which destroy our trade, plunder and burn our Towns, and murder the good people of these Colonies:

“Resolved, That this Colony most ardently wishes to see the former friendship, harmony, and intercourse between Britain and these Colonies restored, and a happy and lasting connexion established between both Countries, upon terms of just and equal liberty, and will concur with the other Colonies in all proper measures for obtaining those desirable blessings; and as every principle, divine and human, requires us to obey that great and fundamental law of nature, self-preservation, until peace shall be restored upon constitutional principles, this Colony will most heartily exert the whole power of Government, in conjunction with the other Colonies, for carrying on this just and necessary war, and bringing the same to a happy issue; and, amongst other measures for obtaining this most desirable purpose, this Assembly is persuaded that the building and equipping an American fleet, as soon as possible, would greatly and essentially conduce to the preservation of the lives, liberty, and property of the good people of these Colonies, and therefore instruct their Delegates to use their whole influence at the ensuing Congress for building, at the Continental expense, a fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these Colonies, and for employing them in such manner and places as will most effectually annoy our enemies and contribute to the common defence of these Colonies; and they are also instructed to use all their influence for carrying on the war in the most vigorous manner, until peace, liberty, and safety, are restored and secured to these Colonies, upon an equitable and permanent basis.”

Upon motion, Resolved, That the Congress will, on Friday next, take the above into consideration.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of the Trade of these Colonies.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to repair to the Camp do confer with Mr. Rittenhouse, and inquire of him whether he apprehends he could be of service to the Continent as an Engineer; and if so, to engage him, and desire he would, with all convenient speed, repair to the Camp.

Adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow.

Wednesday, October 4, 1775.

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

Account of the Committee of Bedford County, for necessaries furnished to the Company of Riflemen raised therein, amounting to 755 1-3 Dollars, of which sum 128 2-3 Dollars ought to be charged to the Continent, and the remaining sum of 626 2-3 Dollars ought to be charged to Captain Robert Cluggage’s Company, as so much of their pay advanced to them.

Ordered, That the above sum be paid.

Two Members, who undertook to receive and count the Money, for which an Order passed yesterday, to be sent to the Paymaster-General, reported that they found only one hundred and eighty-nine thousand four hundred and sixty-seven Dollars ready in the Treasury, which they received, and have packed up, ready to be sent forward, for which they gave their own receipts, and now return the Order drawn by the President.

An additional Instruction was given to the Committee appointed to confer with the General, which was ordered to be transcribed, and added to the former.

Permission granted for the Sloop Bentham, William Moore, Master, with a parcel of Sea Stores, enumerated, to proceed to South-Carolina.

The Congress then, agreeable to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of the Trade of the thirteen United Colonies; and after some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, from the Committee, that they had taken into consideration the matter referred to them, but not having come to any resolution, desired leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into further consideration the Trade of the B. Confederated Colonies.

Adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow.

Thursday, October 5, 1775.

Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into further consideration the state of the Trade of the thirteen Confederated Colonies; and after some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, from the Committee, that they had not yet come to any conclusion, and desire leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the Trade of the thirteen United Colonies.

Sundry Letters, received from London, were laid before Congress.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed, to prepare a plan for intercepting two Vessels which are on their way to Canada, laden with Arms and Powder; and that the Committee proceed on this business immediately.

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

An Account of Mrs. Stille, of Trenton, for the expenses of Captain Ross and others—to be charged to the said Ross, until he makes it appear to be just and reasonable that the same be charged to the Continent—amounting to 32 76-90 Dollars.

An Account rendered by Charles Axford, for Provisions for Captain Ross’s Company, amounting to 8 3-90 Dollars.

An Account rendered by Charity Britton, for Provisions for Captain Ross’s Company, amounting to 9 66-90 Dollars.

An Account rendered by Joseph Clunn, for Provisions for the same Company, amounting to 7 86-90 Dollars.

An Account rendered by William and Thomas Bradford, for Printing, amounting to 178 7-90 Dollars.

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid.

Resolved, That Timothy Matlack, of this City, be employed as a Storekeeper, and that the Implements provided for the Hussars be put under his care; also, the Tents and Linen, &c., purchased for the Army some time since.

The Committee appointed to prepare a plan for intercepting the two Vessels bound to Canada brought in a Report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon,

Resolved, That a Letter be sent by express to General Washington, to inform him that Congress having received certain intelligence of the sailing of two north country built Brigs, of no force, from England, on the 11th of August last, loaded with Arms, Powder, and other Stores, for Quebeck, without a convoy, which it being of importance to intercept, desire that he apply to the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, for the two Armed Vessels in their service, and despatch the same, with a sufficient number of people, Stores, &c., particularly a number of Oars, in order, if possible, to intercept the said two Brigs and their Cargoes, and secure the same for the use of the Continent; also, any other Transports laden with Ammunition, Clothing, or other Stores, for the use of the Ministerial Army or Navy in America, and secure them in the most convenient places for the purpose above mentioned; that he give the Commander or Commanders such Instructions as are necessary, as, also, proper encouragement to the Marines and Seamen that shall be sent on this enterprise; which Instructions, &c., are to be delivered to the Commander or Commanders, sealed up, with orders not to open the same until out of sight of land, on account of secrecy.

That a Letter be written to the said honourable Council, to put the said Vessels under the General’s command and direction, and to furnish him instantly with every necessary in their power, at the expense of the Continent.

Also, that the General be directed to employ said Vessels, and others if he judge necessary, to effect the purposes aforesaid; and that he be informed that the Rhode-Island and Connecticut Vessels of Force will be sent directly after them, to their assistance.

That a Letter be wrote to Governour Cooke, informing him of the above, desiring him to despatch one or both the Armed Vessels of the Colony of Rhode-Island on the same service, and that he take the precautions above mentioned.

Also, that a Letter be written to Governour Trumbull, requesting of him the largest Vessel in the service of the