shall have reason to apprehend an invasion of that state, and shall call to its defence an equal number of minutemen or militia, the same, while in service, shall be on the pay and support of the continent:

That the convention of Pensylvania be requested to augment their quota for the flying camp, with four batallions of militia, and the convention of New Jersey to raise, for the said flying camp, three batallions of militia, in addition to those formerly desired by Congress, and send the same, with all possible despatch, to the said flying camp. And, that these several batallions be officered, paid and provided, as directed by the former resolutions for forming said camp.

Resolved, That in case Mr. Heyman Levy order any money to be paid in Albany to the deputy pay master general for the northern department, the same shall, upon advice of such money so paid, be repaid to him or his order in Philadelphia.

Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.

MONDAY, JULY 22, 1776

A letter of the 20th, from the convention of New Jersey, and one of the 19th, from Ephraim Anderson, and a petition from Levi Allen, were laid before Congress, and read.1

Resolved, That the letter from General Washington, received and read on Saturday last, be referred to the Board of War.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee respecting an exchange of prisoners; Whereupon,

1The letter of the convention of New Jersey is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 195. That of Anderson is in No. 78, I, folio 11. That of Levi Allen With it is a letter of recommendation signed by leading Conarmy.

is in No. 42, I, folio 15. necticut officers in the

Resolved, That the commander in chief in each department be empowered to negotiate an exchange of prisoners in the following manner: one continental officer for one of the enemy of equal rank, either in the land or sea service, soldier for soldier, sailor for sailor, and one citizen for another citizen:

That each state hath a right to make any exchange they think proper for prisoners taken from them or by them. Resolved, That the several commanders in chief, in each department, be directed to exchange any officer in the British service, now a prisoner in any of these states, of or under the rank of colonel, for Colonel Ethan Allen.1

Resolved, That the persons taken prisoners with Colonel Ethan Allen, be put upon the same footing as those in the continental service, and exchanged accordingly, as opportunity presents.1

The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of ways and means; and, after debate, the same was disagreed to.

The committee appointed to contract with Messrs. Hughes for one thousand tons of cannon, for the use of the United States, reported, that they have executed the contract, in which is a covenant to advance Messrs. Hughes 8,000 dollars.

Resolved, That an order for 8,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of Daniel and Samuel Hughes; they to be accountable.

Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be directed to make immediate preparation for striking a farther sum of five millions of dollars in bills of credit.

1In the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, I, folio 23, is a single sheet containing these two resolutions, the second being in the writing of Charles Thomson. The first sentence reads: "On reading the Memorial of Levi Allen, ordered." They were published in the Pennsylvania Evening Post, 1 August, 1776. An added paragraph reads: "All the printers are desired to publish the above order for the benefit of Col. Allen, who has suffered much in the cause of his country."

Resolved, That Captain Joy have liberty to employ eight prisoners by him heretofore employed in the business of casting cannon.

The Board of Treasury reported, that they have examined the account of the committee of Lancaster for preserving the peace of the borough, keeping the prisoners in order, and for the protection of the magazines, and find, that there is due, for the pay of the guard, as follows:

39 days to the captains, at 26 2/3 dollars per month, 34 60/90ths dollars:

76 days to the lieutenants, at 18 dollars per month, 45 54/90ths dollars:

27 days to the ensigns, at 13 1/3 dollars per month, 12 dollars:

143 days to the serjeants, at 8 dollars per month, 38 12/90ths dollars.

140 to corporals

141 to fifers

421 days at 7 1/3 dollars per month,

140 to drummers 102 60/90ths dollars:

1470 days to privates, at 6 2/3 dollars per month, 326 60/90ths dollars; the whole amounting to 559 66/90ths dollars:

Ordered, That the said sum be paid.

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the articles of Confederation; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the articles of eonfederation and made some progress in the matter to them referred; but, not having finished, desire 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 articles of Confederation.

The Marine Committee having recommended the following gentlemen for officers of the Rawleigh, namely,

Peter Shores, John Wheelwright, Josiah Shackford, lieutenants; George Jerry Osborne, captain of marines; Stephen Meads, first lieutenant; Nathaniel Thwing, second lieutenant:

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

Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1776

Sundry letters were received, and read, viz.
One from General Washington of the 21:

Another from do. of the 22d, with three papers enclosed:
One from Governor Cooke of the 16:

Two from Brigadier H. Mercer, of the 22d, with two papers enclosed.1

Resolved, That the letters from General Washington be referred to the Board of War.

Resolved, That the report of the committee on the cartel entered into between Brigadier General Arnold and Captain Foster, and the resolutions passed thereon, be published.

A letter from Brigadier General Mercer of the 20th, was laid before Congress and read."

Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War. Resolved, That twenty dollars be advanced to Isaac Manes, a wounded soldier in Captain Cheeseman's company, and that he be sent to the general hospital.

1The letters of Washington are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folios 261 and 265. That of the 22d is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), IV, 282. That from Governor Cooke is in No. 64, folio 360.

'The letters of Mercer are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 145.

The Board of War reported, that they have heard and considered several matters alleged against the arrangement made in the regiment ordered to be raised under Colonel Dubois, and are of opinion, that no good purpose would be answered by making any alteration therein; and although many worthy officers who served in Canada are yet unemployed, the Board can only lament that they are not in the service, but hope something will, in future, turn up to enable Congress to place them in stations equal to their merit:

The same being again read, was agreed to.

On the remainder of the report from the Board of War, the Congress came to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That General Washington be informed that Congress have such an entire confidence in his judgment, that they will give him no particular directions about the disposition of the troops, but desire that he will dispose of those at New York, the flying camp and Ticonderoga, as to him shall seem most conducive to the public good:

Resolved, That Congress approve of General Washington's having lent to the convention of New York, the sum of money mentioned in his letter of the 19th instant:

Resolved, That Monsieur St. Martin be appointed an engineer, in the southern department with rank of lieutenant colonel, and that he be directed to repair to New York, and put himself under the command of General Washington.

Resolved, That Dr. David Griffith be appointed to the stations of chaplain and surgeon in the third Virginia regiment, he being a person of uncommon merit, and there being very few surgeons of abilities who will enter into the army in that state; this appointment not to be drawn into precedent: