'Resolved, That the Colonels of the battalions ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania, be directed to make an immediate return to Congress, of the men enlisted, the places where they now are, and the manner in which they are appointed.

'February 13. Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, in case the barracks near Philadelphia cannot contain all the troops raised in that Colony, that they cause part of them to be quartered in the Pest-House and old Gaol of this city.

Resolved, That the pay and subsistence of two of the battalions ordered to be raised in the Colony of Virginia, commence from the first day of November last; from which time they have been in actual service.

Resolved, That the Deputy Muster Master General be directed to muster the battalions raised in the three Lower Counties on Delaware, and also those raised in Pennsylvania, and make return to Congress.

'The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the inhabitants of the United Colonies, brought in a draught, which was read.

'February 14. Resolved, That two of the brass six-pounders at New York, belonging to the United Colonies, be sent to Virginia, for the use of the forces there.

'February 15. Resolved, That the Secret Committee deliver one hundred and fifty stand of arms to Colonel Maxwell, for the use of such of the companies of his battalion as may want them.

'Resolved, That two tons of the powder, belonging to the Continent, be delivered to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of the forces of that Colony.

'Resolved, That eight tons of powder be immediately sent to Canada, for the use of the forces there.

Resolved, That no further works be erected on Martler's Rock, but that those already erected there, be supported and garrisoned.

་་ That a fascine battery, to mount heavy cannon, not exceeding eighteen in number, be thrown up on the Gravel Hill, eastward of Martler's Rock, marked in the draught LL, so as to command the West Point, the reach down the river from the West Point, and part of the reach up the river; and that a convenient road be opened from this battery to the barracks on Martler's Rock.

'That a redoubt of earth and fascines be built on the eminence on the east side of the river, opposite to the West Point marked in the draught A, to mount thirty guns:

That it be recommended to the Convention or Committce of Safety of New York, to forward the battery at Pooplopen's Kill; and that the battery be made of earth and fascines, and to mount a number of guns not exceeding forty:

That such of the Continental troops as are or may be stationed at the aforesaid places, be employed in erecting these works and batteries, under the direction of the engineer.

'February 17. Resolved, That the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars be advanced to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New York, for the support of the troops employed in the defence of that Colony; the said Convention or Committee of Safety to be accountable for the expenditure thereof.

That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New York, to contract with proper persons for supplying the said troops with the rations allowed by Congress, and with fuel and bedding and other necessaries, on the most reasonable terms in their power.

'Resolved, That Major-General Lee be directed immediately to repair to Canada, and take command of the army of the United Colonies in that Province.

6

That Major-General Schuyler be directed to repair, as soon as his health will permit, to New York, and take the command of the forces, and conduct the military operations there.

'That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New York, to supply General Lee with a quantity of suitable cannon, not exceeding twelve; and one or more mortars, if to be had, with balls, shells, and other necessaries, for the siege or assault of Quebec; and that they assist him in forwarding the same with all possible expedition.

That Major-General Schuyler be directed to have provision stored in proper places near Hudson's River, between Albany and the Highlands, to supply such troops as it may be necessary to call out of the country.'

HON. JOHN ADAMS TO GENERAL CHARLES LEE.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 19, 1776. 'MY DEAR SIR,-The Congress have seen such a necessity of an able commander in Canada, as to destine you to that most arduous service. I tremble for your health, yet I hope the campaign will rather promote it than otherwise. We want you at New York; we want you at Cambridge; we want you in Virginia; but Canada seems of more importance than any of those places, and therefore you are sent there. I wish you as many laurels as Wolfe and Montgomery reaped there, with an happier fate. Health and long life after a glorious return.

'But I am ashamed to go on in such a strain when writing to you, whose time is so much better employed than in reading it, since I took up my pen only to introduce to your acquaintance a countryman of yours, and a citizen of the world, to whom a certain heretical pamphlet, called Common Sense, is imputed. His

name is PAINE.* He is travelling to New York for his curiosity, and wishes to see a gentleman whose character he so highly respects.

A luckier, a happier expedition than yours to New York, never was projected. The whole Whig world are blessing you for it, and none of them more than, Your friend and servant.' Memoirs of General Charles Lee, p. 242.

'February 20. Resolved, That two hundred and fifty twelve pounders, sixty nine pounders, and sixty-two four pounders, be purchased for the use of these Colonies.

'Resolved, That Colonel Wayne be directed to march with his battalion to New York, and put himself under the command of General Lee, or the commanding officer there.

'Congress being informed that a quantity of powder, belonging to the United Colonies, was arrived at Brunswick, in New Jersey,

'Resolved, That Mr. Lewis, Mr. Alsop, and Mr. P. Livingston, be directed to forward the said powder, under a guard, with all possible expedition, to General Washington, for the use of the army under his command.

'February 22. Resolved, That the President be directed to write to the Convention of New York, and desire them to inform Congress, what progress they have made in raising the four battalions recommended to be raised in that Colony, for the defence of the

same.

'February 23. Resolved, That it be recommended to the Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, that they immediately establish public works in each and every county in their respective Colonies, at the expense of such Colonies, for the manufacture of salt-petre, and appoint committees of their own members immediately to set up such manufactures:

That it be recommended to the Assemblies and Conventions, Councils, or Committees of Safety, of every Colony, forthwith to erect powder-mills in their respective Colonies, and appoint committees to build such mills, and procure persons well skilled in the manufacture of powder, at the expense of such Colonies.

'February 27. Resolved, That New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Lower Counties on Delaware and Maryland, be put into one Department, under the command of the Major-General, t and two Brigadier-Generals with proper Staff:

"That Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, be put into one other Department, under the command of one Major-General, and three Brigadier-Generals with proper Staff.

* Both General Lee and Mr. Paine were Englishmen.

†Then under the command of Gen. Lee.

'That Friday next be assigned for the election of major-generals, brigadier-generals, and staff officers, in the foregoing Depart

ments.

'February 28. Resolved, That General Lee be directed not to proceed to Canada, until he receive further orders from Congress.

'February 29. Resolved, That an addition of 34 dollars a month, be added to the pay of Joseph Reed, Esq., Secretary to General Washington, on account of the extraordinary services at present attending that office, by reason of the General's direction of the Naval Department.

March 1. Resolved, That General Lee be appointed to take the command of the Continental forces in the Southern Depart

ment.

'The Congress proceeded to the election of six BrigadierGenerals, and the ballots being delivered in and examined, the following gentlemen were chosen :

'John Armstrong, William Thompson, Andrew Lewis, James Moore, Robert Howe, Esqrs., the Right Honorable William, Earl of Stirling.

'Resolved, That Brigadier-General Armstrong be directed to repair to South Carolina, Brigadiers Lewis and Howe to Virginia, and Brigadier Moore to North Carolina, and to take the command of the forces in those respective Colonies, until they receive further orders from Congress, or a superior officer.

Resolved, That Brigadier-General Thompson be directed to repair to New York.*

March 4. Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed, with all possible expedition, to send under guard, ten tons of powder to Cambridge, for the use of the army under the command of General Washington.

'March 6. Resolved, That Brigadier General Thomas, be appointed to command the forces in Canada, and that General Washington be directed to order him immediately to repair to that Province.t

Resolved, That Brigadier General Thomas, be promoted to the rank of Major-General.

'Resolved, That the President inform General Schuyler, that the Congress judge it necessary he should remain at Albany, to make the proper arrangements respecting the army destined for Canada, and therefore, that he should establish his Head-Quarters at Albany, until further orders.†

'March 8. The Congress proceeded to the election of field officers of the four battalions, ordered to be raised in the Colony of New York, for the defence of the said Colony.‡

* See p. 180. † See P. 181.

See Resolve for raising them, Jan. 19, p. 202.

'Resolved, That General Schuyler be directed to provide such a number of batteaus, for the service in Canada, as shall be sufficient for it.

'March 9. Resolved, That a letter be written to General Washington, desiring him to send Captain Conner, of the rifle battalion, to Philadelphia, the Congress having occasion to employ him in the Southern Department."

'Resolved, That no oath by way of test be imposed upon, exacted, or required of any of the inhabitants of these Colonies by any military officers.

'March 11. Resolved, That the Committee on Qualifications, be directed to provide six medicine chests, for the six Virginia battalions.

'March 12. Resolved, That if any of the gentlemen appointed field officers, in the four battalions raising in New York, for the defence of that Colony, are provided for in Canada, they be directed

to continue there.

'March 13. Resolved, That the Marine Committee, be empow ered to purchase the armed vessel now in the River Delaware, on the most reasonable terms, for the service of the Continent.

'March 14. Resolved, That eight thousand men be ordered for the defence of the Colony of New York.

'Resolved, That orders issue to Colonel Irvine, Colonel Shee, and Colonel Magaw, of the Pennsylvania troops, and to Colonel Dayton of the New Jersey troops, to march immediately with their respective battalions to New York, and to put themselves under the direction of the commanding officer there.

'March 15. Ordered, That Mr. R. H. Lee and Mr. Franklin, call on General Lee, and direct him immediately to repair to the Southern Department, and take the command of the forces there.

'Resolved, That four muskets and bayonets be lent to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of the guards that accompany the powder sent to that Colony.

'Resolved, That Captain Nelson, with his rifle company be directed immediately to repair to New York.

'Resolved, That the Governor of Connecticut, the Conventions or Councils, or Committees of Safety of New York, and New Jersey, be requested to hold their militia in readiness, to march in such numbers, and at such times, for the defence of New York, as the Continental commander at New York shall desire; and, that the pay of the militias, called to the defence of New York, be the same as that of the Continental troops, raised and employed in the Middle Department, to commence from the time they begin their march.

Resolved, That Lord Stirling be directed to order the troops destined for Canada, to proceed on their march, agreeable to their orders.

* See p. 181.