some safe place until he can be conveniently conducted to the Army; provided, always, that if any person or persons, so apprehended as aforesaid, shall deny his or their being a Deserter or Deserters, the Chairman or Deputy-Chairman of such Town Committee do immediately convene such Town Committee, to hear and determine the same.

2. Resolved, That all reasonable expenses of apprehending and conducting any such Deserter or Deserters as aforesaid, and allowed by any County Committee, shall be paid out of any publick moneys in the hands of the Treasurer or Collector of such County; and that such County Committee do transmit the accounts of such disbursements to this Congress, or the Committee of Safety, to be laid before the Continental Congress for reimbursement.

3. Resolved, That the Inhabitants of this Colony, in general, be desired to exert themselves in causing such Deserter or Deserters to be apprehended: and that any thing contained in the above Resolutions shall not be construed to preclude any such Inhabitant from apprehending such Deserters, without waiting for an order from any Member of such Town or County Committee as aforesaid.

The Petition from the Township of Nottingham, praying that the petitioners may be permitted to join the Light-Infantry Company at Trenton, was read a second time, and referred to future consideration.

The Petition from the County of Gloucester, praying that some mode may be adopted to compel the payment of the Ten Thousand Pound Tax, from such persons as have refused to pay the same, was read a second time.

Ordered, That Mr. Hart, Mr. Ogden, Mr. De Hart, Mr. Pearson, and Mr. Dunham, be a Committee to prepare the draught of an Ordinance for that purpose, and report the same to this Congress.

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

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Pursuant to the Order of the Day, the Congress resumed the Letter of the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, the Letters said to be written by the Rev. Mr. Odell, and Mr. Odell’s Memorial; and Mr. Odell attending, was called in and heard, and then ordered to withdraw. Whereupon, after deliberating thereon, the Previous Question being put, that the determination of Mr. Odell’s case be postponed till to-morrow morning,

Resolved, That the same be postponed accordingly.

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

Wednesday, October 18, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Report from the Committee of the County of Monmouth, relative to the detention of a small Sloop, supposed to be a tender to some Ship-of-War, &c., with the several examinations respecting that matter, were read.

Resolved, That it be recommended to that Committee to publish an Advertisement in the Newspapers, describing the Sloop, so that the owner may know where to apply; and that the Men and Arms, found on board the said Sloop, be taken proper care of by that Committee, until this Congress, or the Committee of Safety, shall give further order therein.

The Congress resumed the consideration of Mr. Odell’s case; and, having deliberated thereon, are of opinion, that it appears, from the general purport of Mr. Odell’s Letter, that he disapproves of, and is in principle opposed to, the measures of defence adopted by the Continent, to prevent the oppressive designs of the British Ministry; but, as this Congress would by no means violate the right of private sentiment, and as Mr. Odell’s Letter does not clearly appear to have been intended to influence publick measures, and as some degree of ambiguity is contained in several parts thereof, this Congress do therefore decline passing any publick censure against him.

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

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion made,

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the Officers of Captain Sweetwood’s Company, in Colonel Taylor’s Regiment of Militia, in Monmouth County.

The Petition from Amwell, praying that the Third Regiment of Militia, in Hunterdon County, may be joined to the First; the Petition from the upper part of Amwell, praying that if any alteration be made in the Third Regiment, the petitioners may be joined to the Fourth Regiment in the said County; the Petition from the Committee of Amwell, and, also, the Petition of Captain Imlay and Captain Gray, respecting the Third Regiment of Hunterdon, were all read a second time; and the Congress having duly considered the prayer of the several Petitions,

Resolved, unanimously, That the appointment of Field-Officers, for the Third Regiment of Militia, for the County of Hunterdon, be confirmed, and that the several Regiments continue as directed by the late Congress.

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

Thursday, October 19, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Petition from Nottingham, praying that the petitioners may be admitted to join the Light-Infantry Company at Trenton; and, on the question being put,

Resolved, That the prayer of the Petition be granted to such persons as reside in the Village of Kingsborough.

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

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants and Freeholders of Trenton, and parts adjacent, praying that Householders may be admitted to vote at future elections, and that such elections be carried on by ballot, was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Committee appointed to prepare the draught of an Ordinance for the further regulation of the Militia of this Colony, reported a draught of the same; which was read, and ordered a second reading.

Pursuant to the Order of the Day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, upon the estimate of the expense necessary to put this Colony into a state of defence at this time; and also upon the ways and means necessary to be adopted to provide a sufficient Fund to defray that expense; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had made some further progress in the matters referred to them, and desired leave to sit again; to which the Congress agreed.

The several Petitions from the County of Sussex, praying a suspension of Law Suits, upon certain conditions, were read a second time; and, after deliberating thereon,

Ordered, That the further consideration of the prayer of the said Petitions be postponed to a future session.

A Petition from the Farmers of Essex, praying that Money at interest, Lawyers, &c., may be taxed, was read, and ordered a second reading.

On motion made, Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the, Field-Officers of the Northern Battalion of the Regiment of Militia of the County of Essex.

On motion made, The Congress resolved, unanimously, That a Commission of First Brigadier-General of the Militia Forces of this Colony do issue to Philemon Dickerson, Esq.

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

Friday, October 20, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Certificate of the election of Officers of the several Companies of Militia in the Township of Freehold, was read.

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the several Officers therein named.

The Certificate of the election of Field-Officers for the Battalion of Minute-Men, for the County of Monmouth, was read.

Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the Officers therein named.

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