Ordered, That the letters from the council of safety of New-York, be referred to the board of war.

Resolved, That general Washington be directed to cause an enquiry to be made into the military abilities and conduct of the French gentlemen in the army, and how far they can be usefully employed in the service of these states, and to dismiss such of them as he shall find unworthy of commissions, or unable to render service in the military line.

Mr. Chase, attending in his place, produced credentials of a new appointment of delegates for the state of Maryland, which were read as follows:

"IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, February 15, 1777.

"On striking the joint ballot of both houses for delegates to represent this state in Congress, a majority appeared in favor of Samuel Chase, Benjamin Rumsey, William Smith, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Thomas Stone and William Paca, esqrs. Resolved, therefore, That the said Samuel Chase, Benjamin Rumsey, William Smith, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Thomas Stone and William Paca, esqrs. or any two or more of them, be delegates to represent this state in Congress.

"By order,

G. DUVAL, Clk. Ho. Del."

Resolved, That Darby Lux and Daniel Carroll be appointed signers of the continental bills of credit, in addition to those already appointed.

Congress proceeded to consider the propriety of appointing an additional number of general officers; and, after debate,

Resolved, That three majors-general be appointed.

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

WEDNESDAY, February 19, 1777.

Resolved, That colonel Campbell have leave to go to Virginia, to transact some business relative to his own private affairs.

Resolved, That 6000 dollars be paid to Christopher Richmond, and charged to the account of brigadier W. Smallwood, for the purpose of paying the arrearages due to the battalion and independent companies, serving last campaign, under the command of the said brigadier, then col. Smallwood, the same being in full of his draught in favor of the said C. Richmond, dated Annapolis, February 15, 1777.

Resolved, That in voting for general officers, a due regard shall be had to the line of succession, the merit of the persons proposed, and the quota of troops raised, and to be raised, by each state.

Resolved, That the number of major-generals, now to be appointed, be five. Resolved, That brigadier Lewis be directed to order all the troops, raised in Virginia for the continental army, to march, immediately, by the nearest route, in companies and parts of companies, to general Washington's army, proper officers being left behind to recruit the companies or corps that are deficient in numbers, and to bring up the recruits when raised.

Ordered, That the secret committee deliver out of the public stores, 120 yards of coarse duffels, to the captain of the Lexington, to supply the place of blankets for the men on board the said vessel.

Congress proceeded to the election of five major-generals; and the ballots being taken, the following gentlemen were duly elected, viz. lord Stirling, Thomas Mifflin, Arthur St. Clair, Adam Stephens, Benjamin Lincoln.

Ordered, That Mr. Hudson pay captain Jones, of the Virginia light-horse, three months' pay, and the privates with him, each, one months' pay, and transmit an account thereof to the pay-master general.

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

THURSDAY, February 20, 1777.

A letter, of the 14th, from gen. Washington, at Morristown, enclosing one, of the 9th, to him from gen. Lee, at New-York, and one, of the 10th, from the same to Congress; three, of the 17th, from the committee of Congress at Philadelphia; one, of the 30th of January, and one, of the first of February, from the council of Massachusetts-Bay; one, of the 30th of January, from the committee of safety of New-Hampshire; one, of the 3d, from gov. Cooke, at Providence; one, of the 7th, from gov. Trumbull; one, of the 14th, from gen. Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, relative to the hospital; one, of the 28th of January, from gen. Ward: and one, of the 2d inst. from col. Wayne were read.

Resolved, That 500,000 dollars be sent to the pay-master general, for the use of the army.

Ordered, That the letter from gen. Washington, with the papers relative to the hospital, be referred to the medical committee; that the letter from gen. Lee lie on the table; and that the other letters be referred to the board of war.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with col. Buchanan, on the subject of a contract for supplying the army with provisions : The members chosen, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Gerry and Mr. W. Smith.

The committee, to whom the copy of general Howe's letter to gen. Washington was referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the board of war be directed immediately to order the five Hessian field-officers and lieutenant-colonel Campbell into safe and close custody; it being the unalterable resolution of Congress to retaliate on them the same punishment as may be inflicted on the person of gen. Lee:

That, to manifest to all the world how averse Congress are to this severe, but necessary measure, which alone can teach our cruel enemies to regard the laws of nations and the rights of humanity; and that Congress not only lament, but would willingly avoid the necessity of this just retaliation,

Ordered, That the board of war transmit to each of the Hessian officers and to col. Campbell, copies of the resolve of Congress of the 6th of January, of such part of gen. Washington's letter of the 13th, and of gen. Howe's answer thereto, of the 23d of January, as relates to gen. Lee: and inform those officers that the conduct of gen. Howe alone induces Congress to treat them in a manner so very different from that which has ever been shewn to all other prisoners of war of these states; and that, if any of them think proper to write on this subject to the British or Hessian general, the letter shall be transmitted by a flag.

Resolved, That the president write to gen. Gates, and inform him, it is the earnest desire of Congress, that he should resume the office of adjutantgeneral, and that his present rank and pay shall be continued to him.

The committee on ways and means of supplying the treasury, and supporting the credit of the continental currency, brought in a report, which

was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Congress resumed the subject of encreasing the number of general-offieers; and, thereupon,

Resolved, That ten brigadiers be appointed.

Ordered, That the election of these brigadiers be postponed till to-morrow. The committee on the treasury reported, that there is due,

To Robert Patton, for his services attending Congress from the 4th of December to the 20th of February, being 78 days; and for ink-powder, candles, &c. 79.35 dollars:

To Robert McGee, for the hire of his wagon, taking the baggage of capt. Yates's company of the 4th battalion of Maryland forces, 26 dollars:

To William Adams, for stabling, oats, &c. for eight wagon-horses and three Virginia light-horse, 11 dollars:

To Dr. Frederick, Phyle, for the amount of his account for medicine and attendance to the German battalion, in Philadelphia, 199.48 dollars :

To John Fleming, for the hire of his team 20 days in the service of the army, and for ferriages paid by him, 80.27 dollars, and 4 dollars, for the ferriage of his wagon and horses over Bald-Friars, on the Susquehanna, kept by Alexander Ewing, as appears by his receipt, and which the said Fleming was compelled to pay, or he could not pass, and which appears an extortionate sum : the whole amounts to 84.27 dollars:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

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

FRIDAY, February 21, 1777.

The committee, to whom was recommitted the plan reported for suppressing the internal enemies of America, and preventing a communication of intelligence to the other enemies of these states, brought in a report, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Congress took into consideration the letter of the 10th from general Lee; and, thereupon,

Resolved, That gen. Washington be directed to inform gen. Lee, that Congress are pursuing, and will continue to pursue, every means in their power to provide for his personal safety, and to obtain his liberty:

That gen. Washington inform him of the steps taken to effect these ends, and, at the same time, acquaint him, that Congress judge it altogether improper to send any of their body to communicate with him, and that they cannot perceive how a compliance with his request will tend to his advantage or the interest of the public.

Agreeable to the order of the day, Congress proceeded to ballot for the brigadiers, previously agreeing, that the rank of the brigadiers, now to be elected, shall be settled after the elections; and, the ballots being taken and counted, the following gentlemen were elected:

Col. Enock Poor, col. J. Glover, col. J. Patterson, col. Anthony Wayne, col. James Mitchel Varnum, col. J. P. De Haas, col. G. Weedon, col. P. Muhlenberg, col. J. Cadwallader, and col. W. Woodford.

Resolved, That the rank of the foregoing brigadiers, and of brigadier Nash, be settled to-morrow.

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

SATURDAY, February 22, 1777.

Resolved, That Thomas Bullit, esq. deputy adjutant-general, have the rank of a colonel on the continental establishment.

Congress proceeded to settle the rank of the brigadiers elected yesterday, and of brigadier Nash, with respect to each other; and, thereupon,

Resolved, That such as are in the continental service, take rank according to the dates of their commissions, and the rank they held in the army at the time of their promotion; and that such as do not hold continental commissions, stand after them in the order in which they are elected.

On motion, "That colonel Woodford, who formerly held a commission of colonel in the continental service, but resigned, take rank according to the date of the said commission :"

020

Question put-Carried in the negative.a

A memorial from Regnier de Roussi, and a representation from Thomas Rutherford, and three other prisoners from North-Carolina, were read:

Ordered, That the memorial from Regnier de Roussi be referred to the board of war; and,

That the representation from the North-Carolina prisoners be referred to the board of treasury.

Congress took into consideration the report of the committee of ways and means; Whereupon,

Resolved, That thirteen millions of dollars be borrowed on loan-office certificates, of the following denominations:

Resolved, That all certificates, issuing after the first emission, be signed by Michael Hillegas, esq. treasurer, or Samuel Hillegas, and countersigned agreeable to the resolutions of Congress of the Sd of October, 1776, and 15th of January, 1777.

Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.

Resolved, That the treasurer be directed to remain in Baltimore till the farther orders of Congress.

Resolved, That one million of dollars be lodged in the hands of John Gibson, esq. auditor-general, to be subject to the draughts or orders of Congress; he to be accountable

Resolved, That 400 dollars be paid to the delegates of Connecticut, and charged to that state.

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

Resolved, That Jost Triesback be appointed a captain, and Charles Merckle a lieutenant, in major Ottendorf's corps:

That 1500 dollars be paid to Dr. Samuel M'Kenzie, for the use of the hospital in Baltimore; he to be accountable.

Resolved, That a member be added to the committee on the treasury:
The member chosen, Mr. William Smith.

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

MONDAY, February 24, 1777.

A letter, of the 23d of December last, from major-general Ward; one, of the 12th, from col. G. Morgan, at Pittsburg, with sundry papers enclosed; one, of the 22d, from the committee of Congress, at Philadelphia; one, of the 20th, from gen. Washington; and cue, of the 20th, from G. Walton, esq. were read:

Ordered, That the letter from colonel Morgan, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the committee on Indian affairs; and that the letter from general Ward, be referred to the board of war.

Resolved, That 2600 dollars be paid to lieutenant Hudson Martin, and charged to the account of the pay-master general; the same being in full of an order drawn by general Washington, on William Palfrey, pay-master general, in favor of Levin Joynes, dated February 10, 1777, and endorsed by the said Joynes to captain Woodson, and by captain Woodson to the said lieutenant H. Martin.

Ordered, That the letter from the committee of Congress, and that from general Washington, be referred to a committee of the whole:

Congress, thereupon, resolved itself into a committee of the whole; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair; and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into consideration the letters referred to them, and have come to sundry resolutions, which he was ordered to report.

The resolutions reported from the committee of the whole Congress being read, and the question put on each, were agreed to as follows:

1

Resolved, That general Washington be informed, that it will be agreeable to Congress, that he call over to him, such farther aid from the troops under general Heath, as he shall think proper, and that he order all the continental troops that are at Providence, immediately to join him:

That the convention of New-York be desired to place as many militia on the Highlands as may be sufficient to defend those passes against any attempts of the enemy, during the absence of the regular troops. And, in order farther to strengthen the hands of the general, Resolved, That the board of war be directed to send letters by express to the colonels or other commanding officers of the several regiments, now raising and recruiting in the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, ordering them immediately to march the troops inlisted under their command, by companies and parts of companies, to join the army under general Washington; proper officers being left behind, to recruit the companies or corps that are not yet completed, and to bring up the recruits:

That general Washington be directed to write similar letters to the colonels or other commanding officers of the regiments now raising and recruiting in the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, and New-Jersey, excepting such regiments as he shall destine for the service of the northern department:

That the governor of New-Jersey be requested to order the militia of that state properly armed and equipped, immediately to join the general; and that the council of safety of Pennsylvania be also requested to send to the aid of the general, such of their militia, properly armed and equipped, as are contiguous to New-Jersey. It being the earnest desire of Congress, to make the army under the immediate command of general Washington, sufficiently strong, not only to curb and confine the enemy within their present quarters, and prevent them from drawing support of any kind from the country, but, by the divine blessing, totally to subdue them before they can be reinforced.

Congress took into consideration the report of the board of war of the 14th: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the several states be requested to take the most effectual steps for immediately collecting from the inhabitants, not in actual service, all continental arms, and give notice of the number they shall collect to general Washington:

That all arms and accoutrements, belonging to the United States, be stamped or marked with the words United States; all arms already made to be stamped upon such parts as will receive the impression, and those hereafter to be manufactured, to be stamped with the said words on every part composing the stand; and all arms and accoutrements so stainped or marked, shall be taken wherever found for the use of the states, except they shall be in the hands of those actually in continental service:

That it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states, to enact proper laws for the punishment of those who shall unlawfully take, secrete, refuse or neglect to deliver, any continental arms or accoutrements which they may have in their possession.

Ordered, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed till to

morrow.

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

TUESDAY, February 25, 1777.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the board of war: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the several states be requested and empowered to borrow