much Gunpowder as can be spared for the immediate supply of North-Carolina.

Resolved, That the Delegates of the Colony of North-Carolina be directed to purchase a number of Drums, Fifes, and Colours, suitable to the said Battalions, and that the President be directed to draw on the Continental Treasurers for a sum not exceeding three hundred Dollars, for the payment thereof.

That the Convention or Committee of Safety of North-Carolina be desired to employ immediately all the Gunsmiths in that Colony, in the making of Muskets and Bayonets, of the size and in the manner recommended by Congress the 4th of this instant, November.

That two Ministers of the Gospel be applied to, to go immediately amongst the Regulators and Highlanders in the Colony of North-Carolina, for the purpose of informing them of the nature of the present dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies; that the gentlemen to be employed be allowed each forty Dollars per month for their services, and that the Delegates of the said Colony be empowered to apply to and procure persons proper for this business.

That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of North-Carolina, in case the method of defending the said Colony by Minute-Men be inadequate to the purpose, to substitute such other mode as to them shall appear most likely to effect the security of that Colony.

Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on the Memorials of the Tea-holders, and the same being read and debated,

On the question put to agree to it,

Carried in the negative.

Wednesday, November 29, 1775.

An Express arrived with a Letter from General Schuyler, containing an account of the Continental Troops, under General Montgomery, having taken possession of Montreal on the 12th instant, which was read.

The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Downham Newton, of the Island of New-Providence, setting forth the distress of the Inhabitants of that Island, and offering if the Congress will permit him to export one hundred barrels of Flour for the said distressed Inhabitants, he will give any reasonable security to bring back such a quantity of Muskets as can be procured for the money arising from the sale of the said Cargo, brought in their Report, which being taken into consideration, was agreed to, as follows:

The Committee to whom the Petition of Downham Newton was referred have had the same under their consideration, and come to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That the said Downham Newton should be permitted to export on board his vessel, on the terms proposed in his petition, such Provisions of Flour and Pork as he shall think proper.

Resolved; That the said Downham Newton should give bond, with two sufficient sureties, in a penalty equal to double the value of the cargo he shall have laden on board his vessel, the condition of which bond shall be, that the said Downham Newton shall, on or before the 15th day of February next, import into the Port of Newbern, in the Colony of North-Carolina, and there deliver to the Commanding Officer of the Continental Troops in that Colony, good Muskets and Bayonets, or Gunpowder, to the full amount of the proceeds of such cargo; and that, on giving such bond, he shall receive from this Congress a permit, to be signed by the President, allowing him to export said cargo.

On motion made, Resolved, That the executing the above business, and taking the bond from Downham Newton, be referred to the Committee who brought in the foregoing Report.

Information being given to Congress that there is a large quantity of Powder in the Island of Providence,

Ordered, That the foregoing Committee take measures for securing and bringing away the said Powder; and that it be an instruction to the said Committee, in case they can secure said Powder, to have it brought to the Port of Philadelphia, or to some other Port as near Philadelphia as can be with safety.

Resolved, That Mr. R. Morris be added to the foregoing Committee.

The Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on the state of the Treasury, and came to the following Resolutions thereon:

Resolved, That a quantity of Bills of Credit be emitted by Congress, amounting to Three Millions of Dollars.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee to consult with the Printer, and report the number and denomination of the Bills to be emitted, and that they contract or proper paper for this purpose.

The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the Agents brought in the same, which was read and agreed to, as follows:

GENTLEMEN: The manner in which the last dutiful Petition to His Majesty was received, and the subsequent Proclamation, are considered by Congress as further proofs of those malignant councils that surround the Sovereign and distract the British Empire. It is, however, happy for mankind that Ministers can form destructive plans with much more facility than they can execute them. The enclosed printed detail of the operations in Canada, this campaign, will sufficiently evince what little success is likely to attend Ministerial exertions for bringing the Catholicks of Canada and the savages of the wilderness to war on the defenceless women and children of unoffending America. The Canadians are much too liberal to be made instruments in the black design of enslaving their brethren, and the Indians, with their usual sagacity, have by the firmest treaties accepted and pledged themselves to observe the neutrality which Congress desired.

Neither General Gage nor his successor has yet been able to penetrate into the country. The British men of war, indeed, that formerly, with so much glory, supported the interest and the honour of the Nation, have, with a wanton barbarity and inhumanity that would disgrace savages, burned the flourishing but defenceless Town of Falmouth, in the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and have frightened many of the weaker sex, with their children, from other places on the sea-coast. It grieves us exceedingly to see the British arms employed in such a manner, and for such purposes; but we hope the spirit and virtue of a sensible Nation will soon be exerted to procure justice for the innocent oppressed Colonies, and to restore harmony and peace to the British Empire. There is nothing more ardently desired by North-America than a lasting union with Great Britain, on terms of just and equal liberty, but as men, and as descendants of Britons, the good people of these Colonies will rely to the last on Heaven, and their own virtuous efforts, for security against the abusive system pressed by Administration for the ruin of America, and which, if pursued, must end in the destruction of a great Empire.

The intelligence now sent is, gentlemen, to prevent the Nation being imposed upon by misrepresentations, and to guard against mistakes that may probably arise from wanting a true state of facts. We cannot suppose that a brave and sensible people will be prevented by proclamation from furnishing North-America with such advice and assistance as the laws permit, and justice to an oppressed people demands.

Ordered, That a fair copy be made and signed by the President, and forwarded to the Agents.

On motion made, Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed, for the sole purpose of corresponding with our friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world, and that they lay their correspondence before Congress, when directed.

Resolved, That this Congress will make provision to defray all such expenses as may arise by carrying on such correspondence, and for the payment of such agents as the said Committee may send on this service.

The members chosen: Mr. Harrison, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. Jay.

The Committee appointed to take into consideration the Proclamations which lately appeared in the Papers brought in their Report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table for the perusal of the members.