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That all the militia take proper care to acquire military skill, and be well prepared for defence, by being each man provided with one pound of good gunpowder, and four pounds of ball fitted to his gun.

That one fourth part of the militia in every Colony be felected for minute men, of fuch perfons as are willing to enter into this neceffary fervice, formed into compa-. nies and battalions, and their officers chofen and commiffioned as aforefaid, to be ready on the shorteft notice to march to any place where their affistance may be required, for the defence of their own or a neighbouring Colony; and as these minute men may eventually be called to action before the whole body of the militia are fufficiently trained, it is recommended that a more particular and diligent attention be paid to their inftruction in military discipline.

That fuch of the minute men, as defire it, be relieved by new draughts as aforefaid from the whole body of the militia once in four months.

As there are fome people, who from religious principles cannot bear arms in any cafe, this congrefs intend no violence to their confciences, but earneftly recommend it to them to contribute liberally, in this time of univerfal calamity, to the relief of their diftreffed brethren in the feveral colonies, and to do all other services to their oppreffed country, which they can confiftently with their religious principles.

That it be recommended to the Affemblies or Conventions in the refpective colonies to provide, as foon as poffible, fufficient ftores of ammunition for their colonies; also that they devife proper means for furnishing with arms fuch effective mean as are poor and unable to furnish themselves..

That it be recommended to each colony to appoint a Committee of Safety, to fuperintend and direct all mat

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ters neceffary for the fecurity and defence of their refpective colonies, in the recefs of their Affemblies and Conventions.

That each colony, at their own expence, make fuch provifion by armed veffels or otherwife, as their refpective Affemblies, Conventions, or Committees of Safety fhall judge expedient and fuitable to their circumftances and fituations, for the protection of their harbours and navigation on their fea coafts, againft all inlawful invafions, attacks and depredations, from cutters and fhips of

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That it be recommended to the makers of arms for the ufe of the militia, that they make good fubftantial muskets, with barrels three feet and a half in length, that will carry an ounce ball, and fitted with a good bayonet and steel ram-rod; and that the making fuch arms be encouraged in thefe United Colonies.

Where in any colony a militia is already formed under regulations approved of by the Convention of fuch colony, or by fuch Affemblies as are anually elective, we refer to the difcretion of fuch Convention or Affembly, either to adopt the foregoing regulations in the whole or in part, or to continue their former, as they, on confideration of all circumftances, fhall think beft.

Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1775.

The Prefident laid before the Congress a letter from the General, with fundry papers enclosed, which were read and confidered, whereupon

Ordered, That Mr. Wilfon apply to the Committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, and requeft them to make diligent enquiry what quantities of duck, Ruf

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fia sheeting, tow cloth, Oznabrugs and Ticklenburgs can be procured in this city, and make return as soon as poffible to this Congress.

Refolved, That Jofeph Trumbull be Commiffary General of ftores and provifions for the army of the United Colonies.

Refolved, That the appointment of a Quarter Mafter General, a Commiffary of Mufters, and a Commiffary of Artillery, be left to General Washington.

That General Thomas be appointed firft Brigadier General, in the army of the United Colonies, in the room of General Pomeroy, who never acted under the commiffion fent to him, and that General Thomas's commiffion bear the fame date that General Pomeroy's did.

That it be left to General Washington, if he thinks fit, to appoint three Brigade Majors, and commiffion them accordingly.

That a Committee of three be appointed, to report the method of establishing an hospital.

The Committee chofen are, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Paine and Mr. Middleton.

That it be recommended to the colonies of NewHampshire, Maffachuffetts-Bay, Rhode-Ifland and Connecticut, to compleat the deficiencies in the regiments belong to their refpective Colonies, retained by the General in the continental army before Boston,

That it be recommended to the colony of RhodeIfland, to compleat and fend forward to the camp before Boston, as foon as poffible, the three hundred and fixty men, lately voted by their General Affembly.

That it be recommended to the colony of Connecticut, to compleat and fend forward to the camp before Boston, as foon as poffible, the fourteen hundred men lately voted by their General Affembly.

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On motion made, Refolved, That a Committee be appointed to bring in an eftimate of the expences incurred by the votes and refolves of this Congrefs.

Mr. Deane, Mr. Johnfon and Mr. Cufhing chofen.

Agreed, That the Congrefs meet at this place tomorrow, and from this place to go in a body to attend Divine Service.

Refolved, That the nomination of three of the Commiffioners for Indian affairs, in the fouthern department, be left to the Council of Safety, appointed by the colony of South-Carolina.

That Mr. John Walker, of Virginia, be appointed one of the Commiffioners for Indian affairs in the fouthern department.

Adjourned till to-morrow at half paft nine o'clock.

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1775, Half after nine, A M. An exprefs arriving with difpatches from General Schuyler, the fame were read...

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A letter was alfo received from the Convention of Georgia, and read, fetting forth, that the colony had acceded to the General Affociation, and appointed De-legates to attend this Congrefs.

Adjourned till one o'clock, P. M.

P. M. Met according to the adjournment.

The difpatches from General Schuyler being taken into confideration.

Refolved, That General Schuyler be empowered to difpofe of, and employ all the troops in the New York department, in fuch manner as he may think beft for the protection and defence of these colonies, the tribes of Indians in friendship and amity with us, and most effectually to promote the general intereft, ftill pursuing, if in power, the former orders from this Congress, and fubject to the future orders of the Commander in Chief. Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

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FRIDAY, July 21, 1775.

Met according to adjournment. The committee appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of Jamaica, having brought in a draught, the fame was read. Ordered, To lie on the table.

The Committee appointed to prepare an addrefs to the people of Ireland, brought in a draught.

Ordered, To lie on the table..

Refolved, That Mr. R. Bache, Mr. Stephen Pafchall, and Mr. M. Hillegas, be appointed to fuperintend the prefs, and to have the overfight and care of printing the bills of credit ordered to be ftruck by this Congrefs.

Refolved, That Mr. Willie Jones, of North Carolina, be the fifth Commiffioner of Indian affairs in the Southern department.

Agreeable to order, the Congress refolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into confideration the state of America, and after some time spent therein, the Prefident refumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported that they had come to certain refolutions, which he read, and then defired leavé to fit again.

The committee appointed to devife ways and means to protect the trade of thefe Co-. lonies, brought in their report, which was read.

Ordered, That the fame be taken into confideration to-morrow morning. Ꮓ

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