Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed, to inquire into this matter.

The members chosen: Mr. Sherman, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Johnson, Colonel Lee, and Mr. S. Adams.

Application being made by Mr. Jay, in behalf of Lieutenant Hamar, one of the prisoners at Trenton, for leave to reside with Mr. Duer, near Saratoga, the same was granted, he to be on the same parole as heretofore, with this variation: not to go farther than twelve miles distant from the place now assigned him.

Application being also made in behalf of Lieutenant Symes, a prisoner now in the Jail of this City, for leave to reside at Trenton, on the same parole as the other Officers there, the same was granted.

Information being given by the Committee of Inspection of this City, that sundry persons have refused to receive in payment or give a currency to the Bills issued by order of this Congress, and also to those emitted by the Assembly of this Province,

Resolved, That the same be referred to a Committee of seven, who are to take the same into consideration, and make report thereon to Congress.

The members chosen: Mr. Jay, Dr. Franklin, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wythe, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. Jefferson.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed, and the Orders of the Day renewed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Friday, November 24, 1775.

On motion made, Resolved, That despatches be sent to the Colony Agents in England, by Mr. Morris’s Vessel, which will be ready to sail on Monday next.

The Committee to whom the intercepted Letters were referred brought in their Report; which being read and agreed to.

Resolved, That it be recommitted to the same Committee, and that they have the extracts agreed to published, together with an authentick account of the capture of Chambly and St. John’s, and to have one thousand copies struck off, to go with the despatches.

That the said Committee prepare a Letter to the Colony Agents, to go by Mr. Morris’s Vessel.

The Congress proceeded to the choice of an Indian Commissioner, in the room of Major Hawley.

Timothy Edwards was unanimously elected.

On motion made, Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed, to take into consideration the state of North-Carolina, and report to Congress what, in their opinion, is necessary to be done for its safety and security.

The members chosen: Mr. E. Rutledge, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Paca.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washington’s Letter, and the same being again read, and after being debated, referred till to-morrow.

A Petition from Downham Newton was presented and read.

Resolved, That the same be committed to a Committee of three.

The members chosen: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Jay.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Treasurers pay such sums of Money as the Committee for promoting the manufacture of Saltpetre shall draw Orders upon, or apply to them for, not exceeding 1,000 Dollars, to be accounted for by the said Committee.

That in case the Committee for promoting the manufacture of Saltpetre cannot procure persons to go to Virginia for that purpose, it be recommended to the gentlemen who are desired and empowered to superintend and forward the work in that Colony to employ any skilful managers they can meet with, to undertake it.

A Petition from Captain Dugal McGregor was presented and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee of three, above appointed.

The Committee on the Treasury brought in their Report; which was read, and ordered to be taken into consideration to-morrow.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, November 25, 1775.

The Congress proceeded to the election of Field-Officers for the Battalion raising in Pennsylvania, when John Bull, Esq., was elected Colonel; James Irvine, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel; Anthony James Morris, Major.

Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for the appointment of an Adjutant and a Quartermaster for the Second Battalion raised in New-Jersey, and of an Adjutant and Quartermaster for the Battalion raised in Pennsylvania.

Resolved, That Tuesday next be assigned for taking into consideration the Memorials of the Tea-Holders in New-York and Philadelphia.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due to John Hinchman, for Provisions furnished to several Rifle Companies, the sum of 65.2 Dollars.

Christopher Haine, for Kettles and Canteens furnished to Captain Stevenson and Captain Ross’s Companies, the sum of 35.8 Dollars, which ought to be paid to Gibson & Aston.

Richard Bache, Deputy Postmaster, for sundry postages, from the 14th of October to 8th November, 1775, inclusive, 31.1 Dollars.

Thomas Dewees, for dieting the crew of the Ship Rebecca & Francis, the sum of 44.4 Dollars.

Levi Hollingsworth, for expenses of himself and three others, to Ticonderoga and back again, who took with them a sum of money for General Schuyler, the sum of 128 Dollars.

Andrew Bunker, for Blankets and Kettles furnished Captain Stevenson’s Company by Anthony Noble, 41.4 Dollars.

Dr. Franklin, for the expenses of Mr. Harrison, Mr. Lynch, and himself, on their journey to the Camp at Cambridge, including Carriage Hire, &c., the sum of 581.9 Dollars; and for other moneys paid by him for the Continental service, including 20 Dollars advanced to Christopher Madeira, and to be charged to him, the sum of 72.7 Dollars.

John Sterret, for Goods furnished by Joseph Holmes to Captain Morgan’s Company, to be charged to said Company, the sum of 55.9 Dollars.

William West, for Goods furnished by John Holmes to Captain Cluggage’s Company, the sum of 281.3 Dollars; of which sum, 35 12-90 Dollars being for Blankets charged to the Continent, and the remainder to Captain Cluggage’s Company.

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washington’s Letter, and the same being debated by paragraphs, was agreed to, as follows:

The Committee to whom so much of the Letter from General Washington to the President, dated the 8th instant, as relates to the disposal of the Vessels and Cargoes belonging to the enemy, which shall fall into the hands of or be taken by the inhabitants of the United Colonies, and so much of the Report of the Committee of Congress, which lately went to the Camp at Cambridge, as related to that subject, were referred, have examined the matter thereof, and directed the same, as it appears to them, together with the Resolutions of the Committee thereupon, to be reported as followeth:

It appears to your Committee, from undoubted information, that many vessels which had cleared at the respective custom-houses in these Colonies, agreeable to the regulations established by acts of the British Parliament, have in a lawless manner, without even the semblance of just authority, been seized by His Majesty’s ships of war, and carried into the harbour of Boston and other ports, where they have been rifled of their cargoes, by orders of His Majesty’s naval and military officers there commanding, without the said vessels having been proceeded against by any form

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