him, and that he be requested to inform the president at what time and place the vessel shall meet him.

Congress proceeded to the election of a committee to go to Ticonderoga; and the ballets being taken,

Resolved, That the members be two.

The members chosen, Mr. [Richard] Stockton and Mr. [George] Clymer.

Resolved, That the committee now appointed be directed to draw up, and report to Congress, a set of instructions for the commissioners, relative to their entering into treaties or negotiations with other foreign states in Europe.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Lieutenant Pendleton, 8 lb. of powder, for the use of his company.

The Committee of Treasury reported, that there is due, To Jacob Shizens, for half ferriages of the militia and their baggage over Neshaminy ferry, 17 40/90 dollars:

To James M'Cree, for boarding nine men of Captain Grier's company 18 days, at the rate of 10/ ||=1 dollar and 3d|| per week, 30 77/90 dollars:

To John Teney, for supplying the militia with 201 meals of victuals on their march to New Jersey, 20 9/90 dollars; and to Philip Upright, for supplying them with 996 meals, 99 54/90 dollars, both sums making 119 63/90 dollars, to be paid to Adam Kimmel:

To John White Swift, for two receipts of Brigadier General Wooster, one dated 17th January, for 240 dollars, and the other 8 March, for 25 half Johannes, with interest allowed thereon, being six months, 18 days, at 6 per cent. amounts to 206 54/90 dollars, both sums making 446 dollars and 54/90 of a dollar:

To John Shultz, for boarding and lodging sundry continental troops, £75 12 6 ||=201 60/90 dollars;|| and, for

boarding and nursing sundry sick troops, £11 1 7 ||=29 40/90 dollars,|| both sums making £86 14 1 equal to 231 dollars and 19/90 of a dollar:

To Captain Philip Graybill, of the German batallion, the balance of his account for arms, accoutrements, &c. for the use of his company, and for provisions supplied them on their march from Maryland to Philadelphia, 1,168 5/90 dollars, agreeable to the following sketch, viz. Amount of provisions account

£274. 13. 5 ||732||

Amounting in the whole to 438. 0. 5 equal to 1,168 5/90 dollars.

||Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.||

Resolved, That the committee appointed to superintend the publication of the journals, be empowered and instructed to employ Robert Aitkin, to reprint the said journals from the beginning, with all possible expedition, and continue to print the same: And that this house will purchase of him 500 copies of the said journals when reprinted; and further, that he be directed to purchase, on reasonable terms, such parts of the journals as Mr. Bradford, and Cist & Co. have printed, and not yet published, to be paid for by the Congress.1

Resolved, That General Washington be directed to procure, as soon as possible, an exchange of the officers and

1In the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 143, is an undated motion, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, as follows: "That the president and Council of Pennsylvania be desired to excuse from the Service of the Militia of the said State, five of the Journeymen or Apprentices of Mr. [Robert] Aitken, upon their producing Certificates from the Committee of Congress appointed to superintend the printing of the Journals, that they are actually employed in this Service." It is indorsed "Ordered to lie."

soldiers taken on Long Island, for the same number of British officers and privates, now prisoners to the United States.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1776

Two letters from General Washington, of the 24 and 25th, with sundry papers enclosed;

A letter, of the 20th from the convention of New York; A letter, of the 22d, from Jos. Trumbull;

A letter, of the 25th, from Colonel John Shee, enclosing his commission; And a letter, of the 25, from Jon. B. Smith, requesting leave to resign his commission office of deputy muster master general, || were laid before Congress, and read.1

Resolved, That the letters from General Washington, with the papers enclosed, be referred to a committee of five.

The members chosen, Mr. [George] Wythe, Mr. [Francis] Hopkinson, Mr. [Edward] Rutledge, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, and Mr. [Thomas] Stone.

Resolved, That the sum of one hundred thousand dollars be advanced to the delegates of New York, for the use of that state, which is to be accountable.

Resolved, That the resignation of Colonel J. Shee and Jonathan B. Smith be accepted.

'These letters of Washington are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, III, folios 29 and 45. That of the 24th is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), IV, 438. The letter from the New York Convention is in No. 67, I, folio 298. That of Trumbull is in No. 78, XXII, folio 137. That of John Shee is in No. 78, XX, folio 59, and that of Jonathan Bayard Smith is in the same volume, folio 63.

Certain resolutions of the convention of New York, of the 20th, were laid before Congress, and read.1

Resolved, That they be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, Mr. [Edward] Rutledge, and Mr. [William] Hooper.

Resolved, That George M'Cabe, in Captain Douglas's company in the flying camp, be sent to Philadelphia, his service being necessary to the Marine Committee.

Ordered, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to the Board of War, the care and custody of all arms, ammunition, and other warlike stores, now under their care, or that may hereafter be imported or purchased by them for account of the United States of America.

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be empowered to pursue such measures, as they judge proper and effectual, to import a sufficient quantity of salt for the use of the navy, as much salt as possible.

A petition from Wm. M'Cue was presented to Congress and read.

Resolved, It be referred to the Board of War.

A petition from Hamilton Young, of New York, was presented to Congress and read, praying that he may have leave to return to Long Island, to take care of his books and effects:

Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be granted.

Congress being informed that a number of men belonging to three of the Pensylvania batallions, have deserted from the army; Thereupon,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention of Pensylvania, to take the most effectual measures to com1These resolutions are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, I, folio 298. They relate to Schuyler.

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pel such of their troops, as have come off from the camp on New York island, immediately to return to that place; That they enquire who were the ringleaders of the mutiny, and have them sent back, under guard, for tryal; And that the convention, if they think necessary, have the assistance of the German batallion, to enable them to carry this resolve into execution. And the convention are desired to use all proper means to furnish their troops with cloathing and blankets.

The said convention are further desired, to cause all deserters from their troops to be immediately apprehended, and sent back to General Washington's head quarters.

The Marine Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Francis Guillot, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Francis Guillot be permitted to fit out and arm a privateer, under the colours of the United States, and that he be permitted to equip and arm the said vessel in such place as he thinks he can do it at the smallest expence; he giving the usual securities in such cases directed by Congress.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1776

A memorial from Gunning Bedford, muster master general, was laid before Congress, and read:1

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The Board of War, to whom was referred the petition of William M'Cue, brought in their report; Whereupon, 'This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 111.