On motion made, Resolved, That the Congress proceed to the choice of a third person by ballot, and that this rule be observed in all similar cases.

Accordingly, the ballots being taken and examined, the Committee of Examination reported, that Mr. Harrison is duly elected.

Resolved, That Mr. Lynch, Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Harrison, be the Committee for the purpose expressed in the Resolution of yesterday.

Upon motion made, Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed, to draw up Instructions for the above Committee.

The ballots being taken, the following persons were elected: Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. Lee, Mr. Johnson, Mr. R. Livingston, and Mr. S. Adams.

On motion made, Resolved, That the President write to General Washington, to inform him of the Resolution of Congress, appointing a Committee to wait on him, in order to consult with him touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a Continental Army.

That a like Letter be written to the Governour of Connecticut, and to request him, in case he cannot himself attend, that he will appoint a proper person to represent that Colony, to confer with the Committee of Congress on the subjects intrusted to them.

That a like Letter be written to the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, and to the Lieutenant-Governour of Rhode-Island, and to the President of the Convention of New-Hampshire.

It being represented to the Congress, that from the present situation of affairs, and of the correspondence now carried on through North-America, it is apprehended that if the rate of postage is lowered, agreeably to the Resolution of Congress, the proceeds of the office will not support the necessary riders; and as the people in general are well satisfied with, at least no complaints have been made with regard to the rates lately paid for the postage of Letters,

On motion, Resolved, That the Resolution of Congress respecting the lowering the rates of Postage be suspended until further orders from this Congress.

The Committee of Claims reported, that

A Certificate presented by William Hall, signed by Captain Daniel Morgan, for necessaries furnished by George Kiger to his Company, ought to be allowed; that another Certificate, presented also by said W. Hall, and signed by Captain D. Morgan, for necessaries to his Company by Mesheck Sexton, is reasonable, and ought to be paid: both the above sums, amounting in the whole to 71 2-3 Dollars, and that the said sum ought to be charged to said Captain Morgan’s Company.

An Account of necessaries furnished by John Jordan, of Lancaster, for Captain Ross and Captain Smith’s Companies of Riflemen, amounting to the sum 432 2-10 Dollars, is reasonable, and ought to be paid, and charged to the Continent.

The Congress taking into consideration the above Report,

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid.

The Resolution of the Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia referred to Monday next.

The Committee appointed to consider the Trade of America brought in their report, which was read, and referred to Monday next.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, on Monday, to meet at the Lodge.

Monday, October 2, 1775.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on Trade, and the same being read,

Upon motion, Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the above Report.

The Committee appointed to prepare Instructions for the Committee ordered to wait on the General reported a draught, which being read and debated by paragraphs, was agreed to.

Ordered, That a fair copy be made out, and delivered to the Committee appointed to wait on the General.

Upon motion, Resolved, That where the word month is used, the Congress means calendar month, by which the pay of the men in the service of the Continent is to be regulated.

Resolved, That the Pay of the Second Lieutenants in the marching Regiments be the same as that of the First Lieutenants.

Adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow.

Tuesday, October 3, 1775.

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

The Account of Frederick Beiking for fifty-six reams of Paper for the Continental currency, amounting to 388 8-10 Dollars.

The Account of Samuel Baughmans, for the entertainment of Captain Ross’s Company, amounting to 14 1-10 Dollars.

Two Accounts from the Committee of Trenton, for Wagonage and sundry Expresses, amounting together to the sum of 103 4-5 Dollars.

Two Accounts delivered in by Casper Weitzell, for expenses for Diet and Provisions for Captain Lowden’s Company of Riflemen, amounting, together, to the sum of 44.6 Dollars.

Two Accounts delivered in by Miles and Wister, for necessaries furnished by John Harris, Jun., and Elias Younk-man, to Captain Lowden’s Company of Riflemen, amounting, together, to ninety-six Dollars, to be charged to the said Company.

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid, and that the President draw Orders for the same.

The Committee further informed the Congress, that there are a number of Carbines and Pistols provided for the Hussar Company, which the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania are willing to take at the first cost.

Resolved, That the said Carbines and Pistols be delivered to the order of the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, they paying the first cost.

The Committee of Claims reported an Account of Frederick Blankenberg and Leonard Stein, retained as Hussars, on which they desired to know the determination of Congress.

Ordered, That the abovenamed Frederick Blankenberg and Leonard Stein be allowed to retain the Clothes made for them, and that, over and above, they be paid sixteen Dollars each for the time they were retained in service.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Commissary-General contract for such quantities of Beef and Pork as may be thought proper by the General, and have the same salted up in convenient houses near the Camp, according to his scheme recommended by the General to the consideration of the Congress.

Resolved, That the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars be immediately sent to the Paymaster-General, for the use of the Army in the Massachusetts-Bay.

That the Committee who are appointed to repair to the Camp be requested to take the charge of the above sum, or as much of it as they conveniently can.

Resolved, That the expenses of the Committee be paid out of the Continental Treasury.

Resolved, That General Washington may, if he thinks proper, for the encouragement of an attack on Boston, promise, in case of success, a month’s pay to the Army, and to the representatives of such of our brave countrymen as may chance to fall; and in case success should not attend the attempt, a month’s pay to the representatives of the deceased.

One of the Delegates for Rhode-Island laid before the Congress a part of the Instructions given them by the House of Magistrates, August 26, 1775, in these words, viz:

“Whereas, notwithstanding the humble and dutiful Petition of the last Congress to the King and otherwise, and pacifick measures taken for obtaining a happy reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies, the Ministry, lost to every sentiment of justice, liberty, and humanity, continue to send troops and ships of war into America,