cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.

That a committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expense, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel.

Resolved, That another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expense.

The following members were chosen to compose the committee: Mr. Deane, Mr. Langdon, and Mr. Gadsden.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the report be referred to Monday next.

The Congress, taking into consideration the memorial of sundry merchants. of New-York and Philadelphia, respecting a quantity of tea on hand, which were referred by the Congress at their last session, to be taken up at their

next:

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the said memorials, and enquire into the state of facts, and make report thereon to the Congress.

The members chosen, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Lee.

The several matters referred to this day, were postponed till to-morrow, to which time the Congress adjourned to meet at nine o'clock.

SATURDAY, October 14, 1775.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from general Washington, and the papers enclosed.

Resolved, That a director general and chief physician of the hospital in Massachusetts-Bay, be appointed in the room of Dr. Church, who is taken into custody for holding a correspondence with the enemy.

Resolved, That the Congress will, on Monday next, proceed to the election of a director general and chief physician of the hospital, in the room of doctor Church.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the general's letter be postponed till Monday next.

The delegates for Connecticut informed the Congress that they had met some of the delegates for Pennsylvania, in order to take into consideration the matters referred to them, but not being able to come to any agreement with them, and as the dispute between the people of the two colonies on the waters of the Susquehanna, had proceeded to bloodshed, and, in their apprehension, may be attended with very dangerous consequences, unless speedily prevented, they moved that a committee be appointed out of the other colonies, to take this matter into consideration, and report thereon to the Congress. Resolved, That this be referred to Monday next.

Adjourned to nine o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, October 16, 1775.

Two letters from the convention of New-Jersey, dated 13th and 14th instant, being read,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take the same into consideration, and report an answer.

The members chosen, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. W. Livingston.

A letter from general Schuyler, dated 5th instant, with sundry papers enclosed, being received and taken into consideration,

JOURNALS OF CONGRESS, 1775.

155

Resolved, That the sum of 200,000 dollars be sent to the deputy pay-master general for the northern army.

That the delegates of Pennsylvania do immediately count and send forward the above sum under a guard.

Resolved, That the ton of powder forwarded last week to New-York, be immediately sent to general Schuyler.

Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed to consider farther ways and means of promoting the manufacture of salt-petre.

The following members chosen, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Wisner, Mr. Chase, Mr. J. Rutledge, and Mr. Morton.

Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to all persons, who are possessed of the salt-petre lately removed from Turtle-Bay, on the island of New-York, forthwith to send the same to the president of the convention of New York, to be manufactured into gun-powder, for the use of the continental army.

Ordered, That Mr. Langdon, Mr. Dyer, and Mr. J. Adams, enquire what quantity of powder has been sent to the northern army, and report by whom

sent.

The order of the day being renewed, and the several matters referred to this day postponed,

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, October 17, 1775.

The Congress, taking into consideration the motion made last Saturday, by the delegates of Connecticut,

Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed to take into consideration the disputes between the people of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and report what in their opinion is proper to be done by Congress.

The members chosen are, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. Chase, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Kinsey, and Mr. Hopkins.

The committee appointed to prepare an estimate, &c. brought in their report, which, after debate, was re-committed.

The committee of claims reported that there is due to Ephraim Martin, for provisions furnished to several rifle companies, 59.3 dollars.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

A letter from governor Cooke, dated 9th instant, was read.

The Congress proceeded to the election of a director-general and chief physician of the hospital, in the room of Dr. Church, and the ballots being examined, Dr. John Morgan, of Philadelphia, was elected.

Ordered, That the president write to the convention of New-York, and inform them, that it is the desire of the Congress, that the sulphur in that city be immediately removed to a place of safety.

The several matters referred to this day being postponed, and the order of the day renewed,

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, October 18, 1775.

The committee on the memorials from sundry merchants in New-York and Philadelphia, brought in their report, which being read, after some debate, Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

The delegates from New-Hampshire laid before the Congress, a part of the instructions delivered to them by their colony, in these words:

"We would have you immediately use your utmost endeavours to obtain the advice and direction of the Congress, with respect to a method for our administering justice, and regulating our civil police. We press you not to delay this matter, as, its being done speedily, will probably prevent the greatest confusion among us."

Resolved, That the consideration of this matter be referred to Monday next. Resolved, That a just and well authenticated account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy in America since last March, be collected, with proper evidence of the truth of the facts related, the number and value of the buildings destroyed by them, also the number and value of the vessels inward and outward bound, which have been seized by them since that period, as near as the number and value can be ascertained, also the stock taken by them from different parts of the continent.

That a cominittee of three be appointed for this purpose.

The members chosen are, Mr. Deane, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wythe.
The order of the day being renewed,

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

TIIURSDAY, October 19, 1775.

The committee of claims reported, that, in their opinion, the following accounts ought to be paid :

The account of the committee of Lancaster, for sundries furnished the rifle companies, amounting to 2213.6 dollars.

The account of Richard Bache, Stephen Paschall, and Michael Hillegas, for superintending the printing of the continental bills of credit, amounting to 272 dollars.

Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.

The committee appointed to take into consideration the method proposed by the commissary-general for supplying the army with provisions, brought in their report, which was read.

It being represented to Congress, that captain Isaac Sears, of New-York, has, at the request of Mr. Trumbull, the commissary-general, forwarded to the camp at Cambridge, seven thousand barrels of flour, for which Mr. Trumbull has not been able to pay him, for want of money in the military chest,

Resolved, That 30,000 dollars be paid to captain Isaac Sears, on account of the above flour, he giving bond to the treasurers to account for the same with Mr. Trumbull, and that the same be charged to the account of Mr. Trumbull, commissary-general.

A petition from Mr. Sears, and Mr. Randal, was laid before the Congress, and read.

Resolved, That the same be referred to Thursday, the 2d of November next, then to be taken into consideration.

Resolved, That captain Macpherson be requested immediately to repair to the camp at Cambridge, and confer with general Washington, on the subject contained in his letter to Congress.

Resolved, That the provincial convention of New-York be requested to send to this Congress, a copy of any order or proceeding of theirs, or of the mayor and corporation in consequence of governor Tryon's letter to the mayor, published in the New-York papers, under the 16th instant, also an attested copy of said letter.

The order of the day being renewed,
Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, October 20, 1775.

The committee appointed to prepare a letter to the general, reported a draught, which was read and agreed to.

Resolved, That three hundred dollars be paid to captain John Macpherson, to defray the expenses of his journey to the camp, he to be accountable.

The remainder of the day, and the day following, were spent in a committee of the whole, on the trade of the United Colonies. On which, not being ready to report, the order of the day was renewed, and the Congress adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, October 23, 1775.

The Congress being informed that yesterday the honorable Peyton Randolph, esq. suddenly departed this life,

Resolved, That the Congress will attend his funeral as mourners, with a crape Found their left arm, according to the association.

That the Congress thus continue in mourning for the space of one month. That a committee of three be appointed to superintend the funeral. The members chosen, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Chase. That the committee wait on the reverend Mr. Duche, and request him to prepare a proper discourse to be delivered at the funeral.

The delegates for Delaware government having been re-appointed by their assembly, on the 21st inst. produced the credentials of their re-appointment, which were read and approved.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow, and from thence, by adjournments, to ten o'clock on Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1775.

Sundry letters from general Washington, governor Trumbull, and the convention of New-York, being received, were read.

The committee appointed to prepare an answer to the letters from the convention of New-Jersey, dated 13th and 14th instant, brought in a draught, and the same being read and debated, an answer was agreed to, and ordered to be forwarded.

The committee of claims reported that there is due,

To John Biddle, commissary of the rifle battalion, 4139.7 dollars.

James Stewart, for provisions to riflemen, 15.7 ditto.

Jacob Hoyler, for do. to capt. Ross's company, 18.3 ditto.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

The committee of safety, of Pennsylvania, informed the Congress, that they have taken into custody a captain Campbell, and a lieutenant Symes, together with a number of soldiers, who came from Boston in the Rebecca and Frances transport, which was cast away on Brigantine beach, and that, from general Gage's instructions to said Campbell and Symes (herewith transmitted to Congress,) it appeared they were sent to raise recruits for general Gage's army, and that from sundry examinations taken and submitted to Congress, it appeared said Campbell has heretofore been employed in the like service, and has endeavoured to inveigle recruits by the offer of grants of forfeited lands. The instructions being read,

Ordered, That they be published.

The examinations also being read,

Ordered, That a copy of them be forwarded to the convention of New-York, with a recommendation to them to seize a Mr. Grant, who, it is said, is employed in raising recruits for general Gage's army in that colony.

Resolved, That Mr. Hewes be added to the committee of claims.

The order of the day being renewed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, October 26, 1775.

Ordered, That the resolution of the 15th of July last for encouraging the importation of arms and ammunition, and the resolution of the 18th inst. for collecting an account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy, be immediately published.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the letter from the convention of New-York, dated 20th instant, and report

an answer.

The members chosen, Mr. Deane, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Duane. Information being given to Congress, that there has been lately discovered, in the colony of Virginia, a mineral containing a large quantity of salt-petre, Ordered, That the delegates of Virginia send an express to enquire into the truth of the fact, and to bring a sample of the mineral.

Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed to take into consideration the instructions given to the delegates of New Hampshire, and report their opinion thereon.

The members chosen, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Ward, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Sherman.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration the state of the trade of the United Colonies, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matter referred to them, and have come to a resolution which they desired him to report, and further to move for leave to sit again.

The report of the committee being read, was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several provincial assemblies, conventions, or councils of safety, of the United Colonies, to export to the foreign West-Indies, on account and risk of their respective colonies, as much provisions or other produce, except horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry, as they may deem necessary for the importation of arms, ammunition, sulphur, and salt petre.

Ordered, That a copy of the above be transmitted by the delegates to their respective assemblies, conventions, or committees of safety.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the trade of the United Colonies.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, October 27, 1775.

The committee appointed to prepare an answer to the convention of NewYork, brought in a report, which was read.

The remainder of the day being spent in a committee of the whole, and the order of the day renewed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, October 28, 1775.

The committee of safety of Pennsylvania having transmitted to Congress some further examinations of the soldiers who came in the Rebecca and Frances transport, desired the direction of Congress with regard to the officers and soldiers. Whereupon,

Resolved, That capt. Campbell and lieut. Symes, and the men who came with them in the Rebecca and Frances transport, be confined in such gaols in this colony, as the committee of safety of said colony think proper, and that said captain Campbell and lieut. Symes be allowed for their subsistence 1 1-3 dollars each a week, and the men one dollar a week each, to be paid out of the continental treasury.

The Congress taking into consideration the report of the committee on the New York letters,

Resolved, That a company of matrosses, to consist of a captain, a captainlieutenant, a first and second lieutenant, a lieutenant fire-worker, four serjeants, four corporals, eight bombardiers, sixty-eight matrosses, one drummer, and one fifer, be immediately raised in New York, for the defence of Hudson's river, and to occupy the fortifications now erecting in the highlands, and that it be recommended to the convention of said colony immediately to raise said company, and to appoint the proper officers.