elisha Sheldon be appointed lieutenant-colonel commandant of a regiment of cavalry on the continental establisment, with the rank and pay of a colonel of foot; and that general Washington be authorized to

Von. I.

73

appoint the other officers to the said regiment; and that the colonel, with his officers, proceed, without delay, to raise and discipline the said regiment; and that they repair to and join the army under the command of general Washington, by companies, as soon as each company shall be complete:

That

general Washington be empowered to advance to colonel Sheldon such sums of money as may be necessary for the service.

Resolved, That the marine committee be directed to employ one or more fast sailing vessels, to proceed immediately on a cruise off the Capes of Delaware, and give notice to all ships and vessels inward bound of the state of this port, in order that they may proceed to some other place or places of more safety.

Resolved, That gen. Putnam be directed to send Dr. John Connolly under guard to Baltimore, in Maryland, there to be confined.

Resolved, That the continental general commanding in Philadelphia, be directed to defend the same to the utmost extremity, against the attemps of the enemy to get possession of it; and that, for this end, he apply, from time to time, to the council of safety of Pennsylvania for their aid and assistance.

Resolved, That Mr. R. Morris be empowered to borrow a sum, not exceeding 10,000 dollars, for the use of the marine committee; and Congress will indemnify him.

Resolved, That Timothy Dod be released from confinement.

Resolved, That the arms, ammunition, and clothing, in or near the city of Philadelphia, be put under the direction of general Putnam; and that Mr. J. Mease, and all other persons having continental stores in care, make immediate return of the same to general Putnam, of the quantities and kinds of each, and where the same are placed, that the general may take order therein, either for safety or use, as he shall judge proper.

Resolved, That general Putnam be authorized to employ all the private armed vessels in this harbour, for the defence and security of the city; and that he take the most effectual measures for manning them, and putting them in fit condition for the above purpose.

Major-general Putnam and Brigadier-general Mifflin being called to a conference, and having, by strong arguments, urged the necessity of the Congress retiring, it was, thereupon,

Ordered, That Mr. Wilson inform the assembly and council of Pennsylvania of the proposed adjournment of Congress, and the place to which they have resolved to adjourn; and acquaint them, that Congress will, at all times, on their application, be ready to comply with their requisitions for the security of this city and state against the common enemy.

Whereas the movements of the enemy have now rendered the neighborhood of this city the seat of war, which will prevent that quiet and uninterrupted attention to the public business, which should ever prevail in the great continental council:

Resolved, That this Congress be, for the present, adjourned to the town of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, to meet on the 20th instant, unless a sufficient number to make a Congress shall be there sooner assembled; and that, until the Congress shall otherwise order, general Washington be possessed of full power to order and direct all things relative to the department, and to the operations of war: and that the several matters to this day referred, be postponed to the day to which Congress is adjourned.

BALTIMORE.

FRIDAY, December 20, 1776.

Congress met according to adjournment.

The delegates from Georgia produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read as follows: