Ordered, That the remainder of the said report be referred to the board of treasury, in order that they may direct or point out the mode of paying colonel Richardson's battalion. The board of war brought in another report; Whereupon, Resolved, That a letter be written to the council of safety of the state of New-York, informing them of the distress which the troops at Ticonderoga are in for want of blankets, and requesting them to use their exertions in collecting and forwarding in the most expeditious manner to that post 1500 blankets: That the faith of Congress be plighted to the state of New-York for replacing the blankets so furnished out of the first importation of that article on the account of the continent in any part of the United States. A petition from Robert Galbreath was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Congress resumed the consideration of the letters from generals Sullivan, Green, and Knox, all dated the first of July; Whereupon, Congress came to the following unanimous resolution: That the president transmit to general Washington copies of the letters from generals Sullivan, Green, and Knox, to Congress, with directions to him to let those officers know that Congress consider the said letters as an attempt to influence their decisions, an invasion of the liberties of the people, and indicating a want of confidence in the justice of Congress; that it is expected by Congress the said officers will make proper acknowledgments for an interference of so dangerous a tendency; but, if any of those officers are unwilling to serve their country under the authority of Congress, they shall be at liberty to resign their commissions and retire. The committee on the treasury reported, that a warrant should be drawn by the treasurer in favor of Mons. the Sieur Philippus Charles John Baptist Tronson du Coudray, for 1000 dollars, for which he is to be accountable: Ordered, That the said warrant be drawn. In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor-general reports, That there is due to Messrs. Caldwell & Co. for sundry medicine delivered William Smith, continental druggist, for the use of the United States, 666 60-90 dollars: Ordered, That the said account be paid. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, TUESDAY, July 8, 1777. A letter, of the 7th, from gen. Washington, at Morristown; and one, of the 7th, from Joseph Trumbull, esq. were read. Resolved, That brigadier general Nash be directed immediately to repair with the North-Carolina and Virginia forces now in and about Philadelphia, to Billingsport, there to remain till farther orders; and that these troops, with the militia from Pennsylvania and New-Jersey already ordered to that be employed in completing the works for the defence of the river Deware. Ordered, That Michael Hillegas, esq. continental treasurer at Baltimore, forward, under a proper guard, 300,000 dollars to the state of North-Carolina, being in part of the 500,000 dollars voted that state the 5th day of February last. Resolved, That the committee of the whole Congress be discharged from so much of the business referred to them, as relates to the agreement entered into between B. Franklin and Silas Deane, esqrs. in behalf of the United States, and the chevalier du Portail, Mons. de Laumoy, Mons. de Govion, and Mons. de la Radiere. The committee on foreign applications brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That lieutenant-colonel Mottin de la Balme be appointed inspector-general of the cavalry of the United States of America, with the rank and pay of colonel : That Mons. Vallenais be appointed an aid to Mons. de la Balme, with the rank and pay of a captain of cavalry. Resolved, That the treaty made by the commissioners in France, on the 18th day of February last, be confirmed as far as it respects the chevalier du Portail, Mons. de la Radiere, and Mons. de Gouvion; the first to be a colonel, the second a lieutenant-colonel and the third major of engineers. Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the board of treasury, of the 25th of June; Whereupon, Resolved, That colonel G. Morgan be authorized and directed to deliver so much of the provisions laid up in magazines at Fort-Pitt, as he shall, from time to time, judge sufficient for the different garrisons in his department, always taking the commanding officer's receipts for such provisions; and that he make a reasonable allowance to a discreet person in each of the said garrisons to attend the issuing the said provisions, and to take every precaution in his power to prevent waste and fraud in issuing such provisions. Resolved, That major-gen. Gates be directed to repair to head-quarters, and follow the directions of general Washington. The delegates of North-Carolina laid before Congress a letter from Adam Boyd: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war, who are directed to take into consideration the case of the regimental armorers for the North-Carolina forces, and report thereon. In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor-general reports, That there is due to lieutenant David Edwards, and Amos Willet, serjeant, for their expenses and horse-hire bringing Elihu Hand, a suspected person, prisoner from Cape-May to Philadelphia, by order of general Arnold, 31 dollars: Ordered, That the said account be paid. On a report of a committee of the treasury, Ordered, That a warrant be drawn on Michael Hillegas, esq. continental treasurer, in favor of Clement Holliday, esq. pay-master of the Maryland battalion of continental troops commanded by colonel Richardson, for 10,000 dollars, for the use of the said battalion, and for which the said pay-master is to be accountable. Resolved, That Robert Harrison, esq. be appointed to muster the said battalion while employed in the service for which it is now destined; and that he be allowed a reasonable compensation for every muster which he shall perform: That while the said battalion continues in such service colonel Richardson shall certify the pay-rolls of the several companies of the said battalion, and his certificate shall be a sufficient voucher to the pay-master. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, July 9, 1777. A petition from John White, Charles Whittesly, and Othniel Phelps, regimental quarter-masters, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war. A letter, of the 7th, from R. L. Hooper, deputy quarter-master general, and a letter of the 5th, from Joseph Trumbull, esq. were read: Ordered, That they be referred to the board of treasury. The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That the resolution of Congress, relative to the measures taken for the defence of Billingsport, be transmitted to the executive council of the state of Pennsylvania, and that they be desired to go on with the assistance Congress have afforded them, to complete the works at that place, with all expedition, agreeable to the report of the committee referred to them, on the 11th June last. Ordered, That 300 dollars be advanced to the secretary of the board of war, for contingent expenses, he to be accountable. Ordered, That the clothier-general supply the Indians now in Philadelphia, with presents to the amount of 100 dollars. Resolved, That the secret-committee be authorized and directed to unload and dispose of the three cargoes, which were shipped last spring, and are still in the river Delaware, and to place the amount of the sales to the credit of the United States. Resolved, That the bills taken in the several states from the officers who are, or have been prisoners, in lieu of the subsistence money ordered to be advanced them by Congress, be transmitted to the board of treasury in Philadelphia, for the use of the United States. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, THURSDAY, July 10, 1777. A petition from Joseph Belton, and one from capt. Joseph Lees, were read: Ordered, That the former be referred to the board of war, and the latter to the marine-committee. The secret-committee laid before Congress a letter of the 8th June, from John Dorsius, for himself and Levinus Clarkson, and a bill of exchange, drawn by Alexander Ross on John Dorsius, in favour of Willing, Morris & Co. Ordered, That the same be referred to the board of treasury, in order for paying here the before mentioned bill, and directing Mr. Dorsius to apply the amount of the said bill in discharge of the debts incurred in consequence of orders from the secret committee, and also to enable the agents of the secret committee, in South-Carolina, to receive all the money arising from the sale of the state lottery-tickets in that state, towards discharging the debts aforesaid. In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor-general reports, That there is due, to Seth Griffin, for riding express, from Bedford to NewLondon, and from thence to Philadelphia and back, and for his expenses during his detention here, 108 dollars: To James M'Cullock, for riding express from Fort Henry to Pittsburg, 12 dollars: To Mons. Lotbinier, a Canadian chaplain, for his pay and rations, from the 10th of June to the 10th of July, being one month, 41 30-90 dollars: To Henry Baker, for provisions supplied continental troops at Winchester, in Virginia, and on their march, and for his services issuing the same, 4848 69-90 dollars: Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, Ordered, That 10,000 dollars be paid to Robert Lettis Hooper, or his order, on account of flour and beef purchased for the use of the army, agreeable to a bill of Joseph Trumbull, commissary-general, in his favour, on the president of Congress, dated 5th of July instant : That 2000 dollars be advanced to colonel Armand de la Rouerie, for the recruiting service; for which he is to be accountable. Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the contract made with Mons. du Coudray, and the papers referred to them; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the papers referred to them, but, not having yet come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again. Resolved, That Congress be resolved to-morrow into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the contract and papers aforesaid. Ordered, That the several committees who have any letters or papers tending to throw light on the subject before the committee of the whole, lay the same before Congress to-morrow, that they may be referred to the said committee. The delegates of North-Carolina laid before Congress a resolution, passed by the senate and house of commons of that state, that the artillery company in that state, may be taken into the pay of the continent: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war. The committee on the treasury brought in a report: Whereupon, Ordered, That 16,087 dollars be advanced to major Charles Sims, of the 12th Virginia regiment, commanded by colonel William Russell, to pay off a part of the said regiment, now ordered on service to Billingsport; the same to be charged to the regiment. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, FRIDAY, July 11, 1777. A letter, of the 10th, from general Washington, at Morristown, and one, of the 9th, from Joseph Trumbull, enclosing a copy of a letter, of the 22d of June, from W. Aylett, were read. Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the board of war, of the 16th June; Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. John Baynton, be appointed deputy pay-master general to the troops and garrisons on the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and that such parts of his letter to the board of war, as relate to money, be referred to the board of treasury. Ordered, That an extract of general Washington's letter of the 10th, so far as it relates to general Arnold, be sent to him, and that he be directed to repair immediately to head-quarters, and follow the orders of general Wash- ́ ington. Ordered, That the letter from general Washington, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the board of war, and that they be directed to confer with the general officers in and near Philadelphia. Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the contract made with Monsieur du Coudray, and the papers referred to them; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the papers referred to them, and have made some progress, but, not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again. Resolved, That Congress be to-morrow resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the papers aforesaid. A letter, of the 9th, from general Washington, at Morristown; one, of the same date, from Joseph Trumbull; one, of the 10th, from Charles Stewart; one, of the 5th, from general Schuyler, enclosing three letters from general St. Clair, at Ticonderoga; one, dated the 30th of June; one, the 2d, and one, the 3d of July, and the proceedings of a court-martial, on serjeant Nicholas Kent, were read : Ordered, That the letter from general Schuyler, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the board of war. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to proceed immediately to the army under the command of general Washington; that they be authorized and directed to make a diligent enquiry into the state of the army, particularly into the causes of the complaints in the commissary's department, and to make such provision as the exigency and importance of the case demands; that they report the whole of their proceedings for the consideration of Congress, with as much despatch as possible: The members chosen, Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Clymer. SATURDAY, July 12, 1777. A petition from Monsieur du Coudray, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the committee of the whole Congress. A petition from Samuel Culbertson, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of treasury. In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor-general reports, That the amount of Daniel Barry's account, for his services as an interpreter to sundry French officers, from North-Carolina to Philadelphia, and for his expenses here, and returning home, is £69 13 10, of which he received at Newbern £20, and from governor Henry, of Virginia, £ 10, and that the balance due to him is £39 13 10, equal to 105 dollars, 76-90ths. Ordered, That the said balance be paid. The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, Ordered, That 500 dollars be paid to Gerard W. Beekman, in discharge of general Washington's draught on William Palfrey, esq. pay-master general, in favor of Nathaniel Sacket, the said bill being transferred to the said Beekman, and to be charged to William Palfrey, esq. That there be advanced to Jacob Blount, esq. pay-master of the NorthCarolina battalions, and to be delivered to William Blount, esq. or his order, 10,000 dollars for the pay of the said battalions, and for which the said paymaster is to be accountable; the same to issue by two warrants, one for 6500 dollars and the other for 3500 dollars: That there be advanced to Dr. William Shippen, director-general of the hospitals, 8000 dollars, for which he is to be accountable: That Alexander Ross's bill on John Dorsius, in favor of Willing, Morris & Co. dated Boston, June 24th, for 10,000 dollars, be taken up by the secret committee on the credit of the said John Dorsius, who acts as agent of the said secret committee; and that a warrant issue from the president on the loan-office of Massachusetts-Bay, for that sum in favor of Willing, Morris & Co. the secret committee to be charged therewith. Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the contract made with Mons. du Coudray, and the papers referred to them; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the papers referred to them, and have come to sundry resolutions thereon, which he was ordered to report, but, not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again. The resolutions agreed to by the committee of the whole were read: Ordered, To lie on the table. Resolved, That Congress be on Monday next resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the papers referred to them. A letter, of the 11th and 12th, from general Arnold, was read. The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, |