your allies to the northward, the seven Tribes on the River St. Lawrence, that you have this Talk of ours at the Great Council Fire of the Six Nations. And when they return, we invite your great men to come and converse farther with us at Albany, where we intend to rekindle the Council Fire, which your and our ancestors sat round in great friendship.

Brothers and Friends! We greet you all farewell.

(The large Belt of Intelligence and Declaration.)

Brothers! We have said we wish you Indians may continue in peace with one another, and with us the white people. Let us both be cautious in our behaviour towards each other at this critical state of affairs. This island now trembles; the wind whistles from almost every quarter; let us fortify our minds and shut our ears against false rumours; let us be cautious what we receive for truth, unless spoken by wise and good men. If any thing disagreeable should ever fall out between us, the twelve United Colonies, and you, the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let us immediately seek measures for healing the breach. From the present situation of our affairs, we judge it wise and expedient to kindle up a small Council Fire at Albany, where we may hear each other’s voice, and disclose our minds more fully to each other.—(A small Belt.)

Ordered, That a similar Talk be prepared for the other Indian Nations, preserving the tenour of the above, and altering it so as to suit the Indians in the several Departments.

The Congress then proceeded to the choice of Commissioners for the several Departments, and after some debate, agreed that the nomination of the Commissioners for the Southern Department be postponed till Tuesday next.

Mr. Franklin, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Wilson, were unanimously elected for the Middle Department.

On motion, Resolved, That there be one more added to the number of the Commissioners for the Northern Department.

Then the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: General Philip Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Mr. Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott, and Mr. Volkert P. Douw.

Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, take into their consideration the Report of the Committee on the Militia.

The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Congress adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o’clock.

Friday, July 14, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, the Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on the Militia, and after some debate, the same was referred till to-morrow.

A motion being made by Dr. Franklin, and seconded,

Resolved, That the same be taken into consideration to-morrow morning.

The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Congress adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o’clock.

Saturday, July 15, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, the motion made by Mr. Franklin was taken into consideration, and after some debate, they came to the following Resolution, viz:

Whereas, the Government of Great Britain bath prohibited the exportation of Arms and Ammunition to any of the Plantations, and endeavoured to prevent other Nations from supplying us:

Resolved, That for the better furnishing these Colonies with the necessary means of defending their rights, every Vessel importing Gunpowder, Saltpetre, Sulphur, provided they bring with the Sulphur four times as much Saltpetre, Brass Field-Pieces, or good Muskets fitted with Bayonets, within nine months from the date of this Resolution, shall be permitted to load and export the produce of these Colonies, to the value of such Powder and Stores aforesaid, the Non-Exportation Agreement notwithstanding; and it is recommended to the Committees of the several Provinces to inspect the Military Stores so imported, and to estimate a generous price for the same, according to their goodness, and permit the importer of such Powder and other Military Stores aforesaid, to export the value thereof and no more, in produce of any kind.

Ordered, That a copy of the above be delivered to the Delegates of the Colony of Pennsylvania, who are desired to request the Committee of this City to forward the same in handbills to the West-Indies, and such places as they think proper, taking care that it be not published in the newspapers.

Extracts from sundry intercepted Letters from Lord Dartmouth to Governour Wright and Governour Martin, were laid before the Congress, and read.

The Talk to the Stockbridge Indians was then taken up, and the same being debated, was agreed to.

On motion, Resolved, That this Congress will, on Thursday next, attend Divine Service together, both morning and afternoon.

Resolved, That Mr. Lynch and Mr. Dickinson be a Committee to wait on Mr. Duche, and request him to preach for the Congress on next Thursday morning; and to wait upon Doctor Allison, and request him to preach at his Church, for the Congress, on the afternoon of the said day.

Adjourned till Monday next, at eight o’clock.

Monday, July 17, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

A Letter from General Schuyler, with sundry Papers, were laid before the Congress, and read, and the same being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That the President write to General Wooster, directing him to send, in the most expeditious manner, one thousand of the Connecticut Forces under his command to Albany, there to remain encamped until they shall receive orders from General Schuyler as to their future proceedings.

Resolved, That a Commissary of Stores and Provisions be appointed for the New-York Department, during the present campaign.

By unanimous vote Walter Livingston was chosen.

That a Deputy Quartermaster-General be appointed for the said Department.

Mr. Donald Campbell unanimously elected.

Ordered, That Mr. D. Campbell have the rank of Colonel in the Army.

That a Deputy Muster-Master be appointed for said Department.

Mr. Gunning Bedford elected.

Resolved, That the Convention of New-York be desired to recommend to General Schuyler a proper person for a Deputy Adjutant-General or Brigade-Major for the Army in the New-York Department.

Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. Gushing, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Deane, be a Committee to confer with Mr. Kirkland, and report what in their opinion is an adequate compensation for his services among the Indians.

The Address from the Deputies of the several Parishes of the Island of Bermuda being again read,

Ordered, That the President return them an Answer, acknowledging the receipt of the Address, and informing them that it will be considered; and desiring them to send an account of the Provisions imported for some years past for the use of the inhabitants of that Island; and also enclose them a copy of a Resolve entered into on Saturday last, respecting the importation of Gunpowder, &c.

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

Tuesday, July 18, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Kirkland brought in their Report; which being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That there be, and there is hereby allowed to the Rev. Mr. Samuel Kirkland, three hundred Dollars, to discharge the expenses he has been at among the Indians