ance on it altogether improper: that to import types for the purpose of setting up an entire edition of the bible, and to strike off 30,000 copies, with paper, binding, &c. will cost £. 10,272 10, which must be advanced by Congress, to be reimbursed by the sale of the books: that, in the opinion of the committee, considerable difficulties will attend the procuring the types and paper; that, afterwards, the risque of importing them will considerably enhance the cost, and that the calculations are subject to such uncertainty in the present state of affairs, that Congress cannot much rely on them that the use of the Bible is so universal, and its importance so great, that your committee refer the above to the consideration of Congress, and if Congress shall not think it expedient to order the importation of types and paper, the committee recommend that Congress will order the committee of commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland, or elsewhere, into the different ports of the states of the Union :" Whereupon, it was moved, That the committee of commerce be directed to import 20,000 copies of the Bible; So it was resolved in the affirmative. A motion being made, Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Saturday next. Adjourned to six o'clock, P. M. at which time met, And, postponing the several matters to this day referred, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, September 12, 1777. Congress being called by the president at six o'clock, A. M. A letter, of the 11th, five o'clock, P. M. from R. H. Harrison at Chad'sFord, and one of the same date, eleven o'clock, P. M. from general Washington, at Chester, were read: Ordered, That they be published. Adjourned to ten o'clock. TEN O'CLOCK, A. M. Ordered, That 500 dollars be advanced to the delegates of New-Hampshire, for the use of their state, which is to be accountable. Resolved, That an express be immediately sent to general Putnam, with orders to send forward the 1500 continental troops, lately directed to be held in readiness, with all possible expedition, to reinforce the army under general Washington; and that general Putnam be directed, for the greater expedition, to disencumber the troops of all heavy baggage and such as is not absolutely necessary; the heavy baggage to be sent after them: That an express be sent to general Dickinson, desiring him to come forward, with all possible despatch, with the militia of New-Jersey, to reinforce he army under general Washington. That expresses be immediately sent to brigadier-general Smallwood and col. Gist, directing them to come forward, with all possible despatch, with the continental troops and militia under their respectivve commands, to re inforce gen. Washington's army, and that for greater despatch, they disencumber themselves of all heavy and unnecessary baggage: That the president and supreme executive council of Pennsylvania be requested, in the name of Congress, to call upon the militia of Philadelphia, and parts adjacent, to go forth immediately, and reinforce general Washington's army, for the defence of this city: That an express be sent to colonel Gibson, of the battalion of Virginia troops at Alexandria, to desire him to proceed immediately with his regiment to reinforce the army under general Washington, provided the orders received from the government of Virginia do not prevent him; and if he is restrained by any such orders, that he despatch an express, without delay, to Williamsburg, and inform the governor and council, that it is the desire of Congress that the said regiment be immediately sent forward for the purpose aforesaid; and that he hold himself in readiness to execute the orders he shall receive from the governor. The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, Ordered, That there be advanced to the state of Maryland, upon the application of the governor, 20,000 dollars, the said state to be accountable. Ordered, That a warrant issue on the commissioner of the loan-office in the state of Maryland, in favor of the governor of the said state, upon his application, for 30,000 dollars, for which the said state is to be accountable. That there be paid to Abner Nash, esq. 650 dollars, in discharge of two bills drawn by John Ashe, esq. public treasurer of the state of North-Carolina, on the continental treasurer, expressed to be for payment and support of the continental troops in the said state; the one dated the 5th March, 1777, for 500 dollars, in favor of William Dry, esq. the other dated 10th May, 1777, for 150 dollars, in favor of James Payenneville, and both transferred to the said Abner Nash, and for which the state of North-Carolina is to be accountable; the same being in part of the money appropriated by Congress for the use of that state: That there be advanced to Messrs. Rudolph & Co. 3000 dollars on account of a debt due to them from the United States, and for which they are to be accountable. An appeal from a sentence passed in the court of admiralty for the state of South-Carolina, on the libel Edward Weyman against George Arthur, was received and referred to the committee for hearing and determining appeals. Adjourned to five o'clock. FIVE O'CLOCK, P. M. Ordered, That the continental navy-board, without delay, provide a proper boat or vessel for the marquis de la Fayette, and one for Mons. du Coudray, to convey them and their attendants and baggage to New-Jersey. Resolved, That the commissary-general of purchases be directed to purchase, on the most reasonable terms he can, 30 hogsheads of rum, and that the same be presented to the army, and distributed among the soldiers in such manner as the general shall direct, in compliment to the soldiers for their gallant behaviour in the late battle of Brandywine. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, SATURDAY, September 13, 1777. A letter, of this day, from gov. Livingston, was read; also, a letter, of the 6th, from gov. Johnson, of Maryland, to gen. Washington. A memorial from George Ewing, commissary of hides, was read; Whereupon, Ordered, That 1000 dollars be advanced to G. Ewing, he to be accountable. A letter, of the 11th, from J. Shallus, at Lancaster; one, of the 13th, from Mons. du Coudray; and one, of the same date, from the continental navy-board, were read. Resolved, That gen. Washington be directed to give the necessary orders for completing the defences of Delaware river, and to employ for that purpose such officers, engineers and troops as he shall think proper. Ordered, That 50,000 dollars be advanced to the continental navy-board for public service, the said board to be accountable. Whereas, Congress have received information that Mons. Lewis de Fleury, during very gallant exertions in the late battle of Brandywine, near Birmingham meeting-house, had his horse shot under him : Resolved, That the quarter-master general present him with a horse, as a testimonial of the sense Congress have of Mons. de Fleury's merit. The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, Ordered, That a warrant issue on the commissioner of the loan-office in the state of Pennsylvania, in favor of Dr. Shippen, director-general of the hospital, for 50,000 dollars, for the use of his department; he to be accountable: That there be paid to Thomas Patton, 136 dollars, for 102 days' attendance as messenger of Congress, at 1 1-3d dollar a day : That there be advanced to Mons. Lotbinier, chaplain in the service of the United States, 48 dollars on account of his pay and rations, and for which he is to be accountable. Ordered, That the letter from Mons. du Coudray, with an account of the French officers enclosed, of whom he proposes to form a company of volunteers to join the army, and for whom he solicits brevet commissions, be referred to the board of war. Resolved, That gen. Washington be directed to order a court of enquiry into the conduct of brigadier-gen. de Borre since his appointment, and that, in the mean while, brigadier-gen. de Borre be recalled from the army. A letter from Mons. du Coudray was read: Ordered, To lie on the table. The several matters to this day referred being postponed, SUNDAY, September 14, 1777. A letter, of the 13th, from gen. Washington, at Germantown, and two, of the same date, from gen. Dickinson, were read. The president informed Congress that, in consequence of the resolution passed yesterday, brigadier-gen. de Borre had waited on him, and offered to resign his commission: Resolved, That his resignation be accepted. A letter, of this day, from Thomas Wharton, jun. esq. president of the council of Pennsylvania, was read, requesting an advance of 200,000 dollars for public service; Whereupon, Ordered, That 200,000 dollars be advanced to the state of Pennsylvania, for public service, the said state to be accountable. Resolved, That it be recommended to the supreme executive council of the state of Pennsylvania, immediately to appoint proper and discreet persons to take into possession any linens, blankets and other woollens, shoes, spirits and other necessaries for the use of the army, which they may find in any stores or ware-houses in the city of Philadelphia; giving a certificate expressing the quantity and value, and to cause the goods so taken to be conveyed to some secure place to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. A letter of the 3d, and one of the 10th, from gen. Gates, enclosing copies. of sundry letters that passed between him and lieutenant-gen. Burgoyne and brigadier-gen. Simon Frazer, were read: Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee of intelligence. Ordered, That the board of war direct the commissary-general of military stores, to apply to the supreme executive council of the state of Pennsylvania, for an order to remove all public bells, in Philadelphia, to a place of security, upon a near approach of the enemy to the city. Congress being informed that some of the towns in the western division of New-Jersey are plentifully supplied with blankets, which the inhabitants can spare for the use of the army, Resolved, That the president write to the governor and council of NewJersey, and request them to call on the inhabitants of the abovementioned places, for as many blankets as can be spared, to supply the soldiers of gen. Washington's army, many of whom have lost their blankets in the late battle of Brandywine, and cannot be supplied by the state of Pennsylvania; and that the cost of the said blankets be defrayed by the United States. Ordered, That the board of war give directions, and take proper measures, to have ten pieces of brass cannon brought, as speedily as possible, from Springfield, to the west side of Hudson's river. Resolved, That general Sullivan be recalled from the army, until the enquiry, heretofore ordered into his conduct, be duly made. Resolved, That if Congress shall be obliged to remove from Philadelphia, Lancaster be the place where they shall meet. A petition from the Chevalier de Preudhomme de Borre was read, praying to have his wagon till his arrival at Charlestown, and an order to have forage for his horses, he engaging, on his arrival at Charlestown, to send the wagon back to the continental army: Resolved, That the prayer of his petition be granted. The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, Resolved, That the president draw bills of exchange on the commissioners of Congress at Paris, in favour of the several officers, and for the several sums hereafter mentioned, the said bills to be made payable at thirty days after sight, and to express value received by and chargeable to Congress, viz. A set in favor of baron de Kalb for 6000 livres tournois; a set in favor of viscount de Mauroy for 6000 do. a set in favor of Mons. de Leser for 7613 do. a set in favor of Mons. de Valfort for 7393 do. a set in favor of the chevalier de Franval for 7200 do. a set in favor of the chevalier de Fayolle for 2400 do. a set in favor of Mons. de Vrigny for 5200 do. a set in favor of the chevalier de Buysson for 4712 do. a set in favor of Mons. du Bois Martin for 6353 do. and a set in favor of Mons. Canden for 1800 do. Resolved, That there be paid to the following gentlemen, the several sums hereafter specified, to defray, with the sums above directed to be drawn in bills of exchange on the commissioners at Paris, in their favor, the expenses of their coming from France and returning thither, viz. To baron de Kalb 500 dollars; to Mons. de Leser 765 do. to Chevalier de Fayolle 300 do. to chevalier du Buysson 200 do. to viscount du Mauroy 500 do. to Mons. de Valfort 822 do. to Mons. Vrigny 410 do. to Mons. Canden 300 do. Resolved, That the public papers be put under the care of Mr. Clark, and that he be empowered, upon the Congress removing to Lancaster, to procure wagons sufficient for conveying them thither, and apply to general Dickinson, or any other officer commanding troops in the service of the United States, who is hereby directed to furnish a guard to conduct the said papers safely to Lancaster. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, VOL. II. 34 MONDAY, September 15, 1777. A letter, of the 15th, from Thomas Wharton, jun. president of the council of Pennsylvania; one, of the 8th, from John Carter, one of the commissioners for auditing accounts in the northern department, requesting, as important business requires his immediate presence at Boston, that another commissioner may be appointed in his room; also, a petition from Robert White, deputy commissary-general of issues, requesting, as upon trial he finds it impossible for him to do the duties of the office, that he may have leave to resign his commission, were read: Resolved, That, for the reasons assigned, Mr. Carter and Mr. White have leave to resign their commissions. A letter, from Mons. du Coudray to Mr. Chase, was laid before Congress and read, wherein he requests, for himself and sundry gentlemen who accompanied him to this country from France, to have an opportunity of fighting in the American army, without running the risque of not being subjects of exchange, should they, by the fortune of war, be made prisoners; informing that any rank which Congress may think proper to give him and thei will be acceptable, asking for himself only the rank of captain, for the commissioned officers who accompanied him, the rank of lieutenants, and for the non-commissioned officers the rank of ensigns; Whereupon, Resolved, That his request be complied with, and that commissions be made out accordingly. Ordered, That 1500 dollars be advanced to Mons. du Coudray, for himself and the gentlemen who accompanied him, he to be accountable. Resolved, That a commander of the horse be appointed with the rank of a brigadier; the ballots being taken, count Pulaski was elected. Resolved, That Mr. Frederick de Bedaulx be appointed a captain by brevet, and receive the pay and rations annexed to that rank from the 10th May last. A deposition being laid before Congress, containing information of a conspiracy being formed against the United States, and intended to be put in execution within the state of Pennsylvania; and whereas it may happen that some persons may be concerned in it, who are not under the jurisdiction of that state; Resolved, That Congress will co-operate with the said state in tracing the said conspiracy, and that it be recommended to the other states, within whose jurisdiction any of the conspirators may reside, to co-operate in the same manner with the state of Pennsylvania. Ordered, That a warrant issue on the commissioner of the loan-office of the state of Pennsylvania, in favor of J. Shallus, deputy commissary-general of purchases, for 3200 dollars, on account of his department, for which he is to be accountable. Ordered, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to the state of New-Hampshire, and that the same be paid by a warrant on the commissioner of the loan-office in the said state for 50,000 dollars, and by another warrant on the commissioner of the loan-office in the state of Massachusetts-Bay, for 50,000 dollars, the said state of New-Hampshire to be accountable. The assembly of Pennsylvania having made a change in the delegates of their state, an extract from their minutes was read as follows: "IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Sunday, September, 14, 1777. Agreeable to the order of yesterday, the house resumed the consideration of the choosing new delegates to serve this state in Congress, when it was resolved, that new delegates be immediately elected instead of Jonathan B. Smith, esq. who has resigned, and of James Wilson, and George Clymer, esqrs. who are hereby superseded: Whereupon, the house proceed |