MY LORD,

I have had the honor to lay your lordship's letter, of May 27th, with the acts of the British parliament enclosed, before Congress, and I am instructed to acquaint your lordship, that they have already expressed their sentiments upon bills not essentially different from those acts, in a publication of the 22d of April last.

Your lordship may be assured, that when the king of Great-Britain shall be seriously disposed to put an end to the unprovoked and cruel war waged against these United States, Congress will readily attend to such terms of peace, as may consist with the honor of independent nations, the interest of their constituents, and the sacred regard they mean to pay to treaties. I have the honor to be, &c.

Ordered, That a similar letter be sent to sir Henry Clinton.

President.

A letter, of May 27th, from col. Malcolm, lately appointed deputy adjutant-general in the northern department, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee of arrangement.
Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, June 8, 1778.

Mr. Henry Marchant, a delegate from Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, attended, and produced the credentials of the delegates of that state, which were read as follows:

"STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

"I certify, that at the general election held at Providence, within and for the state aforesaid, on the first Wednesday in May inst. the hon. Stephen Hopkins, esq. hon. William Ellery, esq. the hon. Henry Marchant, esq. and the hon. John Collins, esq. were chosen delegates to represent the said state in Congress, for one year, as appears of record. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight.

HENRY WARD, Secretary." A letter, of May 26th, from major-general Sullivan, at Providence, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee of intelligence, and afterwards to the board of war.

A letter, of the 7th, and one, of the 28th of February, from William Lee, esq. at Paris, were read:

Ordered, That they be referred to the committee for foreign affairs.

A letter, of May 28th, from Mr. Chevalie, supercargo of the ship Fier Roderique, arrived in Hampton-road, Virginia, and one, of March 23d, from Messrs. Beaumarchais & Co. by the said ship, were read:

Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three: the members chosen, Mr. G. Morris, Mr. Banister, and Mr. Dana.

The board of war, to whom was referred the letter of May 28th, from gen. Washington, having reported thereon, Congress came to the following resolutions :

It appearing by gen. Washington's letter of May 28th, that lieut. col. John Gibson, of the 6th Virginia regiment, has, since the 25th day of October last, been entitled to the commission of a colonel in that line,

Resolved, That a commission of colonel in the Virginia line be granted to lieut. col. John Gibson; he to rank as colonel from the 25th day of October, 1777.

The board of war, to whom was referred the memorial and petition from sundry inhabitants of Northumberland, in the state of Pennsylvania, having reported thereon, Congress came to the following resolution:

Resolved, That one company of foot be raised in the county of Northum. berland, in the state of Pennsylvania, for its immediate defence, and the assistance of the inhabitants of the neighboring counties, so far as it shall be in their power, against the Indians and other enemies that may infest the same, but not to be marched from those frontiers without their own consent:

That this company consist of one captain, one captain-lieutenant, two lieutenants, and one ensign, five serjeants, five corporals, and eighty-five privates, and continue in service for six months from the time of their inlistments, unless sooner discharged by Congress :

That the president and council of the state of Pennsylvania be empowered to issue warrants to suitable persons for officers to inlist the company aforesaid, and to grant a commission to such one as shall inlist 19 men:

That the same pay, rations, and subsistence-money be allowed to this company as to the officers, of the like ranks, and soldiers in the continental

army:

That the commissary-general of purchases, or his deputy, be directed to contract with a suitable person to supply this company with provisions: That each man provide himself with clothes and a blanket:

That 8 dollars be allowed to each man who shall furnish himself with a good rifle and accoutrements:

That the lieutenant, or in his absence, the sub-lieutenants, of the county of Northumberland, be empowered and desired to superintend the said company, give orders relative to its operations, and in case of failure in duty of any of the officers, to report the same to the board of war.

A letter, of the 2d, from gov. Johnson, of Maryland, to the delegates of that state, was laid before Congress:

Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war, who are directed to enquire into the matters set forth therein, and to take such measures for the relief of the Maryland troops as can be adopted consistent with a regard to the general wants of the army.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the letter from J. Wadsworth, and thereupon came to the following resolution : Whereas, the exportation of provisions from these states hath occasioned much difficulty in procuring supplies for our armies, and by the capture of vessels concerned in such exportation, the armies of the enemy have been freed from distresses that would have greatly embarrassed their operations; and, whereas, for the easy supply of our armies, and to embarrass and distress the enemy the ensuing campaign, it is absolutely necessary an embargo should be immediately laid to prohibit such exportations; and as from the distance of the states from Congress, and the different periods of assembling their legislatures, the good end of such embargo would be totally frustrated, should Congress not proceed to impose the embargo; therefore,

Resolved, That an embargo be, and it hereby is laid, to prohibit the exportation of wheat, flour, rye, Indian corn, rice, bread, beef, pork, bacon, live stock, and other provisions, from any of these United States, from and after the 10th day of June instant, until the 15th day of November next, unless sooner revoked by Congress; provided, that this embargo shall not be construed to prevent the taking on board such provisions as shall be necessary for the stores, only, of any ships or vessels of war, or others, trading to and from these states.

Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the respective states, to take the most effectual measures for carrying the foreging resolution into immediate execution.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, June 9, 1778.

A letter, of the 7th, from gen. Washington, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three: the members chosen, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Marchant.

A letter, of the 3d, from gen. Gates, with 15 papers enclosed, and one, of May 29th, from gen. Schuyler, at Albany, with three papers enclosed, were

read:

Ordered, That the letter from gen. Schuyler, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the board of war:

That the letter, from gen. Gates, with the papers enclosed, except those numbered 4, 5, and 6, be referred to a committee of three: the members chosen, Mr. Drayton, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. S. Adams.

Ordered, That the board of war be discharged from proceeding on the letter of May 26th, from gen. Sullivan, and that it be referred to the foregoing committee.

Ordered, That so much of gen. Gates's letter as relates to establishing a magazine of flour in the eastern department, be referred to the board of war. A letter, of May 24th, from brigadier Stark, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the foregoing committee.

A letter, of May 25th, from major-general marquis de la Fayette, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:

Ordered, That so much thereof as relates to Mons. Touzard and Mr. de Norman, be referred to the board of war.

A letter of the 5th, from the marquis de la Fayette, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three: the members chosen, Mr. Kean, Mr. Witherspoon, and Mr. Sherman.

The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,

Ordered, That 50,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Isaac Forster, deputy director-general in the eastern district, for the use of his department; and for which he is to be accountable.

That 250 dollars be paid to Andrew Armstrong, in discharge of a bill drawn by John Ashe, treasurer of the state of North-Carolina, dated May 22d, 1777, in favor of Edmund Gamble, expressed to be for the service of the United States; the state of North-Carolina to be accountable.

Resolved, That four members be added to the board of treasury: the mem-* bers chosen, Mr. Heyward, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Wentworth, and Mr. Sherman.

The committee of commerce, to whom was referred the memorial of Mons. Dorie, report, "that the memorialist hath produced to the committee a promissory note, by him subscribed, and which accompanies the report, payable to Congress on the 10th day of January next, for the sum of £1000, continental currency, meaning thereby £1000, Pennsylvania currency, or 2666 2-3 dollars, which promissory note is also undersigned by the hon. George Plater, Francis Lightfoot Lee, John Banister, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, esqrs. col. Thomas Hartley, hou. W. H. Drayton, John Matthews, Daniel Roberdeau, William Duer, and Gouverneur Morris, esqrs. as security for the above sum; Whereupon,

Ordered, That the sum of 2666 60-90 dollars be advanced to the honorable George Plater, and the other subscribers, to be by them appropriated to the use of the memorialists, if they think proper, they to be chargeable for the re-payment thereof, at the time mentioned in the said note.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

Whereas doubts have arisen as to the sum which shall be paid for the rations which now may be due and owing to officers in the service of these

states, and also as to the vouchers for drawing the same, by reason whereof the intentions of Congress with respect to such officers are frustrated :

Resolved, That the value of the rations due since the 1st day of January last, till the 1st inst. be estimated at one-third of a dollar; and that the officers do present their accounts to the pay-master general, or deputy paymaster general, who shall adjust and pay the same; provided, always, that the said officers shall make oath to their accounts respectively, which oaths the said pay-masters are hereby empowered and directed to administer, and transmit the said accounts, with the receipts thereon, to the treasury.

Resolved, That the deputy director-general of the hospital in the eastern department shall, as heretofore, in the absence of the director-general, superintend the medical affairs of that department, till the further order of Congress.

The committee of arrangement brought in a report on the department of the clothier-general, which was taken into consideration, and some progress being made therein,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, June 10, 1778.

The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, Ordered, That 200,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director-general for the middle district, for the use of his department; he to be accountable.

The committee to whom was referred the letter of the 3d, from gen. Gates, with the papers enclosed, reported the draught of a letter to the several states, which was agreed to as follows:

SIR: Authentic intelligence, received by Congress from many quarters, leave it no longer doubtful in what manner the enemy mean to conduct their plan of conciliation. Under delusive appearances of pacific acts and peacemaking commissioners, already their military reinforcements begin to arrive, and already they have commenced the campaign, in many places, with acts of cruelty and devastation. Indian irruptions, and burning houses, in the moment of dispersing propositions for peace, evince the insidious designs of the enemy, and demonstrate the necessity of wisdom in council, of strength and vigor in the field.

The former may be employed to distress the enemy greatly, by withholding from them the provisions of America, and the latter by quickly collecting powerful armies to take advantage of their present weakness.

In duty, therefore, to their constituents, Congress earnestly call upon you, sir, and your state, to adopt the most effectual and vigorous measures for speedily reinforcing the continental army with your quota of troops.

The present moment unimproved, may be productive of the most pernicious consequences, and the public safety demands strong and united efforts. Experience hath shewn that the marine force of our enemies enables them to secure for the support of their armies almost the whole of our exported provisions; and therefore Congress, impressed with the necessity of preventing the supplies derived to our foes from this source, and desirous of supplying the armies of the United States, have, upon mature deliberation, laid an embargo upon provisions of all kinds, and they earnestly request the vigorous exercise of the powers of your state to carry into effectual execution this most necessary measure.

Ordered, That what relates to the reinforcing the continental army be left out in the letters to North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia; and that, in the letters to Maryland, Virginia, and North-Carolina, the following clause be added:

The urgent necessity for the provisions with which your state is to furnish the army, induces Congress to press upon you, sir, immediate and constant attention to this important business, and the present absence of the enemy's ships from the bay of Chesapeake may be improved by seizing the opportunity of water conveyance to the Head of Elk.

The committee to whom were referred the letter from Mr. de Beaumarchais, to the committee of commerce, and the letter from Mr. Chevalie to Congress, brought in a report; Whereupon,

Resolved, That governor Henry be requested to purchase, for the United States, the articles contained in the list hereto annexed, being part of the cargo of the French ship le Fier Roderique, as cheap as he can, not exceeding the price following, viz. £ 450 Virginia money for every £ 100 sterling, to be paid in tobacco, at 10 dollars per hundred, and that a letter be written to his excellency, explaining the principles of such limitation:

List of Articles.

Leaden bullets of different sizes; men's silk and woollen stockings; woollen caps; the different kinds of buckles; uniform buttons for officers and soldiers; sleeve buttons; red cadis for the linings of uniform; coarse and fine shirts; woollen blankets; soldiers' hats; cloths fine, for officers; ditto coarse for soldiers; and light ditto for soldiers; brass ink-stands; white flannel, sewing thread; linen spatterdashes for soldiers; soldiers' clothing ready made; an assortment of handkerchiefs; gun-powder, flints; wristbands for shirts; serget of different colors, viz. scarlet, sky-blue; brown and white, for linings; an assortment of sewing silks; men's shoes, soldiers' knapsacks; an assortment of brown and white linens; white Malaga in cases; red Burgundy in cases, 12 groce; claret in casks; 20 casks; white wine vinegar.

A letter, of this day, from colonel Morgan, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee for foreign affairs.

A petition from William Cochran and Thomas Swaine, of Cumberland county, was read:

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

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, June 11, 1778.

A letter, of the 9th, from gen. Washington, was read, enclosing a letter of the 9th, to him, from gen. sir H. Clinton, informing, that the earl of Carlisle, Mr. Eden, and gov. Johnstone, three of the commissioners for restoring peace between Great-Britain and America, are arrived at Philadelphia, and requesting a passport for Dr. Ferguson, their secretary, with a letter from them to Congress, together with a copy of gen. Washington's answer, which were read:

Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee on the letter of the 7th, from general Washington.

A letter, of January 22d, from W. Lee, esq. at Paris, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee for foreign affairs.

A letter, of May 31st, from gen. Sullivan, enclosing a resolution passed the 30th of the same month, by the assembly of Rhode-Island, &c. was read: Ordered, That so much of the said letter as relates to the enemy's attempt on Tiverton, be published, and that the letter with the enclosed resolution, be referred to the board of war.

The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,

Ordered, That 200,000 dollars be advanced to Ephraim Blaine, esq. deputy commissary-general of purchases, and at his desire, paid to James White, in consequence of a letter of credit of William Buchanan, esq. late commissary-general of purchases, who is to be accountable.