Monday, December 4, 1775.

Information being given to Congress, that Major Preston, who was taken prisoner at St. John’s, is now in Town,

Ordered, That Mr. Duane call upon him, and obtain a representation of facts, how he came here, and whether he and the other officers have any liberty granted him, with regard to the place of his confinement.

Information being given to Congress, that Major Stop–ford, notwithstanding his parole, is endeavouring to debauch the minds of the people,

Resolved, That the Delegates of New-Jersey be directed to write to the Committee of Trenton, and desire them to inquire into the conduct and behaviour of Major Stop-ford and the officers there, and report to Congress.

The Committee to whom the Accounts from Massachusetts-Bay were referred reported that, for want of proper vouchers, they were not able to proceed on that business, and therefore desired to be discharged.

Resolved, That the said Committee, upon their request, be discharged.

Application being made, in behalf of the Colony of New-Hampshire, for a sum of Money, on account of their advances in behalf of the Continent,

Resolved, That the sum of 40,000 Dollars be paid to the Colony of New-Hampshire, they to be accountable for the same.

Resolved, That the sum of 443,333 1-3 Dollars be paid to the Colony of Massachusetts, in part of their Account; the said Colony to be accountable for the same.

Resolved, That both the above sums be paid out of the emission last ordered.

The Committee appointed on the stale of Virginia, to whom were referred the Letters received on Saturday, brought in their Report, which was read; on which the Congress came to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That three Companies of the Battalion raised in the Colony of Pennsylvania immediately march, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Irvine, into Northampton County, in Virginia, for the protection of the Association in those parts, and for the defence thereof against the designs of the enemies of America,

Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to the inhabitants of the Colony of Virginia, to resist to the utmost the arbitrary Government intended to be established therein by their Governour, Lord Dunmore, as manifestly appears by the whole tenor of his Lordship’s conduct for some months past.

Whereas Lord Dunmore, by his Proclamation lately published, has declared his intention to execute martial law, thereby tearing up the foundations, of civil authority and Government within the said Colony:

Resolved, therefore, That if the Convention of Virginia shall find it necessary to establish a form of Government in that Colony, it be recommended to that Convention to call a full and free representation of the people, and that the said Representatives, if they think it necessary, establish such form of Government as in their judgment will best produce the happiness of the people, and most effectually secure peace and good order in the Colony, during the continuance of the present dispute between Great Britain and these Colonies.

Resolved, That the Committee on the state of Virginia have leave, at their request, to sit again.

On motion, Resolved, unanimously, That, in the present situation of affairs, it will be very dangerous to the liberties and welfare of America, if any Colony should separately petition the King or either House of Parliament.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed, to confer with the Assembly of New–Jersey.

The members chosen: Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. Jay.

On motion made, Resolved, That Carlisle be assigned, as well as the three Towns of Reading, Lancaster, and York, for the reception of the Prisoners taken at St. John’s.

Resolved, That a Letter be written to Mr. Knox, desiring him, in case he be at Albany on the arrival of the express, and the service he is upon will admit, to repair to the Highlands, and inspect the state of the works carrying on there, and the situation of the places adjacent, and transmit an account thereof to Congress.

The Delegates of Massachusetts-Bay produced to Congress a Resolution of the General Court of that Colony, of the 10th and 11th of November last, extending the Commission of their Delegates to the last day of January; which was read.

Tuesday, December 5, 1775.

On motion made, Resolved, That the Seamen and Marines be engaged to the first day of January, 1777, unless sooner discharged by Congress.

It being suggested that the Resolution of Congress relating to Captain Jenkins was grounded on a mistake with regard to facts,

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed, to take the matter into consideration, and make report thereon to Congress.

The members chosen: Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Gushing, and Mr. McKean.

The Committee of Claims applying for Instructions on the Accounts laid before them from the Colony of Rhode–Island,

On motion made, and question put, Resolved, That the charge for the purchase of Arms be not allowed.

That the charge for repairing Arms be not allowed.

That the expense of removing the Stock from Block-Island, and other places, agreeable to the request of the General, be at the Continental expense.

Resolved, That the twelve Cannon furnished to the Army, in the Camp at Cambridge, by the Government of Rhode-Island, be allowed in the foregoing Account.

On motion, Resolved, That the further consideration of this matter be deferred till to-morrow.

Resolved, That those who supply the three Companies ordered to Northampton with Arms, shall either have the same returned in kind, as soon as they can be procured, or their value paid for by the United Colonies, the value of which, is to be deducted from the pay of the Soldiers.

A Letter from Lord Stirling, dated 3d December, with some enclosures, was received and read.

On motion, Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out Armed Vessels have liberty, on consulting with the Committee of Inspection of this City, to purchase Duck and such other articles as they may want for fitting out said Vessels.

On motion made, Resolved, That the form of the Bills, ordered to be emitted be as follows:

“CONTINENTAL CURRENCY.

“This Bill entitles the bearer to receive....... Spanish milled Dollars, or the value thereof in gold or silver, according to a Resolution of Congress, passed at Philadelphia, November 29, 1775.”

Resolved, That the said Bills be numbered as the Treasurer shall direct, provided the numbers shall be different from the former emission.

The Committee on Recaptures brought in their Report, which being read, was taken into consideration, and thereon the Congress came to the following Resolution:

Resolved, That in cases of recaptures, the recaptors ought to have and retain, in lieu of salvage, one-eighth part of the true value of the Vessel and Cargo, or either of them, if the same hath or have been in possession of the enemy twenty-four hours; one-fifth part, if more than twenty-four hours, and less than forty-eight hours; one-third part, if more than forty-eight and less than ninety-six hours; and one-half, if more than ninety-six hours, unless the Vessel shall, after the capture, have been legally condemned as a prize by some Court of Admiralty, in which case the recaptor ought to have the whole; in all which cases, the share detained or prize is to be divided between the owners of the Vessel, making the recapture, the Colony, or the Continent, as the case, may be, and the captors, agreeable to a former Resolution.

On motion, Resolved, As the Army to the northward is likely to be supplied with Clothing at Montreal, that the Clothing purchased for the Northern Army, and sent to

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