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President of Congress on the commissioners of the United States in France, to the amount of thirty thou, sand French livres. The said sum to be by him applied in such manner, as his own prudence may sug. gest, and the exigences of affairs shall render conducive to the publick interest.

FEBRUARY 2,1778.

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

Resolved, That general Washington be informed, that in compliance with the request of the marquis de la Fayette, Congress are willing that major general M'Dougal should proceed on the intended incursion into Canada, if the state of his health will admit of it; but if not, that the baron de Kalb be directed to follow the marquis on the said expedition, in case general Washington shall think it proper. That it is not, however, the intention of Congress that the marquis should be detained, till general M'Dougal's intention can be known, as the success of the expedition depends upon its being executed without loss of time.

That in compliance with the request of the marquis de la Fayette, commissions be granted to the following French gentlemen, who have produced to the board of war credentials of their rank and military merit in the French service, and are moreover recom. mended by the marquis to be employed under him, agreeably to their respective ranks, in the intended incursion into Canada; the said officers to be appoint

ed to the command only of such Canadians as may be embodied in Canada: viz.

Monsieur Jimat, at present aid-de-camp to the marquis de la Fayette, to be appointed Lieutenant colonel; Mr. de Vrigny to be appointed Lieutenant colonel;

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It being represented to Congress that lieutenant colonel Flewry, whom the marquis de la Fayette is desirous of taking with him into Canada, is not able to proceed on the journey for want of a horse, he having lost three horses in different actions during the course of last campaign

Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of lieutenant colonel Flewry for two hundred dollars.

FEBRUARY 11, 1778,

Resolved, That major de Buisson, who is going into Canada, be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, to be appointed to the command only of such Canadians as may be embodied in Canada.

FEBRUARY 16, 1778.

Ordered, That the letter of the 11th from the com

mittee at camp, respecting the irruption into Canada, be referred to the board of war, who are directed to report specially thereon, and to lay before Congress a copy of the orders given to the officers commanding the irruption.

FEBRUARY 23, 1778.

Sundry letters and papers being transmitted to Congress by the board of war, the same were read.

Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of four; and that the committee collect the best information they can relative to the irruption into Canada, and lay the same before Congress as soon as possible.

The members chosen-Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Lee, Mr. Ellery, and Mr. M'Kean.

FEBRUARY 24, 1778.

The committee to whom were referred the letters and papers from the board of war, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the board of war instruct the marquis de la Fayette, who is charged with an expedition, or irruption into Canada, that considering the length of the route into that country in an inclement season, he be particularly attentive to have his men well clothed, and so supplied with provisions as effectually to guard against any misfortune, which might happen for want of these necessary articles; and in case he

shall fail of obtaining forces, which he shall judge competent, or supplies sufficient for them, that he carefully attend to these contingencies, and regulate his conduct according to the probability of success, without exposing his troops to any very great, or very apparent hazard; and report the reasons of his conduct to the board of war and to Congress.

MARCH 2, 1778.

The committee to whom were referred the letters and papers from the board of war, respecting the northern department, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and thereupon Congress came to the following resolution.

Whereas, it appears from authentick accounts, that difficulties attend the prosecution of the irruption ordered to be made into Canada under the conduct of the marquis de la Fayette, which render the attempt not only hazardous in a high degree, but extremely imprudent

Resolved, That the board of war instruct the marquis de la Fayette to suspend, for the present, the intended irruption; and at the same time inform him, that Congress entertain a high sense of his prudence, activity and zeal; and that they are fully persuaded nothing has, or would have been wanting on his part, or on the part of the officers who accompanied him, to give the expedition the utmost possible effect.

MARCH 13, 1778.

Whereas Congress have judged it proper that the irruption ordered to be made into Canada should be suspended, and have directed the board of war to instruct the marquis de la Fayette to that purpose; and whereas it appears that the service and presence of the marquis de la Fayette and the baron de Kalb are necessary at the grand army

Resolved, That general Washington be authorized to order major general the marquis de la Fayette, and major general the baron de Kalb, to join the main army without delay.

MARCH 14, 1778.

A letter of the 13th from the board of war was read, recommending major Mullens, aid-de-camp of general Conway, to have a commission of lieutenant colonel to command in Canada only, as was ordered respecting other foreign officers lately gone to the northward.

Question put to agree thereto, passed in the negative.

APRIL 10, 1778. P. M.

A motion was made to adjourn, it being 10 o'clock. Question put, nine states being present.

While the states were calling, Mr. Burke, representing the state of North Carolina, after voting in the affirmative, declared the states might vote as they

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