into consideration the ways and means of raising money and also the state of America. After some time spent therein the president resumed the chair and M' [Samuel] Ward reported that the committee not having come to a conclusion desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, that this Congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money, and also the state of America.

Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1775

The Congress met and agreeable to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration &c. After some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and M [Samuel] Ward reported, that not having yet come to a conclusion they desired him to move for leave to sit again. At the same time they desired him to report some resolutions which they had come into.

The resolutions being read, were adopted as follows:

Resolved, That six companies of expert rifflemen, be immediately raised in Pensylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; that each company consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and sixty-eight privates.

That each company, as soon as compleated, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army.

That the pay of the Officers and privates be as follows, viz. a captain @ 20 dollars per month; a lieutenant @@ 133 dollars; a serjeant @ 8 dollars; a corporal @ 73 dol

lars; drummer or [trumpeter] @ 73 doll.; privates @ 63 dollars; to find their own arms and cloaths.

That the form of the enlistment be in the following words:

I have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the sa Army.

Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. [George] Washington, Mr. [Philip] Schuyler, Mr. [Silas] Deane, Mr. [Thomas] Cushing, and Mr. [Joseph] Hewes be a committee to bring in a dra't of Rules and regulations for the government of the army.

A letter from the convention of New York, dated 10 June, 1775, respecting a vessel which is stopt there, on suspicion of having provisions on board for the army and navy at Boston, was read and referred to the delegates of Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, and New York.

Resolved, That the Congress will, to Morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money, and the state of America. This to be a standing order, until the business is compleated.

Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1775

The congress met according to adjournment.

The committee, to whom the letter from the convention of New York was referred, brought in their report, which being read,

Resolved, That the thanks of this congress be given to the convention of New York, for their vigilance in the case of Capt. Coffin's vessel, and that it be recommended

to them that the vessel be unloaded, and the cargo safely stored, until all just suspicions, concerning the destination of it, shall be removed.

Ordered, That this be transmitted, by the Pres, in a letter to the chairman of the convention of New York.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money and the state of America; after some time spent therein the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, that the committee had come to certain resolutions, which they desired him to report, but not having yet come to a conclusion ordered him to move for leave to sit again.

The report of the committee being read and debated, Resolved, That a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty.

That five hundred dollars, per month, be allowed for his pay and expences.

The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a general, ||by ballot, when George Washington, Esq. was unanimously elected.1

Resolved, that the Congress will to Morrow again resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to Morrow ||at eight o'clock.[[

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1775

The congress met according to adjournment.

The president from the chair informed Geo: Wash

1These resolutions were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 11 December, 1775. Washington was nominated by Thomas Johnson of Maryland, and the election was unanimous. The attitude of the Congress and the causes leading to this choice are fully described in the Diary and later correspondence of John Adams.

ington Esq that he had the order of the Congress to acq[ain]t him, that the Congress had by a unanimous. vote made choice of him to be general and com[mander] in chief to take the supreme command of the forces raised and to be raised, in defence of American Liberty, and desired his acceptance of it. Whereupon Colonel Washington, standing in his place, spoke as follows:

"MR. PRESIDENT,

"Tho' I am truly sensible of the high Honour done me, in this Appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important Trust: However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, and for support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation.

"But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every Gentleman in the room, that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the Command I am honored with.

"As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this arduous employment, at the expence of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any proffit from it. I will keep an exact Account of my expences. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire."1

Upon motion Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draught a commission and instructions for the general.

'This reply, in the writing of Edmund Pendleton, with a single line added by Washington, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, vol. I, folio 1.

The committee, to consist of the following Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee, Mr. E[dward] Rutledge, and J[ohn] Adams.

Upon motion Resolved una: That a committee of 5 be appointed to take into consideration the papers transmitted from the convention of New York relative to Indian affairs, and report what steps, in their opinion, are necessary to be taken for securing and preserving the friendship of the Indian Nations.

That the committee consist of the following persons, viz, Mr. [Philip] Schuyler, Mr. [Patrick] Henry, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. P[hilip] Livingston.

Agreeable to the order of the day the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America. And after some time spent therein the president resumed the chair and M: [Samuel] Ward reported that the committee had come to certain resolutions, which they had ordered him to report but not having come to a conclusion they desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The resolves of the committee being read, the Congress came to the following Resolutions:

1

Resolved, That two major generals be appointed for the American army.

That the pay of each of the Major generals be one hundred and sixty-six dollars per month.

That when any of these act in a separate department, he be allowed, for his pay and expence, three hundred and thirty-two dollars per month.

That there be eight2 Brigadiers general. That the pay of each be one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month.

1In the ms. the original record stood for three; this was changed to four, and finally

to two.

"The original record called for five.