Mease, respecting the sixth battalion of troops commanded by colonel Irvine, brought in their report, which was read: Whereupon, Resolved, That the certificates of magistrates, or other respectable inhabitants of the county of Cumberland, who have inspected and examined the companies of the said battalion, shall, in this instance, justify the pay-master in paying such companies, agreeable to the said certificates, the muster-master being ab sent: That the supernumerary privates that have been inlisted, and are armed and clothed, be continued and paid: That the officers in the said battalion be paid for their subsistence since the recruiting service has been over, at the rates used in other battalions : That the claim of the ensign in captain Wilson's company to pay and subsistence from the time of entering into actual service, be allowed. Resolved, That the marine committee be empowered to build two gallies, capable of carrying each two 36 or 42 pounders, to oppose the enemy's vessels in bays and harbors. Resolved, That the committee for casting cannon be directed to contract for the casting forty howitzers, with a sufficient quantity of shells. The committee appointed to take into consideration the application of James Hughes, late town-major of Montreal, and now one of the prisoners of the thirteen United Colonies, brought in their report, wherein they represent, "That it appears to them that Mrs. Hughes, the wife of the said James Hughes, on or about the 5th of February last, bargained with a certain Jabez West, for divers goods and merchandise, in her possession, at Montreal, for which the said West, as the said J. Hughes alleges, agreed to pay £905 11 98, sterling money of Great-Britain, and £151 1 9, Halifax currency, in gold and silver, to said Hughes, within eighteen days from that time; upon which payment being made, the goods were to be delivered at Albany, to the said West, by a certain John Stevenson, at Albany, to whom they were to be sent at the expense of the said West: that the said West paid to the said Hughes 240 dollars, in part; but it was, as the said Hughes alleges, agreed, that if the residue of the money was not paid within the time limited, then the 240 dollars were to be forfeited, and the goods not to be delivered; that the goods arrived at Albany, and were in the possession of Mr. Stevenson, who, on the 11th of March last, by some means or other, was induced to deliver the goods to West, though he paid no money; that the said West gave a bond to the said Stevenson, payable to the said Hughes, for £1609 18 8, continental currency, on the 9th of April, instant, without any authority from the said Hughes, as he alleges; that the said West proceeded with the goods, immediately on the receipt of them, to some of the eastern colonies, and, it is apprehended, to Connecticut. Upon the whole, the committee are of opinion, that the said Hughes may probably lose his debt from West, without the interposition of Congress, or their permission to him to go in pursuit of the said West:" Whereupon, Resolved, That governor Trumbull, of the colony of Connecticut, be desired to direct the most effectual method, according to law, to be taken, for securing the person of Jabez West, or his effects, to the value of the debt due to James Hughes, if either can be found in his government; and to see that justice be done in the premises. Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday next. MONDAY, April 15, 1776. A letter of the 4th from general Washington, enclosing a letter from gov ernor Cooke, and an account of the powder supplied the army at Cambridge, by the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, from the 10th of June last; also, a letter of the 2d from general Schuyler, with eight papers enclosed, being laid before Congress, and read, 1 Resolved, That the said letters, with the papers enclosed, be referred to Mr. Wythe, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. S. Adams. The committee to whom the petition from the committees of Walpack, &c. i was referred, brought in their report, which was agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That an order be drawn, by the chairman of the secret committee, upon Henry Wisner, esq. in favor of the petitioners, for 200lb. of powder, they paying for the same: That 1000 flints be delivered to the petitioners: That the petitioners be desired to send Garret Broadhead, esq. to the nearest Indian settlement, in order to discover whether any uneasiness subsists among the Indians in that part of the country; and, if it subsists, from what cause it arises: That a letter be written by the president of the Congress to general Schuyler, to inform him of the apprehension of the inhabitants on the western boundaries of New-Jersey from the Indians, to request him to direct proper enquiries to be made, whether there be any foundation for such apprehensions. The Congress, taking into consideration the report of the committee on the petition of John Secord, Resolved, That a certified copy of the said petition be transmitted to the governor of Connecticut; that he be requested to cause enquiry to be made into the truth of the facts therein stated; and, if found true, that it be recommended to him to cause restitution to be made to the petitioner. Resolved, That it be again recommended to the settlers at Wyoming and the Susquehanna river, as well those under Pennsylvania as those under Connecticut, to cultivate harmony, to consider themselves as jointly interested in the event of the American cause, and not, by mutual acts of violence or oppression, to injure that union that happily subsists between all the colonies, and on which their welfare so much depends. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to supply the inhabitants of Monmouth county, in New-Jersey, with 300lb. of powder, they paying for the same. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to bring in a resolution, whereby persons resident, having property in America, who assist any of the enemies of the United Colonies in the capture of vessels or goods, may be made liable to make good the damages to the sufferers: The members chosen, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Wythe. A petition from Moses Kirkland, a prisoner, was presented to Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee on prisoners. The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the ways and means of supplying the troops in Canada; Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. R. Morris be directed to purchase bills of exchange to the amount of three thousand pounds sterling, and deliver the same to Mr. Price; and that Mr. Morris be indemnified for any loss that may arise from endorsing them: That the sum of 13,333.3 dollars be advanced to Mr. Price, to be employed by him in the service of the continent, in Canada, he to be accountable. Resolved, That the officers of the rifle battalion, and independent rifle companies, be authorized and directed to recruit the said battalion and companies, and inlist the men as speedily as possible; and that their re-inlistment be for two years from the expiration of their present term, liable to be discharged sooner, if Congress shall think proper, upon receiving a month's pay advance. A petition from Thomas Leaming, jun. in behalf of the committee of inspection for the county of Cape-May, was presented to Congress and read, setting forth the defenceless state of that part of the country, and praying for a supply of powder and lead, and that two companies of the continental forces may be stationed there. Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted. TUESDAY, April 16, 1776. A letter of the 9th from commodore E. Hopkins, enclosing a list of the cannon and stores brought from Providence; and a letter of the 14th from the committee of Baltimore, enclosing copies of intercepted letters from the secretary of state to governor Eden; also, a letter of the 8th from general Thomas, were laid before Congress, and read. Ordered, That the secretary publish an extract of the letter from commodore Hopkins. The Congress, taking into consideration the letter from the committee of Baltimore, and the papers enclosed, came to the following resolutions: Whereas information has been this day laid before Congress, from which there is great reason to believe, that Robert Eden, esq. governor of Maryland, has lately carried on a correspondence with the British ministry, highly dangerous to the liberties of America; Resolved, therefore, That the council of safety of Maryland be earnestly requested, immediately to cause the person and papers of governor Eden to be seized and secured, and such of the papers as relate to the American dispute, without delay, conveyed safely to Congress; and that copies of the intercepted letters from the secretary of state, be enclosed to the said council of safety. Resolved, That the council of safety of Maryland be requested to cause the person and papers of Alexander Ross to be immediately seized and secured, and that the papers be sent safely to Congress. And to prevent the said Alexander Ross having any opportunity to escape, Resolved, That the like request be made to the committees of observation for Baltimore and Frederick counties in Maryland, in one of which counties the said Alexander Ross probably now is. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Isaac Melchior, for expenses from Montreal to Philadelphia, including a part of St. Luke La Corne's expenses to Albany, the sum of 34.7 dollars: To Leonard Melchior, for boarding M'Donald twenty days, the sum of 16 dollars: To William Chew, for riding express to North-Carolina and back, including ferriages, the sum of 90 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to J. Hughes, esq. To Samuel Purviance, jun. the sum of 133.3 dollars, money advanced by colonel Charles Beaty to captain James Grier, and that the same ought to be paid, and charged to the said James Grier: To Anthony Tricker for boarding Donald McDonald, and others of the Scots prisoners, taken by general Schuyler, near Johnstown, the sum of 150 dollars: To Peletiah Webster, for purchasing goods for the continent, including some incidental charges, the sum of 66.3 dollars: Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to supply the inhabitants of Monmouth county with 500 flints. The Congress proceeded to the election of a clerk or assistant to the auditor-general: Mr. William Webb was elected. A letter of the 15th from H. Beaumont, surgeon of the 26th regiment, was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee on prisoners. Resolved, That the sum of 1000 dollars be paid to Messrs. Price and Haywood, in consideration of their extraordinary services in Canada. Whereas much inconvenience may be derived to the public from commit tees, others than the committee of safety in each colony, on the public post roads, stopping and opening the mails, and detaining letters from the constitutional post; Resolved, That no committee but the council or committee of safety in each colony, or such persons as they shall, on extraordinary occasions, authorize, shall stop the constitutional post, open the mail, or detain any letters therefrom. Resolved, That the president write to commodore Hopkins, and direct him to send a complete list and state of the stores taken and brought from Providence, with the sizes of the cannon, &c. and, in case he should have left NewLondon, that governor Trumbull be desired to order a list of the stores left at New-London by commodore Hopkins, to be made out, and transmitted to Congress. Resolved, That the cannon and such other of the stores as are not necessary for the fleet, be landed and left at New-London, and that such of the cannon and wheels as governor Trumbull shall direct, may be employed for the defence of that harbor, during the pleasure of Congress. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, April 17, 1776. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To John Avery, jun. for riding express from commodore Hopkins and back again, the sum of 40.7 dollars. Ordered, That the same be paid. Resolved, That the marine committee be instructed to recommend to Congress, proper persons for commission officers for the frigates now building, and that the warrant officers be appointed by the said committee; and that they fit said frigates for sea with all expedition: That the marine committee recommend to Congress proper persons to be agents for prizes in the several colonies: That a bounty of eight dollars be allowed by the public to the owner of every American vessel for every able seaman that he shall import into the United Colonies, over and above the number the said vessel carried out; and that foreigners importing able seamen over and above the ship's company, and discharging them in the American ports, shall be entitled to the same bounty. Resolved, That the nomination or appointment of captains or commanders of continental vessels shall not establish rank, which is to be settled by Congress before commissions are granted. The Congress having proceeded to the election of captains for the two frigates building in Massachusetts-Bay, William Manly and Isaac Cozneau, were elected. Resolved, That the secret committee be empowered to give orders for the arming and manning abroad any of the ships or vessels employed in the importation of cargoes for the continental account; the expenses and charges of such armaments to be paid by the said committee; they receiving for the public service, on the arrival of every vessel, all the arms, ammunition, and stores. Resolved, That the secret committee be empowered to import cargoes of salt on the continental account, in such ships or vessels as they employ to carry outward cargoes, and are obliged to insure on their return. Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be requested to permit John Young, jun. and Johnson Smith, to carry to Virginia, all such arms as they have already purchased, or shall purchase in Pennsylvania, for the use of the continental army in the said colony of Virginia, before the first day of May next; not to exceed one thousand stand in the whole. Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to supply Mr. Thomas Leaming with 200 lb. of powder, for the militia of Cape May, he paying for the same. Resolved, That the commanding officer at New-York, be directed to order two companies of colonel Dayton's battalion to march to Cape-May, and there to remain till farther orders. Resolved, That the petition of Dr. Jackson be referred to the committee of claims. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, April 18, 1776. A letter of the 15th from general Washington; and, A letter of the 7th of November last, from the Rev. Samuel Langdon, accompanied with a letter from general Putnam, and colonels Glover, Bridge, Fry, and Prescot; also, A letter from James Warren, esq. pay-master-general, desiring leave to resign, were laid before Congress and read: Resolved, That the said letters be referred to a committee of three: A letter from Elizabeth Seymour, widow of the late master of the Cabot, was laid before Congress, and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the marine committee. Resolved, That the committee on Indian affairs be directed to prepare, and report a draught of instructions to George Morgan, esq. agent under the commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department. A letter of the 6th, from brigadier-general Lewis, and a letter of the same date, from major-general Lee, being received and read, were referred to Mr. Read, Mr. Clinton, and Mr. Braxton. The committee of claims reported, that there is due, To Dr. Samuel Treate, for medicine, and for attending the troops at Burlington, the sum of 273.7 dollars: To John Bull, esq. for expenses in conducting money to the camp at Cambridge, the sum of 155 dollars: To Jacob Ming, for wagonage, the sum of 107.5 dollars. To Robert Kennedy, for necessaries furnished captain Morgan's company, the sum of 544 dollars, of which sum, 189.2, being for rifles, shirts, &c. to be charged to the said company: To Thaddeus Burr, for money paid by him for horse-hire, &c. the sum of 37.2 dollars, which ought to be charged to Jacob Hiltzheimer, express-master: To sundries, on certificates produced by Thomas Johnson, esq. for provisions, &c. for general Lee's guard, the sum of 10.7 dollars and for a rifle de livered to captain Cressop's company, to be charged to the said company, the sum of 10.6 dollars: To Jane Allen, for necessaries to several companies of continental troops, the sum of 52.9 dollars, of which sum 40 dollars ought to be charged to the first Pennsylvania battalion, and deducted from the commissary's account: To Dr. Hall Jackson, for his services as surgeon, the sum of 130 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Elbridge Gerry, esq. To William Smith, for medicines, instruments, &c. for the Delaware battalion, the sum of 257.4 dollars: To Timothy Shallor, for expenses in bringing prisoners from Egg-Harbour, the sum of 37.5 dollars. Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. The marine committee having recommended gentlemen for captains of the Hornet and Wasp, Congress proceeded to an election, and the ballots being taken, and examined, William Hallock was elected captain of the Hornet; and, Alexander captain of the Wasp. |