Fourthly. That a chief flag-officer returning home from Jamaica, or elsewhere, shall have no share of the prizes taken by the ships left behind to act under another command.

Fifthly. That if a flag-officer is sent to command in the out-ports of this Kingdom, be shall have no share of the prizes taken by ships that sailed from that port by order from the Admiralty.

Sixthly. That when more flag-officers than one serve together, the eighth part of the prizes taken by any ships of the fleet, or squadron, shall be divided in the following proportions, videlicet: If there be but two flag-officers, the chief shall have two-third parts of the said one-eighth part, and the other shall have the remaining third part; but if the number of flag-officers be more than two, the chief shall have only one-half, and the other half shall be divided equally among the other flag-officers

Seventhly. That Commodores, with Captains under them, shall be esteemed as flag-officers, with respect to their right to an eighth part of prizes taken, whether commanding in chief or serving under command.

Given at our Court, at St. James's, the twenty-second day of December, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, in the sixteenth year of our reign

GOD save the King.

JOHN HANCOCK TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, December 92, 1775.

SIR: Your letters of the 30th of November, and of the 4th, 7th, and 11th of December, being duly received, were laid before Congress. To prevent the ill consequences that might ensue from the backwardness of the men, in the present service, to reinlist, the Congress, as I informed you in my last, have written to the Governours of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, and the President of the Convention of New-Hampshire. In consequence of which letters they have strong hopes and confidence that measures will be taken to complete your army. As to the article of butter, the Congress, desirous to obviate whatever may have a "tendency to give the soldiery room for complaint," have instructed me to inform you that the same may be continued until further order.

The Congress receive, with great satisfaction, your congratulations on the success of Captain Manly. By the enclosed resolves, you will perceive their determination on the captures already made, as well as those which may be made hereafter. It is expected the several Colonies will erect courts of admiralty, and that the judges in those Courts will regulate their decisions by the law of nations, except where it is relaxed by the enclosed resolutions.

I am further directed to inform you that the Congress approve your taking such of the articles, found on board the Concord, as are necessary for the army. The necessity of the case will, they apprehend, justify the measure, even though the vessel upon trial should, contrary to their expectation, be acquitted.

I am authorized to inform you that it is the pleasure of Congress that Mr.Mifflin, the Quartermaster-General, hold the rank of Colonel in the army of the United Colonies, and that you establish his rank accordingly.

I must beg leave to refer you to the enclosed resolutions of Congress for your future proceedings, which I am directed to transmit to you. You will notice the last resolution relative to an attack upon Boston. This passed after a most serious debate in a committee of the whole House, and the execution referred to you; and may God crown your attempt with success. I most heartily wish it, though individually I may be the greatest sufferer.

I have paid Mr. Fessenden, the express, in full for his three journeys as express to Philadelphia, deducting only sixty dollars, which he says you ordered him; so that there will be no pay due to him, for services performed heretofore, only for his expenses now from this place to you. If this adjustment be not right, please to inform me.

I have the honour to be, with sincere sentiments of esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. Fessenden being indisposed, I have sent a special express, as Congress were anxious their resolves should reach you as quick as possible.

In Congress, December 22, 1775.

Agreeably to the Order of the Day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the report of the Committee of Conference relative to an attack on Boston; and after debate, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the Committee had taken into their further consideration the matter to them referred, and come to a Resolution, which he was ready to report.

The report of the Committee being read, the same was agreed to, and is as follows:

Resolved, That if General Washington and his Council of War should be of opinion that a successful attack may be made on the troops in Boston, he do it in any manner he may think expedient, notwithstanding the town and the property in it may thereby be destroyed.

Extract from the minutes.

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary

By order of the Congress.

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

CAPTAIN LIVINGSTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read December 22, 1775.]

December, 1775.

SIR: The polite letter you was yesterday pleased to honour me with, I received from Mr. Duane. The compliment paid me by the Congress does me great honour. Their present is amazingly genteel, and their promise very flattering to a young man who wishes to acquire reputation.

These distinguished marks of their approbation deserve my warmest acknowledgments and most cordial thanks. These I would beg leave to present in person, did not my affection for my late father render me unfit to appear before them. This lays me under the necessity of requesting you, sir, to increase the obligation I already owe you for the part you have taken in my favour, by presenting my most unfeigned thanks to that august assembly for the unexpected honour done.

Your most obedient, humble servant,

HENRY R. LIVINGSTON, Captain.

The Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

Committee Chamber, Friday, December 22, 1775.

The following members met, viz: John Broome, Chair-man,

Committee Chamber, Tuesday, December 26, 1775.

Thirteen members met.

At a meeting of the General Committee for the City and County of New-York, on Friday, December 29, 1775. Present: John Broome, Chairman pro tem.,

Moses Taylor applied for leave to hire a person to enter on board the Asia as a seaman, in the place of James Bowen, who was impressed on board the said ship.

Ordered, That leave be given accordingly.

Benjamin Garretson requesting a Certificate from this