JANUARY 2, 1777.

The committee of secret correspondence brought in the form of a commission to B. Franklin, esquire, commissioner to the court of Spain, which was read; and after debate,

Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen were Mr. Chase, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. S. Adams.

The committee to whom Dr. Franklin's commission was referred brought in a draft, which was read and agreed to as follows:

The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia-To all who shall see these presents, send greeting.

Whereas a friendly and commercial connexion between the subjects of his catholick majesty the king of Spain and the people of these states will be beneficial to both nations:-Know ye, therefore, that we, confiding in the prudence and integrity of Benjamin Franklin, one of the delegates in Congress from the state of Pennsylvania, and a commissioner from these United States to the court of France, have appointed and deputed, and by these presents do appoint and depute, him the said B. Franklin, our commissioner;

giving and granting to him, the said Benjamin Franklin, full power to communicate, treat, and conclude with his catholick majesty the king of Spain, or with such person or persons as shall by him be for that purpose authorized, of and upon a true and sincere friendship, and a firm, inviolable and universal peace, for the defence, protection, and safety of the navigation and mutual commerce of the subjects of his catholick majesty and the people of the United States; and also to enter into, and agree upon, a treaty with his catholick majesty, or such person or persons as shall be by him authorized for such purpose, for assistance in carrying on the present war between Great Britain and these United States; and to do all other things which may conduce to those desirable ends; and promising in good faith to ratify whatsoever our said commissioner shall transact in the premises: Provided always, that the said Benjamin Franklin shall continue to be possessed of all the powers heretofore given him as a commissioner to the court of France from these states, so long as he shall remain and be present at the said court.

Done in Congress, at Baltimore, the second day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. In testimony whereof the President, by order of the said Congress, hath hereunto subscribed his name and affixed his seal.

Attest.

President.

Secretary.

Ordered, That a copy be made out and transmitted to Dr. Franklin.

Resolved, That a new commission be sent to the commissioners at the court of France, including the further powers given in the commission now agreed to.

MAY 1, 1777.

Resolved, That a commission be made out and sent to Arthur Lee, esquire, empowering him, in behalf of the United States, to transact such business at the court of Spain as shall be entrusted to him by Congress, agreeably to the instructions that may be given him, and transmitted by the committee for foreign affairs.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to inquire into the laws and customs of nations respecting neutrality, and to report their opinion, whether the conduct of the king of Portugal, in forbidding the vessels of the United States to enter his ports, and ordering those already there to depart at a short day, is not a breach of the laws of neutrality, and will justify acts of hostility against the subjects of the said king. The members chosen were Mr. Wilson, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. R. H. Lee.

MAY 7, 1777.

Congress proceeded to the election of commissioners for foreign courts; and the ballots being taken, Ralph Izard, esquire, was elected for the court of Tuscany. Resolved, That the election of the other commissioners be postponed.

MAY 9, 1777.

Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner for the courts of Vienna and Berlin; and the ballots being taken, William Lee, esquire, was elected.

MAY 12, 1777.

Ordered, That the committee for foreign affairs prepare a draft of a commission and proper instructions, for the commissioners appointed to the courts of Madrid, Vienna, Berlin, and Tuscany.

MAY 19, 1777.

The committee of foreign affairs brought in a draft of a commission and instructions to the commissioners to the courts of Vienna, Spain, Berlin, and the grand duke of Tuscany, which were read; and, after debate, Resolved, That the same be recommitted.

MAY 31, 1777.

The committee for foreign affairs brought in a draft of a commission to Arthur Lee, commissioner at the court of Madrid, which was read.

Resolved, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Wednesday next; and that, on that day, Congress resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of foreign affairs,

and the instructions given to the commissioners of Congress at foreign courts.

JUNE 5, 1777.

Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to consider further the commission to A. Lee, esquire, and the state of foreign affairs; and, after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. F. L. Lee reported, That the committee have agreed to the form of a commission to A. Lee, esquire, and have come to a resolution on the instructions given to the commissioners. The commission being read, was agreed to as follows:

The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia-To all who shall see these presents, send greeting.

Whereas a friendly and commercial connexion between the subjects of his catholick majesty the king of Spain and the people of these states, will be beneficial to both nations:-Know ye, therefore, that we, confiding in the prudence and integrity of Arthur Lee, esquire, of Virginia, have appointed and deputed, and by these presents do appoint and depute him the said Arthur Lee, our commissioner, giving and granting to him, the said Arthur Lee, full power to communicate, treat, and conclude with his catholick majesty, the king of Spain,