1

Resolved, That 50,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. J. Mease, for the public service; he to be accountable:

That 2000 dollars be advanced to lieutenant-colonel Antil, for the recruiting his regiment; he to be accountable :

purpose

of

That 14,000 dollars be advanced to major Charles Symes, for the use of the 12th Virginia battalion; he to be accountable.

Mr. Clarke, a delegate from the state of New-Jersey, attended, and produced the credentials of the appointment of delegates from that state, which

were read as follows:

"At a joint meeting of the council and assembly of the state of New-Jersey, held at Burlington, on the 30th day of November, 1776, the honorable Nathaniel Scudder in the chair; the joint meeting proceeded by ballot to the election of five delegates to represent this state in Congress, to serve for one year, unless a new appointment should be made before the expiration of that time; and the following persons were duly elected, viz. The honorable Richard Stockton, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, esq. Dr. John Witherspoon, Abraham Clarke, esq. Jonathan Elmer, esq.

66

Resolved, That any one or more of the said delegates, who shall attend in Congress, be fully empowered to represent, and vote in behalf of this state. That the said delegates, or such of them as have not already taken the oaths of abjuration and allegiance mentioned in the act of assembly lately passed, entitled An act for the security of the government of New-Jersey,' do take the said oaths before they take their seats.

Signed by order of the council and assembly of the state of New-Jersey: "CHARLES PETTIT, Secretary." Resolved, That the board of war be directed to have the prisoners, now at Bristol, removed from thence back into the country.

Resolved, That Mrs. Chamier be permitted to go to her husband at NewYork; and that Mrs. Lewis, at Flushing, on Long-Island, be required in exchange.

Resolved, That Mr. Mease be empowered and directed to settle with and pay the militia of the Maryland flying-camp.

That the commissary of provisions in Philadelphia supply with rations, in lieu of mileage, such of the Maryland troops as choose to go home:

That such of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the said troops as will inlist for three years, be immediately clothed; and that Mr. Mease be directed to detain as many of the clothes, now in his hands, as will be necessary for that purpose :

That each of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Maryland militia, who will not inlist for three years, but will engage to march to the immediate reinforcement of general Washington, and remain under his command one month, be supplied by Mr. Mease with a shirt, a pair of shoes, and a pair of stockings, on paying for the same:

That such of the militia as shall engage to serve to the 10th of March next, unless sooner discharged by Congress, be entitled to a pair of shoes and stockings, and to the same rations and the same monthly pay with the other troops on the continental establishment, to commence from the time of their enrolment; and that one months' pay be advanced to each volunteer, upon his enrolment.

Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for giving the Indians in town an audience; and that the committee on Indian affairs be directed to prepare a proper speech to be delivered to them.

Resolved, That the officers of the Maryland troops be requested immediately to parade those troops, and to use their utmost influence to persuade their adoption of the terms proposed by Congress.

Resolved, That general Washington be directed, in case he has not entered

VOL. I.

72

into a negotiation with general Howe, for exchanging governor Franklin for general Thomson, to suspend the execution of that matter till farther orders. A petition from William Dod was read, praying for leave to visit his brother, who is confined in prison:

Resolved, That the petitioner have leave to visit and converse with his brother in presence of the gaoler.

Resolved, That Thursday next be assigned for taking into consideration the state of the Treasury.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, December 4, 1776.

A letter, of the 3d, from general Washington, was read.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the council of safety of Pennsylvania, to detain from marching with the militia, the printers engaged in printing cer tificates for the continental loan-offices, and to direct them to continue exe cuting the business in which they are employed.

The committee of treasury reported, that they have had under consideration the accounts of John Harvie, John Montgomery, and Jasper Yates, esqrs.commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department; that the said commis sioners have produced accounts of the expenditure of 13,464.7 dollars, for the charges and expenses of the late treaty, held with the Indians, at Pittsburg, and for their allowance for their time and expenses attending the said treaty that in this account, are included the expense of goods purchased by Mr. Mor gan for private presents; for expenses and pay to Mr. Wilson, Mr. Long, and Mr. Girty on different messages; for kettles, rations, and linen, supplied the continental battalion at Kittanning; for expenses of Mr. Morgan coming to Philadelphia, and going to New-York with two Indian chiefs, and returning with them to Pittsburg; his going to the Indian towns to invite them to a treaty for sundry sums paid to the militia officers, and for the several accounts due from the department to this time, except the militia accounts yet unsettled, and the salaries due to Mr. Morgan and the former agent, and also 800.2 dollars due to sundry persons before their appointment, whose accounts were settled by a committee of Congress for Indian affairs. The balance due to George Morgan, esq. is 207.74 dollars, first deducting 400 dollars paid him by Congress, 21st September last, for which he is debited:

of

That they credit the sums of 3000 dollars, received of Congress, in August, and 5333.30 dollars the 2d instant, and also 5.30 dollars for the freight of a still to Redstone, and two sums, amounting to 67.45 dollars, which are twice charged in the accounts:

That the balance due to the commissioners is 5057.82 dollars:
Ordered, That the said sum be paid.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, December 5, 1776.

A letter, of the 4th, from general Washington, enclosing a copy of a letter from major Clark, was read.

Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to pay to each captain of the Mar land troops of the flying-camp, who cannot produce pay-rolls, such a suma they think will be equal to the arrears due to their respective companies; taking a receipt from the respective captains for the money advanced.

Resolved, That two months' pay be advanced to M. Romand de Lisle, and to

M. Kosciuszko.

The Indians being introduced, delivered a speech; and Saturday next w appointed to return them an answer.

Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the council of safety of Pennsylvania, to procure the use of the Pennsylvania hospital, for the purpose of accommodating the sick belonging to the continental army.

Resolved, That the medical committee be empowered to procure suitable persons to take care of the sick, and to remove them to such convenient places in the country, as they shall think proper.

Some inhabitants of New-Jersey being sent under guard to Philadelphia, charged with the crime of inlisting men for general Howe, and some of inlisting themselves in the service of the enemy,

Resolved, That they be sent under guard to Frederick, in Maryland, there to be safely confined; and that, until they can be sent away, they be kept confined in the state-prison in Philadelphia.

Resolved, That capt. Ottendorf be directed to raise an independent corps, consisting of 150 men, serjeants and corporals included:

That the same be divided into three companies; the first company to consist of 60 men, light-infantry, commanded by one captain and two lieutenants; the other two companies of hunters, of 45 men each, to be commanded each by a captain and 2 lieutenants:

That captain Ottendorf have the rank of major, be captain of the light-infantry company, and command the whole.

That an adjutant be appointed for this corps, whois to act as quarter-master and pay-master, with the rank of lieutenant, and pay of other adjutants.

Ordered, That the board of war write to the general, and desire him to send Isaac Corren, of the artillery, to Philadelphia.

Resolved, That 150 dollars oe advanced to Gunning Bedford, muster-master general; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That the time for drawing the lottery be altered to the 10th of April.

Resolved, That Congress will, to-morrow, previous to any other business, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the treasury, the ways and means of raising supplies for the ensuing year, and supporting the credit of the continental currency.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, December 6, 1776.

A letter, of the 5th, from general Washington, and one, of the 27th of November, from General Gates, at Albany, with a paper enclosed, sent from the commanding officer at St. John's, were read.

Agreeable to the order of the day, Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the treasury, the ways and means of raising supplies for the ensuing year, and supporting the credit of the continental currency; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Nelson reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions thereon; but not having perfected the business, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the treasury, the ways and means of raising supplies for the ensuing year, and supporting the credit of the continental currency.

Resolved, That 50,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. J. Mease for the public service; he to be accountable.

Upon representation made by Daniel and Samuel Hughes, that Melchior Salady, a private soldier in captain Farmer's company of colonel Miles's battalion, would be very serviceable to them in executing their contract for makign cannon for Congress:

Resolved, That Melchior Salady be discharged, by the proper officer, from the company, provided he enter into the service of the said Hughes. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, December 7, 1776.

A letter, of the 6th, from general Washington, at Trenton, and one, of the 21st to 25th November, from general Schuyler, at Saratoga, with sundry papers enclosed, were read:

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

Resolved, That the board of war be empowered and directed to exchange such of the Canadians as they shall think proper.

Ordered, That the president write to the four New-England governments, and request them to use their utmost influence in raising their respective quotas of troops, and to hasten their march, with all possible diligence, to the places appointed for their rendezvous, by general Schuyler.

Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to the council of safety of Pennsylvania, to be applied towards furnishing the several officers with bountymoney for inlisting men on the new establishment; the said council to be accountable.

Resolved, That captain Biddle be empowered to inlist into the continental service, such of the sailors in prison as he shall think proper.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due, and to be paid to the order of Allen M'Donald, sen. Allen M'Donald, jun. Alexander M'Donald, Rennel M'Donald, and Archibald McDonald, hostages sent by general Schuyler to Reading, for the allowance due to themselves and their three servants, from the 25th of September to the 10th of December, inclusive, 143 dollars: That there should be advanced to Thomas Smith, for supplies to the troops of the 5th and 6th Virginia regiments, left sick at Wilmington, the sum of 677.25 dollars:

That there is due to lieutenant-colonel Jacob Boyer, for furnishing his battalion of militia with 7495 rations of provisions, on their march from Berks county to the camp in New-Jersey, 739.45 dollars:

To Thomas Edwards, for victualling the second battalion of militia, of Lancaster county, commanded by col. Curtis Grubb, on their march to Bergen, in New-Jersey, and for the hire of two baggage-wagons, 1319.61 dollars, to be paid to Philip Marsteller:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That 1000 dollars be advanced to the committee for procuring cannon for the public service; the said committee to account for the expenditure. Resolved, That for the more speedy and effectual discharge of business, the following rules be invariably observed :

That Congress be opened every morning at ten o'clock, Sundays excepted: That Mr. President take the chair precisely at that time.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Indians were introduced, and the following speech was delivered to them:

Brothers of the Six-Nations, Delawares and Shawanese,

We, the delegates of the thirteen United States of America, are extremely pleased to see you. We take you by the hand, and bid you welcome to our great council-fire.

Brothers,

You say that God Almighty has been pleased to bring us together. You say well. He superintends and governs men and their actions. He now sees us. He judges of the sincerity of our hearts, and will punish those who deceive.

Brothers, Sachems and Warriors,

You have heard what our commissioners have said to you at Pittsburg,

by our directions. You have listened to their arguments; and your own reason will suggest, that the conduct they have recommended to you, must be productive of your happiness and welfare. We think that you must be fully convinced that your safety, as nations, depends on preserving peace and friendship with the white people of this island.

We are sorry to hear of the death of your great men, and are well pleased that our commissioners have wiped the tears from your eyes, and covered the graves of our departed friends.

Our hearts are good towards all the Indians in the woods, who have friendly disposition towards us.

We love peace, and wish that the chain of friendship between us and you may contract no rust. On our part, we will do every thing to keep it bright and strong.

But should we be attacked by any tribe of Indians in the woods, we hope to convince them that we can repel their attempts with ease. Friendship, however, with you, is what we earnestly desire; our commissioners have told you so, and they have not deceived you.

We now inform you, that we wish to sit down with you under the same tree of peace; to water its roots and cherish its growth, so that it may shelter us you, and our and your children.

and

Brothers,

We have prepared some presents for you, which our commissioners will deliver before your departure.

The Indians, having returned thanks for the speech delivered, informed Congress that they had something to say on Monday next, and withdrew.

Resolved, That the council of safety of Pennsylvania be desired to suspend the farther execution of the request made to them on the 2d instant, to procure one thousand wagons:

That the wagons procured, in consequence of the said request, be sent to the quarter-master general.

Resolved, That Mr. Mease be directed to return to Mr. Levy, the goods he had from him, and receive back the money advanced on that account: the said goods being sent for by the state of New-York, on whose account, and by whose order, they were purchased.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due,

To brigadier-general Thompson, for his pay for the months of October and November, 250 dollars:

To lieutenant Ross Currie, of the second battalion of Pennsylvania regular forces, for the balance of his pay from March to November, inclusive, 90 dollars: To Samuel M Kinzie, surgeon to the 2d battalion of Pennsylvania regular forces, for 4 months' pay, at 33 dollars a month, 132 dollars. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday.

MONDAY, December 9, 1776.

A letter, of the 8th, from gen. Washington; one, of the 22d November, from gen. Ward, enclosing one of the 9th of the same month, from gen. Gates; one of the 18th of the same month, from G. Morgan, at Pittsburg; and a petition and remonstrance from the captains and subalterns of col. Mackay's battalion ; a letter, of the 17th November, from lieutenant-colonel Wilson, of the said battalion; and a letter of the 22d November, from John Avery, at Boston, were read:

Also, a letter of the 25th November, from colonel M. Hazen, was read, and referred to the committee on the northern army.

Resolved, That another member be added to the said committee: