Thursday, October 5, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion made, Resolved, That William Paterson, Esq., be appointed Secretary to this Congress.

The Petition from Monmouth County, suggesting that the Deputies returned for that County were not duly elected, was read a second time; whereupon, on motion of Mr. Holmes, it is

Ordered, That the parties be allowed a publick hearing on the prayer of this Petition on Wednesday next, at ten o’clock in the forenoon; and that the Deputies from Monmouth do acquaint the parties therewith.

The Letter from the Committee of Safety of New-York to the Committee of Safety of this Colony, respecting the apprehending of Deserters from the Continental Troops, was read a second time.

Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Dunham, and Mr. Stewart, be a Committee to prepare the draught of a Resolution relative to the same, and make a report thereof to this Congress.

The Congress adjourned until nine o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Friday, October 6, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

A Petition from Jonathan Williams and others, objecting to the Field-Officers of the Second Battalion of Militia for the County of Gloucester, as recommended by the County Committee, and praying that other Field-Officers may be commissioned to command that Battalion, was read, and ordered a second reading.

A Petition from a number of the Inhabitants of the County of Hunterdon, praying that Money at interest may be taxed, was read, and ordered a second reading.

A proposal from James Campbell and others, respecting the manufacturing of Fire-Arms in this Colony, was read, and ordered a second reading.

On motion made, Ordered, That Mr. Pearson, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Holmes, Mr. De Hart, and Mr. Camp, be a Committee to examine the Returns of Minute-Men and Officers, and report the same to this Congress.

On motion of Mr. Covenhoven, that Colonel Taylor be heard before this Congress, pursuant to the recommendation of the County Committee of Monmouth, upon the question, Whether, in Colonel Taylor’s particular case, he might not be permitted to hold the commission of Captain and the commission of Colonel in the same Regiment, at the same time?

Ordered, That Colonel Taylor be heard immediately.

Col. Taylor, having been called in, was heard; whereupon, on motion made, it is

Resolved, That the determination of this matter be postponed to a future day.

The Congress adjourned until nine o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Saturday, October 7, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to examine the Returns of Minute-Officers having reported that they had examined the Muster-Rolls of Captain Hazlet, Captain Stout, and Captain Brearley, and found them agreeable to the Ordinance of the late Congress,

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the respective Officers of those three Companies.

On motion made, Resolved, That on Thursday morning next this Congress will take into consideration the following matters, to wit:

1. Whether the present state of the Provincial Fund, ordered by the late Congress, be sufficient to answer the present publick exigencies.

2. Whether any and what further Provincial Fund is necessary. And,

3. The ways and means to erect such Fund.

The Congress adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Congress resumed the consideration of Colonel Taylor’s case; and, after debating the same,

Resolved, unanimously, That no Officer in the Militia service in this Colony be permitted to hold two commissions at the same time.

On motion made, Resolved, unanimously, That no one person shall hold commissions under the Minute and Militia Ordinances at the same time.

The Congress adjourned until Monday morning next, ten o’clock.

Monday, October 9, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Two Petitions from the Inhabitants of the County of Sussex, signed by a great number of persons, and praying that all who pay taxes may be admitted to vote with the freeholders, at future elections for Deputies to serve in Congress, were read, and ordered a second reading.

Five Petitions from other Inhabitants of the County of Sussex, signed by a number of persons, and praying that all suits at law for the recovery of debts already commenced, or to be commenced, may be suspended, upon certain conditions, until the dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies shall be settled, were read, and ordered a second reading.

On motion made, Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the Officers of the Third Company of Foot of the Township of Acquanuck.

On motion made, Resolved, That Mr. Hart, Mr. Dennis, Mr. Demarest, Mr. Van Dyke, Mr. Winds, Mr. Martin, Mr. Elijah Clark, Mr. Hand, Mr. Carey, Mr. Elmer, Mr. Newbold, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Potter, be a Committee to prepare an estimate of the expense necessary to put this Colony into a posture of defence at this time, and to make report thereof to this Congress on Thursday morning next.

The Congress adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Dunham having informed this Congress that he had seen Mr. Paterson, who had acquainted him that his business and circumstances would by no means admit of his officiating as Secretary,

The Congress proceeded to the choice of a Secretary; when John Carey, Esq., was unanimously chosen Secretary, and Abraham Clark and Charles Stewart, Esquires, Assistant Secretaries.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants of the County of Gloucester, praying that some mode may be adopted to compel the payment of the Ten Thousand Pound Tax from those in that County who have refused to pay the same, was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Petition from Jonathan Williams and others, of Gloucester County, relative to the appointment of Field-Officers for the Second Battalion of Militia in that County, was read a second time; and the recommendation of the County Committee of Gloucester having likewise been read, and the prayer of the said Petition having been duly considered,

Resolved, unanimously, That Commissions do issue to the gentlemen recommended by the County Committee as proper persons for the Officers of the three Battalions in that County.

The Congress adjourned until nine o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Tuesday, October 10, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion made, Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Abraham Clark, and Mr. Dennis, be a Committee to inspect the Minutes of the late Congress and Committee of Safety; and that they make report of such business as stands referred to the consideration of this Congress.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants of Morris County, praying this Congress to appoint Field-Officers for the lower Regiment of Militia for the said County, was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Congress adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow morning.