Christopher Miller, for one of those built in New York: Nicholas Biddle, John Barry, Thomas Read, Charles Alexander, for the four ships building in Philadelphia: James Nicholson for that building in Maryland.

That the names of the thirteen ships be, the Congress, Randolph, Hancock, Washington, Trumbull, Raleigh, Effingham, Montgomery, Warren, Boston, Virginia, Providence, and Delaware.

Resolved, That Israel Turner be first lieutenant; Joseph Doble, second lieutenant; Mark Dennet, third lieutenant, of Captain Manly's ship.

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be empowered to affix the names to each particular ship, and determine the vessel which each captain is to take command of:

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be empowered ||and directed to consider the propriety of building two more ships of war, and their size, and report to Congress.

Resolved, That three members be added to the committee appointed to devise ways and means for raising 10 millions of dollars, voted the 6th of May:

The members chosen,|| Mr. [Carter] Braxton, Mr. R[obert R.] Livingston, and Mr. [Matthew] Tilghman. Resolved, That the Secret Committee be instructed forthwith to fit out two fast sailing vessels and load them with provisions to be sent immediately to supply the inhabitants of the islands of Bermudas, and that the committee of Secret Correspondence be directed to take such measures as they may think proper by those vessels, to discover the state of those islands and the disposition of their inhabitants; and that the Marine Committee be instructed to take such measures as they may think proper for purchasing, manning, arming and fitting at the said islands two sloops of war for the service of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the remainder of the report lie on the table for consideration.

Resolved, That doctor Jonathan Potts be employed as a physician and surgeon in the Canada department, or at Lake George, as the general shall direct; but, that this appointment shall not supersede Dr. Stringer.

Resolved, That an express be sent to Hugh Mercer, Esq! who was yesterday appointed a brigadier general, with his commission, and that he be desired immediately to repair to head quarters, at New York.

A memorial of Jacob Ummensetter was presented to Congress, and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to the committee appointed to contract for casting cannon.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1776

The committee to whom was referred the letter from Eseck Hopkins, commodore of the continental fleet, dated Providence, May 22d, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Mr. Charles Walker, of New Providence, ought to be paid the value of the sloop Endeavour, together with four tons of lignum vitæ, and one hundred cedar posts, taken by the said commodore, for the use of the colonies, and the damages the said Walker has sustained by the taking and detention of said vessel, lignum vitæ and posts; the said Walker giving a full acquittance for the said vessel, goods and damages.

Resolved, That the governor and Council of the colony of Connecticut be requested to appoint judicious and in

different persons to appraise the vessel and goods aforesaid, at the time when they were taken into the service of the colonies, and to estimate the full damages sustained by the said Mr. Walker, and report it to this Congress forthwith, that the said Walker may be indemnified by this Congress.

Resolved, That the said Walker have his election to receive his vessel again, and the hire of her, and his damages, or the value of her to be ascertained as aforesaid."

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the resolutions of the convention of South Carolina, respecting the batallions raised in that colony; and, after some debate,

Resolved, That it be recommitted.

Information being given that complaint is made with respect to the powder manufactured at Mr. O[swald] Eve's mill:

Resolved, That Mr. [Henry] Wisner, Mr. [Robert Treat] Paine, and Mr. R[obert R.] Livingston be a committee to enquire into the defect, and take measures to have it remedied.

Certain resolutions ||respecting independency|| being moved and seconded,

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 connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation."

1The original of this report, in the writing of John Adams, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 169.

"This resolution, in the writing of Richard Henry Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 11. It has the following endorsement in three writings: "Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Com. that the first Resolution [Benja

Resolved, That the consideration of them be referred till to morrow morning; and, that the members be enjoined to attend punctually at 10 o'Clock, in order to take the same into consideration.

The committee to whom was referred the consideration of an attempt made to counterfeit the bills of credit, emitted by Congress, brought in their report:

The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the attempt made to counterfeit the Bills of Credit emitted by Congress, Beg Leave to report, that it appears to the Committee by sundry affidavits, the Confessions of the parties charged, and other papers, that Elizabeth Vandine, the wife of Henry Vandine, of Morris County, in the Province of New Jersey, with the Privity of her said Husband, has counterfeited several Bills of the Continental Currency, some of which were passed by the said Vandine, and others of them by his wife, and that the said Vandine and his wife were, for the said offence, committed to the goal of the County of Morris by order of the Committee of the Township of Morris. Whereupon your Committee came to the following Resolutions:

That it be recommended to the provincial Convention of the Province of New Jersey to direct the said Henry Vandine to make satisfaction to such persons as have been injured by taking the said counterfeit bills.

That the said Henry and Elizabeth remain in Confinement, or be let out on good Bail for their appearance to abide their trial for the above offence, as to the said Convention shall seem most proper.

That it be recommended to the respective Legislatures of the United Colonies to pass Acts of Legislation for making the continental Bills of Credit a lawful tender in all payments, and for the most effectual preventing the counterfeiting thereof.1

||Ordered, To lie on the table for consideration.||

min Harrison] be postponed to this day three weeks, and that in the mean time [Charles Thomson], least any time sha be lost in case the Congress agree to this resolution [Robert R. Livingston], a committee be appointed to prepare a Declaration to the effect of the said first resolution [Charles Thomson]." The postponement was made to give an opportunity to the Delegates from those Colonies which had not as yet given authority to adopt this decisive measure, to consult their constituents. The motion was seconded by John Adams.

'This report, in the writing of William Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 7.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1776

The Congress took into consideration the resolutions moved yesterday:

Resolved, That they be referred to a committee of the whole [Congress.] Whereupon,

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the resolutions referred to them; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into consideration the matter to them referred, but not having come to any resolution thereon, desired leave to sit again on Monday next.

Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, at 10 o'clock, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the resolutions referred to them.

On petition of John Bayard, Joseph Deane, and William Erskine, ||being presented to Congress, and read,||

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to sell ||the petitioners|| 550 lb. of powder, and 400 lb. of swivel and grape shot, for the use of their privateer Hancock, and also 750 lb. of powder|| before applied for.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1776

Sundry letters and papers were laid before Congress, and read;

Two from General Washington, of the 7 and 8, together