Monday, September 25, 1775.

The Congress resumed the consideration of General Washington’s Letters, Nos. 4 and 5, and after some debate,

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare an answer.

The ballots being taken and examined, the following members were chosen, viz: Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lee, and Mr. J. Adams.

The Committee of Accounts having represented to the Congress, that in consequence of the order of Congress, dated the 1st of August last, they have drawn out of the Treasury the sum of ten thousand Dollars; and that, over and above, they have drawn on the Treasurers for the further sum of one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six and one-fourth Dollars, to discharge sundry Accounts which the Congress ordered them to pay; they therefore move that the Congress will issue an order for the same, to indemnify the Treasurer.

The Congress taking this matter into consideration,

Resolved, That the Committee’s draft for the above sum be deemed valid, and allowed good in the Treasurer’s Accounts.

As Accounts are brought in, different from those committed to the foregoing Committee to liquidate, and as it is proper that the Accounts of the Continent be put into a proper train of liquidation and settlement, in order for payment,

Resolved, That a Committee of Accounts be now raised, to consist of one Member from each of the United Colonies, to whom all Accounts against the Continent are to be referred, who are to examine and report upon the same, in order for payment; seven of them to be a quorum.

That the Committee consist of the following members, viz: Mr. Langdon, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Ward, Mr. Deane, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Smith, Mr. Willing, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Gadsden, and Dr. Zubly.

That the former Committee deliver to the Committee now appointed, all the Books, Accounts, and Papers in their hands.

The Delegates from Pennsylvania produced an account of the Powder imported, and how it has been disposed of.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Letter from Messrs. Morris and Wilson, of 14th September, with the enclosed papers, and after some debate, the same was referred till to-morrow.

Adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow.

Tuesday, September 26, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The Order of the Day was called for, but as the Delegates for Virginia and Pennsylvania were not present, the consideration of the Letters and Papers from Messrs. L. Morris and Wilson was deferred till to-morrow.

The Committee appointed to prepare an answer to General Washington’s Letters reported the same, which was read, and agreed to.

Ordered, That the same be signed by the President, and forwarded immediately.

The Committee appointed to examine the Journal of the Congress, during the last sessions, reported a copy, which was ordered to be read.

Adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow.

Wednesday, September 27, 1775.

The Committee of Accounts applied to the Congress for advice how to charge sundry Accounts; and the same being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That the expense of Kettles, Canteens, and Spoons, supplied to the Soldiers, be charged to the Continent.

Application being made, in behalf of Connecticut, for a sum of Money on account of sundry advances for the use of the Continent,

Resolved, That the sum of one hundred and sixty thousand Dollars be paid to Connecticut, for Supplies issued by that Colony for the service of the United Colonies, to be accounted for by them.

The Committee of Claims reported that, in their opinion, the following Accounts were reasonable, and ought to be paid:

A balance due to Robert Erwin, Wagonmaster, amounting to 887 1-15 Dollars.

An Account of George Frank, for riding express, amounting to thirty-eight Dollars.

An Account of the Committee of Northampton County, for Money advanced for the Rifle Companies, amounting to 3,182 39-90 Dollars.

Ordered, That the three above Accounts be paid.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee appointed to examine the Journals of the last session; and the same being read over,

Ordered, That the same be published by the Secretary, and that he superintend and correct the press.

A Memorial of Samuel and Robert Purviance was presented and read, setting forth, that they had chartered a Vessel, to carry a load of Wheat; that the said Vessel, in going from Philadelphia to Chestertown, Maryland, was lost in the late storm, by which they were prevented from exporting, before the 10th of September, the cargo which they had actually purchased; and therefore praying for liberty to export the said cargo to a foreign port.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Certain Resolutions of the Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, respecting an application made to them by a Captain, for leave to take a cargo of Flour to Gloucester, in Massachusetts-Bay, were laid before the Congress and read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Adjourned to nine o’clock, on Friday.

Friday, September 29, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

A Letter from General Washington, dated the 21st of September, with sundry enclosures, being received by express, was laid before Congress and read.

Intimation being given to Congress that a quantity of Powder was arrived,

On motion, Ordered, That the Committee appointed to procure Powder do make inquiry whether any Powder is arrived, and if so, to purchase it for the use of the Continent.

The Committee of Accounts produced sundry Accounts, which they reported as just, viz:

John Powell, for riding express, a balance due to him, amounting to 45 1-3 Dollars.

Matthias Slough, for Money advanced to the Rifle Companies, amounting to 710 64-90 Dollars.

James Alexander, for riding express, a balance due to him, amounting to 172 26-90 Dollars.

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid.

Upon motion made, Resolved, That when any Accounts are laid before the Congress, and ordered to be paid, the Orders be drawn on the Treasurers, and signed by the President.

On motion made, Resolved, That a Committee of three members of this Congress be appointed, to repair immediately to the Camp at Cambridge, to confer with General Washington, and with the Governour of Connecticut, Lieutenant-Governour of Rhode-Island, the Council of Massachusetts, and the President of the Convention of New-Hampshire, and such other persons as to the said Committee shall seem proper, touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a Continental Army.

Resolved, That the appointment of said Committee be deferred till to-morrow.

Saturday, September 30, 1775.

The Congress proceeded to the election of a Committee, and a Committee being appointed to examine the ballots, reported that Mr. Lynch and Dr. Franklin were duly elected by a majority of ballots, and that two other members had an equal number.

The Congress taking into consideration the Report of the Committee,