controversy, in which Britons fight against Britons, and the descendants of Britons, let the calamities immediately incident to a civil war suffice. We hope additions will not from wantonness be made to them on one side: we shall regret the necessity, if laid under the necessity, of making them on the other.

Ordered, That the above be published.

A memorial from colonel Bull, was presented to Congress and read.
Resolved, That the same be taken into consideration on Friday next.

Resolved, That lieutenant Feltham, have leave to join the officers of the 26th regiment, and reside with them in the places destined for their reception.

Resolved, That major Preston, and the officer with him, remain in Philadelphia until farther orders from Congress.

Ordered, That the president inform major Preston of this resolution.

A letter from general Washington, dated 28th November, being received, was read.

Resolved, That the same be taken into consideration to-morrow morning.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, December 7, 1775.

The Congress, being informed that the women and children taken at St. John's, with the baggage, were arrived,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety of the colony of Pennsylvania, to have them removed in the cheapest manner, at the expense of the United Colonies, to the places assigned them.

Resolved, That lieutenant George Cuppaidge, of the 26th regiment, be permitted to go to New-York for a week upon his parole, that he will neither speak nor write to any person upon any political subject, or give any intelligence. whatsoever upon such topics, and will return to Philadelphia at the end of the week.

A letter from lord Sterling dated the 6th, was received and read.

The Congress, taking into consideration the general's letter of the 28th ult. came to the following resolutions:

Whereas doubts may arise respecting the true intent and construction of a certain resolution of Congress, passed the 4th day of November last, empowering the general, in case the necessity of the service should require it, to call forth the minute-men and militia of the New-England colonies,

Resolved, That the said resolution shall not extend or be construed to authorize the general to call forth the said minute-men or militia, without having applied to and obtained the consent of those officers, in whom the executive. powers of government in those colonies may be vested.

Resolved, That the president write letters to the council of MassachusettsBay, the convention of New-Hampshire, and the governors of Rhode-Island and Connecticut, acquainting them with the present state of the army, and enclosing copies of the resolutions of this Congress, relative to the general's being empowered to call forth the militia of those governments, on any emergency, and requesting those colonies to exert themselves in defence of our common liberties, by affording the general all the aid in their power, and comply with his request for the assistance of the militia whenever he may find it necessary to apply for it.

A letter from general Schuyler of the 22d of November, together with a
copy of a letter from general Montgomery of the 17th, and one from colonel
Arnold of the 14th of the same month, being received, were read.
The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

RHODES

HOUSE

OXFORD

LIBRARY

FRIDAY, December 8, 1775.

The committee, to whom the petition of captain Jenkins was referred, brought in their report, which was read.

The committee to whom the letter from the committee of inspection of the county of Frederick, in Maryland, relative to Allen Cameron, John Smith, and John Connolly, with the papers enclosed, was referred, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That the said Allen Cameron, John Smith, and John Connolly, be confined in prison at Philadelphia, at the continental expense, until the further order of Congress.

Ordered, That the president transmit a copy of the above resolution to the committee of Frederick, and desire them, in pursuance thereof, to send the prisoners under guard to Philadelphia.

Resolved, That the petition of Jonathan Hudson, be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Penn, and Mr. R. Morris.

The Congress, taking into consideration the letters from lord Sterling, came to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Lowry be appointed to supply the battalions raised in New-Jersey, with the rations and other necessaries allowed them, 31-360 of a dollar per ration.

Resolved, That Mr. Crane be directed to give Mr. Lowry proper orders for securing, for the use of the battalions raised in New-Jersey, the blankets in the barracks of that colony.

Resolved, That the companies of the two battalions raised in New-Jersey, not already ordered to the fort on Hudson's river, in the highlands, in the colony of New-York, be, and they are hereby ordered to march, as soon as they can be furnished with barrack-necessaries and arms, to the city of New-York, and there remain till further orders; and that four of the companies ordered to the fort in the highlands, be likewise stationed in the city of New-York, till barracks can be fitted up for them in that fort.

Resolved, That a surgeon be allowed to each battalion, in the service of the United Colonies; and that his pay be 25 dollars per calendar month.

Whereupon, William Barnet, jun. was elected surgeon to lord Sterling's, or the first battalion raised in New-Jersey.

Resolved, That a standing committee, composed of a member from each colony, be appointed to receive the applications, and examine into the qualifications of the several persons, who apply for offices in the American army, and report to Congress.

The members are, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Ward, Mr. Dyer, Mr. Jay, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Allen, Mr. Rodney, Mr. F. L. Lee, Mr. Penn, and Mr. Lynch.

Resolved, That the part of lord Sterling's letter, which respects the arresting and imprisoning soldiers for small sums, be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen, Mr. Jay, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. W. Livingston.

Resolved, That Mr. Bedford, the deputy muster-master general, who is now in town, be directed to muster the battalion raised in Pennsylvania, and make return to Congress as soon as possible.

The committee on establishing expresses, brought in their report, which was read.

Ordered, That the letter from general Schuyler, with the enclosed letters from general Montgomery and colonel Arnold, be published.

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

SATURDAY, December 9, 1775.

Resolved, That the committee appointed to fit out armed vessels, be empowered to employ the following officers, and that their pay be as follows, viz

Quarter-gunner,8 do.

Midshipman, 12 dollars per calendar month, | Quarter-master, 9 dollars per calendar month.
Armourer, 15 do.
Sail-maker, 12 do.
Yeoman,

9 do.

do.
do.

do.

Cook,
12 do.
Coxswain, 9 do.

do.

do.

do.

Pilot according to the usual rates; when absolutely necessary, the commander to give such farther gratuity as may be necessary for the good of the

service.

Resolved, That an order issue for raising four battalions more in the colony of Pennsylvania, on the same terms as the one already raised.

Resolved, That a like order issue for raising one battalion in the lower counties on Delaware, on the same terms as those ordered to be raised in Pennsyl

vania.

The Congress took into consideration the letters from general Schuyler, from the 11th of November inclusive, and thereupon came to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the orders given to general Montgomery, to purchase clothing at Montreal, for the troops under his command, be and are approved.

Resolved, That the officers, who are prisoners, be allowed to sell their bills for their subsistence.

Resolved, That major Preston, captain Kinnear, captain Goodwin, and major Stopford, pay to the continental treasurers, the sums advanced them by general Schuyler, and that general Schuyler be informed of this resolution, and desired to send their obligations to the treasurers.

Resolved, That general Montgomery be appointed a major-general in the army of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the sum of 166 dollars per month, be allowed to the commander for the time being, in the province of Canada, and residing there, for the expense of his table, over and above the pay, to which he may be entitled by his commission.

Resolved, That the several other matters in general Schuyler's letters, and the enclosed papers, except what relates to Mr. Phelps, be referred to a com mittee of three, who are to take the same into consideration, and report thereon to Congress.

The members chosen, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. M'Kean, and Mr. Wythe.

Resolved, That the sum of 3000 dollars be advanced to Carpenter Wharton, who has contracted to supply the battalion raised in Pennsylvania, at 7.90 of a dollar per ration, the same to be paid him on his signing the contract, and giving security for the performance thereof.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due to William Chew, for riding express to the salt-petre rock in Virginia, and bringing samples of the mineral, the sum of 84.3 dollars.

Ordered, That the above be paid.

Colonel Dyer produced an account, amounting to 1956 dollars, for medicines bought and forwarded to the camp at Cambridge.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in his favor for that sum. The commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department, laid before Congress the minutes of their proceedings.

Ordered, That the same be referred to Wednesday next.

Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for taking into consideration the instructions to the delegates of Rhode-Island.

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

MONDAY, December 11, 1775.

A letter from general Washington, dated 30th of November, being received, was read, together with an invoice of stores on board the Nancy transport, taken by the schooner Lee, captain Manly, also a letter from the convention of New-York, dated 7th instant.

The committee to whom that part of lord Sterling's letter, respecting the arresting and imprisoning soldiers for small sums, was referred, brought in their report.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress took into consideration the instructions given to the delegates of Rhode-Island, and after debate thereon, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to devise ways and means for furnishing these colonies with a naval armament, and report with all convenient speed.

Resolved, That the committee consist of a member from each colony, viz. Mr. Bartlett, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Deane, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Crane, Mr. Morris, Mr. Read, Mr. Paca, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Hewes, and Mr. Gadsden.

The Congress then took into consideration the report of the committee on the petition of Thomas Jenkins, of the island of Nantucket, for license to sell his cargo of oil in this city, and to purchase a cargo of provisions and fuel for the necessary use of the inhabitants of said island, and the same was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That the vigilance and zeal of the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, in preventing the said Jenkins's cargo from being sold, contrary to the resolutions of Congress, is highly approved.

Resolved, That it appears to this Congress, that the inhabitants of said island are at present in great distress for want of the necessaries of life.

Resolved, That humanity requires that some speedy measures be taken by the Congress, to enable the said inhabitants to supply themselves with necessary fuel and provisions.

Resolved, That the select-men of the town of Sherbourne, in Nantucket, prepare an estimate of the quantity of fuel, and provisions necessary for the use of said inhabitants, and lay it before three or more justices of the peace, for the county of Barnstable, in the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, attested by the oath or affirmation of the said select-men; and that the said justices be empowered to grant licenses under their hands to any master or owner of vessels in the said island, to import fuel and provisions from the colonies of Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, lower counties on Delaware, or Maryland, not exceeding the quantities specified in said estimate.

Resolved, Whereas it appears that the said inhabitants are in immediate danger of suffering for the want of the necessaries of life, that the said captain Jenkins be permitted, under the inspection of the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, to unload and sell his present cargo, and to purchase a cargo of fuel and provisions, provided he shall first make oath or affirmation before a magistrate, and give bond, that the same is, bona fide, intended for the internal consumption of the said inhabitants, and that he will use his utmost endeavors, that it shall not fall into the hands of the enemies of the United Colonies.

The committee to whom the petition of Jonathan Hudson was referred, reported their opinion in certain resolutions, which being read, were agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That so much of the said petition as prays for permission to export his cargo to any place other than the islands of Great-Britain, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Šark, Aldernay, or Man, or the West-India islands, is reasonable.

Resolved, That so much of the said petition as prays for farther permission is unreasonable.

Resolved, That the said petitioner give bond, with sufficient security, to the chairman of the committee of the town of Baltimore, under a penalty of double the value of said cargo, to export the said cargo to some place other than the islands of Great-Britain, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Aldernay, Man, and the islands of the West-Indies; and within six months after the said exportation, to produce to the said chairman a certificate of the port, to which the said cargo shall have been shipped, authenticated under the hands of two merchants of known character and reputation, residing in the same port; and that on executing such bond, the said chairman sign a permit to the said petitioner, allowing him to export the said cargo.

The Congress resuming the subject of emitting bills of credit,

Resolved, That the following gentlemen be appointed to sign and number the bills ordered to be emitted, viz. Samuel Morris, Frederick Kuhl, Stephen Collins, Nicholas Garrison, Matthew Clarkson, Samuel C. Morris, Thomas Barclay, Anthony Morris, jun. James Wharton, Benjamin Fuller, Joel Evans, Andrew Bunner, John Mease, Thomas Coombe, John Bayard, Robert Tuckniss, Isaac Hazlehurst, Thomas Morris, Samuel Caldwell, John Purviance, Mordecai Lewis, George Campbell, Joseph Parker, Daniel Clymer, Joseph Watkins, jun. John Shee, Phineas Bond, James Read, Robert Roberts, John Ord, Isaac Howell, William Webb, Jonathan B. Smith, Cornelius Barnes, Thomas Smith, and William Crispin.

Resolved, That each bill be signed, and numbered by two of the foregoing gentlemen.

A petition from Mr. Phelps, was presented and read.

Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration to-morrow.

The committee appointed to examine the qualifications of persons applying for offices, &c. reported Dr. Boyd as proper for the office of surgeon to the battalion raised in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Patterson adjutant: Whereupon, Dr. Boyd was unanimously elected.

A petition from David Beveridge, being laid before Congress and read,
Resolved, That the same be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen, Mr. Jay, Mr Read, and Mr. Jefferson.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers for the sum of 3000 dollars, in favour of the committee of correspondence.

Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned to take into consideration the report of the committee of conference respecting Boston.

A letter from the commissioners for Indian affairs in the southern department, enclosing sundry papers, was received and read.

The committee on the credit of paper currency, brought in their report.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, December 12, 1775.

Resolved, That the intercepted letters of Brooke Watson, and the invoice of the cargo on board the brig Nancy transport, taken by the schooner Lee, captain Manly, be published.

Sundry letters relative to a cargo of molasses, taken out of the brig Nancy; also a letter from the committee of Trenton, enclosing a parole signed by the officers there, were laid before Congress and read.

The committee appointed to prepare letters of thanks to the three general officers in the northern army, reported draughts, which being read and approved,

Ordered, That they be signed by the president and transmitted.