Resolved, That 365 dollars be paid to George Ross, esq. and charged to colonel Moses Hazen; the same being in full of an order in his favor, drawn by lieutenant-colonel Edward Antil, for the recruiting service of colonel Hazen's regiment, dated January 6, 1777.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration, Whereupon,

Resolved, That general Washington be directed to propose to general Howe, that a commissary be appointed on behalf of the United States, to furnish the American prisoners of war, captivated by the British army, with such necessaries as they may want; and if such commissary be allowed to reside among the prisoners, that general Washington appoint a suitable person for the purpose, until an exchange can be effected:"

That the continental agents, in the middle and eastern departments, be directed to furnish the commissary of clothing with an account of what clothes or materials for making clothes they have in their custody, and that they send forward such clothing, to the order of the said commissary of clothing, to be distributed, agreeable to the directions of general Washington, among the troops in the several departments, in such proportions as he shall think proper: and that the general be requested, particularly, to attend to the wants of the state of New-York, which, from its peculiar situation, is precluded from the means of procuring clothing and necessaries for the troops raised there:

That a copy of the letter from the convention of New-York, dated at Fish-Kill, 28th of December last, be sent to general Washington; and that he be empowered to take such order in the several matters therein contained, as he shall think best; and that a letter be written to the said convention, informing them of what Congress has done in compliance with their several requests:

That so much of the letter from the convention of New-York, as relates to the defence of Hudson's river, by means of the frigates or otherwise, be referred to the marine committee:

That the convention of New-York be informed that Congress highly approve of their spirited exertions for the defence of their own, and the state of New-Jersey, against the desolation and ravages of our cruel and remorseless enemy; and that Congress have received the address of the said convention to the people of that state, containing sentiments highly and genenerally interesting to the inhabitants of these states, to whose serious perusal and attention it is earnestly recommended; and that the same be translated into the German language, and printed at the expense of the continent: That Mr. Lewis be directed to have the said address translated and printed. Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to enquire into the conduct of the British and Hessian generals and officers towards the officers, soldiers and mariners in the service of the United States, and any other persons, inhabitants of these states, in their possession, as prisoners of war, or otherwise, and also into the conduct of the said generals and officers, and the troops under their command, towards the subjects of these states and their property, more especially of the states of New-York and New-Jersey. The members chosen, Mr. Chase, Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. Clark, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Ross, Mr. Heyward, and Mr. Smith.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due to Abraham Simons, for the hire of Ludwick Neal's wagon, in the service of the Virginia lighthorse, the sum of £15, Virginia money, equal to 50 dollars:

To John Blackburn, for the hire of Thomas Allen's wagon, in the service of the Virginia light-horse, the sum of 47 82 dollars:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Resolved, That the appointment of a pay-master in Baltimore be postponed till Saturday next.

Ordered, That the oath of fidelity be published.

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

FRIDAY, January 17, 1777.

A letter, of the 10th, from brigadier Lewis; and one, of the 12th, from William Aylett, deputy commissary general, in Virginia, were read:

Ordered, That the letter from deputy commissary Aylett be referred to the board of war.

Ordered, That Mr. President return an answer to brigadier Lewis, and inform him that Congress desire him to continue in Virginia, and that he has liberty to visit his family, provided the public service will admit.

A letter, with a number of papers, from Dr. Morgan, was laid before Congress, and referred to the medical committee.

Resolved, That 300,000 dollars be sent to the pay-master general for the use of the army:

That 40 dollars be paid to Guillaume de Luce, to defray the expenses of his journey to the army under general Washington.

Resolved, That two members be added to the committee of intelligence; and that the said committee be directed to publish an authenticated extract of the last letter from general Washington:

The members chosen, Mr. Heyward, and Mr. Sergeant.

Congress being informed that six companies of Maryland militia, under the command of colonel Murdock, consisting in the whole of 101 privates, without arms, and 53 commissioned and non-commissioned officers, are in this town waiting the orders of Congress,

Resolved, That Congress approve of the alacrity and spirit of the said militia; but, considering that such a great disproportion of officers and men is utterly inconsistent with military order and arrangement, and that encouraging such an example, might involve these United States in great expense, and not having a sufficient number of arms at present to equip them, and the troops to be raised on the new establishment, order, that the said companies be discharged and paid, and that 1000 dollars be lodged with Mr. Jonathan Hudson, for the purpose of paying these troops, and the two companies of the said battalion which are expected in town.

Sundry resolutions, respecting the laying up of magazines of provisions, being moved and seconded,

Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three :

The members chosen, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Gerry.

Ordered, That the secret committee lay before Congress, a list of the articles which they have ordered in consequence of the directions of Congress, distinguishing how much is arrived and what is expected.

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

SATURDAY, January 18, 1777.

General Gates, to whom the sentence of the court martial, held at CrownPoint in July last, upon the conduct of colonel Campbell, was referred, having reported, that he has considered the same, and is of opinion, that colonel Donald Campbell, deputy quarter-master general in the northern department, does not deserve to be cashiered for the crime alleged against him in the general court-martial referred to.

Ordered, That a copy of the above be sent to general Washington:

That the memorial formerly received from colonel Campbell, with the papers enclosed, be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. Ross, Mr. Whipple, and Mr. Adams.

Resolved, That 6000 dollars be advanced to colonel Mackay, for the purpose of paying the non-commissioned officers and privates of his battalion 10 dollars bounty, in addition to the 10 dollars advanced them on their first inlistment, provided they will re-inlist to serve for three years, or during the war, agreeably to former resolutions of Congress; colonel Mackay to be accountable.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be sent to governor Trumbull, for the purpose of recruiting the continental army, in the state of Connecticut:

That William Aylett, esq. deputy commissary-general in Virginia, be directed to secure, and safely keep, for the continental use, all provisions, agreed to be furnished by the contractors in that state, agreeably to their several contracts: and that it be left to the governor and council of that state, to settle what compensation shall be given to the contractors, by the ration, for their trouble and expense in purchasing the said provisions.

Resolved, That Congress approve of the proceedings of their committee at Philadelphia, in supplying the recruiting officers, appointed by the state of New-Jersey, with money; and also of their exertions in furnishing the paymaster general, and Mr. Huntington, with what cash they could procure, to answer their immediate demands:

That one independent company, consisting of a captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four serjeants, four corporals, one drum, one fife, and seventy-six rank and file, be forthwith raised for the continental service, for three years or during the war, and stationed in the borough of Lancaster as a guard over the prisoners of war, and public stores in that place, until they shall be ordered elsewhere:

That the officer commanding the said company afford to the committee of Lancaster, all necessary assistance to carry into execution the resolves of Congress:

That particular attention be paid to the inlisting of sober and discreet men into the said company:

That the committee of Congress in Philadelphia, be desired to inform the quarter-master general, what number of horses and oxen, in the public stables at Philadelphia, are fit for service:

That they employ a careful person to distribute in the country such of them as are disabled; there to be recruited in the cheapest manner:

That the keepers of the continental stables admit no horses or teams to be received into, or taken out of the same, unless by order of a general officer commanding in the place where the stables are respectively kept; or of the quarter-master or deputy quarter-master general, or wagon-master, or deputy. wagon-master general.

The board of war, to whom the case of major Painter was referred, reported, that, upon enquiry into the matter of the uneasiness of some of the captains in colonel Seth Warner's regiment, at the appointment of Elisha Painter to be major of the said regiment, it appears to have proceeded from an opinion of their prior rank to him as captains, previous to said appointment, and that his continuance in the said regiment will probably obstruct the filling up the same, and be prejudicial to the service; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the said Elisha Painter be removed from any command in the said regiment, and referred to general Washington for an appointment to such an office, as he shall judge him qualified to fill.

Ordered, That an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independency, with the names of the members of Congress subscribing the same, be sent to each of the United States, and that they be desired to have the same put pon record.

VOL. II.

3

Agreeably to order, Congress proceeded to the election of a pay-master in Baltimore; and, the ballots being taken,

Mr. Jonathan Hudson was elected.

Resolved, That the salary fixed for the assistant clerk of the board of war, be continued to Mr. Nourse, and that an additional sum be allowed him at the rate of 266.60 dollars per ann. on account of his extraordinary expenses. The committee of treasury reported, that there is due,

To George Ross, esq. for the expenses of himself, Dr. Witherspoon, and Mr. Paca, a committee of Congress, sent to New Jersey; and for cash paid by him to Mr. Jacob Hyer, for keeping an express horse at Princeton, 89.60 dollars:

To Robert Moore, for 13 walnut and 6 mahogany chairs, a desk and table, for the use of Congress, and the president's office, 95 dollars:

To the reverend Dr. John Witherspoon, for wood supplied the troops at Princeton; for the expenses of sick soldiers; and the allowance due to John McKenzie, a prisoner from North-Carolina, from the 18th of October to the 10th of January, inclusive, being 12 weeks, 105.78 dollars :

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Ordered, That the resolution appointing a committee of seven to enquire into the conduct of the British and Hessian officers, with regard to the treatment by them shewn to the prisoners in their possession, be published, with the names of the committee.

Resolved, That a store-keeper be appointed to take the charge and care of the continental stores in Maryland:

That Monday next be assigned for electing him.

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

MONDAY, January 20, 1777.

A letter, of the 12th, from general Washington; one, of the 16th, from the committee of Congress at Philadelphia, with copies of sundry letters enclosed; one, of the 27th December last, from the honorable Mesheck Weare, president, in behalf of the council and assembly of New-Hampshire; one, of the 7th, from general Schuyler, at Albany; and one, of the 2d, from col. A. Wayne, at Ticonderoga, were read:

Ordered, That the letters from general Schuyler and colonel Wayne be referred to the board of war:

That the letter from the honorable Mesheck Weare, be referred to the committee of the treasury.

A letter, of the 15th, from brigadier general Armstrong, and J. Wilson, esq. was read, and referred to the board of war.

Nathaniel Gist, esq. being appointed by general Washington a colonel of a corps of rangers, and by him recommended to Congress for money to pay the bounty,

Resolved, That 3000 dollars be advanced to colonel Gist, towards paying the bounty of his corps; he to be accountable:

That a farther sum of 250 dollars be advanced to colonel N. Gist, to defray the expenses of his journey to the Cherokee country, agreeable to orders received from the general; for which colonel Gist is to be accountable.

The board of treasury, to whom the letter from the honorable Mesheck Weare was referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to the state of New-Hampshire, for the public service; the said state to be accountable.

A motion being made, and seconded, for ordering barracks to be built, Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war.

Ordered, That the board of war take into consideration the pay of the staff, and report thereon to Congress.

Ordered, That an extract of the letter from the committee of Congress, at Philadelphia, respecting an expedition to the northward, be sent and referred to general Schuyler.

A letter, of the 14th, from the committee of Congress at Philadelphia; one, of the 9th, from general Washington, at Morristown; one, of the 3d, from general Schuyler, with a memorial from Bernard Moissac D. la Marquisse, were read:

Resolved, That 400 dollars be advanced to John Griffith, for the use of the sick in the hospital in Baltimore; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to examine the file of reports, and lay before Congress, a list of the business unfinished, and which ought to be taken up:

The members chosen, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Ross, and Mr. Hall.

That 750 dollars be advanced to the delegates of North-Carolina, for the use of that state, which is to be accountable.

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

TUESDAY, January 21, 1777.

A letter, of the 18th instant, from Richard Bache, esq. post-master general, was received and read.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That colonel Grayson, and lieutenant-colonel Innes, of colonel Mason's regiment, to be raised in the state of Virginia, be immediately furnished with cloth for 200 suits of clothes, in order to expedite the raising of those regiments:

That the part of the 8th Virginia regiment, now in South-Carolina, be ordered back, and that colonel Muhlenburgh be directed to recruit those companies, as well as such as are now in Virginia, to their full complement of inen, and to march the companies, as fast as complete, to join general Washington:

That major Richard Campbell, who was appointed by general Lee, in South-Carolina, to act as major to colonel Muhlenburgh's regiment, until the pleasure of Congress should be known, be appointed to said majority, his commission to bear date the 10th of August last, the time he was appointed in general orders:

That 300 dollars be advanced to major Richard Campbell, to enable him to discharge wagons, and furnish the troops he has now with him on their way to camp, with shoes, and such other necessaries as they may want; the said major Campbell to be accountable for the expenditure:

Resolved, That 10,000 dollars be paid to colonel William Grayson, for the purpose of recruiting his regiment, and that the same be charged to the account of William Palfrey, esq. it being in full of a warrant drawn by general Washington, in his favor, on William Palfrey, dated, Morristown, 11th January, 1777.

Application having been made to Congress by the friends of major West, of the 3d Pennsylvania battalion, now a prisoner with the enemy, for an exchange of him for Mr. Jauncey, jun. and that if the exchange takes place, Mrs. Jauncey be permitted to accompany her husband; and it appearing on. consideration of this application, that the said Mr. Jauncey, jun. was removed to the state of Connecticut, from New-York, by direction of the convention of the said state of New-York;

Resolved, That the said application be referred to the convention of NewYork, that they may do therein what shall be proper.