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"VIRGINIA, SS. IN THE HOUSE OF Delegates, December 4, 1776. The house proceeded by ballot to the appointment of a delegate to represent this state in general Congress; and, the members having prepared tickets for the person to be appointed, and put the same into the ballot box, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Curle, Mr. Tazewell, and Mr. Prentis, were appointed a committee to meet a committee to be appointed by the senate, and, jointly with them, to examine the ballot boxes, and report to the house upon whom the majority fell.

· Ordered, That Mr. Jefferson acquaint the senate therewith.

The committee then withdrew, and after some time, returned to the house, and reported, that they had met a committee from the senate, in the conference room, and had jointly with them examined the ballot boxes, and that the majority was in favor of Mann Page, junior, of Spottsylvania, esq.

Resolved, therefore, That the said Mann Page, esq. be appointed a delegate to represent this state in general Congress, in the room of George Wythe, esq. who is nevertheless empowered to continue to act in Congress until the said Mann Page shall take his seat therein.

A copy:

JOHN TAZEWELL, C. H. D.

IN THE SENATE, December 4, 1776.

The house proceeded, by joint ballot with the house of delegates, to the choice of a delegate to represent this state in general Congress, in the room of George Wythe, esq. and the members having prepared their tickets, and deposited the same in the ballot box, Mr. Bland, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Cabell, were appointed a committee to meet the committee from the house of delegates, in the conference chamber, and, in conjunction with them, to examine the joint ballots, and report the state thereof to the house; and, having made their report, it appears, that Mann Page, jun. esq. of Mansfield, hath the greatest number of votes on the ballot:

Resolved, thereupon, That the said Mann Page, jun. esq. of Mansfield, be appointed a delegate to represent this state in general Congress, in the room of George Wythe, esq.

A message from the house of delegates, by Mr. Jefferson, that they have come to a resolution, authorizing George Wythe, esq. to retain his seat in Congress, until Mann Page, jun. esq. shall take his seat therein, to which they desire the concurrence of the senate, and he delivered the same, and then withdrew:

And the said resolution being read,

Resolved, That the senate do concur with the house of delegates therein, and that Mr. Holt acquaint them therewith.

A copy from the journals:

JOHN PENDLETON, C. S."

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

Resolved, That the Rev. Samuel Kirkland be allowed the salary of 444 dollars for the current year, to commence from the 11th day of November last, as missionary to the Indians; and that the sum of 300 dollars be paid him as a compensation for his extra services and expenses as chaplain and interpreter:

That the salary of Mr. James Deane, Indian interpreter, be increased to 300 dollars for the current year, to commence the 23d November last:

That the pay of Thomas Spencer, blacksmith among the Indians, mentioned in gen. Schuyler's letter of the 7th inst. be referred to the commissioners of Indian affairs in the northern department, who are to make such addition thereto, as they shall think proper:

That the salary of Mr. Commissary Aylett and Jonathan Trumbull, esq.

deputy pay-master general of the northern department, be augmented to the sum of 75 dollars per month each:

That 200 dollars be paid to Josiah Throop, for his trouble and expense in bringing intelligence of a public nature, relative to the affairs of Nova-Scotia, and for other services.

Resolved, That Congress will, on Saturday next, take into consideration the most speedy and effectual means to furnish the new levies with arms. Resolved, That a standing committee, to consist of five members, be appointed to hear and determine upon appeals brought against sentences passed on libels in the courts of admiralty in the respective states, agreeable to the resolutions of Congress; and that the several appeals, when lodged with the secretary, be by him delivered to them for their final determination:

The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sergeant, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Sherman.

Resolved, That 300,000 dollars be sent to Jonathan Trumbull, esq. deputy pay-master general of the northern department:

That 800 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of B. Harrison, esq. deputy pay-master general in the southern department; who is to be accountable:

Resolved, That 166,666 60 dollars be advanced to the state of Massachusetts-bay, by the continental treasuser's order on the loan-office in that state for the said sum, the said state to be accountable.

The committee to whom the report on impressing carriages, was re-committed, brought in another report, which was taken into consideration; and, after debate,

Resolved, That the same be re-committed, and that three members be added to the committee:

The members chosen, Mr. Chase, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Wilson.
The several matters to this day referred being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, January 31, 1777.

Congress being informed that general Armstrong is come to town, with a design to lay before them some matters of consequence:

Ordered, That the board of war confer with him, and that they meet him this evening at their office.

Resolved, That Samuel Stringer Coale, and Rinaldo Johnson, be appointed signers of the bills of credit, in addition to those already appointed.

A petition from John Darrel, and Luther Martin, was read, setting forth, that the appeal against the decree on the libel Job Pierce, &c. against the brig Phoenix, has, by mistake, been heard and determined by a different committee from that appointed to hear the same, and praying that the judgment may be set aside, and a new hearing granted; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the judgment passed on this appeal be set aside for the reason above-mentioned; and that the hearing and determining the said appeal be referred to the standing committee of appeals.

A petition and remonstrance from a number of inhabitants of Somerset and Worcester counties, in the state of Maryland, was read:

Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. S Adams, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. R. H. Lee. Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to consider what honors are due to the memory of the late general Warren, who fell in the battle of Bunker's-Hill, the 17th of June, 1775; and of general Mercer, who died on the 12th instant, of the wounds he received on the Sd of the same month, in fighting against the enemies of American liberty, near Princeton:

The members chosen, Mr. Rush, Mr. Heyward, Mr. Page, and Mr. S. Adams.

A memorial from Nathaniel Rumsey, late a captain in the first battalion of Maryland regulars, was read:

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

Ordered That the secret committee send no more of the scarlet cloth, in their possession, to Virginia, than will be sufficient for facing of the clothes ordered for the Virginia troops.

The delegates of Pennsylvania, having recommended Jacob Weaver for captain, Edward Cowan for first-lieutenant, William Feltman for secondlieutenant, and Andrew Bachenstore for ensign, of the company of infantry, ordered to be raised on the 18th instant:

Resolved, That commissions be granted to them accordingly.

Resolved, That 1400 dollars be advanced to captain Jacob Weaver, for the purpose of raising his company; he to be accountable.

Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the letter of the 12th from governor Trumbull, and the minutes of the committees from the four New-England states; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. F. L. Lee reported from the committee, that they have had under consideration the matters to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again: Resolved, That Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the letter from gov. Trumbull, and the proceedings of the committees from the four New-England states.

Ordered, That the secret committee deliver to colonel Gist, of Maryland, 1500 yards of linen, or as much as will be sufficient for 600 soldiers' shirts, for the use of the soldiers of his battalion.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due,

To Dr. Samuel Mackenzie, for sundry medicines purchased by him for the use of the hospital in Baltimore, 86.74 dollars:

To Dr. John Hindman, for sundry medicines supplied by him for the use of col. Richardson's battalion of Maryland forces, 20.6 dollars:

To captain Henry Dearborn, for fire-arms belonging to the privates of his company, and which were lost at the attack of Quebec, and for his extraordinary sevices, 260.60 dollars:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

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

SATURDAY, February 1, 1777.

A letter, of the 28th January, from James Scott, captain of a company of volunteer-militia from Fauquier county, in Virginia, was read, wherein he informs Congress, that he has raised a volunteeer company, consisting of a captain, 2 lieutenants, an ensign, 4 serjeants, 4 corporals, a drum, a fife, and 64 privates, to serve where ordered, 3 months from the time of their march, and desires orders and one month's advance :

Resolved, That captain Scott, with his company, be taken into continental pay on the terms proposed:

That 700 dollars be advanced to captain James Scott, for the use of the said company; captain Scott to be accountable:

That the board of war direct captain Scott to march immediately with his company and join general Washington.

The committee to whom was referred the petition and remonstrance from the inhabitants of Somerset and Worcester counties, in the state of Maryland, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That the said petition and remonstrance, with the depositions accompanying the same, be forthwith transmitted to the general assembly of the state of Maryland:

That the said general assembly be earnestly requested to send a sufficient number of their artillery and militia, effectually to suppress the tories in the counties of Somerset and Worcester, and to seize and secure the persons mentioned in a list to be transmitted with these resolves, and all others in the said counties who shall appear to have been the leaders of the tory faction there :

That it be recommended to the general assembly, aforesaid, to direct, that a day be given to all the inhabitants of the said counties, to assemble at appointed places. and take the oath of allegiance required by the said state, and that all who shall refuse or neglect so to do, be disarmed:

That general Smallwood be, and he is hereby, required to assist in executing the orders of the said assembly for the purpose aforesaid ;

That this Congress will afford one battalion, or more, if requested by the said assembly, for the said purpose:

That the said assembly be requested to cause all offenders, as aforesaid, to be brought to immediate trial, agreeably to the laws of the said state.

Ordered, That the president write to general Smallwood, and inform him, it is the direction of Congress, that he call to his assistance any continental officers and troops he shall think proper.

Resolved, That St. George Peale be appointed a signer of the bills of cre dit, in addition to those already appointed.

Congress proceeded to the election of a commissary of military-stores, in Maryland, and, the ballots being taken,

Mr. Saint George Peale was elected.

The committee on the northern department, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Congress approve of general Schuyler's proposal of purchasing the clothing and arms of a troop of horse formerly raised in Shenectady, mentioned in his letter of the 13th of January:

That the pay-master in the northern department be directed to render a particular account to Congress of the sums of money that have been paid into his hands in specie, and of his expenditure of the same.

Resolved, That the second paragraph of the report be postponed for farther consideration.

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

TUESDAY, February 4, 1777.

Mr. John Adams and Mr. Lovell, delegates from Massachusetts-Bay, attended, and took their seats.

Mr. Burke, a delegate from North-Carolina, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read as follows:

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"NORTH CAROLINA. IN CONGRESS, December 20, 1776.

Resolved, That William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Thomss Burke, esqrs. be, and they are hereby, appointed delegates to attend the Congress of the United States of America, in behalf of this state, until such time as the general assembly shall direct otherwise; and they are invested with such powers as may make any act done by them, or any of them, or consent given in the said Congress, in behalf of this state, obligatory upon every inhabitant thereof.

"By order,

CORNELIUS HARNET, President.
JAMES GREEN, jun. Secretary."

A letter, of the 30th of January, from the committee of Congress, at Philadelphia; one, of the 26th of the same month, from general Washington, at Morristown; and one, of the 21st, from Daniel Joy, at Philadelphia, to the committee of Congress, were read.

A letter, of the 23d of December, from Cornelius Harnet, president of the convention of the state of North-Carolina, together with a memorial from the said convention, and a deposition of Emperor Mosely, respecting the capture of the brig Joseph, by the schooner Eagle, Brasilla Smith, commander, and an invoice of the cargo on board the said brig, at the time of the capture, were laid before Congress, and read:

Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three; and that the letters on this subject, formerly committed to the marine committee, be referred to this committee:

The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Sergeant.

A letter, of the 3d, from the council of safety of Maryland, was read. Resolved, That Joseph Gaither be appointed a signer of the bills of credit, in addition to those already appointed.

Ordered, That the letters from the committee of Congress, general Washington, and Daniel Joy, be referred to the board of war.

A memorial from Dr. Thomas Young was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the medical committee.
A memorial from Nathaniel Donnel was read:

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

Resolved, That it be recommended to the council of safety of Maryland, to cause the tories in the counties of Somerset and Worcester to be disarmed as quickly as possible; and the provisions to be removed from those counties, that have been collected there for public use.

The committee on the state of Georgia, brought in a report, which was

read.

Resolved, That Mr. Burke, of Jamaica, who has applied to Congress to be taken into the service of the United States, be referred to general Washington:

Resolved, That Dr. Burke be added to the medical committee; and that he be appointed a member of the marine committee, in the room of Mr. Hooper. Ordered, That Mr. Hooper have leave to return home.

Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the letter from governor Trumbull, and the proceedings of the committees from the four New-England states, and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. F. L. Lee reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, but, not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again:

Resolved, That Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the letter from governor Trumbull, and the proceedings of the committees from the four New-England states.

A letter, of the 1st, from the committee of Congress, at Philadelphia, was read.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, February 5, 1777.

A letter, of the 2d, from the committee of Congress at Philadelphia, was read; also, a resolution entered into by the officers of the Baltimore town battalion, was laid before Congress :

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

A letter from general Putnam, with a number of papers enclosed, and a letter from the North-Carolina prisoners, were read:

Ordered, That they be referred to the board of war.

Resolved, That Mr. Hudson, the pay-master in Baltimore, be directed to settle with colonel Gist, and pay such of his men, as are inlisted to serve three years, or during the war, up to the 10th of this month, and also to pay

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