The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, October 25, 1776. A letter, of the 21st, from R. H. Harrison was read; also, a certificate from brigadier-general H. Mercer and P. Dickinson, in favour of the Rev. John Nevelling, who officiated as chaplain to nine battalions of New-Jersey: Ordered, That the certificate be referred to the board of treasury, and that they enquire how long Mr. Nevelling officiated, as mentioned in the said certificate, and allow him for his services, at the rate of 50 dollars a month. A petition from Alice Brazier and daughter, Hannah Haynes and Elizabeth Bouve, was presented to Congress, and read: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of treasury. Resolved, That 3,000 dollars be advanced to colonel Moses Hazen towards inlisting his battalion, he to be accountable. A letter, of the 20th, from P. Zabriskie and J. Morgan, was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the board of treasury. A memorial from Mr. Irwin was presented to Congress, and read. Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three, and that they confer with the council of safety of Pennsylvania, respecting the same, and report thereon to Congress : The members chosen, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Whipple, and Mr. Hart. The committee of treasury reported, that there is due, To Robert Chase, late commander of the Gaspe ship of war, for his allowance from 1st March to 24th October, 1776, inclusive, 34 weeks, at 2 dollars, 68 dollars. That they have examined an account exhibited by captain Robert Cluggage, for sundry articles charged to him, which he prays an allowance of, and that he ought to be credited for the following sums, charged in the Bedford county accounts, viz. Drilling for haversacks, account No. 1, Part of articles charged in account No. 31, Cash paid Bernard Dougherty An overcharge in a rifle bought of William Peeble, A charge of Abraham Cable, esq. in additional account No. 2, Occasional expenses which he paid for his company, on their march The whole amounting to 82 82-90 dollars, £31 1 10 To J. Mitchel, for expenses of a party of light-horse, going with money from Philadelphia to Ticonderoga, a balance of £32 16 6, and for coach-hire, expenses, &c. for himself and Mr. Dunlap, as a guard with general Prescot and brigadier-general M'Donald, and their two servants, to New-York, to be exchanged, £78 17 6, both sums amounting to £109 15, equal to 292 60-90 dollars: That there should be advanced to Mr. Hodgkin and Mr. Cronstedt, two midshipmen, taken prisoners, three weeks' allowance each, at 2 dollars, 12 dollars: To Roger Sherman, esq. for the expenses of the committee appointed to enquire into the state of the army at New-York, and two servants ten days absent, 76 70-90 dollars, to be paid to Elbridge Gerry, esq. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. Resolved, That two months' pay be advanced to lieutenant David Zeigler, VOL. I. 67 who was wounded, and is come to Philadelphia for the purpose of perfecting his cure. Resolved, That it be recommended to the several assemblies and conventions of the United States, forthwith to import, or otherwise procure, full supplies of fire-arms, bayonets, brass, or other field-pieces, powder, lead, flints, medicines, entrenching tools, tent-cloth, blankets, and other clothing, for such of their militia as are deficient therein, and to send to the board of war and ordnance a copy of their resolutions for this purpose, that the same may be laid before Congress. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, MONDAY, October 28, 1776. Resolved, That 1,000 dollars be advanced to the committee appointed to engage wharf-builders, for the use of the workmen engaged, and that they render an account of the expenditure. A letter of the 17th, from general Schuyler, was read, together with the report of a court of enquiry appointed to discover what stores were on board the enemy's fleet taken in the river St. Lawrence : Ordered, That the report be referred to the board of treasury. A letter of the 6th, from brigadier Andrew Lewis, was read, and referred to the board of war. A petition from William Savage, Thomas Corbett, and John Scott, in behalf of William Wilson, together with sundry papers therein referred to, were read and referred to the marine committee. A letter, of the 16th, from the convention of New-York, and a letter from Thomas Cushing, dated in August, were read: Ordered, That the last be referred to the committee on Indian affairs. Resolved, That M. du Bois, upon resigning his commission, have leave to return to Martinico. Congress, being informed that certain persons were busy in monopolizing and engrossing the articles necessary for the army, with a view to enhance their price, and prevent the army from being supplied, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into this matter, and report thereon to Congress : The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Rutledge. The committee, to whom the memorial of Matthew Irwin was referred, reported, that they have conferred with the council of safety of Pennsylvania, who say they have some salt, the quantity they cannot ascertain, which they are willing to sell for the use of the army: Ordered, That the said committee apply to the council of safety, and request them to sell to Mr. M. Irwin, for the use of the army, as much salt as they can possibly spare. The marine committee brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon, Resolved, That the marine committee be empowered to employ such person as they shall think proper, to execute the business entrusted to them, and re port their names to Congress : That the further consideration of the report be postponed till to-morrow. The committee of treasury reported, that there is due, To Thomas Dunahoo, a Canadian prisoner, for his allowance from 18th Jul to 25th October, instant, 15 weeks, at 1 dollar and d a week, 20 dollars: To captain William Brady, of the late colonel Stevenson's battalion, fo twelve rifles, purchased by him for the use of his company, 177 dollars : Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, TUESDAY, October 29, 1776. Congress being informed that Tim. Dodd, an express from Boston, who was entrusted with despatches from general Washington, has had them stolen from him at Bristol, in this state, Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed, with powers to make every necessary enquiry, and to take every necessary step they think proper, for the recovery of the said despatches, and the discovery of the person or persons by whom said papers were stolen; that if they have good reason to suspect any person or persons, they immediately secure them till the further orders of Congress, and return their names, with the causes of suspicion, to this house; that they dispose of the continental prisoners at Bristol in such manner as they shall think best: That all civil officers be requested, and all continental military officers be ordered, to afford every assistance that may be required by the said committee. The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Hopkinson. Resolved, That colonel Cadwallader and colonel Bayard be requested to accompany the said committee to Bristol. Resolved, That 40,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. J. Mease for the public service; he to be accountable. That 6000 dollars be advanced to colonel Buckner, of the 6th Virginia battalion, for the use of the said battalion; he to be accountable. Resolved, That Charles Hughes have leave to go to the West-Indies in the schooner Thistle. A letter from Mr. Bache was read: Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Payne, and Mr. Livingston. Whereas the fortifying the entrance of the river Cape-Fear, in the state of North-Carolina, will tend greatly to the advantage and security of that state, by furnishing a safe harbor for foreigners, and excluding the enemy's ships: Resolved, therefore, That it be recommended to the convention of the state of North-Carolina, to fortify and secure immediately, at the expense of their state, the entrance of the said river, by erecting batteries and other works of defence, by placing obstructions in proper parts of the said river, and pursuing such other measures, as, in their opinion, will best conduce to prevent the introduction of the enemy's ships, and protect the trade of the said state; and, in case heavy cannon cannot be procured in the state of North-Carolina, it is further recommended to the said convention, to apply to the state of SouthCarolina, requesting the loan of such cannon as they can spare from their own necessities, who, it is not doubted, will contribute, as far as may be in their power, to accomplish a purpose which will be of general utility to the southern states. Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the marine committee: Whereupon, Resolved, That no private ship or vessel of war, merchant-ships, or other vessels belonging to the subjects of these states, be permitted to wear pendants when in company with continental ships or vessels of war, without leave from the commanding officer thereof. That, if any merchant-ship or vessel shall wear pendants in company with continental ships or vessels of war, without leave from the commander thereof, such commander be authorized to take away the pendant from the offender. That, if private ships or vessels of war refuse to pay the respect due to the continental ships or vessels of war, the captain or commander, so refusing, shall lose his commission. Resolved, That the further consideration of the report be postponed till to morrow. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, WEDNESDAY, October 30, 1776. The committee of treasury reported, that there is due, To Mr. Allen, for his expenses while detained here for the purpose of taking charge of the money for Virginia, the sum of 17 20-90 dollars: That a farther sum of 77 46-90 dollars be paid to Mr. Fairlamb, which will be the balance due to him on his account as it now stands, exclusive of his request for a farther allowance on the ration-stipulation in his contract, and of 27 cords of wood, not allowed for want of vouchers: Ordered, That the above accounts be paid. Resolved, That the sum of 30 dollars be paid to captain Moore, to enable him to proceed to Europe. A letter of this day from colonel M. Hazen was read; also, a petition from Andrew Stalker, late commander of the brig Three Friends, praying for leave to depart the states of America, and revisit his native country. Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted. A petition from John Tillman was read. A letter, of the 25th, from governor Livingston was read, and referred to Dr. Rush, Mr. Ross, and Mr. Lynch. Resolved, That 2000 dollars be advanced to colonel Scott, of the 5th Virginia battalion, for the use of the said battalion, he to be accountable. Resolved, That 2000 dollars be advanced to colonel Hausegger, of the German battalion, for the use of the said battalion, he to be accountable. The board of war having recommended Jacob Myle to be quarter-master, and Eberhart Michael, pay-master to the German battalion ; Resolved, That they be accepted, and commissions granted to them acordingly. Mr. Duche having, by a letter to the president, acknowledged his obligations for the kind manner in which Congress have expressed their approbation of his service, and requested, as he accepted their appointment from motives perfectly disinterested, that the 150 dollars voted to him, may be applied to the relief of the widows and children of such of the Pennsylvania officers, as have fallen in battle in the service of their country: Resolved, That the money be deposited with the council of safety of Pennsylvania, to be applied agreeable to the request of Mr. Duche. A memorial from Robert Jewell was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on governor Livingston's letter. Resolved, That 1333 dollars be advanced to Evans and Stretch, the commanding officers of the guard going with money and clothing for the northern army, they to be accountable. The committee of treasury reported, that there is due, To Mons. Pierre Gamelin, a prisoner from Canada, for his allowance from 26th March to 28th October, inclusive, being 31 weeks, at 2 dollars a week, 62 dollars: To Marcus Lucullus Ryal, a prisoner, for his allowance from 22d August to 24th October, inclusive, 9 weeks, at 2 dollars, 18 dollars: To lieutenant Jacob Schalch, a prisoner, for his allowance from 19th July to 25th October, inclusive, 14 weeks, at 2 dollars, 28 dollars: To Dr. James Gill, a prisoner, for his allowance from 19th July to 25th October, inclusive, 14 weeks, at 2 dollars, 28 dollars: To lieutenant Simon Evans, a prisoner, for his allowance from 23d August to 18th October, inclusive, 8 weeks, at 2 dollars, 16 dollars: To Pelatiah Webster for 200 lbs. rhubarb, 600 dollars: To Alexander Middleton, of the 5th Virginia battalion, for his account of = medicines, board, nursing, and necessaries for the sick of the said battalion, 86 60-90 dollars : Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. The committee, to whom were referred the resolutions of the convention of Maryland, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, Resolved, That the president write to the convention of Maryland, and inform them, that their resolutions relative to their paying ten dollars in lieu of the 100 acres of land, determined by Congress to be given to such non-commissioned officers and soldiers as shall enlist to serve during the war, will, in the opinion of this house, if carried into execution, prove extremely detrimental to these states, as it will, in all probability, induce such soldiers as are to compose the remainder of the levies, to require an equal sum from the United States, and by refusing to inlist until their demands shall be complied with, compel the Congress to the immediate payment of an additional bounty, far beyond what is reasonable: That this house, being satisfied with the propriety of offering land to the soldiery, as an inducement to inlist in the service, cannot rescind the said resolution, and are of opinion, that the faith, which this house, by virtue of the power with which they were vested, has plighted, must be obligatory upon their constituents; that no one state can, by its own act, be released therefrom, and that the interest of the United States would be deeply and infuriously affected, should the Congress, at this time, consent to a compromise between any state and the forces to be by them raised : That the said convention, by their said resolutions, seem to apprehend, that their state would be obliged, in their individual capacity, to make good the bounty of land hereafter to be given to the soldiery; whereas, it was the intention of Congress to provide the said land at the expense of the United States: That the said convention be requested to reconsider the said resolutions, and to give to their commissioners, appointed to repair to the camp, such instructions as will enable them to carry into execution the views of Congress : That the said convention be informed, that the pay-master general has been furnished with a sum of money for the purpose of paying the bounty of 20 dollars ordered by Congress to such soldiers as shall inlist to serve the United States during the war. Congress resumed the report of the marine committee: Whereupon, Resolved, That the rank of officers of marines be the same as officers of similar commissions in the land service: That the commanders, officers, seamen, and marines in the continental navy, be entitled to one half of merchantmen, transports, and store-ships by them taken, from and after the first day of November, 1776, to be divided amongst them in the shares and proportions fixed by former resolutions of Congress: That the commanders, officers, seamen and marines, in the continental navy, be entitled to the whole value of all ships and vessels of war belonging to the crown of Great-Britain, by them made prize of, and all privateers authorized by his Britannic majesty to war against these states, to be divided as aforesaid. Resolved, That the part of the report relative to the rank and pay of naval officers, be referred to a committee of three. The members chosen, Mr. Morris, Mr. Whipple, and Mr..R. H. Lee. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, October 31, 1776. A letter, of the 28th, from general Green, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the committee of intelligence. |