Resolved, That one company of each of the five battalions last ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania, consist of expert riflemen.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety of Pennsyl vania, to see the foregoing resolutions carried into execution.

Resolved, That, in all elections of officers by Congress, where more than one are elected on the same day, to commands of the same rank, they shall take rank of each other according to their election, and the entry of their names in the minutes, and their commissions shall be numbered to shew their priority.

The Congress then proceeded to the election of other field officers of the four battalions ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania, and the ballots being taken and examined, the following gentlemen were chosen:

Lieutenant-colonels: Lambert Cadwallader, William Allen, jun. Francis Johnson, Joseph Penrose, esqrs.

Majors: Joseph Wood, George Nagle, Henry Bicker, Nicholas Hausicker,

esqrs.

The committee of claims report, that there is due,

To James Whitehead, for provisions for the prisoners taken on board the Rebecca and Mary, the sum of 64 dollars.

To the committee of New-Brunswick, per account rendered, the sum of 214.9 dollars, to be paid to William Livingston, esq. and by him forwarded to the said committee.

To Furman and Hunt, of Trenton, for provisions, horse hire, &c. the sum of 68.2 dollars,

To the committee of inspection and observation of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, for 187,046 flints, by them purchased, agreeable to the order of Congress, the sum of 737 dollars.

To sundry persons, per list, for signing the continental bills of credit, the sum of 1165.7 dollars, and that an order be given to the treasurers for the pay ment of the same, agreeable to the said list.

To the committee of Frederick-Town, Maryland, for expenses incurred by Connolly, Cameron and Smith, during their confinement, the sum of 74 dollars, and that the same be paid to the delegates of Maryland.

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid accordingly.

Resolved, That a commissary be appointed to provide the three companies ordered to Northampton, in Virginia, with rations while on their march, and during their stay in that country.

That the appointment of said commissary be deferred till to-morrow.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the state of New-York: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the same be postponed till to-morrow, and that the delegates of New-York be desired to request the attendance of the gentlemen sent to Congress by the convention of their colony.

Resolved, That major Preston have liberty to chuse the place of his residence, consistent with former resolutions of Congress, and that the president take his parole.

The committee appointed to consider what allowance ought to be made to officers who are prisoners, brought in their report:

Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on Saturday next.
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, January 5, 1776.

There being a vacancy in the first of the Pennsylvania battalions, by the promotion of captain Allen, the Congress proceeded to the election of a person to supply said vacancy, and the ballots being taken, Benjamin Davis, oldest lieutenant in said battalion, was elected.

Resolved, That the sum of ten thousand dollars, be struck, for the purpose of exchanging ragged and torn bills of the continental currency; that the bills, making this sum, be of the same denominations, printed under the inspection of the same persons, and signed and numbered by the same signers, as the last emission, and that they be lodged in the treasury, to be applied to the sole purpose aforesaid.

Resolved, That all committees, and others, who have had public money put into their hands, lay upon the table, an account of the expenditure of the same. The committee appointed to consider the letter of general Washington, dated the 18th of December, and the enclosed papers, brought in a report upon that part, which relates to James Lovell, who has long been, and still is, detained a close prisoner in Boston, by order of general Howe, which being taken into consideration, was agreed to, and is as follows:

That it appears to your committee, that the said Mr. Lovell hath, for years past, been an able advocate for the liberties of America and mankind; that by his letter to general Washington, which is a part of said enclosed papers, he exhibits so striking an instance of disinterested patriotism, as strongly recommends him to the particular notice of this continent.

Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. James Lovell, an inhabitant of Boston, now held a close prisoner there, by order of general Howe, has discovered, under the severest trials, the warmest attachment to public liberty, an inflexible fidelity to his country; that by his late letter to general Washington, he has given the strongest evidence of disinterested public affection, in refusing to listen to terms offered for his relief, till he could be informed by his countrymen that they were compatible with their safety and honor.

Resolved, That it is deeply to be regretted that a British general can be found degenerate enough so ignominiously and cruelly to treat a citizen, who is so eminently virtuous :

Resolved, That it be an instruction to general Washington to make an offer of governor Skene in exchange for the said Mr. Lovell and his family.

Resolved, That general Washington be desired to embrace the first opportunity which may offer, of giving some office to Mr. Lovell equal to his abilities, and which the public service may require.

Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be transmitted to the general as speedily as possible.

Resolved, That the president write to general Washington, and desire him to inform Congress, what rank the aids-de-camp of the general officer should have in the army of the United Colonies.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due to Adam Fisher, for expenses attending his conducting Connolly and Cameron from Frederick, in Maryland, to Philadelphia, and his charges back again for himself and the men, the sum of 156 dollars.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

The Congress having conferred with the gentlemen sent by the convention of New-York, resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the state of that colony, and the same was agreed to:

Whereupon, Resolved, That no farther fortifications be erected at Martler's Rock, on Hudson's river, and that a point of land at Puplopen's kill, on the said river, be without delay effectually fortified.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention, or in their recess, to the committee of safety, of New-York, to carry into execution the above resolution.

Resolved, That the delegates of New-Jersey and Connecticut be directed to take the necessary steps for carrying into execution the resolutions of Congress passed on Wednesday last, respecting the inhabitants of Queen's county.

A memorial from the inhabitants of the town of Newport was presented to Congress, and read:

Ordered, That the same be referred for consideration till to-morrow. Resolved, That Mr. Paine be added to the committee on general Schuyler's letters.

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, January 6, 1776.

Information being given to Congress, that a quantity of powder was arrived at Great-Egg Harbour; of which a part was addressed to Congress by Mr. Parsons, a part consigned to Mr. Webster, of Philadelphia, and a part to another gentleman in said city:

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to get the powder addressed to Congress, removed to Philadelphia, and to purchase, for the use of the United Colonies, the other parcels of powder.

Resolved, That one ton of the powder arrived, be delivered to the committee for fitting out armed vessels, for the use of said armed vessels.

A letter from the committee of Lancaster, dated the 3d of January, was received, and read:

Also, a letter from an officer in Lisbon, dated the 23d of October last : Resolved, That these letters, as well as the last received from Lancaster, and those formerly received from Lisbon, be referred to the committee of correspondence.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the memorial from the inhabitants of Newport, and the papers accompanying it; and, thereupon, came to the following resolution:

Resolved, That the said memorial be referred to the consideration of the general assembly of the colony of Rhode-Island.

The committee, to whom it was referred to consider how the share of prizes, allotted to the captors, ought to be divided between the officers and men, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That the commander in chief have one-twentieth part of the said allotted prize-money, taken by any ship or ships, armed vessel or vessels, under his orders and command.

That the captain of any single ship or armed vessel, have two-twentieth parts of his share, but, if more ships or armed vessels be in company when a prize is taken, then the two-twentieth parts to be divided amongst all the said captains.

That the captains of marines, lieutenants of the ships or armed vessels, and masters thereof, share together, and have three twentieth parts divided amongst them equally, of all prizes taken when they are in company.

That the lieutenants of marines, surgeons, chaplains, pursers, boatswain, gunners, carpenters, the masters' mates, and the secretary of the fleet, share together, and have two-twentieth parts and one-half of a twentieth part divided among them, equally of all prizes taken when they are in company.

That the following petty warrant and petty officers, viz. (allowing for each ship, six midshipmen; for each brig, four midshipmen, and each sloop, two midshipmen, one captain's clerk, one surgeon's mate, one steward, one sailmaker, one cooper, one armorer, two boatswain's mates, two gunner's mates, two carpenter's mates, one cook, one cockswain, two serjeants of marines for each ship, and one serjeant for each brig and sloop) have three-twentieth parts divided among them equally, and when a prize is taken by any ship or vessel on board or in company of which the commander in chief is, then the commander in chief's cook or cockswain to be added to this allotment, and have their shares with these last mentioned.

That the remaining eight-twentieth parts, and one-half of the twentieth part, be divided among the rest of the ship or ship's companies, as it may happen, share and share alike.

That no officer or man have any share but such as are actually on board their several vessels, when any prize or prizes are taken, excepting only such as may have been ordered on board any other prizes before taken, or sent away by his or their commanding officers.

The committee on general Schuyler's letters, &c. brought in a further report, which was read:

Resolved, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next.

A letter from general Schuyler, dated the 30th of December, enclosing copies of letters from general Montgomery and general Wooster, being received, was read.

Adjourned to Monday next at ten o'clock.

MONDAY, January 8, 1776.

A letter from general Schuyler, dated the 26th of December, enclosing a copy of a letter from general Montgomery, dated December 5th, and a list of the ordnance sent to Cambridge, also a letter from Baltimore, enclosing an affidavit of capt. Horn, being received, were read.

The Congress, taking into consideration the report of the committee on general Schuyler's letters, thereupon came to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That shipwrights be immediately sent from New-York and Philadelphia to general Schuyler, or the commander in chief of the forces at Ticonderoga, to be employed by him in constructing a number of batteaus, not exceeding one hundred, for transporting troops, with their baggage, from that place into Canada, whenever it may be found necessary.

That a sufficient number of suitable men be engaged for rowing said batteaus ; and that a large quantity of provisions and stores be sent this winter to fort George.

That general Schuyler be desired to have the river St. Lawrence, above and below Quebec, well explored, and to determine upon proper places, for opposing, by armed boats or otherwise, any attempts of the enemy to penetrate that country by the river; and that he give orders for constructing speedily as many such boats as he shall judge necessary.

That two shipwrights be immediately sent from Philadelphia, to be employed under the direction of the committee of inspection at Albany, in constructing scows for facilitating the passage over Hudson's river.

Resolved, That the provision heretofore made for an hospital in the northern army, when it was more numerous than it is now, is sufficient.

Resolved, That the convention of New-York be desired to send three thousand bushels of salt, besides what general Schuyler hath already ordered to be brought to Ticonderoga.

Resolved, That the governor of Connecticut, the general assemblies of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, and the convention of New-York, be written to forthwith, by the delegates of the said colonies respectively, to furnish general Schuyler with the account of money paid to any persons in the army under his command, specifying the names of those to whom the money was paid by their order.

Resolved, That the contract made by general Schuyler, to allow one-twelfth part of a dollar per day, for billeting money to every one of the men, who reinlist in the northern army, until they can march to the place where provisions may be delivered to them, be made good.

Resolved, That the officers of the northern army, be accountable for such public stores issued to them, as may be lost through carelessness by their respective corps, and that the value thereof be deducted out of the pay of those who have embezzled or wasted the same.

Resolved, That this Congress does approve of the raising a battalion of Canadians, and of the appointment of James Livingston, esq. colonel thereof.

Resolved, That nine battalions, including that of Canadians under colonel Livingston, be kept up and maintained the present year for the defence of Canada.

Resolved, That the first Pennsylvania battalion, under colonel Bull, and the second New-Jersey battalion, under colonel Maxwell, be ordered to march immediately to Albany, and there put themselves under the command of general Schuyler, and that the orders given for the march of three companies of colonel Bull's battalion to Accomack and Northampton be countermanded.

And, to make up the rest of the battalions voted for the defence of Canada, that one battalion be raised in New-Hampshire, one in Connecticut, and one in New-York; that two battalions be formed out of the troops now in Canada, and that general Montgomery be desired to recommend proper persons for officers in said battalions; and that one of the five battalions, lately ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania, be destined for Canada.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to devise ways and means for furnishing the battalions destined for Canada, with provisions, and for expediting their march.

The members chosen, Mr. Floyd, Mr. Deane, and Mr. McKean.

Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be deferred till to

morrow.

Information being given to Congress, that about fifty-seven tons of salt-petre were arrived at Philadelphia, and about fifteen tons of powder at New-York,

for sale:

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to treat for the purchase of the salt-petre, and enquire how it may be most speedily manufactured into powder, and report to Congress.

That Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Lewis, be directed to purchase, on the best terms they can, for the use of the United Colonies, the powder arrived at New-York, and forward the same, with all possible expedition, under a guard, to the camp at Cambridge.

Resolved, That the convention or committee of safety of Maryland, be requested to order three companies of the minute-men in the service of that colony, to march immediately from thence to the counties of Accomack and Northampton, in Virginia, instead of the forces that were directed to go thither from Pennsylvania, and to lay before Congress the accounts of their subsistence and pay, which shall be paid out of the continental treasury.

Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be desired to send five hundred pounds weight of powder to the colony of Virginia, for the use of the forces to be employed in the counties of Accomack and Northampton. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, January 9, 1776.

A letter from Mr. M. Tilghman, with sundry papers enclosed, also some despatches from governor Franklin, and a letter from C. Skinner, which were intercepted, were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That a letter be written to Mr. Tilghman, informing him, that the Hornet and Wasp are under orders to sail to the capes of Delaware, and that such vessels, as are ready to sail, may take the benefit of that convoy. That the committee for fitting out armed vessels, be directed to give orders to the captains of the Hornet and Wasp, to take under their convoy, such vessels as are ready to sail.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Michael Conolly, for expenses in conducting captain John Livingston and lieutenant Anstruther from Kingston to Lancaster, the sum of 250 dollars. To Richard Butler, for necessaries furnished five Indians, the sum of 49.3 dollars.