one farthing on account of the brig Olive-Branch's cargo, and God knows when I will;" that captain Bayley, after landing the flour at Occoys, made a voyage for Mons. St. Croix, to France, and back to Occoys, where the said St. Croix loaded the brig, and proceeded with her to this port, where they both are at this time, with the vessel, re-laden with provisions, &c. and ready to depart for Occoys; that captain Bayley pretends he has sold the brig to Mons. St. Croix, and has taken his single promissory note for payment; but, it is obvious, they have been jointly trading on the public's capital, and defrauding both the public and the owners of the brig; that, with the proceeds of the cargo sold here, they have re-laden the brig with provisions, &c. and have a residue of £2500 cash in their hands:

Resolved, That this matter be referred to the secret committee who are empowered to do therein what they shall judge to be just and right, and conduce to the public interest.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the state of Georgia :

The members chosen, Mr. Wolcott, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. Clark.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, January 29, 1777.

A letter of the 26th, from the committee of Congress, at Philadelphia; one, of the 22d, from general Washington, at Morristown; and one, of the 25th, from general Mifflin, at Philadelphia, were read:

Ordered, That the letter from general Washington be referred to the committee of intelligence, to publish such parts as they may think proper; and that they deliver it to the board of war, who are directed to report

thereon:

Resolved, That 80 dollars be advanced to Monsieur Celeron, to bear his expenses to general Washington.

Resolved, That the treasurer be directed to desire such of the signers of continental money, belonging to this state, as have diligently applied themselves to this business (excepting such as may be field officers of the militia) to exert themselves in supplying the treasury: and that he transmit a list of their names, and of the names of the superintendents of the press, to the council of safety of Maryland, who are requested to excuse them from military duty, while thus employed by Congress.

Resolved, That Mr. Wilson be added to the committee on the memorial of colonel Campbell, in the room of Mr. Ross, who is absent.

Resolved, That the president inform the governor and council of Virginia, that Congress have not a sufficient certainty, that it will be in their power to arm the 2d and 7th battalions ordered from that state; and, therefore, request the said governor and council, to send, with all despatch, the arms belonging to the said battalions, if it can be done consistently with the safety of their state.

Congress took into consideration the report of the committee for Indian affairs, to whom was referred a letter from the commissioners of Indian affairs in the middle department, dated the 21st of September last, at Pittsbarg: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department, from the intelligence communicated to them, of the motions and preparations of some tribes of Indians, and from the dispositions of others, well known to be hostile, had cause to apprehend that an attack upon Pittsburg, or invasions into some parts of Virginia, or Pennsylvania, would be made by those savages, and therefore, acted prudently in calling in forces for protection and defence.

VOL. II.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due to Thomas Smith, for sundry provisions, wood, &c. supplied the sick, and other continental troops at Wilmington, 1316.55 dollars:

To Monsieur Lotbinier, a Canadian chaplain, for his pay and rations from the 10th of November, 1776, to the 10th of January, 1777, 82.60 dollars, to be paid to colonel Smith:

That there should be advanced to William Sterret, on account of his expenses in going to and from the paper-mill in Pennsylvania, to attend the making of paper for the loan-office certificates, 30 dollars, he to be accountable.

Ordered, That these sums be paid.

Resolved, That John Griffiths provide the sick in the hospital at Baltimore, with shirts and blankets; and that, for this purpose, he apply to the secret

committee.

A petition from a number of the inhabitants of Westmoreland, and a letter from Thomas Cressap, were read, and referred to the committee on Indian affairs.

Resolved, That the treasurer of the United States be directed to give order for the payment of 33,333.30 dollars to the state of Connecticut, out of the continental loan-office in that state, in payment of an equal sum advanced by governor Trumbull to colonel Sheldon, at the request of general Washington, for raising and equipping a regiment of light-horse; the said state to be accountable; and that the president acquaint general Washington with this resolution.

Resolved, That 450,000 dollars be advanced to general Mifflin for the public service; and that the treasurer be directed to give an order on the loan-office, in the state of Pennsylvania, for the payment of that sum.

Resolved, That Dr. Mackenzie, who has the care of the sick in the hospital in Baltimore, be empowered to appoint a mate to assist him.

A letter from Carpenter Wharton was read, applying for an advance of a large sum of money: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the president inform Joseph Trumbull, esq. commissarygeneral, that there are various complaints against the conduct of Mr. Carpenter Wharton, his deputy; and desire him to enquire into the matter, and take such steps as he shall judge proper to prevent any loss accruing to himself or the public.

The several inatters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, January 30, 1777.

'The delegates from New-Hampshire produced credentials of their appointment, which were read as follows:

"NEW-HAMPSHIRE. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Dec. 24, 1776. "Voted, That colonel William Whipple, colonel Josiah Bartlett, and colonel Matthew Thornton, be, and they hereby are, elected and appointed delegates to represent the state of New-Hampshire in the Continental Congress, for the term of one year, from the 23d day of Jan. next; and that any one of them, in the absence of the others, have full power to represent this state; and that no more than two of them attend at one time. Sent up for concurrence: JOHN LANGDON, Speaker.

"In Council, Dec. 25, 1776. Read and concurred;

"Copy examined by

"EBEN. THOMPSON, Secretary.

EBEN. THOMPSON, Secretary."

Mr. Mann Page, a delegate from Virginia, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read as follows:

VIRGINIA, SS. IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, December 4, 1776. The house proceeded by ballot to the appointment of a delegate to represent this state in general Congress; and, the members having prepared tickets for the person to be appointed, and put the same into the ballot box, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Curle, Mr. Tazewell, and Mr. Prentis, were appointed a committee to meet a committee to be appointed by the senate, and, jointly with them, to examine the ballot boxes, and report to the house upon whom the majority fell.

Ordered, That Mr. Jefferson acquaint the senate therewith.

The committee then withdrew, and after some time, returned to the house, and reported, that they had met a committee from the senate, in the conference room, and had jointly with them examined the ballot boxes, and that the majority was in favor of Mann Page, junior, of Spottsylvania, esq.

Resolved, therefore, That the said Mann Page, esq. be appointed a delegate to represent this state in general Congress, in the room of George Wythe, esq. who is nevertheless empowered to continue to act in Congress until the said Mann Page shall take his seat therein.

A copy:

JOHN TAZEWELL, C. H. D.

IN THE SENATE, December 4, 1776.

The house proceeded, by joint ballot with the house of delegates, to the choice of a delegate to represent this state in general Congress, in the room of George Wythe, esq. and the members having prepared their tickets, and deposited the same in the ballot box, Mr. Bland, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Cabell, were appointed a committee to meet the committee from the house of delegates, in the conference chamber, and, in conjunction with them, to examine the joint ballots, and report the state thereof to the house; and, having made their report, it appears, that Mann Page, jun. esq. of Mansfield, hath the greatest number of votes on the ballot:

Resolved, thereupon, That the said Mann Page, jun. esq. of Mansfield, be appointed a delegate to represent this state in general Congress, in the room of George Wythe, esq.

A message from the house of delegates, by Mr. Jefferson, that they have come to a resolution, authorizing George Wythe, esq. to retain his seat in Congress, until Mann Page, jun. esq. shall take his seat therein, to which they desire the concurrence of the senate, and he delivered the same, and then withdrew:

And the said resolution being read,

Resolved, That the senate do concur with the house of delegates therein, and that Mr. Holt acquaint them therewith.

A copy from the journals:

JOHN PENDLETON, C. S."

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Rev. Samuel Kirkland be allowed the salary of 444 dollars for the current year, to commence from the 11th day of November last, as missionary to the Indians; and that the sum of 300 dollars be paid him as a compensation for his extra services and expenses as chaplain and interpreter:

That the salary of Mr. James Deane, Indian interpreter, be increased to 300 dollars for the current year, to commence the 23d November last :

That the pay of Thomas Spencer, blacksmith among the Indians, mentioned in gen. Schuyler's letter of the 7th inst. be referred to the commissioners of Indian affairs in the northern department, who are to make such addition thereto, as they shall think proper:

That the salary of Mr. Commissary Aylett and Jonathan Trumbull, esq.

deputy pay-master general of the northern department, be augmented to the sum of 75 dollars per month each:

That 200 dollars be paid to Josiah Throop, for his trouble and expense in bringing intelligence of a public nature, relative to the affairs of Nova-Scotia, and for other services.

Resolved, That Congress will, on Saturday next, take into consideration the most speedy and effectual means to furnish the new levies with arms. Resolved, That a standing committee, to consist of five members, be appointed to hear and determine upon appeals brought against sentences passed on libels in the courts of admiralty in the respective states, agreeable to the resolutions of Congress; and that the several appeals, when lodged with the secretary, be by him delivered to them for their final determination:

The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sergeant, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Sherman.

Resolved, That 300,000 dollars be sent to Jonathan Trumbull, esq. deputy pay-master general of the northern department:

That 800 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of B. Harrison, esq. deputy pay-master general in the southern department; who is to be accountable:

Resolved, That 166,666 60 dollars be advanced to the state of Massachusetts-bay, by the continental treasuser's order on the loan-office in that state for the said sum, the said state to be accountable.

The committee to whom the report on impressing carriages, was re-committed, brought in another report, which was taken into consideration; and, after debate,

Resolved, That the same be re-committed, and that three members be added to the committee:

The members chosen, Mr. Chase, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Wilson.
The several matters to this day referred being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, January 31, 1777.

Congress being informed that general Armstrong is come to town, with a design to lay before them some matters of consequence:

Ordered, That the board of war confer with him, and that they meet him this evening at their office.

Resolved, That Samuel Stringer Coale, and Rinaldo Johnson, be appointed signers of the bills of credit, in addition to those already appointed.

A petition from John Darrel, and Luther Martin, was read, setting forth, that the appeal against the decree on the libel Job Pierce, &c. against the brig Phoenix, has, by mistake, been heard and determined by a different committee from that appointed to hear the same, and praying that the judgment may be set aside, and a new hearing granted; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the judgment passed on this appeal be set aside for the reason above-mentioned; and that the hearing and determining the said appeal be referred to the standing committee of appeals.

A petition and remonstrance from a number of inhabitants of Somerset and Worcester counties, in the state of Maryland, was read:

Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:

The members chosen, Mr. S Adams, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. R. H. Lee. Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to consider what honors are due to the memory of the late general Warren, who fell in the battle of Bunker's-Hill, the 17th of June, 1775; and of general Mercer, who died on the 12th instant, of the wounds he received on the 3d of the same month, in fighting against the enemies of American liberty, near Princeton:

The members chosen, Mr. Rush, Mr. Heyward, Mr. Page, and Mr. S. Adams.

A memorial from Nathaniel Rumsey, late a captain in the first battalion of Maryland regulars, was read:

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

Ordered That the secret committee send no more of the scarlet cloth, in their possession, to Virginia, than will be sufficient for facing of the clothes ordered for the Virginia troops.

The delegates of Pennsylvania, having recommended Jacob Weaver for captain, Edward Cowan for first-lieutenant, William Feltman for secondlieutenant, and Andrew Bachenstore for ensign, of the company of infantry, ordered to be raised on the 18th instant:

Resolved, That commissions be granted to them accordingly.

Resolved, That 1400 dollars be advanced to captain Jacob Weaver, for the purpose of raising his company; he to be accountable.

Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the letter of the 12th from governor Trumbull, and the minutes of the committees from the four New-England states; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. F. L. Lee reported from the committee, that they have had under consideration the matters to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again: Resolved, That Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the letter from gov. Trumbull, and the proceedings of the committees from the four New-England states.

Ordered, That the secret committee deliver to colonel Gist, of Maryland, 1500 yards of linen, or as much as will be sufficient for 600 soldiers' shirts, for the use of the soldiers of his battalion.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due,

To Dr. Samuel Mackenzie, for sundry medicines purchased by him for the use of the hospital in Baltimore, 86.74 dollars:

To Dr. John Hindman, for sundry medicines supplied by him for the use of col. Richardson's battalion of Maryland forces, 20.6 dollars:

To captain Henry Dearborn, for fire-arms belonging to the privates of his company, and which were lost at the attack of Quebec, and for his extraordinary sevices, 260.60 dollars:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, February 1, 1777.

A letter, of the 28th January, from James Scott, captain of a company of volunteer-militia from Fauquier county, in Virginia, was read, wherein he informs Congress, that he has raised a volunteeer company, consisting of a captain, 2 lieutenants, an ensign, 4 serjeants, 4 corporals, a drum, a fife, and 64 privates, to serve where ordered, 3 months from the time of their march, and desires orders and one month's advance :

Resolved, That captain Scott, with his company, be taken into continental pay on the terms proposed:

That 700 dollars be advanced to captain James Scott, for the use of the said company; captain Scott to be accountable:

That the board of war direct captain Scott to march immediately with his company and join general Washington.

The committee to whom was referred the petition and remonstrance from the inhabitants of Somerset and Worcester counties, in the state of Maryland, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That the said petition and remonstrance, with the depositions accompanying the same, be forthwith transmitted to the general assembly of the state of Maryland: