be made on the Lands disputed between them and Pennsylvania, without license from the said Assembly:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Colony of Connecticut not to introduce any Settlers on the said Lands till the further order of this Congress, until the said dispute shall be settled.

The Committee on the state of the Treasury brought in a Report; which being read, and in part debated,

Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

The Committee appointed to consider what articles are necessary for the Army brought in their Report, which was read.

The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of Peter Berton brought in their Report; which being read, was agreed to, as follows:

That they have taken the Petition into consideration, and, after mature deliberation had thereon, they are of opinion that it is not advisable or proper for the Congress to grant the prayer of the said Petition.

Ordered, That the Delegates of Pennsylvania call on the Treasurers, and inquire of them what sum of hard money they have collected, and report thereon to Congress.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to confer with the Indians conclude their Conference with them by returning them a friendly answer and making them a small present.

The Committee appointed to examine the Journal, &c., laid before Congress a list of the several matters therein,* which are yet unfinished.

Ordered, That the several Committees to whom any matters are referred, conclude their business with all convenient despatch, and report to Congress.

Ordered, That the second paragraph in General Schuyler’s Letter of the 14th December, relative to the measures taken by the Ministerial Agents to engage the Indians in a war with these Colonies, be published.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, on Tuesday next.

Tuesday, December 26, 1775.

Two Letters from General Washington, dated the 14th and 16th December, 1775, with an enclosed Letter from Dr. Morgan, a Letter from Governour Trumbull, dated 20th December, with a Resolution of the Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, also a Letter from sundry Masters of Vessels, dated Guadaloupe, September 19, 1775, were laid before Congress, and read.

The Deputy Mustermaster-General sent to Congress sundry Muster Rolls of the Pennsylvania Battalion, and others.

Ordered, That the Deputy Mustermaster-General be directed to muster the Battalions raised in New-Jersey, and return the Rolls to Congress.

Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for taking into consideration the propriety of opening the Ports of the United, Colonies after the 1st day of March next.

Whereas an estimate hath lately been formed of the publick expense already arisen, and which may accrue in the defence of America, to the 10th day of June next, in pursuance whereof this Congress, on the 29th of November, resolved that a further sum of Three Millions of Dollars be emitted in Bills of Credit.

Resolved, therefore, That the thirteen United Colonies be pledged for the redemption of the Bills of Credit so directed to be emitted.

That each Colony provide ways and means to sink its proportion of the said bills, in such manner as may be most effectual, and best adapted to the condition, circumstances, and equal mode of levying taxes in each Colony.

That the proportion or quota of each respective Colony be determined according to the number of inhabitants, of all ages, including negroes and mulattoes in each Colony.

That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, or Councils, or Committees of Safety of the respective Colonies, to ascertain, by the most impartial and effectual means in their power, the number of inhabitants in each respective Colony, taking care that the lists be authenticated by the oaths of the several persons who shall be entrusted with this service; and that the said Assemblies, Conventions, Councils, or Committees of Safety, do respectively lay before this Congress a return of the number of inhabitants of their respective Colonies, as soon as the same shall be procured.

That each Colony pay its respective quota in four equal payments: the first to be made on or before the last day of November, 1783; the second, on or before the last day of November, 1784; the third, on or before the last day of November, 1785; and the fourth or last, on or before the last day of November, 1786; and that, for this end, the several Assemblies or Conventions provide for laying and levying taxes in their respective Colonies, towards sinking the Continental Bills; that the said bills be received by the Collectors in payment of such taxes, and be by the Collectors paid into the hands of the Provincial Treasurers, with all such other moneys as they may receive in lieu of the Continental Bills; which other moneys the Provincial Treasurers shall endeavour to get exchanged for Continental Bills; and where that cannot be done, shall send to the Continental Treasurers the deficiency in silver and gold, with the bills making up the quota to be sunk in that year; taking care to cut, by a circular punch of an inch diameter, a hole in such bills, and to cross the same, thereby to render them unpassable, though the sum or value is to remain fairly legible; and the Continental Treasurers, as fast as they receive the said quotas, shall, with the assistance of a Committee of five persons, to be appointed by the Congress, if sitting, or by the Assembly or Convention of the Province of Pennsylvania, examine and count the Continental Bills, and, in the presence of the said Committee, burn and destroy them; and the silver and gold sent them to make up the deficiencies of quotas, they shall retain in their hands, until demanded in redemption of Continental Bills, that may be brought to them for that purpose, which bills, so redeemed, they shall also burn and destroy in the presence of the said Committee; and the Treasurers,

* The Committee appointed to examine the Journal, and state what business remains still before Congress unfinished, have agreed to the following Report:

The Report of a Committee appointed to draw Instructions for a Committee during the recess of Congress is on the table.

The Committee appointed to draw an answer to some Ministerial Proclamations have reported an answer to one of them only.

The Committee appointed to draw Instructions to Colonel Irvine have not yet reported.

Part of the Report of the Committee appointed to take into their consideration the state of the Colony of Virginia is on the table.

A Report of the Committee appointed to consider the information against persons refusing Continental currency is on the table.

The Committee appointed to consider a Petition for supplying the Island of Grenada with Lumber have made no report.

The Committee of the Whole on the Trade of the United Colonies have not closed their report.

The Report of a Committee, appointed November 23, to consider certain Letters from General Schuyler is on the table.

The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of——Berton have laid in their report.

The Report of the Committee appointed to confer with the Indians now in this City is on the table.

The Report of the Committee, appointed December 18, to consider certain other Letters from General Schuyler, is on the table.

A Report from the Committee appointed to prepare a plan for establisbing Expresses is on the table.

Part of a Report from the Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Kirkland is still on the table.

A Committee, appointed November 23, to inquire into certain frauds have not made a final report.

The Report of the Committee appointed to consider Douw’s Letters and the Indian Treaty is still on the table.

Two Brigadier-Generals remain to be appointed.

An information against persons selling Tea is yet to be considered.

The Report of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department is on the table.

The Report of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Southern Department is on the table.

The Report of the Committee on Lord Stirling’s Letter is on the table.

The Report of the Committee on the Vessel taken in New-Hampshire is on the table.

The Report of the Committee appointed to repair to Ticonderoga, and confer with General Schuyler, is on the table.

In addition to the above there is the following business unfinished:—

Report of the proposed Articles of Confederation, reported before the last adjournment.

Report of the Secret Committee of articles necessary for supplying the Army lies on the table.

Committee for devising Ways and Means for supplying the Indian Nations with Goods not yet reported.

Committee for inquiring after virgin Lead and leaden ore, also after the cheapest method of making Salt, appointed before the adjournment, not yet reported.