Resolved, That, from and after the publication hereof, the 2d article of the 8th section, the 1st article of the 11th section, the 8th article of the 14th section, and the 2d article of the 18th section, of the rules and articles for the better government of the troops raised, or to be raised, and kept in pay, by, and at the expense of the United States of America, passed in Congress the 20th day of September, 1776, shall be, and they are hereby, repealed; and that the four following articles be substituted in the place and stead thereof.

Art. 1. All officers and soldiers shall have full liberty to bring into any of the forts or garrisons of the United States of America, any quantity of eatable provisions, except where any contracts are, or shall be, entered into by Congress, or by their orders, for furnishing such provisions, and with respect only to the species of provisions so contracted for.

Art. 2. If any officer shall think himself to be wronged by his colonel, or the commanding officer of the regiment, and shall, upon due application made to him, be refused to be redressed, he may complain to the continental general commanding in the state where such regiment shall be stationed, in order to obtain justice; who is hereby required to examine into the said complaint, and take proper measures for redressing the wrong complained of, and transmit, as soon as possible, to Congress, a true state of such complaint, with the proceedings had thereon.

Art. 3. No sentence of a general court-martial shall be put in execution, till after report shall be made of the whole proceedings to Congress, the commander in chief, or the continental general commanding in the state, where such a general court-martial shall be held, and their or his orderstbe issued for carrying such sentence into execution.

Art. 4. The continental general, commanding in either of the American states, for the time being, shall have full power of appointing general courts martial to be held, and of pardoning or mitigating any of the punishments ordered to be inflicted for any of the offences mentioned in the afore-mentioned rules and articles for the better government of the troops; except the punishment of offenders, under sentence of death, by a general courtmartial, which he may order to be suspended until the pleasure of Congress can be known, which suspension, with the proceedings of the court-martial,the said general shall immediately transmit to Congress for their determination. And every offender, convicted by any regimental court-martial, may be pardoned, or have his punishment mitigated by the colonel, or officer commanding the regiment.

Resolved, That the resolution, passed the 27th of December last, for erecting a magazine and laboratory in the town of Brookfield, in the state of Massachusetts-Bay be repealed; and that, instead thereof, a magazine sufficient to contain 10,000 stand of arms, and 200 tons of gunpowder, and a laboratory adjacent thereto, be erected in Springfield, in the said state.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, to consider what reward it will be proper to offer, for destroying or taking the enemy's ships of war and transports:

The members chosen, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Roberdeau and Mr. Wilson. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the mode heretofore observed by officers, in making up their pay-rolls, and to prepare a resolution for preventing any abuses therein:

The members chosen, Mr. Roberdeau, Mr. Burke and Mr Rumsey.

A memorial from James Caldwell was read:

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

The committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the commissaries, reported,

"That they have made the enquiry directed, as far as time and opportunity would admit; and find that the conduct of several, employed in that department, is very exceptionable, discovering either a want of ability or integrity in discharging their trust, by which means, the public will probably suffer great loss, and the same extravagance and dissipation of public money continue, while such numbers of disqualified persons are continued in that employ, who, regardless of the general good, are raising the prices of the articles they purchase by bidding upon each other, under an idea of receiving commissions or compensations proportioned to the sums they expend;" Whereupon,

Resolved, That for preventing the like impositions for the future, commissaries be commissioned by Congress, in different districts, under proper regulations, in which their duty shall be clearly ascertained.

Resolved, That the committee who brought in the foregoing report, be directed to prepare and bring in, a draught of regulations for the purposes before-mentioned.

Ordered, That Mr. Clark have leave of absence to visit his family.
The several matters to this day referred being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, April 15, 1777.

A letter, of the 12th, from general Washington; one of this day, from colonel Baron Arendt; one, of the 21st of March, from four officers of the British navy, in Worcester gaol; one, of the 4th, from the commissioners appointed by the states of New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, for the purpose of regulating the price of labour, manufactures, and internal produce within those states, &c. with a copy of their proceedings; also, a letter from Ch. Adrain Fontaine, were read:

Ordered, That 70,000 dollars be advanced to Carpenter Wharton, for the public service; he to be accountable.

The committee appointed to confer with the president and members of the supreme executive council of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the board of war of the said state, and the delegates representing the same in Congress, concerning the authority to be exercised during the recess of the council and assembly, reported, "That they have had a conference, agreeable to the order of Congress, and that it appeared clearly to the members in conference, that the executive authority of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania is incapable of any exertion adequate to the present crisis; and that it is of the greatest importance that every power should be called forth into action, which may conduce to the safety of this state, with which the liberties and prosperity of the whole are so intimately connected; from this consideration, and at the particular instance and request of the president and of the supreme executive council, and the board of war of the state of Pennsylvania, they beg leave to recommend the following resolutions to be adopted by Congress :

That the president of the supreme executive council of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, together with as many members of the said council as can be convened, the board of war, and, in such cases as relate to the marine, the navy board of the said state, should, in the present critical exigency of affairs, exercise every authority to promote the safety of the state, till such time as the legislative and executive authorities of the commonwealth can be convened:

That it be, and it is hereby, earnestly recommended by Congress to the good people of Pennsylvania, cheerfully to submit to the exertion of an authority which is indispensably essential to the preservation of the lives, liberties, and property of themselves, their families and posterity:

That the commanding officer of the continental forces in this city, afford every possible assistance in carrying into execution all such measures as may be recommended to him by the authority abovementioned:

That Congress will cheerfully co-operate with the authority abovementioned, in facilitating every measure which may be deemed conducive to the safety of the state:" Whereupon,

Resolved, That Congress concur with the committee, and agree to the resolutions proposed.

Ordered, That 7165 dollars be advanced by James Mease to Richard Stevens, esq. pay-master of the 10th Virginia battalion commanded by colonel Edward Stevens, for the purpose of paying the said battalion.

Ordered, That two months' pay be advanced to colonel the chevalier de Vrecourt.

Resolved, That Monsieur du Plessis be recommended to general Washington, to be appointed a captain in the artillery.

Resolved, That an allowance of 125 dollars a month be made to brigadiergeneral Robert Howe, to commence at the time he was left by major-general Lee, to command in South-Carolina and Georgia; the said allowance being considered as necessary to defray the expenses of his table while he commands there, and to continue so long as he shall be in such command; and that the said allowance be made to any officer of equal rank who shall hereafter succeed to the said command in that department.

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

Ordered, That 4000 dollars be advanced to brigadier Hand, to erect such works at Pittsburg as he shall think necessary, and towards contingent expenses; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That brigadier-general Lewis's resignation be accepted.
A petition from Walter Drummond, was read:

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

Whereas, the continental battalions are all on a footing, liable to the same kind of services, and entitled to equal privileges;

Resolved, That the appellations, "Congress's own regiment," "general Washington's life guards," &c. given to some of them, are improper, and ought not to be kept up; and the officers of the said battalions are required to take notice hereof, and to conform themselves accordingly.

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

WEDNESDAY, April 16, 1777.

A letter, of the 12th, from general Washington, and one from him of the same date, to the committee appointed to write to him, were read:

Ordered, That the last be referred to general Schuyler, who is directed to carry into execution the measures therein recommended.

Sundry letters being intercepted by the Pennsylvania board of war, were laid before Congress, and read; Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:

Whereas, it appears to Congress, from the letters intercepted by the Pennsylvania board of war, that certain persons, inimical to the liberties of America, have invited the enemy to attempt a surprize on this city, in order to make themselves masters of the stores and provisions now in it; and whereas, it is apprehended, that the executive authority at present exercised in the state of Pennsylvania, will be so occupied with matters of the highest importance to the safety of the state, as not to be able to attend to the removal of the said stores and provisions in due time;

Resolved, That it be recommended to the president and members of the

executive authority of this state, to request the commanding officer of the continental forces in this city, to take the most effectual means, that all provisions and every other article, which, by falling into the hands of the enemy, may aid them in their operations of war against the United States, or the loss of which might distress the continental army, be immediately removed to such places as he shall deem most convenient and secure.

An appeal being this day delivered to the secretary from the judgment of the court of admiralty, held at Plymouth, in the state of MassachusettsBay, for the counties of Plymouth, Barnstable, Bristol, Nantucket and Dukes, on a libel against the schooner Industry, Charles Coffin, master, which appeal was made in the court aforesaid, on the 23d day of October, 1776, the judgment of Congress was taken whether the same should be received; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the said appeal be received, and referred to the committee on appeals.

The house being moved to pass a resolution,

Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of four.

The members chosen, Mr. Duer, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. Witherspoon.

Ordered, That 2133 1-3d dollars be advanced to Samuel Wheeler, on account of iron field-pieces he has contracted to make for the continent; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That two months' pay be advanced to Mons. du Plessis; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That Carpenter Wharton be directed to deliver to the order of brigadier-general Hand, 200 bushels of salt, for the use of the forces on the western frontiers.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the general assembly of the state of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, to collect, with the utmost despatch, the whole force thereof, and therewith, aided by such parts of the militia of Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut, as are contiguous to the said state, to attack and destroy the enemy on the island of Rhode-Island aforesaid.

Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby, recommended to the states of Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut, to give every assistance in their power, by calling out the militia of their respective towns, which lie next to the state of Rhode-Island, and to promote and execute this important service. Resolved, That general Washington be directed to appoint such general officer as he shall judge proper, to carry the foregoing resolution into effect. Ordered, That copies of the foregoing resolutions be sent by express to general Washington, and the three New-England states.

Congress being informed that divers ill affected persons have in contemplation to destroy the ferry-boats on Hudson's river above Saratoga, at the time the enemy's army arrives from Canada, in order to obstruct the movements of the American troops and to distress them :

Resolved, That general Gates be informed of this by express, and that he be directed to take timely and effectual measures to prevent the execution of this pernicious project.

Resolved, That the report on the quarter-master's department be re-committed, and that the committee be directed to confer with general Schuyler on this subject.

The committee appointed to prepare a plan for regulating the mode of receiving applications to Congress, brought in a report, which was read. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, April 17, 1777.

Resolved, That general Schuyler be empowered and directed to draw warrants for the payment of the arrears due to the Pennsylvania and Delaware militia, as well as to the Maryland militia, who were called into the service of the continent during the course of last winter.

Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the means of introducing better discipline in the army, and, after debate,

Ordered, That it be re-committed, and that two members be added to the committee.

The inembers chosen, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Duer.

Resolved, That the style of the committee of secret correspondence be altered, and that, for the future, it be styled the committee of foreign affairs : That a secretary be appointed to the said committee, with a salary of 70 dollars a month:

That the said secretary, previous to his entering on his office, take an oath, to be administered by the president, "well and faithfully to execute the trust reposed in him, according to his best skill and judgment, and to disclose no matter, the knowledge of which shall be acquired in consequence of such his office, that he shall be directed to keep secret;" also, the oath prescribed for officers of the army, and passed the 21st day of October, 1776; and that a certificate thereof be given by the president, and lodged with the secretary of Congress.

Congress proceeded to the election of the said secretary, and, the ballots being taken,

Thomas Paine was elected.

The committee on the treasury reported,

That there is due to Dr. William Smith, continental druggist, for sundry medicines purchased by him for public use, 2820.30 dollars, and for sundry medicines supplied by him for the use of the brig Lexington, 131.38 dollars, both sums making 2952.28 dollars:

To Dr. William Currie, for sundry medicines supplied the sick of the 4th and 6th Virginia regiments, 99.66 dollars:

To T. Batell, for the maintenance of lieutenant Ball, a British prisoner, 24.55 dollars, for the payment of which a warrant should be drawn on the commissioner of the loan-office for the state of Delaware:

That there should be advanced to the state of Delaware, and paid to John McKinley, esq. president of the said state, the sum of 1500 dollars, for the use of a guard, ordered by Congress, to be placed at Lewistown, &c. and that the same be drawn for on the commissioner of the loan-office for the said state.

Ordered, That the said sums be paid accordingly.

Ordered, That 10,000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Georgia, for the use of that state, which is to be accountable.

It being represented to Congress by the delegates of Maryland, that there is imminent danger of an insurrection in the counties of Somerset and Worcester, and that the insurgents may be joined by disaffected persons in the county of Sussex, in the state of Delaware; and, application being made by the said delegates, for a continental battalion to be placed in the county of Somerset, to over-awe and quell the insurgents,

Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to devise ways and means of suppressing the spirit of toryism in the counties of Somerset, Worcester, and Sussex, and preventing them from taking measures prejudicial to the cause of the United States.

The members chosen, Mr. Duer Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Rumsey.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.