western parts of Connecticut, and the western parts of Massachusetts-Bay; and that it be recommended to the convention of the state of New-York, to direct the mode of doing it.

Resolved, That the legislatures of the eastern states be desired to recommend, and point out to the inhabitants thereof, such mode as to them shall seem best calculated to afford the most early supply of grass-fattened cattle, for the use of the armies of the United States.

Resolved, That the commissary-general be directed to deliver 500 bushels of salt to such persons as the quarter-master general shall appoint to receive the same, and that it be immediately sent into Ulster county, to be divided and lodged at the different magazines of provisions to be formed there.

Resolved, That major-gen. Schuyler be directed to send a proper officer, to hasten the march of the Carolina continental troops, supposed to be now on their way to head-quarters; that the said troops halt at Dumfries, Colchester, and Alexandria, in Virginia, there to pass through inoculation; which the hospital-surgeons, lately despached from this city to Dumfries, are directed to see effected, with the greatest despatch.

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

THURSDAY, May 1, 1777.

A letter, of the 21st of April, from Ephraim Blaine, esq. was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war.

An appeal from the judgment of a court of admiralty, held at Newbern, for the port of Beaufort, in the state of North-Carolina, on the libel "James Coor, &c. vs. the brigantine Hannah, &c." being lodged with the secretary, was referred to the committee on appeals.

Resolved, That fifty blank commissions for private ships of war, with an equal number of instructions and resolutions of Congress for taking or destroying the vessels of the subjects of Great-Britain, be delivered to the committee for foreign affairs, to be by them transmitted to the commissioners at the court of France.

Ordered, That the committee for foreign affairs revise the commissions for private ships of war, and the instructions heretofore given to the commanders of the said ships, and report such alterations and amendments as they judge proper to be made therein.

Resolved, That Tuesday next be assigned for appointing commissioners for the courts of Vienna, Berlin and Tuscany.

Congress took into consideration the letter of the 26th of last month from governor Johnson, the copy of the said governor's letter to captain James Nicholson, and captain Nicholson's answer; Whereupon,

Resolved, That this Congress will never countenance or support any continental officer in violating the laws of any state or treating its magistrates with contempt:

Resolved, That captain James Nicholson be suspended from all command, in the service of the United States, until he shall have made such satisfaction, as shall be accepted by the executive powers of the state of Maryland, for the disrespectful and contemptuous letter written by him to the governor of

that state.

Resolved, That captain James Nicholson be served with a copy of the said resolutions, and that, in case he shall not, within five days after he hath been served with the said copy, make the satisfaction required, he be dismissed from his command from the service of the United States.

Ordered, That the foregoing resolutions be immediately transmitted by the marine committee, and that they give the necessary orders for immediately dismissing the men impressed by captain Nicholson.

⚫ A letter, of the 30th of April, from general Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, respecting the enemy's expedition to Danbury, was read: Ordered, That the same, together with the letters received yesterday on the same subject, be referred to the committee of intelligence.

Congress being informed, that governor Johnson has, in pursuance of the resolution of Congress, of April 19th, for the purposes therein expressed, detained colonel Richardson's battalion, two companies of which are now in Philadelphia on their way to general Washington:

Resolved, That the said companies proceed to the army, and that governor Johnson be empowered to replace them, by detaining two companies of the weakest Maryland battalion remaining in that state.

A petition from Patrick Colvin, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the board of treasury.

Ordered, That a warrant for 22,000 dollars be drawn on Joseph Borden, esq. commissioner of the loan-office for the state of New-Jersey, in favor of William Palfrey, esq. pay-master general, who is to be accountable.

The committee on the treasury reported,

That there is due to Joseph Ward, esq. for his services as secretary to major-general Ward, while he had the command in Massachusetts-Bay, as follows: from the 20th of April, 1775, to the 2d of July following, 73 days; and from the 30th of March, 1776, to the 26th of September following, 180 days, making in the whole 253 days, at 33 dollars per month, 274.24 dollars: To David Kerr, late a prisoner of colonel Montgomery's battalion of the flying-camp, for his pay from the time he was taken prisoner till his return, one month and 20 days, 12 dollars:

To Andrew Elder, late a corporal in the above battalion, for his pay while a prisoner, and which is claimed by his father, one month and 23 days, 12.86 dollars:

To colonel Henry Haller, for the balance of the pay-roll of his battalion of Pennsylvania forces of the flying-camp, the sum of £ 1380 18 03:

To sundry soldiers of the said battalion who were taken prisoners, and have since returned, and which is to be paid to the said H. Haller, £ 683 13 10, equal to 1823.16 dollars, both sums making 5505.52 dollars.

Ordered, That the said sums be paid.

Ordered, That Mr. Brownson have leave of absence.
Ordered, That Mr. Thornton have leave to return home.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, May 2, 1777.

Ordered, That Mr. Wolcott have leave of Congress to return to Connecticut.

Ordered, That 500 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Connecticut for the use of that state, which is to be accountable.

Ordered, That 2244 dollars be advanced to Morgan Alexander, captain in the 2d Virginia battalion; he to be accountable.

The committee on the treasury reported,

That there is due to Christopher, jun. and Charles Marshall, for sundry medicines and chirurgical instruments supplied by them for the use of different battalions of continental forces, the sum of 4151.48 dollars:

To Dr. George Glentworth, for sundry medicines supplied the sick of captain Doyle's company in continental service, the sum of 28.48 dollars: To Dr. Frederick Phile, for sundry medicines administered by him to see veral battalions of continental forces, the sum of 1312.33 dollars. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That all muster-rolls, directed to be taken, be sworn to before VOL. II.

15

some general officer of the army, or, in the absence of a general officer, be fore the commanding officer of the post where the muster is made, or some civil magistrate in these United States; and a certificate thereof be made on the back of each roll in the words following: "We do swear, that the within muster-roll is a true state of the company, without fraud to these United States, or to any individual, according to our best knowledge." A. B. C. D. lieutenant or ensign. Sworn to before me, this day of Resolved, That each deputy muster-master deliver to the deputy mustermaster general of his department, one certified copy of all muster-rolls by which the latter shall make the abstracts required from him.

E.

Resolved, That the commissary-general of musters and his deputies shall take an oath of office and fidelity to these United States.

Resolved, That in the absence of the commander in chief from any department, the deputy muster masters shall be appointed by the commander in that department.

Resolved, That the mustering officers be empowered and directed to require of the officers, whose troops are mustered, any papers or vouchers relative to the inlistment and muster.

Ordered, That the sum of 1600 dollars be advanced to colonel John Hawkins Stone, of the first Maryland battalion; and the sum of 1066 2-3 dollars, to lieutenant-colonel Thomas Woolford, of the second, for the use of their respective battalions; they to be accountable.

Resolved, That a major-general and a brigadier-general be appointed in the army of the United States.

Congress proceeded to ballot for a major-general, and brigadier-general Benedict Arnold was elected.

Resolved, That the appointment of a brigadier-general be postponed till to-morrow.

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

SATURDAY, May 3, 1777.

Ordered, That the sum of 885 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Maryland, for the use of the detachment of colonel Richardson's battalion, which is ordered to join the army, under the immediate command of general Washington; and that the said sum be charged to the account of the said battalion.

Ordered, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to Joseph Trumbull, esq. commissary-general, for the public service; he to be accountable.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Christopher Ludwick be appointed superintendent of bakers, and director of baking, in the grand army of the United States; that he have power to license, with the approbation of the commander in chief, or officer commanding at any principal post, all persons to be employed in this business, and to regulate their pay, making proper report of his proceedings, and using his best endeavours to rectify all abuses in the article of bread: That no person be permitted to exercise the trade of baker in the said army without such license; and that he receive for his services herein, an allowance of 75 dollars a month and two rations a day.

Resolved, That John Belton be authorized and appointed to superintend, and direct, the making or altering of 100 muskets, on the construction exhibited by him, and called "the new improved gun," and that he receive a reasonable compensation for his trouble, and be allowed all just and necessary expenses.

Resolved, That Christian Mankey receive a commission as first-lieutenant, and George Shoffner as second-lieutenant, in captain John Paul Shott's in

dependent company; and that the said commissions bear date the 4th of February last, the time they were appointed to act by the captain, in consequence of orders from general Washington.

Ordered, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed to Monday next.

Resolved, That Christian Frolock be appointed a second-lieutenant in captain Selim's company, of major Ottendorf's corps.

Resolved, That another brigadier-general be appointed in the army of the United States, and that the appointment of the two brigadiers be postponed to Monday next.

The committee on the treasury reported,

That there should be advanced to colonel Thomas Hartley, commanding one of the 16 additional batta Vons, for the use of his regiment, on the application of major Lewis Bush, the sum of 6000 dollars: the said colonel to be accountable:

That there should be advanced to colonel David Hall, commanding the battalion of continental troops, raised in the state of Delaware, 6000 dollars, for the use of his battalion, he to be accountable:

That there should be advanced to capt. John Paul Shott, for the use of his independent company, the sum of 300 dollars; he to be accountable: That there is due to captain Samuel Griffith, for the expenses of 7 men, from Baltimore to Philadelphia, as a guard for money, 37 dollars:

To Robert Erwin, for 12 cords of wood and sawing, delivered for the use of Congress, 131 dollars:

To James Jackson, to be paid to col. Henry Haller, for pay, as a private from the 15th of December to the 24th of January, when he returned from New-York, and his mileage from thence, 9.79 dollars:

To Steiner & Cist, printers, for printing the address of the assembly for the state of New-York, in German, 1000 copies, and for paper, 39.39 dols. To Lewis Weiss, for translating the said address into German, 16 dollars: To the committee of York county, in Pennsylvania, for the board of ten prisoners, from the 3d of July to the 23d of November, 19 weeks, at one dollar per man, per week, a balance of 180 dollars:

To Nathaniel Donnel, as commissary of musters for the militia, for pay, from the 16th of July, 1776, to the 25th of March, 1777, eight months and nine days, at 40 dollars a month, and for 250 days' rations, at 4 rations a day, both amounting to 421.54 dollars:

To William Smith, late a captain in the 6th Pennsylvania battalion, commanded by colonel Irwin, on the balance of his several accounts, 1799.89 dollars :

To William Rippey, late a captain in the same regiment, on his several accounts, 1561.68 dollars:

To captain Hay, for a balance of several accounts against his company in the said regiment, 960 dollars:

To captain Jeremiah Talbot, for a balance on his account against his company in the said regiment, 1233.6 dollars.

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That whenever an account with the United States shall be settled by any of the commissioners of accounts, returned to and approved by the board of treasury, and by them reported to and confirmed by Congress, the board of treasury shall be authorized to give the accountant a sufficient discharge for the same.

The committee on the treasury reported,

That the commissioners for settling the accounts of the army in the northern department, have produced to the treasury board, among other accounts adjusted by them, a general account of the receipts and disburse

ments of major-general Schuyler, and a separate account of the disposal of specie remitted to him by Congress and otherwise, for carrying on the military operations in Canada: The last mentioned account has, at general Schuyler's immediate request, been examined by the board of treasury, with the several vouchers: That it appears to this board, that before general Schuyler was supplied by Congress with any specie at all, he sent into Canada, for the public service, more than 3250 dollars in specie; that he sent such farther sums in specie into Canada, raised on his private credit, that when the army retreated from thence, he was in advance upwards of the value of 10,000 dollars in specie, above what he had been supplied with by Congress; that, to re-imburse his friends who had lent him the said specie, he, after the retreat from Canada, drew out of the military-chest several sums in specie, with which it was supplied afte csuch retreat; but, that he remains, upon the final settlement of the said accourt, in advance for the public in specie, upwards of the value of 3250 dollars more than he ever received in specie, having taking continental money in payment thereof: That it further appears from the said account and vouchers, that none of the specie, supplied to him by Congress, before the retreat from Canada, remained in his hands more than two days, the same being delivered over to the deputy pay-master general.

Resolved, That the said report be accepted, and that the same be published. · Resolved, That Tuesday next be assigned for the election of commissioners of the navy in the four New-England states.

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

MONDAY, May 5, 1777.

Ordered, That there be paid to John Carter the sum of 1380 dollars, the same being in full of a bill of exchange in his favor, dated at Albany, March 24, 1777, and drawn by John Pierce, jun. assistant pay-master; and that the same be charged to the account of Jonathan Trumbull, jun. deputy pay-master general in the northern department, agreeable to the tenor of the said bill.

Ordered, That a warrant for 20,000 dollars be drawn on Michael Hillegas, esq. treasurer, at Baltimore, in favor of Jonathan Hudson, for public service; he to be accountable.

A letter, of the 27th of April, from Elias Boudinot, enclosing a counterfeit thirty-dollar bill, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the board of treasury.

Congress resumed the consideration of the articles of confederation, as reported by the committee of the whole; and, after debate thereon,

Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

Ordered, That 2000 dollars be advanced to the state of Rhode-Island; the said state to be accountable.

Ordered, That Mr. Rumsey have leave of absence.

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

TUESDAY, May 6, 1777.

A letter, of the 5th, from general Washington, and one, of the 29th of April, from general Gates, were read.

Ordered, That the letter from general Gates be referred to the board of war; and that they be directed to send a copy thereof to general Washington, and inform him it will be agreeable to Congress that he forward, with all convenient despatch, two troops of horse to general Gates.

The marine committee brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,