which is to be substituted in the place of the said second Resolution:

Resolved, That all Transport Vessels in the same service having on board any Troops, Arms, Ammunition, Clothing, Provisions, or Military or Naval Stores, of what kind soever, and all Vessels, to whomsoever belonging, that shall be employed in carrying Provisions or other necessaries to the British Army or Armies, or Navy, that now are or shall hereafter be within any of the United Colonies, or any Goods, Wares, or Merchandises, for the use of such Fleet and Army, shall be liable to seizure, and, with their cargoes, shall be confiscated.

The Committee on the qualifications of Officers applying, &c., made a Report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Committee on the state of Virginia brought in their Report, which being read,

Ordered, To lie on the table.

A Letter from General Washington, dated December 11, 1775, was laid before Congress and read.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Wednesday, December 20, 1775.

The Committee of Claims reported that there is due to several persons, for necessaries furnished to the Rifle Companies in Virginia, the sum of 640.5 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Thomas Rutherford.

To Rebecca Reynolds, for Horse hire, 6.9 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Henry Wisner, Esq.

Ordered, That the above be paid.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of the Rev. Mr. Elihu Spencer, for the sum of 120 Dollars, and in favour of the Rev. Mr. Alexander McWhorter For the like sum, who have undertaken to go to North-Carolina, being three months’ advance, they to be accountable.

The Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on the Petition of David Beveridge, which was agreed to. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the said Petition is unreasonable. Resolved, nevertheless, That for the more speedy arming these Colonies, the said David Beveridge be permitted to export a cargo of the produce of America (Live Stock and Lumber excepted) to any part of the world, except Great Britain, the British Islands, Ireland, or the British West-Indies, on his giving bond, with sufficient security, in double the amount of the said cargo, to the Chairman of the Committee of Inspection of Philadelphia, or to such persons as the said Committee shall appoint, that he will import into these Colonies, by the first day of June next, the amount of the proceeds of the said cargo in Arms, Ammunition, or Saltpetre, and shall dispose of the same to the Congress, for the use of the United Colonies, at such reasonable prices as, by the Committee of Inspection of the place in which the Vessel shall arrive, shall be ascertained and determined.

Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress resumed the consideration of the General’s Letters, and thereupon came to the following Resolution:

Resolved, That the several Vessels heretofore taken and carried into Massachusetts-Bay, by the Armed Vessels in the service of the United Colonies, be proceeded against by the rules of the Law of Nations, and libelled in the Courts of Admiralty erected in said Colony.

Certain Instructions given to the President to be observed in answering the General.

The Order of the Day, with regard to resolving itself into a Committee of the Whole to take into consideration the Report of the Committee of Conference respecting Boston, postponed.

The Congress, taking into consideration the dispute between the people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, on the waters of Susquehannah, came to the following Resolution:

Whereas a dispute subsists between some of the inhabitants of the Colony of Connecticut, settled under the claim of the said Colony, on the lands near Wyoming, on the Susquehannah River and in the Delaware Country, and the inhabitants settled under the claim of the Proprietors of Pennsylvania, which dispute, it is apprehended, will, if not suspended during the present troubles in these Colonies, be productive of pernicious consequences, which may be very prejudicial to the common interest of the United Colonies; therefore,

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Congress, and it is accordingly recommended, that the contending parties immediately cease all hostilities, and avoid every appearance of force, until the dispute can be legally decided; that all property taken and detained be restored to the original owners; that no interruption be given by either party to the free passing and repassing of persons behaving themselves peaceably through said disputed territory, as well by land as water, without molestation of either persons or property; that all persons seized and detained on account of said dispute, on either side, be dismissed and permitted to go to their respective homes; and that things being put in the situation they were before the late unhappy contest, they continue to behave themselves peaceably on their respective possessions and improvements, until a legal decision can be had on said dispute, or this Congress shall take further order thereon: and nothing herein done shall be construed in prejudice of the claims of either party.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Thursday, December 21, 1775.

Ordered, That an authentick copy of the Resolution passed yesterday, relative to the disputes between the people of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, be transmitted to the contending parties.

The Convention of Maryland having added two new members to their Delegates, one of them attending, produced the Credentials of their appointment, which were read, as follows:

“ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND.

“In Provincial Convention, DECEMBER 9, 1775.

“Resolved, That Robert Alexander and John Rogers, Esqs., together with those already appointed, be Deputies to represent this Province in the Continental Congress; and that the said Deputies, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures which such Congress shall deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances, and be authorized to represent and act for this Province in any Continental Congress which may be held before the 25th day of March next.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“G. DUVALL, Clerk.”

The Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on the application for offices, &c., and the same being debated,

Resolved, That forty iron Pots be provided for the Soldiers, while in the Barracks near Philadelphia.

Resolved, That the Commissioned Officers of each Company be allowed, every week, a quarter of a cord of Hickory, or other Wood in proportion.

Resolved, That there be provided for the Battalion raised in Pennsylvania one hundred Haversacks, a Camp Kettle for every six men, a Tomahawk, Canteen, Cartouch-Box, Knapsack, and two Belts for each man.

Resolved, That a Coat of Uniform be provided for each Soldier, and that what the Coat cost more than the Hunting-Shirt, which was to have been given them, be deducted from their wages.

Resolved, That the said Battalion be paid one month’s pay as soon as may be; that afterwards they receive monthly half a month’s pay only, until so much is retained as will amount to the money advanced for their Fire-Arms, Clothing, &c.; after which they shall receive their full pay monthly.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania to provide Arms for the three Companies which are ordered to march; and also to provide the articles ordered above for the use of the said