men and officers, and be upon the same pay, and under the same regulations, as the Continental army.

Resolved, That for the defence of the Colony of Georgia, there be one battalion kept up there at the Continental expense, to be composed as the battalions of South Carolina.

'Resolved, That the said troops be enlisted to the 31st of December, 1776, subject however, to be discharged sooner, if the Continental Congress shall think proper.

'Resolved, That the President sign blank commissions, and that the Conventions, or, in their recess, the Councils of Safety for South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, fill them up with the names of such Officers as they may think proper, and return a list thereof to the Congress.

'Resolved, That in case of a vacancy, occasioned by the death or removal of a Colonel, or inferior Officer, the said Conventions, or in their recess, the said Councils of Safety, appoint another person to fill up such vacancy, until a commission shall issue from the Congress, and that they return to the Congress a list of the names of the persons appointed.

Resolved, That the Officers on the Continental establishment, shall, when acting in conjunction with Officers of equal rank, on the Provincial establishment, take command of the latter, and also of the militia; and the Officers of the troops on the Provincial establishment, shall, when acting in conjunction with officers of the militia, take command and precedence of the latter of equal rank, notwithstanding prior dates of commissions.

Resolved, That if the Convention, or, in their recess, the Council of Safety of South Carolina, shall think it expedient for the secu rity of that Colony, to seize or destroy, and shall seize or destroy, any ship or vessel of war, this Congress will approve of such proceeding.

'Resolved, That the town of Charleston ought to be defended against any attempts that may be made to take possession thereof, by the enemies of America, and that the Convention or Council of Safety of the Colony of South Carolina, ought to pursue such measures, as to them shall seem most efficacious for that purpose, and that they proceed immediately to erect such fortifications and batteries in or near Charleston, as will best conduce to promote its security, the expense to be paid by the said Colony.

'November 7. The Congress taking into consideration, the recommendation for field officers of the New Jersey battalions,

Resolved, That the Congress will proceed by ballot to the elec tion of the said field officers. The ballots being taken and examined, Lord Sterling,

[were] elected.

Thus, the appointment suspended [Oct. 12,] until the Congress come to a determination on that matter,' was made Nov. 7. Their 'determination' was, however, dis

closed, the mode of appointment fixed, and the precedent established, by their Resolves relating to the battalions of South Carolina and Georgia, as on the preceding page.

An examination of these, in connection with General Washington's remarks upon the before mentioned Resolve, p. 108, and a comparison, in the same connection, of these Resolves with that, may enable the reader to judge, whether the opinions of the General greatly influenced at that time, the most important proceedings of Congress. It may here be remarked generally, that the following records, through several months at least, should be perused with no little regard and attention to many of those in the previous Numbers.

'November 8. Resolved, That a commander with the rank of a colonel, be appointed to take the command of the fortifications or fortresses, on Hudson's River, in the Highlands.

'Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention of New York, to empower the said commander to call together and command two hundred men of the militia of Duchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties, and one company of artillery from the city of New York, who shall be stationed in the Highlands, until relieved by the company of artillery directed by this Congress to be raised in the city of New York, and, such other Continental troops as may hereafter be directed to take possession of the same.

'Resolved, That the minute-men or militia, while on service, be maintained and paid at the same rate as the rest of the Continental forces.

'Resolved, That a number of the militia of the counties of Duchess, Orange, and Ulster, be formed into independent companies, under the direction of the commander of the said fortresses, and in case of alarm, be directed to repair to the several stations in the Highlands, which, in order to prevent confusion, should be immediately assigned them.

'Resolved, That the Deputy Commissary-General be directed to provide sufficient provision for one thousand men, for one month, and keep that quantity in stock.

'Resolved, That the powder sent from this place to General Schuyler, be remanded, if it can be any way spared, and left in the fortresses in the Highlands.

'Resolved, That the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, be requested to furnish the Colony of New York with 500 lbs. of powder, and forward the same immediately to Dobb's Ferry; that the Convention of New York give order to receive it there, and send it as soon as possible to the fortresses in the Highlands.

'Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention of New York, if they have not already sent forward a sufficient number of cannon for the defence of the fortresses erecting in the Highlands, that they immediately send forward to those fortresses so many of the cannon at Kingsbridge, of the best quality and largest bore, as they may think necessary for that purpose.

November 9. Resolved, That the appointment of a commander of the fortresses on Hudson's River, be postponed to Wednes

day next, and that Captain John Hanson take and keep the command of said fortresses and the troops there, until the Congress shall appoint a commander.

'November 10. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the state of the Colony of Virginia, to consider whether any, and what provisions may be necessary for its defence, and to report the same to Congress.

Resolved, That the Commander of the New Jersey battalions be directed to march six companies of said battalions, as soon as they are completed, to garrison the fort on Hudson's River, in the Highlands, in the Colony of New York.

Resolved, That the President write to Governor Cooke, and request him to send to the Committee of Safety of New York, one ton of powder, for the defence of that city and Colony.

'November 16. Resolved, That two small, swift sailing vessels be provided for packets, to be under the direction of Congress.

Ordered, That Mr. Morris* be appointed to provide said vessels, and that he be directed to get one ready to sail as soon as possible, and the other in a month hence.

November 24. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, to take into consideration the state of North Carolina, and report to Congress what in their opinion is necessary to be done for its safety and security.

'November 27. Resolved, That orders issue to Lord Sterling, to collect the troops which were raised in New Jersey, (except the six companies which have been ordered to the fortresses on Hudson's River,) and to place them in barracks in the eastern division of New Jersey, as contiguous to New York as can be, there to remain till further orders from Congress.

'Resolved, That a letter be written to the Convention of New York, requesting them to use their utmost endeavors to furnish the troops raised in New Jersey for the defence of New York, with as many arms as they can spare.

'November 28. The Congress took into consideration the Report of the committee on North Carolina, whereupon,

'Resolved, That the two battalions, which the Congress directed to be raised in the Colony of North Carolina,† be increased to the Continental establishment, and kept in pay at the expense of the United Colonies, for one year from this time, or until the farther order of Congress, as well for the purpose of defending the good people of that Colony against the attacks of ministerial oppression as assisting the adjacent Colonies.

That application be made to the Councils of Safety of the Colonies of Pennsylvania and South Carolina, for so much gun-powder as can be spared, for the immediate supply of North Carolina.

*Mr. Robert Morris.

† June 26, p. 191.

'Resolved, That the delegates of the Colony of North Carolina be directed to purchase a number of drums, fifes and colors, suitable for the said battalions, and that the President be directed to draw on the Continental treasurers for a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars, for the payment thereof.

'That two ministers of the gospel be applied to, to go immediately amongst the regulators and highlanders in the Colony of North Carolina, for the purpose of informing them of the nature of the present dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies; that the gentlemen to be employed, be allowed forty dollars a month for their services; and that the delegates of the said Colony be empowered to apply to and procure persons proper for this business.

That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of North Carolina, in case the method of defending the said Colony by minute-men be inadequate to the purpose, to substitute such other mode as to them shall appear most likely to effect the security of that Colony.

'December 2. Resolved, That the colonel or commanding officer of the battalion now in the barracks at Philadelphia, be ordered to keep a regular guard over the ships and stores belonging to the United Colonies, at or on the wharves, or in the stores on the wharves of Messrs. Willing and Morris, and Mr. Cuthbert.

That the Congress approve the General's fitting out armed vessels to intercept the enemy's supplies.

'That when the army receives such supplies of powder as to be enabled to spare some to the country, that it be sold to them at a reasonable price.

'December 4. The committee on the state of Virginia, to whom was referred the letters received on Saturday last, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon,

'Resolved, That three companies of the battalion raised in the Colony of Pennsylvania, immediately march, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Irvine, into Northampton county, in Virginia, for the protection of the Association in those parts, and for the defence thereof against the designs of the enemies of America. 'December 5. Resolved, That the naval committee be instructed to engage the seamen and marines to the first of January, 1777, unless sooner discharged by Congress.

'December 8. 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.

'December 9. 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 Pennsylvania.

'December 12. 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.

'December 13. The committee appointed to devise ways and means for fitting out a naval armament, brought in their Report, which being read and debated, was agreed to, as follows:

That five ships of 32 guns, five of 28 guns, three of 24 guns, making in the whole thirteen, can be fitted for the sea probably by the last of March next.

That the cost of these ships, so fitted, will not be more than 66,666 dollars each, on an average, allowing two complete suits of sails for each ship,-equal in the whole to 866,666} dollars.

'Resolved, That a committee be appointed, with full powers to carry the said Report into execution, with all possible expedition, (except what relates to canvas and powder,) at the expense of the United Colonies.

'December 15. Resolved, That the Committee of Safety for the Colony of Pennsylvania, be requested to recommend proper persons for field officers of the four battalions to be raised in the said Colony.*

'Resolved, That the said Committee appoint proper persons for officers in the said battalions, under the rank of majors.

'Resolved, That similar orders be given to the Committee of Safety of the lower counties on Delaware, for recommending field officers, and appointing inferior officers, for the battalion to be raised in that Colony.*

'December 21. Resolved, That forty iron pots be provided for the soldiers while in the barracks near Philadelphia.

'Resolved, That the commissioned officers of each company be allowed, every week, a quarter of a cord of hickory, or other wood in proportion.

'Resolved, That a coat of uniform be provided for each soldier, and that what the coat costs more than the hunting-shirt, which was to have been given them, be deducted from their wages.

Resolved, That the battalions raised in Pennsylvania, be sup

Here appears again, the mode established for the appointment of officers. See pp. 194, 195. A recommendation by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, of officers for the first battalion, p. 109, was acknowledged in Congress, Nov. 16. They were appointed,

Nav 25.