which it appeared that it was their unanimous opinion that the new Army, intended to lie before Boston, should not consist of less than twenty thousand three hundred and seventy-two men. In which opinion, on a consideration of all circumstances, this Committee unanimously concurs. Agreed, including Officers.

Second. What should be the pay of the Officers and Privates; that of some of the former in the present Army being, it is apprehended, too low, and that of the latter too high?

Answer. That of the Privates, unanimously agreed, cannot be reduced; and agreed, by a majority, that raising the pay of the Officers would be inconvenient and improper. It was also unanimously agreed, that, under the present circumstances, the proposition of lowering the pay of the Troops would be attended with dangerous consequences.

October 19, 1775.

The Members of the Committee to confer with General Washington met. Present as yesterday.

Matthew Thornton, Esq., President of the Convention of New-Hampshire, attending, took his seat this day.

It was now proposed for consideration, what number each Company and how many Companies each Regiment should contain.

Agreed, unanimously, That each Regiment consist of seven hundred and twenty-eight men, including Officers; that it be divided into eight Companies, each Company to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, two Drums or Fifes, seventy-six Privates.

2d. Of what kind and quantity of provisions a Ration should consist?

Resolved, That it be as follows: One pound of beef or three-quarters of a pound of pork, or one pound of salt fish, per day; one pound of bread or flour per day; three pints of peas or beans per week, or vegetables equivalent, at six Shillings per bushel for peas or beans; one pint of milk per man per day, or at the rate of one Penny per pint; one half pint of rice, or one pint of Indian meal, per man per week; one quart of spruce beer or cider per man, per day, or nine gallons of molasses per Company of one hundred men, per week; three pounds of candles to one hundred men, per week, for squads; twenty-four pounds of soft, or eight pounds of hard soap, for one hundred men, per week.

3d. What is the best method of providing Arms for the Troops to be engaged in the new Army?

Agreed, That it be recommended to the several Conventions or Assemblies of the Colonies, respectively, to set and keep their Gunsmiths at work to manufacture good Firelocks with Bayonets; each Firelock to be made with a good Bridle Lock, three-quarters of an inch bore, and of good substance at the breech; the Barrel to be three feet eight inches in length; the Bayonet to be eighteen inches in the blade; with a steel Ramrod, the upper loop therefor being trumpet-mouthed. That the price to be given be fixed by the Assembly or Convention, or Committee of Safety of each Colony, and to import all that can be procured; and that the good Arms of such soldiers as leave the service, be retained on a valuation made of them.

October 20, 1775.

The Committee met. Present as before.

It was now proposed for consideration, what will be the best method of providing Clothes for the Troops which are to compose the new Army?

Agreed, That the Clothing be provided by the Continent, and paid for by stoppages out of the Soldiers’ wages, at ten Shillings per month; that as much as possible of the Cloth, for this purpose, be dyed brown, and the distinctions of Regiments made in the facings; also, that a man who brings a good new Blanket into the camp, should be allowed two Dollars therefor, and take it away with him at the end of the campaign.

2d. What is the best method of getting Provisions for the Army?

Agreed, That in procuring salt Provisions, it will be best to drive the Cattle and Hogs, at proper seasons, to the camp, there to be cured, and that the New-England Colonies can supply the Army fully with these articles. That in the article of Bread and Flour, the Commissary proceed in the way he has done for some time past, that appearing both safe and frugal.

3d. By whom the Officers should be chosen or recommended, and how the best Officers and men, in the present Army, may be engaged for the next, making a complete arrangement of the whole?

Agreed, That such Officers as have served in the present Army to approbation, and are willing to slay, be preferred; if there are more of them than are necessary for the new Army, the General to distinguish such as he deems best qualified.

Agreed, upon a representation from the General, That it be recommended to the several Legislatures of New-England, that proper authority be given him to impress Carriages, Vessels, Horses, and other things necessary, at a reasonable rate, for the transportation or march of the Army, or any part of it, or on any other emergency; and that this power may be deputed in writing, under the hand of the General, to the Quartermaster-General, or to any inferior Officer, who are to be accountable for any abuse thereof.

October 21, 1775.

Members of the Conference met. Present as before, except General Sullivan.

It appearing, on a full discussion and consideration of all circumstances, that any attempt to reduce the present pay would probably prevent the Soldiers re-enlisting, and that the advancement of the season does not admit of any delay in proceeding to form the new Army,

Agreed, That it be proposed to the Officers now serving in the present Army, that they signify in writing, as soon as possible, which of them will continue to serve and defend their Country, and which of them will retire; and that such Officers as propose to continue in the service, and are approved by the General, proceed to enlist their men into the Continental service, upon the same pay and allowance of provisions as is now given; their service to continue to the last day of December, 1776, subject to be discharged at any time by the Continental Congress, as has been heretofore practised in the like cases.

Agreed, That if, upon trial, it should appear that the number of twenty thousand three hundred and seventy-two men, before resolved upon, cannot be raised out of the present Army, that then the Officers appointed for the new Army recruit their several Regiments and Companies to their full complement; and in case the necessity of the service should require it, the General be empowered to call forth the Minute-Men or Militia from this or the neighbouring Colonies, according to the nature and exigence of the service.

The Rules and Regulations of the Continental Army were then taken under consideration, and the following alterations proposed, viz:

1. All persons convicted of holding a treacherous correspondence with or giving intelligence to the enemy, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as a General Court-Martial shall think proper.

October 22, 1775.

The Rules and Articles of the Continental Army were again considered.

Agreed, That it be recommended to the several Legislatures of the Colonies, or Conventions, to enact a law, or pass an ordinance, inflicting the following punishment upon such as harbour Deserters, knowing them to be such, viz: A fine upon all such offenders, not less than thirty nor more than fifty Dollars; and in case of inability to pay the fine, to be punished with whipping, not exceeding thirty-nine lashes for each offence. That any person who shall apprehend a Deserter, and bring him to the Regiment to which he belongs, upon a certificate thereof by the Colonel or commanding officer of such Regiment, shall be entitled to receive five Dollars, and all reasonable expenses, from the Continental Paymaster, which is to be deducted from the pay of such Soldier.

2. That all Commissioned Officers found guilty, by a General Court-Martial, of any fraud or embezzlement, shall