Resolved, That the said Alexander Ross be discharged from confinement. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. SATURDAY, May 11, 1776. A petition from John Jacobs, in behalf of himself and others, was presented to Congress, and read: Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three. 'The members chosen, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Rutledge. Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the state of the eastern colonies; Whereupon, Resolved, That the two battalions, directed by the assembly of RhodeIsland to be raised, be taken into continental pay; the battalion ordered to be raised in November last, from the time they were armed, clothed, and fit for duty; and the one since ordered to be raised, from the present time; provided they be armed, clothed, and fit for service; and that, if they be not so armed and appointed, they be taken into continental pay, as soon as they shall be armed and mustered: Resolved, That the remainder of the report be referred to a committee of the whole Congress. Resolved, That the standing committee for Indian affairs be directed to take measures for carrying into execution the resolution of the 6th, for holding a treaty with the Indians, in the different departments, as soon as practicable. That the 20th of July be fixed on for holding a treaty, at Pittsburg, with the Indians, in the middle department; and that the standing committee be directed to inform the agent, and desire him to notify the Indians, and invite them to attend at the time and place mentioned: and also, that the said committee inform the commissioners, and desire them to attend. Resolved, That John Harvey be appointed a commissioner for Indian affairs in the middle department. Certain resolutions of the board of officers in Philadelphia, and a petition from the committee of privates of the military association of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, were presented to Congress, and read: Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of the whole Congress. A memorial from Caunier de la Berthaudure was presented to Congress, and read: Ordered, To lie on the table. Resolved, That two sets of trepanning instruments be sent to Virginia for the use of the surgeons of the continental troops there; and that two sets of trepanning instruments, and 100 lb. of Peruvian bark, be sent to North-Carolina, for the use of the continental troops in that colony. Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee on the state of the colonies in the eastern department, and the resolves of the officers, and petition of the committee of privates of the military association of the city and liberties of Philadelphia; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matters to them referred, and had come to a resolution thereupon; but, not having time to finish, desired him to move for leave to sit again. The resolution reported from the committee of the whole Congress being read, Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next. Resolved, That Congress will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee on the state of the colonies in the eastern department, and the resolves of the officers, and petition of the privates of the military association of the city and liberties of Philadelphia. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to send 500 lb. of powder to the committee of safety of Delaware government, for the use of their militia. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, On account rendered by the committee for the upper district of Frederick county, in Virginia, of,the expenses incurred by captain John Nelson's company of riflemen, the sum of 1415.4 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Michael Fackler, and that the said company ought to be charged with the sum of 1016 dollars, the amount of rifles and goods, &c. furnished for their use, the remainder, being for provisions and wagonage, to be charged to the continent. To Andrew M'Nair for attendance and for candles, &c. the sum of 181.9 dollars, in full of his account to the 30th of April last: To Robert Erwin, wagon-master, for five teams that went to Canada, a balance of 699.6 dollars: To Walter Drummond, for nursing several persons belonging to captain Benezet's company, the sum of 27 dollars: To George London, for 34 days wagonage for the 6th battalion, the sum of 117.5 dollars. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. MONDAY, May 13, 1776. A letter of the 9th from general Washington, was laid before Congress and read: Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on qualifications. Sundry petitions were presented to Congress and read, viz. One from Dr. Benjamin Church, and one from Benjamin, Samuel and Edward Church, with a certificate from three physicians respecting the health of Dr. B. Church; also one from John Connolly and John Smith, accompanied with a letter from Dr. Cadwallader: Ordered, That they be referred to the committee on prisoners. A letter of the 3d from George Morgan, at Pittsburg, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the standing committee on Indian affairs. Resolved, That Mrs. Connolly have leave to visit her husband in gaol. Agreeable to order, the committee of secret correspondence laid before Congress a copy of their proceedings. The committee appointed to prepare a preamble to the resolution of Congress passed the 10th, brought in a draught, which was read: Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow. A letter of the 4th from Edmund Pendleton, president of the committee of safety of Virginia, was laid before Congress, and read. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To A. C. Hanson, for the expenses of two gentlemen, a private soldier, and a servant, on an expedition to New-York, the sum of 76.4 dollars: To Rachel Stille, for boarding prisoners now in Trenton, and including captain Chase's bill of 8.5 dollars, and a bill of wagonage, the sum of 290.9 dollars. To Robert Erwin, wagon-master, for wagonage of powder from Egg-harbour to Philadelphia, the sum of 247 dollars: To Frederick Bicking, for paper for the continental bills of credit, the sum of 1109.3 dollars: To Gunning Bedford, deputy muster-master general, for his pay and expenses to the 17th of April last, the sum of 455.6 dollars: Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. Congress resumed the consideration of the resolution reported from the committee of the whole; and, after debate, the determination thereof, at the request of a colony, was postponed till to-morrow. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. TUESDAY, May 14, 1776. A letter of the 11th from general Washington, enclosing sundry papers; a letter of the third from general Schuyler, and a letter of the 9th from Daniel Robertson, were laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That they be referred to a commmittee of three: The members chosen, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. J Adams. The committee to whom the petition of Dr. Benjamin Church, now confined in gaol in Norwich, in the colony of Connecticut, and a petition from Benjamin, Samuel, and Edward Church, together with a certificate from physicians, respecting the dangerous state of the aforesaid Dr. Church, were referred, brought in their report, which was read and agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That Dr. Benjamin Church be sent to the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and that the council of the said colony be requested to take a recognizance from him, with two good sureties, in such penalty as they shall think sufficient, not being less than one thousand pounds, lawful money, for his appearance before such court as shall be erected for his trial, and at such time and place as such court shall direct, and to abide the judgment of the same; and that they be farther requested, to take his parole, not to hold any correspondence with the enemies of the United Colonies, or at any time, to depart out of the said colony, without their license; and that, upon the performance thereof, the said Dr. Benjamin Church be set at liberty. The assembly of Rhode-Island, having appointed two delegates to represent that colony in Congress, the credentials of their appointment were laid before Congress, and read, as follows: "The governor and company of the English colony of Rhode-Island (L. S.) and Providence Plantations, in general assembly convened, to Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery esqs.greeting: Whereas this assembly, reposing special trust and confidence in your abilities and integrity, have appointed you, the said Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery, delegates, to represent this colony in general Congress; you are, therefore, hereby empowered to join with the delegates of the other United Colonies, in Congress, at Philadelphia, as soon as conveniently may be, or at such time and place as shall be agreed upon by the major part of the delegates from the said colonies. You are also authorized and empowered to consult and advise with the delegates of the said colonies in Congress, upon the most proper measures for promoting and confirming the strictest union and confederation between the said United Colonies, for exerting their whole strength and force to annoy the common enemy, and to secure the said colonies their rights and liberties, both civil and religious, whether by entering into treatise with any prince, state, or potentate, or by such other prudent and effectual ways and means as shall be devised and agreed on; and, in conjunction with the delegates from the said United Colonies, or the major part of them, to enter into and adopt all such measures, taking the greatest care to secure to this colony, in the strongest and most perfect manner, its present established form, and all the powers of government, so far as relates to its internal police and conduct of our own affairs, civil and religious. You are also instructed and directed, to exert your utmost abilities, in carrying on this just and necessary war, in which we are engaged against cruel and unnatural enemies, in the most vigorous manner, until peace shall be restored to the said colonies, and their rights and liberties secured upon a solid and permanent basis. You are also empowered, to join with the major part of the delegates to the said United Colonies, in adjourning, from time to time, and to such place or places as shall be thought proper for and during one year. And, as it may happen, that from sickness or other ne cessary causes, one of you may be absent from Congress, in all such cases the other is hereby as fully empowered to represent the colony, as though both were present and agreed in sentiment. May 4, 1776. In behalf of the general assembly, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the colony to be affixed, the sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. By his honor's command, NICHOLAS COOKE, Governor." HENRY WARD, Secretary. The committee, to whom the letter from general Washington of the 5th, and the letter from captain Delaplace of the 2d, &c. were referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That as a number of arms, fit for use, may be bought of the owners, who may incline to sell them, general Washington be desired to employ such an agent as he hath proposed, to go into any of the colonies for that purpose: That a copy of the letter from captain Delaplace be sent to major-general Schuyler, and that he be desired to enquire how the things, therein mentioned to have been left by captain Delaplace, were disposed of, and what was the value thereof, and report the matter, as it shall appear to him, to Congress: That the case of captain Delaplace is not distinguishable from that of other prisoners of war, who are obliged to refund the expenses of their mainten ance. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver to colonel Jacob Ford, jun. three tons of salt-petre, to be by him manufactured into gun-powder for the use of the United Colonies, on the same terms as others have agreed to manufacture it: That the said committee be directed to sell to Joseph Ellis, 400 lb. of pow der, and a quantity of iron-ball, sufficient for 900 lb. of powder, for the defence of the colony of New-Jersey: That the said committee be directed to deliver to colonel Bird, 200 lb. of powder, to prove the cannon he is making for the United Colonies. Resolved, That the committee appointed to contract for the making of cannon, be directed to employ proper persons to attend and see the cannon proved: That an order for 2000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the cannon-committee; they to be accountable. Congress then resumed the consideration of the report from the committee of the whole: Whereupon, Resolved, That the five battalions, now in Massachusetts-Bay, be recruited to their full complements, and that three additional battalions be raised in the eastern department, for the service of the continent, the recruits to be taken into continental pay, so soon as they shall be armed and mustered. A letter of the 7th from general Lee, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee appointed to take into consideratión a former letter of general Lee. Martin Strobach, lieutenant of marines on board the Hornet sloop, finding the service by sea to disagree with him, and apprehending he can be of more use in the land service, begs permission to be discharged from the present service he is engaged in, that he may apply for a lieutenancy in the Pennsylvania artillery company, where there is a vacancy, which he is encouraged to make application for: Resolved, That leave be granted to discharge him. Agreeable to order, Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the report of the committee on the eastern department, &c. and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under their farther consideration the matters referred to them, and have come to sundry resolutions; but, that not having yet finished, they desired him to move for leave to sit again. The resolutions reported from the committee of the whole Congress, being read, were agreed to as follows: Resolved, That an additional major-general and brigadier-general be appointed in the continental army: That general Washington be directed to order a major-general forthwith to take the command in the eastern department, and also that he order a brigadier-general on that service. Resolved, That the election of the major-general and brigadier-general be postponed till to-morrow. Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a cammittee of the whole, to take into consideration the resolves of the officers and petition of the committee of privates of the military association of the city and liberties of Philadelphia. Congress took into consideration the report of the committee, to whom the letter from the committee of safety of New-Hampshire, and other papers from that colony, were referred; and, thereupon, Resolved, That one battalion be raised in New-Hampshire for the service of the United Colonies, and paid and subsisted on the same terms as the continental troops in the eastern department; the said battalion to be taken into continental pay, so soon as they shall be armed and mustered. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to send to general Washington, the muskets that are at Newport. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, WEDNESDAY, May 15, 1776. Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be desired to write to the committee of safety of Delaware government, to suspend the execution of the resolve of Congress, for exchanging lieutenant Ball for captain Budden, till farther orders. Congress took into consideration the draught of the preamble brought in by the committee, which was agreed to as follows: Whereas his Britannic majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great-Britain, has, by a late act of parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of his crown; and whereas, no answer, whatever, to the humble petition of the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great-Britain, has been or is likely to be given; but, the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies; and whereas, it appears absolutely irreconcileable to reason and good conscience, for the people of these colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any government under the crown of Great-Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government exerted, under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies; therefore, resolved, &c. Ordered, That the said preamble, with the resolution passed the 10th instant, be published. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to sell to Edward Keasby, 100 lbs. of powder, for the use of the inhabitants of Salem county, in NewJersey. VOL. I 44 |