the said Colonies, whose business it shall be to employ and set to work so many persons as they may think proper, both to work up such earth as is now fit for making Saltpetre, and to collect together and place in beds or walls, under sheds, all such earth and composition of materials as are suitable to produce Saltpetre, after being duly exposed to the air, in order to increase the produce of it; and that the Delegates of the respective Colonies be directed to send this Resolution, together with the Resolve of last session respecting Saltpetre, to their respective Colonies, and cause them to be printed and made publick there.

The Congress resuming the consideration of the Report of the Committee on Nova-Scotia.

Resolved, That two persons be sent, at the expense of these Colonies, to Nova-Scotia, to inquire into the state of that Colony; the disposition of the inhabitants towards the American cause; and the conditions of the Fortifications, Docks, Yards, the quantity of Artillery and warlike Stores, and the number of Soldiers, Sailors, and Ships of War there; and transmit the earliest intelligence to General Washington.

Resolved, That General Washington be directed, in case he should judge it practicable and expedient, to send into that Colony a sufficient force to take away the Cannon and warlike Stores, and to destroy the Docks, Yards, and Magazines, and to take or destroy any Ships of War and Transports there, belonging to the enemy.

Resolved, That two Battalions of Marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other Regiments; that they consist of an equal number of Privates with other Battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to offices or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the Continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.

Ordered, That a copy of the above be transmitted to the General.

Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for taking into consideration the Report of the Committee on the disputes between the people of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, on the waters of the Susquehannah.

The Order of the Day being renewed,
Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, November 11, 1775.

On motion made, Resolved, That it be recommended to such proprietors of Tobacco Warehouses and Tobacco Houses, in Virginia and Maryland, as cannot speedily have the earth of the floors of their houses worked for Saltpetre, that they cause those floors to be soon dug up and left fine, loose, and light, at least six inches deep, suffering the tobacco stalks and trashy leaves to be spread thereon, and leaving the doors open, especially in dry weather, as often as convenience will permit, whereby the soil will be much the more impregnated with nitrous particles, the manufacture of Saltpetre facilitated, and the quantity thereof greatly increased.

Two Petitions, one from Charles Wharton, the other from James Longhead, praying to be appointed Commissaries to the Battalions raising in this Colony, were read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

On motion made, Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed, to contract with such person or persons as will undertake, at the cheapest rate, to supply such Continental Troops as are or may be in the Barracks at Philadelphia, during their stay there, with the Rations allowed by this Congress.

The members appointed: Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Allen.

Resolved, That the Recruiting Officers in Pennsylvania send the Recruits they may enlist, as soon as raised, to the Barracks in Philadelphia.

A Letter from Volkert P. Douw, Esq., dated 6th inst., was read.

On motion made, Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed, to take into consideration the foregoing Letter, and the Minutes of the Treaty held with the Indians at Albany, by the Indian Commissioners of the Northern Department, and report thereon.

The members chosen: Mr. Wythe, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Duane, and Mr. Cushing.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Committee appointed to proceed to Ticonderoga and Canada be directed to confer with the Generals commanding in that Department, on the propriety of sending the whole or any part of the Army under their command, with proper Artillery and Ammunition, to Quebeck, in order to second Colonel Arnold’s expedition, or to renew the attempt, should his have failed, and to give directions accordingly.

Resolved, That the Fortifications of Quebeck, in case it comes into our hands, be repaired, and furnished with such Provisions, Arms, Ammunition, and Artillery, as may be necessary to its security.

Resolved, That in case any one of the foregoing Committee be disabled or prevented from proceeding, the other two have full power to proceed and transact the business intrusted to them.

The Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Kirkland brought in their Report, which was read; and the same being taken into consideration, the Congress came to the following Resolution:

Whereas Mr. Kirkland has been put to a considerable expense, and has undergone much fatigue and hardship, in procuring the Indians to meet the Commissioners at Albany, and enter into the treaty concluded there in August last; and that he hath been very active and successful in endeavouring to conciliate the good will of those people towards the inhabitants of the United Colonies, and hath in some measure defeated the machinations of the emissaries and agents of the British Ministry to increase the number of our enemies:

Resolved, That 113 Dollars be paid to the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, for his past services, out of the Continental Treasury.

Resolved, That for the propagation of the Gospel amongst the Indians, and conciliating their affections to the United Colonies, and thereby preserving their friendship and neutrality, Mr. Kirkland be continued in his mission amongst them; and that, for those important purposes, he be allowed and paid, out of the Continental Treasury, for the support of himself and family the ensuing year, sixty-five Pounds sterling, or 288 8-9 Dollars; and that sixty Pounds sterling, or 266 2-3 Dollars, be advanced to him, to be by him disposed of in such manner as may best promote the happiness of the Indians, and attach them to these Colonies.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the Report be postponed until the Committee to whom Mr. Douw’s Letter and the Minutes of the late Treaty are referred shall have made their Report.

On motion made, Resolved, That three thousand tin Cartouch-Boxes be made and sent to the Camp; but if tin can be procured, to send it.

Ordered, That the Delegates of Pennsylvania be appointed to carry the above Resolve into execution.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Committee on Saltpetre be empowered to contract with the gentlemen who offer to proceed to Virginia on this business.

Resolved, That the Report of the Committee on the disputes between the people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut be referred to Monday.

On motion made, Resolved, That five hundred thousand Dollars be sent to the Paymaster-General, for the use of the Army in Massachusetts-Bay.

That fifty thousand Dollars be sent to the Convention of New-York, to be accounted for by said Convention.

That the Delegates of Pennsylvania be appointed to count and forward the said sums under a guard, viz: two Light Horse and a servant.

Two Petitions, one from Murray, Sansom, and others, and the other from Jasper Griffing, were read.

Ordered, To be referred to a Committee of three.