That besides the actual expenses of the commissioners, a handsome allowance be made to each of them as a compensation for their time, trouble, risk and services.

That the secretary of the embassy be allowed a salary of one thousand pounds sterling per annum, with the expenses of his passage out and home.

That the secret committee be directed to export produce, or remit bills, until they make an effectual lodgment in France of ten thousand pounds sterling, subject to the orders of the said commissioners for their present support; and report to Congress when it is effected, in order that Congress may then consider what further remittances then to order for this purpose.

Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.

OCTOBER 22, 1776.

Resolved, That the commissioners going to the court of France, be directed to procure from that court, at the expense of these United States, either by purchase, or loan, eight line of battle ships, of seventyfour and sixty-four guns, well manned and fitted in every respect for service; that as these ships may be useful in proportion to the quickness with which they may reach North America, the commissioners be directed to expedite this negotiation with all possible diligence.

Mr. Jefferson having informed Congress, that the state of his family will not permit him to accept the honour of going as their commissioner to France,

Resolved, That another be elected in his room. The ballots being taken, Arthur Lee, esquire, was elected.

Ordered, That the committee of secret correspondence acquaint Mr. Lee of his appointment, and that his powers and instructions are lodged in Paris.

DECEMBER 23, 1776.

The committee of secret correspondence having applied for instructions to enable them to return an answer to the letter read yesterday from Mr. Deane

Resolved, That the committee of secret correspondence be directed to inform the commissioners at the court of France, that Congress have received no advices concerning the proceedings of Portugal, but what they have seen in the newspapers, the authenticity of which may be doubtful.

That Congress desire exact information from the commissioners, whether any American vessels have been prohibited entering, or have been confiscated in the dominions of Portugal, and on what principles.

That they be directed to remonstrate in the firmest tone with the Portuguese ambassador on these subjects, so soon as they shall have well informed themselves of the facts abovementioned.

That the commissioners be authorized to arm and fit for war any number of vessels not exceeding six, at the

expense of the United States, to war upon British property; and that commissions and warrants be for this purpose sent to the commissioners; provided the commissioners be well satisfied this measure will not be disagreeable to the court of France.

Resolved, That the commissioners of Congress at the court of France be authorized to borrow, on the faith of the thirteen United States, a sum not exceeding two millions sterling, for a term not less than ten years.

That if the money borrowed cannot be obtained at a less interest than six per cent, the commissioners be permitted to engage for that rate of interest; and that they stipulate for the payment of the interest at periods not less than annual.

That, if the commissioners can contract for the payment of the principal and interest in the products of North America, to be delivered here, it will be very agreeable to Congress.

DECEMBER 24, 1776.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare and report a plan for obtaining foreign assis

tance.

The members chosen-Mr. Gerry, Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. Richard Henry Lee, Mr. Clarke and Mr. S. Adams.

DECEMBER 27, 1776.

Resolved, That the committee of secret correspondence be desired to direct the commissioners at the

court of France to procure, if possible, from that court, a hundred thousand stand of arms.

DECEMBER 28, 1776.

The committee appointed to prepare a plan for obtaining foreign assistance brought in a report, which was read.

Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of the whole, and that Congress do immediately resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take the same into consideration.

Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee on the plan of obtaining foreign assistance; and after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair; and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the report to them referred, and have made sundry amendments, but not having had time to go through the whole, desire leave to sit again.

Resolved, That Congress will tomorrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into further consideration the report of the committee.

DECEMBER 29, 1776.

Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee on the plan of obtaining foreign assistance; and after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Francis L. Lee reported, That the committee

have had under consideration the report to them referred, and have made sundry further amendments, which he was ready to report.

Resolved, that the report be received, and taken into consideration tomorrow.

DECEMBER 30, 1776.

The report from the committee of the whole being read, the same was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That commissioners be forthwith sent to the courts of Vienna, Spain, Prussia, and the grand duke of Tuscany.

That the several commissioners of the United States be instructed to assure the respective courts, that notwithstanding the artful and insidious endeavours of the court of Great Britain to represent the Congress and inhabitants of these states to the European powers as having a disposition again to submit to the sovereignty of the crown of Great Britain, it is their determination at all events to maintain their independence.

That the commissioners be respectively directed to use every means in their power to procure the assistance of the emperor of Germany, and of their most christian, catholick, and Prussian majesties, for preventing German, Russian, or other foreign troops from being sent to America for hostile purposes against these United States, and for obtaining a recall of those already sent.

That his most christian majesty be induced, if possible, to assist the United States in the present war with