Met according to adjournment.

Mr. Coachey, appointed an Ensign in Captain Ross's Company, having declined accepting said appointment, the Congress proceeded to the election of an Ensign, when George Cottnam was elected.

The draft of an Ordinance for regulating the former Minute Department of Militia, and incorporating the same with the standing Militia, was read the second time, and, after sundry amendments, was agreed to, and ordered to be engrosssd.

Adjourned till nine o'clock, to-morrow morning.

Friday, March 1, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

The Congress having resumed the consideration of the charge exhibited against Peter Vroom,

Resolved, That said Peter Vroom pay the costs of the present prosecution, to be taxed by the Township Committee of Piscataway, and give obligation, with surety, to the Chairman of said Committee, in the sum of one hundred and fifty Pounds, for his good behaviour in future; that he yield up to said Chairman all his arms, and weapons of defence, to remain in custody of said Chairman, until the said Committee shall deem it proper to redeliver them; and on non-compliance herewith, that said Vroom be committed to the keeper of the common Jail of the County of Middlesex, who is hereby ordered to keep him in close confinement, during such non-compliance.

The Congress proceeded to the election of Officers for the two Companies of Artillery, when the following persons were chosen:

Frederick Frelinghuysen, Captain; Daniel Neil, Captain-Lieutenant; Thomas Clark, First Lieutenant; and John Heard., Second Lieutenant, of the Eastern Company, Samuel Hugg, Captain; Thomas Newark, Captain-Lieutenant; John Westcott, First Lieutenant; and Joseph Dayton, Second Lieutenant, of the Western Company.

Ordered, That Mr. Carey and Mr. Clark be a Committee to prepare an Ordinance for raising two Companies of Artillery in this Colony, and providing for their pay and subsistence.

Ordered, That Mr. Carey and Mr. Clark be a Committee 10 draw the form of a Bond to be executed by the Treasurers.

Mr. Dennis presented to this Congress the Honourable John Stevens's receipt for the Treasury Chest; which was read, and ordered to be filed, and is in the words following:

"Received of John Dennis, Esq., the Treasury Chest of the Eastern Division of New-Jersey, lately removed from Perth-Amboy, and deposited with Mr. Dennis, by order of Congress; which Chest is now locked, and the key remaining in the hands of the Treasurer, John Smyth, Esq. The Treasury Chest aforesaid, with its contents, I received into ray charge for the purposes mentioned in Mr. Smyth's letter of the 26th of February, directed to, and in the possession of the Congress of New-Jersey. Dated the twenty-eighth day of February, Anno Domini 1776.

"JOHN STEVENS."

On motion, an Ordinance for paying a bounty on Saltpetre, and common Salt, manufactured in New-Jersey, and for purchasing Saltpetre, was brought in and read, and ordered a second reading.

Adjourned to three o'clock, in the afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

The Ordinance for paying a bounty on Saltpetre, and common Salt, manufactured in New-Jersey, &c., was read the second time, and several amendments being thereunto made, the same was agreed to, and ordered.to be engrossed.

The Committee appointed to draw the draft of an Ordinance for raising two Artillery Companies in New-Jersey, and providing for their pay and subsistence, brought in the same, which was read, and ordered a second reading.

Agreed, That John Dennis, Esq., send the Records of the Surveyor-General's Office, to the house of Peter Schenck, Esq.

Ordered, That John Dennis and Mr. Dunham be a

Committee to adjust and settle the Accounts of Powder furnished the Earl of Stirling, by Somerset, Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Elizabethtown, and to repay the same out of the half ton sent this Congress by the honourable Continental Congress. That said Committee are to keep the surplus in their hands on account; and to report to the next Congress or Committee of Safety.

Agreeable to Order, the Congress took under consideration the capture of the Ship Blue-Movntain-Valley, and having heard and examined the proofs respecting the same, postponed the decision until to-morrow morning.

Adjourned till nine o'clock, to-morrow morning.

Saturday, March 2, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

The draft of an Ordinance for raising two Companies of Artillery, and providing for their pay and subsistence, was read the second time; and being amended, was agreed to, and ordered to be engrossed.

The Congress proceeded to the determination of the prize ship, Blue-Mountain-Valley, now lying at Elizabeth-town-Point, lately seized by Lord Stirling, with detachments of the Continental Forces and Militia: And, it appearing by the testimony of credible witnesses, upon their oaths, that the said ship,John H. Dempster, master, sailed from London some lime last fall, laden with stores, shipped by order of the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, bound to the port of Boston, or any other port in America: The said cargo, by the bill of loading, dated the 30th day of September, 1775, to be delivered unto the Commander-in-chief of His Majesty's Forces in America, or to his order. And the honourable Continental Congress, having previous to the taking the aforesaid ship,

"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 hereafter shall be within any of the United Colonies, or any Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, for the use of such Fleet or Army, shall be liable to seizure, and, with their cargoes, shall be confiscated."

It is, therefore, Resolved, That the said Ship Blue-Mountain-Valley, with such of her Cargo, as was shipped by order of the said Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, directed, as by said bills of loading, to be delivered at the port of Boston, or elsewhere, unto the Commander -in-chief of His Majesty's Forces in America, or to his order, shall be and is hereby confiscated to the use of the captors, pursuant to the general directions for distribution, resolved on by the said honourable Continental Congress.

Resolved, That the said Ship and Cargo be disposed of by any two agents, or persons, to be chosen, the one by Lord Stirling, and the other by the Committee of Elizabethtown.

Resolved, That all the necessary charge and expense, which have arisen, by guarding and securing said prize, and supporting the Seamen, be first deducted out of the nett proceeds of such sales.

Resolved, That the amount of the sales of the Ship and Cargo (the expense and charge of guarding and securing the same, and supporting the Seamenbeing first deducted and paid thereout) be divided among all the captors, as well those of the Militia sent out by the Committee of Elizabethtown, as such of the Continental Forces as were employed in that service under Lord Stirling; that the said distribution be made among the Officers, Privates, and to the Vessels employed in said capture, in such manner as is usually distributed in the neighbouring Colonies, agreeable to the Resolutions of the Continental Congress.

Resolved, That all such Goods, Wares, and Merchandise on board said Ship, belonging to the Captain, Mates, and Seamen, as their, or either of their own private properties, be reserved for the proprietors thereof, and delivered to there free of all costs and deductions.

Resolved, That the Captain and Seamen belonging to said Ship when seized, be suffered to go to any place they