Ordered, That the remainder of the report, together with the papers and accounts from Raymond Demere, deputy clothier in Georgia, be referred to the committee on that part of gen. Washington's letter relative to the clothier-general's department.

The board of war, to whom was referred the memorial of colonel Lawson, brought in a report :

Ordered, That it be referred to the board of treasury.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, August 11, 1778.

A DECLARATION.

Whereas George Johnstone, esq. one of the British commissioners for restoring peace in America, on the 11th of April last, did write and send a letter to Joseph Reed, esq. a member of Congress, containing this paragraph, viz. "The man who can be intrumental in bringing us all to act once more in harmony, and to unite together the various powers which this contest has drawn forth, will deserve more from the king and the people, from patriotism, humanity, and all the tender ties that are affected by the quarrel and reconciliation, than ever was yet bestowed on human kind." And, whereas, the said George Johnstone, esq. on the 16th day of June last, wrote and sent a letter to Robert Morris, esq. another member of Congress, containing this paragraph, viz. “ I believe the men who have conducted the affairs of America incapable of being influenced by improper motives; but in all such transactions there is risk, and I think that whoever ventures should be secured, at the same time, that honor and emolument should naturally follow the fortune of those who have steered the vessel in the storm and brought her safely to port. I think Washington and the president have a right to every favor that grateful nations can bestow, if they could once more unite our interest and spare the miseries and devastations of war." Which letters were laid before Congress. And, whereas, the said Joseph Reed, esq. hath in his place in Congress declared, that "on Sunday the 21st of June last, a few days after the evacuation of the city of Philadelphia by the British troops, he received a written message from a married lady of character, having connexion with the British army, expressing a desire to see him on business, which could not be committed to writing: that, attending the lady agreeable to her appointment in the evening, after some previous conversation respecting her particular connexions, the business and characters of the British commissioners, and particularly of gov. Johnstone (meaning the said George Johnstone, esq.) were the subjects of general conversation, which being more confined, the lady enlarged upon the great talents and amiable qualities of that gentleman, and added, that in several conversations with her, he (gov. Johnstone) had expressed the most favorable sentiments of him (Mr. Reed,) and that it was particularly wished to engage his (Mr. Reed's) • interest to promote the objects of their commission, viz. a re-union between the two countries, if consistent with his principles and judgment; and that, in such case, it could not be deemed unbecoming or improper in government, (meaning the British,) to take a favorable notice of such conduct; and that, in this instance, he (Mr. Reed) might have £ 10,000 sterling, and any office in the colonies (meaning these United States) in his majesty's gift, (meaning the gift of his Britannic majesty,) to which, finding an answer was expected, he (Mr. Reed) replied, " He was not worth purchasing, but such as he was, the king of Great-Britain was not rich enough to do it." And, whereas, the said paragraphs, written and sent as aforesaid, by George Johnstone, esq. and the said declaration made by Joseph Reed, esq. call loudly upon Congress to express their sentiments upon them :

Therefore, Resolved, That the contents of the said paragraphs, and the particulars in the said declaration, in the opinion of Congress, can not but

be considered as direct attempts to corrupt and bribe the Congress of the United States of America,

Resolved, That as Congress feel, so they ought to demonstrate, the highest and most pointed indignation against such daring and atrocious attempts to corrupt their integrity,

Resolved, That it is incompatible with the honor of Congress to hold any manner of correspondence or intercourse with the said George Jonhstone, esq. especially to negotiate with him upon affairs in which the cause of liberty is interested.

A motion was made to add, "and, whereas, the conduct of the said George Johnstone, esq. in the aforesaid particulars, unavoidably effects his colleagues in commission, and unfavourably impresses the mind, so that full confidence cannot be placed in them: therefore,

Resolved, That Congress will not, in any degree, negotiate with the present British commissioners in America, for restoring peace:" On which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Chase,

J. Smith, excused from
voting, he not being

present at the debate,

So it passed in the negative.

It was then moved and agreed to add to the foregoing resolutions, as follows:

And for the propriety of such conduct we make and publish to the world this our declaration.

Done in Congress at Philadelphia, this 11th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, and in the third year of the independence of America.

A motion was made, to re-consider the resolutions passed:
On which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Morris,

So it passed in the negative.

ay

Ordered, That the declaration, as agreed to, be signed by the president and published.

A motion was made, that a copy of the declaration be signed by the pre

S.-Carolina,

Mr. Laurens,

Williams,

no

ay} div.

Drayton, по
Matthews, no
Heyward, по

no

Mr. Telfair,

no yno

sident and sent by a flag to the commissioners of the king of Great-Britain, at New-York.

On motion, Resolved, That the consideration of that motion be posponed. The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,

Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of the delegates of Massachusetts-Bay, for 500 dollars, to be paid to Mr. F. Dana, on his application for the same; the said state to be accountable:

That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of colonel Robert Lawson, late commandant of the 4th Virginia regiment, for the sum of 460 dollars, to indemnify him for the loss of a horse killed under him at the battle of Germantown, and for the loss of his bridle and saddle:

That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of Dr. Isaac Forster, deputy director-general of the military hospital in the eastern department, for 100,000 dollars, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable; and that the same be paid to John de la Mater, as requested by

the doctor.

That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of Joseph Nourse, paymaster to the board of war and ordnance, on the application of the said board, for 30,000 dollars, to enable col. Henry Hollingsworth, whom they have employed in purchasing provisions to discharge some contracts he is engaged in; which is to be charged to the board of war.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, August 12, 1778.

Congress resumed the consideration of the motion respecting the declaration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That a copy of the declaration passed yesterday be signed by Mr. President, and sent by a flag to the commissioners of the king of GreatBritain at New-York.

A letter of the 8th, from brigadier Maxwell, and one of the 7th, from Adam Ferguson, enclosing a remonstrance on the subject of the detention of the troops lately serving under lieutenant-general Burgoyne, with a requisition for their immediate release :

Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of five: the members chosen Mr. G. Morris, Mr. Chase, Mr. Drayton, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Witherspoon.

A petition from Henry baron Essich was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three, and that the committee be empowered and directed to enquire into the facts therein set forth, and to grant such relief as they may think expedient; and farther, that the said committee be directed to enquire into the state of the legion commanded by count Pulaski, and report thereon: the members chosen, Mr. Penn, Mr. Marchant, and Mr. Chase.

A letter, of the 11th, from major-gen. Mifflin, was read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Ordered, That Tuesdays and Thursdays in every week be set apart for regulating the affairs of the treasury and finances; and that no other business, excepting the reading and disposing of public letters, be taken up on those days without the unanimous consent of the house, until the business aforesaid is gone through and finished.

A motion was made that Congress meet twice a day :

Question put, passed in the negative.

A letter of the 11th, from gen. Nelson, was read:

Ordered, That the vote of thanks to gen. Nelson, and the officers and gentlemen of the corps of volunteers under his command, together with the foregoing letter, be published.

The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,

Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, esq. commissioner of the continental loan-office in the state of Pennsylvania, for 40,000 dollars, in favor of major Lee, for the use of the corps of light dragoons under his command; for which he is to be accountable:

That, on the application of the board of war and ordnance, a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of Mr. Joseph Nourse, pay-master to the said board, for 10,000 dollars, to be by him transmitted to col. David Kennedy, of Winchester, in Virginia, to complete the barracks ordered to be built in the said place; the said David Kennedy to be accountable.

A report from the board of war was read; Whereupon,

Resolved, That every officer in the army of the United States, whose duty requires his being on horseback in time of action, and whose horse shall be killed in battle, be allowed a sum not exceeding 500 dollars, as a compensation for his horse so killed; this resolution to have retrospect as far as the first day of May, 1777; and that the quarter-master general be, and is hereby, authorized to pay the value of such horses, not exceeding the said sum, to the respective sufferers, on the facts being properly authenticated.

Resolved, That the expenses incurred by col. John Green, for keeping two horses during the time his wounds rendered his removal last campaign out of New-Jersey necessary, be allowed him, and that the same be referred to the commissioners of claims for settlement.

Congress proceeded to the election of an additional number of signers of continental bills of credit, and the ballots being taken, Mr. William Rush, Mr. Robert Roberts, and Mr. Gunning Bedford, were elected.

A petition from Patrick M'Mullen was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The committee to whom was referred the memorial of colonel Knoblauch, brought in a report, wherein they represent, that, having examined his several commissions and recommendations, it appears that col. de Knoblauch is an experienced officer, and hath served in the several countries mentioned in his memorial; that the subjects contained in the said memorial being various, ought to be referred to the boards to whom they more particularly belong; Whereupon,

Resolved, That so much of the memorial as relates to contracts for frigates, be referred to the marine committee:

That so much as relates to arms, linen, cloth, &c. be referred to the board of war:

That the propriety of employing col. Knoblauch be referred to the board of war, to report thereon upon such information as they may now or hereafter receive:

That, in the interim, colonel Knoblauch be permitted to repair, as a volunteer, to the American camp, and that he be allowed the sum of 125 dollars per month.

Adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow.

THURSDAY, August 13, 1778.

Resolved, That no passes be granted to any person or persons to go into New-York, but by Congress or the commander in chief; and that major-general Arnold be directed to recal any pass or passes he may have given to any persons going to New-York from the city of Philadelphia, who have not yet gone under such passes.

The committee to whom was referred the report from the board of treasury of the 15th of April last, brought in a report, which was read.

On motion, Resolved, That Saturday in every week, be added to the days already set apart for regulating the business of the treasury and finance.

Ordered, That the report lie on the table for the perusal of the members, to be taken into consideration on Tuesday next.

Resolved, That Saturday next, be appointed to take into consideration the state of foreign affairs, and that Mr. S. Deane be requested to attend Congress on that day, to give them information respecting the general state of those affairs and a particular state of their funds and commercial connexions in Europe, and especially with Mons. de Beaumarchais.

Ordered, That the committee on foreign affairs lay before Congress, on Friday, all letters and other public papers which they may have received from the commissioners, agents, or other persons, who have transacted business for the United States in Europe, from the original appointment of the committee of secret correspondence, to this day.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, August 14, 1778.

A letter, of the 9th, from gen. Washington, was read, enclosing one of the 6th, from major-general Sullivan.

A letter, of August 1st, from Mr. Huntington, one of the delegates from Connecticut, at Norwich, directed to the delegates of that state in Congress, was laid before Congress, and read, setting forth sundry evils and abuses in the hospitals in the eastern district: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the resolution of Congress of the 9th of June last, authorizing the deputy director-general of the hospital in the eastern department, in the absence of the director-general, to superintend the medical affairs of that department, be, and it is hereby repealed; and that the said hospital for the future be under the same regulations as the hospitals in the other departments.

Resolved, That the director-general be directed to enquire into the state of the hospital in the eastern department, and give proper orders for the good government and economy thereof, and discharge unqualified and supernumerary officers, if any there be.

Whereas, it is of great consequence to the general weal that the enemy at New-York should not be supplied with provisions, which may relieve the distress at present prevailing in their army and fleet; and for the more effectual execution of the embargo,

Resolved, That the vice-president and supreme executive council of the state of Pennsyivania, be requested to station one of their gallies, under command of a vigilant officer, near the mouth of the Cape-May channel, with orders to search all vessels that may be outward bound, either through Cape-May channel or the Delaware; and if any shall be found exporting provisions contrary to the embargo, that they be brought before the government, to answer for such, their misconduct.

Resolved, That the governor of New-Jersey be requested to take the most effectual measures to enforce due observance of the embargo, as Congress consider it of the first importance to continue the distress prevailing in the enemy's fleet and army at New-York for provisions; and because there is reason to apprehend that the coast trade with provisions may be productive of supply to the enemy, either through the vigilance of the cruisers, or by ill designing avaricious men.

A petition of John Hart, in behalf of himself and others, respecting the capture of the sloop Peggy, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on appeals.

A memorial from Thomas Towson, in behalf of himself and others, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three: the members chosen, Mr. Chase, Mr. Marchant, and Mr. Penn.