Resolved, That it be referred with the papers accompanying it to the Board of War.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the causes of the miscarriages in Canada; and, after debate,

Resolved, That it be re-committed.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1776

Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read; viz. One from General Washington, of the 5th, enclosing copies of letters between him and General Howe, respecting the exchange of prisoners, and sundry other letters and papers;

One from Brigadier H. Mercer, of the 4th.1

Resolved, That they be referred to the Board of War. Resolved, That the committee for procuring medicines be directed to supply the director general of the Hospital with such medicines as he may want.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to the delegates of North Carolina, half a ton of powder, for the use of the frontier inhabitants of that state.

Resolved, That General Schuyler be directed to apply to General Burgoyne, and propose a general exchange of prisoners on the terms agreed to by Congress; and, particularly, of delivering Brigadier General Prescot, in possession of the United States, in lieu of Brigadier General Thompson, in the possession of the enemy.

1 Washington's letter, with the enclosures, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folio 329. It is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), IV, 317. That of Mercer is in No. 159, folio 161.

A letter from the convention of New Jersey to their delegates, was laid before Congress and read; Whereupon,1

Resolved, That the convention of the state of New Jersey be requested to make such provision for keeping open the communication between that state and New York, by way of the ferries over the rivers Passaick and Hackinsack, as to them shall appear to be most effectual, and that this Congress will reimburse the expences of such service to the state of New Jersey:

That it be recommended, in the most earnest manner, to the convention of New Jersey, to order their militia immediately to march and join Brigadier General Mercer.

Resolved, That the commissioners for Indian Affairs in the middle department, be directed to enquire, and inform Congress, whether it will be most for the public good, that the troops raised, and to be raised, for the garrisons on the Ohio and its waters, should be supplied with provisions by contract or by a commissary: That if a commissary be thought necessary, they recommend some proper person for that office to Congress, and in the mean time, take such measures as they think best for victualling the said troops.

Resolved, That a member be added to the committee appointed to enquire into, and remedy, the defects of the powder made at the mills:

The member chosen, Dr. [Benjamin] Rush.

Mr. [George] Clymer, one of the joint treasurers, being appointed a delegate to Congress, by the convention of Pensylvania,

Resolved, That, for the future, there be only one continental treasurer.

'This letter, dated August 3, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 203.

Resolved, That an additional sum of 300 dollars be given to each of the continental treasurers, on account of their extraordinary trouble, and faithful service, during the last year.

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the articles of Confederation; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [John] Morton reported, that [the committee,] not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the council of safety of Pensylvania, to stop Mr. Wilmore from proceeding to New York.

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 several matters to this day referred, being postponed,||

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1776

Resolved, That an order for 5,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favour of the committee of Lancaster, for the purpose of carrying into execution the resolve of Congress, respecting the prisoners, the said committee to be accountable:

Resolved, That an order for 30,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favour of James Mease, for the use of the militia marching to New Jersey; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That James Brisben, who is employed in the post office, be excused from military duty.

A letter from Captain N. Biddle to the Marine Committee, was laid before Congress, and read; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the General [Washington] be directed to propose an exchange of Lieutenant Josiah, by giving in exchange for him a lieutenant of the navy of Great Britain, and that the general remonstrate to Lord Howe on the cruel treatment Lieutenant Josiah has met with, of which the Congress have received undoubted information.

Resolved, That Dr. [Benjamin] Rush be added to the committee for procuring medicines.

A memorial from George Measam was presented to Congress, and read:1

Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War.

The committee appointed to revise the articles of war, brought in their report:2

The Board of War reported, that there is due,

To Messrs. Giasson, Hertel and de la Magdelaine, Canadian prisoners, at Bristol, for their board and lodging, from the fifteenth of November to the 31st of July last, being thirty seven weeks each, at 2 dollars per week, the sum of 222 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to John Green, their assignee:

Ordered, That the same be paid.

The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the articles of confederation; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [John] Morton reported, that the committee, not having yet 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. Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

1This petition, dated August 2, 1776, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 19.

2 This report is printed under September 20, post.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 1776

Resolved, That the sum of 700 dollars be paid to Jonathan Meredith, in full of Ephraim Blaine's draught in his favour, for shoes purchased from him for the use of the continental army; and that the same be charged to the account of said Ephraim Blaine.

Resolved, That the sum of 60,000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of New Hampshire, for the use of that state, which is to be accountable.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the council of safety of Pensylvania, to take proper measures for providing quarters for the troops passing through Philadelphia to the flying camp, during their continuance in that city.

Resolved, That the colonel, or commanding officer of the Delaware batallion, and the colonels, or commanding officers of the several batallions of militia, now in this city, be ordered instantly to march to Amboy in New Jersey; and that such of the militia as want arms, be left under a proper officer, till they can be provided therewith, and then marched without any farther delay: That the Board of War be directed to see this resolution carried into immediate execution.

Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to take into immediate consideration, the state of the army in the northern department, and our naval force on the lakes; and that Mr. [Samuel] Chase be directed to attend the said Board, and give them all the information in his power; and that Mr. [William] Williams be desired to furnish the said Board with an extract of the letter he has received from Governor Trumbull, relative to the said army and naval force; and that the said Board report thereon as soon as possible.