that should it appear upon their arrival, that any of them have acted an unworthy part, or are of doubtful characters, then their property to be forfeited, and they treated according to their deserts.

Resolved, That the prayer of the memorial be granted.

The committee, consisting of Mr. Burke, Mr. G. Morris, and Mr. Armstrong, to whom was referred a letter of the 10th March, from the board of war, enclosing a letter of the 9th, from president Reed, brought in a report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the board of war be directed to send four pieces of heavy ordnance to the post at Billings-port, on the river Delaware, in addition to what are already there. Also, to order a detachment of forty men, under the command of a captain and other suitable officers, from colonel Proctor's battalion, to garrison the said post. Also, to send two pieces of heavy ordnance to Mud Island fort, and a detachment of twenty men, under the command of suitable officers, from the battalion aforesaid, to garrison the said fort.

APRIL 17, 1779.

The delegates of South Carolina, to whom was referred a letter of the 7th March from major general Lincoln, brought in a report: Whereupon,

Ordered, That so much of the said report as relates to the sending military stores and a naval force to South Carolina, be referred to the marine committee; and that they take order thereon.

APRIL 27, 1779.

A motion was made by Mr. Morris, seconded by Mr. Penn

That a sum of money, in specie, be immediately sent to the commander in chief, for secret services.

In lieu of which a substitute was moved by Mr. Laurens, seconded by Mr. Scudder, in the words following, viz.

That the President write to the commander in chief, and inquire whether he is in want of specie for secret services.

Question put to admit the substitute

Passed in the affirmative.

An amendment was then moved by Mr. S. Adams, seconded by Mr. Morris, instead of the words, "in"quire whether," &c. to insert, "inform him that if he "is in want of specie for secret services, he may draw "for any sum or sums to the amount of two thousand "guineas upon the treasurer, who will pay the same." Question on the amendment

Passed in the affirmative.

On the question to agree to the motion as amended

Resolved, That the President write to the commander in chief, and inform him, that if he is in want of specie for secret services, he may draw for any sum or sums, to the amount of two thousand guineas, on the treasurer, who will pay the same.

MAY 1, 1779.

A letter of 28th April, from general Washington, enclosing a copy of proceedings of the council of Massachusetts Bay, dated March 4, was read, informing, that there are several pieces of cannon, eighteen pounders, the property of the continent, now in Massachusetts Bay; that application has been made for them, and that only two have been received for the defence of the posts on the North river;-representing the importance of those posts; and requesting the directions of Congress that the said cannon be applied to this purpose. On motion of Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Drayton, Resolved, That the commander in chief be authorized to call upon the state of Massachusetts Bay for such and so many of the continental cannon lent to the said state, as he may judge necessary for the defence of the posts on Hudson's river.

MAY 3, 1779.

On motion of Mr. Jenifer, seconded by Mr. Henry, Resolved, That the board of war be directed to apply to the governour and council of Maryland, and request them, if there are any heavy cannon belonging to the state which can be spared from the immediate defence thereof, to lend them to the continent for the defence of the posts on Hudson's river, on condition that Congress will return them, or a like number of

equal bore, or pay the state the full value thereof, at the election of the general assembly.

The delegates of the state of Pennsylvania, to whom was referred an extract of a letter from the board of war, respecting the defences of the river Delaware, brought in a report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the President and council of the state of Pennsylvania be requested to order such of the militia of that state to take post at fort Mifflin and Bellings-port in the room of colonel Procter's men, as shall be judged by the president and council sufficient i the said militia to be allowed continental pay and subsistence.

MAY 17, 1779.

On a report of the board of treasury

Resolved, That the application of captain M'Clean be referred to the state of Delaware; and that the president thereof be informed that any compensation which that state shall judge proper to be made to captain M-Clean, shall be credited to that state in its account with Congress.

MAY 31, 1779.

On the report of a committee to whom was referred a letter of February last from Timothy Penny

Whereas Timothy Penny, now an inhabitant of Massachusetts Bay, but formerly of the island of Jamaica, where his estate lies, has represented the ne

cessity he is under of sending a person to purchase a vessel in that island, and load her with produce for the support of his numerous family; and whereas it appears, that the character and circumstances of the said Timothy Penny render such indulgence proper

Resolved, That letters of safe conduct be granted to Timothy Penny, for any one vessel which may be purchased and loaded as abovementioned, and sent to any port or place in any of the United States, not in possession of the enemy, and for the person of captain Joseph Deane, who is to be employed on this business.

JUNE 3, 1779.

A letter of this day from Robert Harris was read, praying Congress to take into consideration his petition for leave, under a safe conduct or passport, to remove his property from the province of Nova Scotia, into some port or place within these states not in the power of the enemy: Whereupon,

Ordered, That the letter and petition be referred to the marine committee, and that a safe conduct or passport be granted to the petitioner, upon his complying with such orders and directions as the marine committee shall give on the subject.

JUNE 7, 1779.

On motion of the committee of commerceOrdered, That the committee of commerce be empowered and directed to draw bills of exchange at