26th July, 1775, produced their Credentials, which were read and approved:

“At a meeting of the Delegates appointed by the several Counties of the Province of Maryland, at the City of Annapolis, on Wednesday, the 26th of July, 1775, and continued till the 14th day of August, in the same year:

“Resolved, That the Honourable Matthew Tilghman, Esq., and Thomas Johnson, Jun., Robert Goldsborough, William Paca, Samuel Chase, Thomas Stone, and John Hall, Esqrs., or any three or more of them, be Deputies to represent this Province in Continental Congress; and that they, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures which such Congress shall deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances; and, further, we do authorize our said Deputies to represent and act for this Province in any Continental Congress which may be held before the 25th day of March next.

“G. DUVAIX, Clerk.”

The Congress being informed that only 172,520 Dollars were transmitted to the Paymaster-General for the use of the Army in the Massachusetts-Bay, and that the General was under great difficulty for want of Money:

Ordered, That the Delegates for Pennsylvania do immediately send, under a proper guard, to the Paymaster-General, for the use of the Army in the Massachusetts-Bay, the sum of 527,480 Dollars, which, with that sent, will make up the sum of 700,000 Dollars voted at the last session.

Sundry Letters, received during the recess of Congress, were produced and read, viz:

Two from General Washington, Nos. 4 and 5, with sundry enclosed papers; four from General Schuyler, 16th and 21st of July, and 2d and 31st of August, with sundry papers enclosed.

One from Messrs. L. Morris and J. Wilson, of 6th September.

One from G. Bedford, Deputy Mustermaster-General, with enclosed papers.

Also, a Letter from the Deputies of the several Districts in Bermuda, dated 12th of August, with an account of the Provisions imported and expended in that Island, for three years last past, taken from the Custom-House books, and an estimate of the Provisions necessary for the support of the Inhabitants for one year.

A Memorial from James Stewart and Samuel Jackson, owners of the Ship Friendship, Thomas Jann, master, was presented to Congress and read, setting forth that the said Ship, on the 28th of August last, sailed from Maryland, with a cargo of Tobacco, but being overtaken by the late storm, she was driven on shoals and much damaged, and got into Hampton Road, with the loss of all her masts; and praying that the Memorialists may be allowed to unload said Ship, and that, after being refitted, she may take the cargo on board, and proceed on her voyage.

The Congress, taking into consideration the above Memorial,

Resolved, That the said cargo be unloaded under the inspection of the Committee of Norfolk, and that the said Ship, being refitted, be allowed to take said cargo on board again, and proceed on her voyage; and in case, on examination, the said Ship is condemned as unfit for sea, that the said cargo be put on board some other Vessel, under the inspection of the Committee aforesaid, and exported.

Information being given to Congress, that Dr. B. Franklin had on board the Mary & Elizabeth, Captain N. Falconer, from London, sundry cases, containing his Books, Papers, and Household Furniture, which were in his use when he Jived in London, and which were imported for his own use, and not for sale; and it being submitted to the consideration of the Congress, whether such importation is comprehended within the first article of Association,

Resolved, That such importation is not to be comprehended within the meaning of the said first article of the Association, and that the said Books, Papers, and Furniture, may be landed and delivered to the owner.”

A Memorial from the Committee of the County of Westmoreland, in the Province of Pennsylvania, was presented and read.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow.

Thursday, September 14, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

A number of Letters received by several members during the recess of Congress, being produced, were read, viz:

One, a Letter from Joseph Hawley, excusing his not acting as a Commissioner for Indian affairs, on account of his bad state of health.

Second, a Letter from Elisha Phelps, appointed a Commissary for the Northern Army by Governour Trumbull, in pursuance of an order of Congress, together with a copy of his commission and appointment.

Third, a Letter from J. Reed, Secretary to General Washington, among other things, intimating the desire of the General, that the Clothing lately intercepted by the Committee of Philadelphia should be forwarded to the Camp, for the use of the American Army.

On motion made, Resolved, That the above Clothing be immediately forwarded, under a proper guard, by the Delegates for Pennsylvania, to General Washington, for the use of the American Army.

Fourth, a Letter from the Committee of Safety in New-York, with an enclosed copy of a Letter from General Washington.

These being taken into consideration,

Ordered, That the Delegates for Pennsylvania prepare and lay before the Congress to-morrow, an account of the Powder belonging to the Continent, received, and how it is disposed of; also, an account of all the Powder now in this City.

On motion, Resolved, That Edward Flemming be appointed Deputy Adjutant-General for the Army in the New-York or Northern Department, with the rank of a Colonel, and that the President make out a Commission for him accordingly, and forward the same by the first opportunity.

Ordered, That the President forward to General Schuyler four hundred blank Commissions for the Officers in his Army, to be by him filled up, agreeable to the order of Congress.

Fifth, sundry Letters from General Schuyler. The same being taken into consideration,

On motion made, Resolved, That Samuel Stringer, Esq., be appointed Director of the Hospital, and Chief Physician and Surgeon for the Army in the Northern Department.

That the Pay of the said Samuel Stringer, as Director, Physician, and Surgeon, be four Dollars per day.

That he be authorized and have power to appoint a number of Surgeon's Mates under him, not exceeding four.

That the Pay of said Mates be two-thirds of a Dollar per clay.

That the number be not kept in constant pay, unless the sick and wounded be so numerous as to require the constant attendance of four, and to he diminished as circumstances will admit; for which reason the pay is fixed by the day, that they may only receive pay for actual service.

That the Deputy Commissary-General be directed to pay Dr. Stringer for the Medicines he has purchased for the use of the Army, and that he purchase, and forward such other Medicines as General Philip Schuyler shall by his warrant direct, for the use of said Army.

That Mr. Dyer, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Jay, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Lewis, be a Committee to devise ways and means for supplying the Army with Medicines.

The Delegates for Pennsylvania appointed, at the last session, a Committee to settle and pay the expenses incurred for raising and arming the Rifle Companies, as well as those incurred in consequence of a Resolve of Congress for raising a Company of Hussars, and for Expresses, &c., having informed the Congress that, on account of sundry difficulties, they had not executed that service, and desired that some members from other Colonies, where debts have been contracted, may be added:

Resolved, That Mr. Chase, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Crane, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Deane, be added to the Delegates for Pennsylvania, and that any five of them be a, quorum to settle and pay the above accounts, and that they report their proceedings to the Congress.

The Delegates from the Colony of Georgia informed the Congress that they were ordered by their constituents