The several matters to this day referred being postponed, Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Thursday, November 30, 1775.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Committee appointed for fitting out Ships of War be directed to engage Seamen on the best terms in their power, not exceeding six Dollars and two-thirds for the best able-bodied Seamen per month.

Resolved, That the Regulations and Articles for governing and manning the Ships now fitting out, as they have been settled by Congress, be immediately printed.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Committee appointed to revise the Journal of last session be directed to revise the Journal of the present session, and prepare them for the press; and, also, to examine whether it will be proper yet to publish any of those parts omitted in the Journal of last session; and as Mr. J. Rutledge, one of the Committee, is absent, that another member be chosen in his room.

The member chosen: Mr. Wythe.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed, to report a Letter of Thanks to the three General Officers employed in the Northern Department, for their services.

The members chosen: Mr. Wilson, Mr. W. Livingston, and Mr. Jay.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of General Washington’s Letter of the 19th.

Resolved, That the General be directed to suspend the raising the two Battalions of Marines out of his present Army.

Resolved, That the two Battalions of Marines be raised, independent of the Army already ordered for the service in Massachusetts-Bay.

On a motion made, and question put, Resolved, That no Bounty be allowed to the Army, on re-enlistment.

Sundry Letters from General Schuyler, W. Livingston, and the Committee sent to the Northward, being received, were read.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the General’s Letter, and the other matters to this day referred, be postponed till to-morrow.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Friday, December 1, 1775.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Letter from General Washington, and, after debate, came to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That the five hundred thousand Dollars, lately ordered, be forwarded, with all possible expedition, to General Washington, that he may be enabled to pay such Soldiers as will re-enlist for the succeeding year their wages for the months of October, November, and December, and also to advance them one month’s pay.

Resolved, That the Governments of New-England be informed of the Resolutions of Congress relative to the pay ordered to be made and advanced to the Army, and be desired to promote the recruiting service in the present Army, as well as in their several Colonies.

A Letter from the Committee of Frederick County, Maryland, being received, was read, containing an account of the seizure of Major Connolly and others, and desiring the advice of Congress with regard to the Prisoners.

On motion, Resolved, That the said Letter, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Delegates of Virginia, who are desired to take the same into consideration, and report to Congress.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, December 2, 1775.

A Letter from the Committee of Northampton, in Virginia, with sundry papers, containing matters of importance, being received, was read.

On motion made, Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee appointed to take into consideration the state of Virginia.

Resolved, As one of the members of that Committee is absent, that another member be chosen, and added to the Committee, in the room of the member absent.

The member chosen: Mr. Paca.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out Armed Vessels be instructed and directed to confer with Captain Stone, and engage him and his Vessel, on the most reasonable terms, in the service of the Continent, for the purpose of taking or destroying the Cutters and Armed Vessels in Chesapeake-Bay, under Lord Dunmore.

Resolved, That Colonel Harrison do immediately proceed to Maryland, and be empowered, in conjunction with the Delegates of that Colony to this Congress, or any one or more of them, to take such measures as appear to them most effectual to procure, with all possible despatch, on Continental charge, two or three Armed Vessels, to proceed immediately, to cruise on, to take or destroy as many of the Armed Vessels, Cutters, and Ships of War of the enemy as possible, that may be found in the Bay of Chesapeake or any of its dependencies.

Whereas designs are formed, by certain Ministerial partisans in the Counties of Norfolk and Princess-Anne, and some other parts of Virginia, on Chesapeake-Bay, under the influence of Lord Dunmore, to contravene the Non-Exportation Agreement, by exporting Provisions and other produce of that country to the West-India Islands, and thereby injure the interest and weaken the efforts of the United Colonies in opposing the present oppressive system of the British Ministry:

Resolved, therefore, That the said Armed Vessels be authorized and directed to seize and detain, until the further order of this Congress, all such Ships and Vessels as they may find employed in such exportations from the places aforesaid.

Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out Armed Vessels be directed to employ the Armed Sloop commanded by Captain Abraham Whipple, of Rhode-Island, now on a voyage to this Port, and despatch her forthwith to aid the Marine business to the Southward.

Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out Armed Vessels, be directed to prepare a proper Commission for the Captains or Commanders of the Ships of War in the service of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That Orders issue to the Colonel of the Pennsylvania Battalion now in the Barracks, to send a detachment of his Regiment, and keep a regular Guard on the wharves of Messrs. Willing & Morris , and Mr. Cuthbert, to take care of the Ships and Stores belonging to the United Colonies.

The House of Assembly of New-Jersey having, by a Resolution of their House, passed 22d November last, accepted the resignation of two of their Delegates, and confirmed the remaining three, and, by another Resolution, passed the 30th of said month, enlarged their power, the same were read, as follows:

“NEW -JERSEY HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY,
November 22, 1775.

“The House, took into consideration the request of J. Kinsey and John De Hart, Esqrs., two of the Delegates appointed by this House to attend the Continental Congress, for leave to resign their said appointment:

“Resolved, That the reasons given by those gentlemen for their resignation appear to this House to be satisfactory, and that their resignation therefore be accepted; thereupon,

“Resolved, That the three remaining Delegates, or any two of them, represent the Colony during the present Continental Congress.”

“Thursday, November 30, 1775.

“The House taking into consideration the inconveniences arising from requiring the attendance of two of the Delegates to represent the Colony in the Continental Congress,

“Resolved, That any one of the three Delegates appointed to attend the Congress be, and such Delegate is hereby fully authorized to represent this Colony during Congress.

“A true copy from the votes:

“RICHARD SMITH, Clerk of Assembly.”