and that he gave for answer: “That he had the highest sense of the honour conferred upon him by the Congress; that no effort in his power shall be wanting to serve the American cause; but before he entered upon the service, he desired a conference with a Committee, to consist of one Delegate from each of the associated Colonies, to whom he desired to explain some particulars respecting his private fortune.”

Whereupon, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Dyer, Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Ross, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Henry, Mr. Caswell, and Mr. Lynch, were appointed as a Committee to confer with General Lee.

The Committee returned, and reported, that they had conferred with General Lee, who had communicated to them an estimate of the estate he risked by this service.

Whereupon, Resolved, That these Colonies will indemnify General Lee for any loss of property which he may sustain by entering into their service; and that the same be done by this or any future Congress, as soon as such loss is ascertained.

The Letters from Massachusetts-Bay being taken into consideration,

Upon motion, Resolved, unanimously, That the Governour of Connecticut be requested to direct all the Forces raised in that Colony, not employed at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, or recommended by this Congress to be marched towards New-York, to be immediately sent to join the combined Army before Boston. And it is earnestly recommended to the Colony of Rhode-Island, and to the Provincial Convention of New-Hampshire, to send immediately to the Army before Boston such of the Forces as are already embodied, towards their quotas of the Troops agreed to be raised by the New-England Colonies.

Resolved, That Mr. Lee, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. J. Adams, be a Committee to prepare the form of a Commission for the Major-Generals; and also for the Brigadier-Generals and other Officers in the Army.

Resolved, That there be four Major-Generals.

The Congress then proceeded to choose the two remaining Major-Generals; when Philip Schuyler, Esquire, was chosen third Major-General, and Israel Putnam, Esq., was unanimously chosen fourth Major-General.

The Committee appointed to prepare the form of a Commission for the Major and Brigadier-Generals, reported the same, which being agreed to,

Ordered, That a copy thereof be made out, signed by the President, and attested by the Secretary, for each of the Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals.

Ordered, That the Secretary get a number of Commissions printed, with proper blanks, for the other Officers.

The Committee appointed to prepare a Petition to the King, reported the same.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o’clock.

Tuesday, July 20, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to draught Instructions to the General, reported the same; which being read, were agreed to, and are as follow:

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ.

This Congress having appointed you to be General and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies, of all the Forces raised or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service and join the said Army for the defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair with all expedition to the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and take charge of the Army of the United Colonies.

For your better direction:

1. You are to make a return to us as soon as possible of all Forces which you shall have under your command, together with their Military Stores and Provisions; and also, as exact an account as you can obtain of the Forces which compose the British Army in America.

2. You are not to disband any of the men you find raised, until further direction from this Congress; and if you shall think their numbers not adequate to the purpose of security, you may recruit them to a number you shall think sufficient, not exceeding double that of the enemy.

3. In all cases of vacancy occasioned by the death or removal of a Colonel, or other inferiour officer, you are by brevet, or warrant under your seal, to appoint another person to fill up such vacancy, until it shall otherwise be ordered by the Provincial Convention, or the Assembly of the Colony from whence the Troops in which such vacancy happen, shall direct otherwise.

4. You are to victual, at the Continental expense, all such Volunteers as have joined or shall join the united Army.

5. You shall take every method in your power, consistent with prudence, to destroy or make prisoners of all persons who now are, or who hereafter shall appear in arms against the good people of the United Colonies.

6. And whereas, all particulars cannot be foreseen, nor positive instructions for such emergencies so beforehand given, but that many things must be left to your prudent and discreet management, as occurrences may arise upon the place, or from time to time fall out, you are, therefore, upon all such accidents, or any occasions that may happen, to use your best circumspection; and (advising with your Council of War) to order and dispose of the said Army under your command as may be most advantageous for the obtaining the end for which these forces have been raised, making it your special care, in discharge of the great trust committed unto you, that the liberties of America receive no detriment.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o’clock.

Wednesday, June 21, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Mr. Thomas Jefferson appeared as a Delegate for the Colony of Virginia, and produced his Credentials; which were read and approved, and are as follow:

“At a Convention of the Delegates for the Counties and Corporations in the Colony of Virginia, at the Town of Richmond, in the County of Henrico, on Monday, March 27, 1775:

“On a motion made, Resolved, That Thomas Jefferson, Esq., be appointed a Deputy to represent this Colony in General Congress, in the room of the Honourable Peyton, Randolph, Esq., in case of the non-attendance of the said Peyton Randolph, Esq. A copy, test:

“JOHN TAZEWELL, Clerk of the Convention.”

“At a General Assembly begun and held at the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg, on Thursday, the first day of June, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Lord George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great-Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.,

“Monday, June 5, 15th Geo. III, A.D. 1775.

“:Resolved, N. C. D., That this House doth entirely approve of the proceedings and Resolutions of the Convention of Delegates for the Counties and Corporations in the Colony of Virginia, held at Richmond Town, in the County of Henrico, on the 20th of March, 1775; and that it be recommended to all the good people of this Colony strictly to conform to and observe the same.

“:By the House of Burgesses:

“PEYTON RANDOLPH, Speaker.”

Mr. Henry informed the Congress that the General had put into his hand sundry Queries, to which he desired the Congress would give an answer.

The Queries being read and debated,

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to take into their consideration the said Queries, and report their opinion with regard to the answers proper to be given; that the Committee consist of the following persons, namely: Mr. Deane, Mr. Henry, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Lee.

On a motion made, Resolved, That the General be allowed three Aids-de-Camp.