of the Six Nations, to defray the expenses of his journey from and to the Oneida Country, and that he receive the same out of the Continental Treasury.

And it is hereby recommended to the Commissioners of the Northern Department, to employ the said Mr. Kirkland among the Indians of the Six Nations, in order to secure their friendship, and to continue them in a state of neutrality with respect to the present controversy between Great Britain and these Colonies.

The Congress resumed the Report of the Committee for putting the Militia into a proper state of defence, and after debating the same by paragraphs, came to the following Resolutions, viz:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of all the United English Colonies in North America, that all able-bodied effective Men, between sixteen and fifty years of age, in each Colony, immediately form themselves into Regular Companies of Militia, to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Clerk, one Drummer, one Fifer, and about sixty-eight Privates.

That the Officers of each Company be chosen by the respective Companies.

That each Soldier be furnished with a good Musket that will carry an ounce Ball, with a Bayonet, Steel Ramrod, Worm, Priming-Wire and Brush fitted thereto, a cutting Sword or Tomahawk, a Cartridge-Box that will contain twenty-three rounds of Cartridges, twelve Flints, and a Knapsack.

That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Battalions, officered with a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors, an Adjutant, or Quartermaster.

That all Officers above the rank of a Captain be appointed by the respective Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or in their recess, by the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.

That all Officers be commissioned by the Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or in their recess, by the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.

That all the Militia take proper care to acquire military skill, and be well prepared for defence, by being each man provided with one pound of good Gunpowder, and four pounds of Ball fitted to his Gun.

That one-fourth part of the Militia in every Colony be selected for Minute-Men, of such persons as are willing to enter into this necessary service, formed into Companies and Battalions, and their Officers, chosen and commissioned as aforesaid, to be ready on the shortest notice to march to any place where their assistance may be required, for the defence of their own or a neighbouring Colony; and as these Minute-Men may eventually be called to action before the whole body of the Militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended that a more particular and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in military discipline.

That such of the Minute-Men as desire it, be relieved by new draughts as aforesaid, from the whole body of the Militia, once in four months.

As there are some people who, from religious principles, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no violence to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it to them to contribute liberally, in this time of universal calamity, to the relief of their distressed brethren in the several Colonies, and to do all other services to their oppressed Country, which they can consistently with their religious principles.

That it be recommended to the Assemblies or Conventions in the respective Colonies, to provide, as soon as possible, sufficient stores of Ammunition for their Colonies; also that they devise proper means for furnishing with Arms, such effective men as are poor and unable to furnish themselves.

That it be recommended to each Colony to appoint a Committee of Safety to superintend and direct all matters necessary for the security and defence of their respective Colonies, in the recess of their Assemblies and Conventions.

That each Colony, at their own expense, make such provision by armed Vessels or otherwise, as their respective Assemblies, Conventions, or Committees of Safety shall judge expedient and suitable to their circumstances and situations, for the protection of their Harbours and Navigation on their sea-coasts, against all unlawful invasions, attacks, and depredations from Cutters and Ships-of-War.

That it be recommended to the makers of Arms for the use of the Militia, that they make good substantial Muskets, with Barrels three feet and a half in length, that will carry an ounce Ball, and fitted with a good Bayonet and Steel Ramrod, and that the making such Arms be encouraged in these United Colonies.

Where, in any Colony, a Militia is already formed under regulations approved of by the Convention of such Colony, or by such Assemblies as are annually elective, we refer to the discretion of such Convention or Assembly, either to adopt the foregoing Regulations in the whole or in part, or to continue their former, as they, on consideration of all circumstances, shall think best.

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

Wednesday, July 19, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The President laid before the Congress a Letter from the General, with sundry papers enclosed, which were read; and being taken into consideration,

Ordered, That Mr. Wilson apply to the Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and request them to make diligent inquiry what quantity of Duck, Russia Sheeting, Tow-Cloth, Oznaburghs, and Ticklenburghs, can be procured in this City, and make return as soon as possible to this Congress.

Resolved, That Joseph Trumbull be Commissary-General of Stores and Provisions for the Army of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the appointment of a Quartermaster-General, a Commissary of Musters, and a Commissary of Artillery, be left to General Washington.

That a Company of Matrosses be raised in the City of Philadelphia, and sent to Boston.

That a Committee of three be appointed to devise ways and means of raising the above Company.

The Committee chosen are Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Gadsden.

That the President be desired to write to the Powder Committees, or Committees of Safety in this City and New-York, (where it is said a supply of Powder is lately arrived) to forward to the camp as much good Gunpowder as they can spare.

That General Thomas be appointed first Brigadier-General in the Army of the United Colonies, in the room of General Pomeroy, who never acted under the commission sent to him, and that General Thomas’s commission bear the same date that General Pomeroy’s did.

That it be left to General Washington, if he thinks fit, to appoint three Brigade Majors, and commission them accordingly.

That a Committee of three be appointed to report the method of establishing an Hospital.

The Committee chosen are Mr. Lewis, Mr. Paine, and Mr. Middleton.

That it be recommended to the Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, to complete the deficiencies in the Regiments belonging to their respective Colonies, retained by the General in the Continental Army before Boston.

That it be recommended to the Colony of Rhode-Island to complete and send forward to the camp before Boston, as soon as possible, the three hundred and sixty men lately voted by their General Assembly.

That it be recommended also to the Colony of Connecticut, to complete and send forward to the camp before Boston, as soon as possible, the fourteen hundred men lately voted by their General Assembly.

That the paragraph of the General’s Letter respecting an easier communication between him and this Congress, be referred for consideration till Saturday next.

That a Committee be appointed to bring in an estimate of the expenses incurred by the votes and resolves of this Congress.

Mr. Deane, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Cushing chosen.