Resolved, That a Commissary be appointed to provide the three Companies ordered to Northampton, in Virginia, with rations while on their march, and during their stay in that country.

Resolved, That the appointment of a Commissary be deferred till to-morrow.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on the state of New-York. After debate,

Resolved, That the same be postponed till to-morrow, and that the Delegates of New-York be desired to request the attendance of the gentlemen sent to Congress by the Convention of their Colony.

Resolved, That Major Preston have liberty to choose the place of his residence, consistent with former Resolutions of Congress; and that the President take his parole.

The Congress proceeded to the election of Majors, when the following persons were chosen: Joseph Wood, George Nagle, Henry Bicker, Nicholas Hausicker.

The Committee appointed to consider what allowance ought to be made to Officers, who are prisoners, brought in their Report.

Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on Saturday next.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow.

Friday, January 5, 1776.

A vacancy happening in the First of the Pennsylvania Battalions, by the promotion of Captain Allen, the Congress proceeded to the election of a Captain to supply the vacancy; when Benjamin Davis, oldest Lieutenant in said Battalion, was elected.

Resolved, That the sum of 10,000 Dollars be struck, for the purpose of exchanging ragged and torn bills of the Continental currency; that the bills making this sum, be of the same denominations, printed under the inspection of the same persons, and signed and numbered by the same signers as the last emission, and that they be lodged in the Treasury, to be applied to the sole purpose aforesaid.

Resolved, That all Committees, and others, who have had Publick Money put into their hands, lay upon the table an Account of the expenditure of the same.

The Committee appointed to consider the. Letter of General Washington, dated the 18th of December, and the enclosures, brought in a Report upon that part which relates to Mr. James Lovell, who has long been, and still is, detained a close prisoner in Boston, by order of General Howe, which being taking into consideration, was agreed to, and is as follows:

That it appears to your Committee, that the said Mr. Lovell hath, for years past, been an able advocate for the liberties of America, and mankind; that by his letter to General Washington, which is a part of the said enclosures, he exhibits so striking an instance of disinterested patriotism as strongly recommends him to the particular notice of this Continent.

Your Committee, therefore, submit the following Resolutions to the consideration of the Congress:

Resolved, That Mr. James Lovell, an inhabitant of Boston, now held a close prisoner there, by order of General Howe, has discovered, under the severest trials, the warmest attachment to publick liberty, an inflexible fidelity to his country; that by his late letter to General Washington, he has given the strongest evidence of disinterested publick affection, in refusing to listen to terms offered for his relief, till he could be informed by his countrymen that they were compatible with their safety and honour.

Resolved, That it is deeply to be regretted, that a British General can be found degenerate enough so ignominiously and cruelly to treat a citizen who is so eminently virtuous.

Resolved, That it be an instruction to General Washington to make an offer of Governour Skene in exchange for the said Mr. Lovell and his family.

Resolved, That General Washington be desired to embrace the first opportunity which may offer, of giving some office to Mr. Lovell equal to his abilities, and which the publick service may require.

That a copy of the foregoing Resolves be transmitted to the General as speedily as possible.

Resolved, That the President write to General Washington, and desire him to inform Congress what rank the Aids-de-camp of the General Officer should have in the Army of the United Colonies.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due to Adam Fisher, for expenses attending his conducting Connolly and Cameron from Frederick, in Maryland, to Philadelphia, and his charges back again for himself and men, the sum of one hundred and fifty-six Dollars.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

The Congress having conferred with the gentlemen sent to Congress by the Convention of New-York, resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on the state of that Colony, and the same was agreed to, and is as follows:

Resolved, That for the reasons contained in the papers hereunto annexed, this Committee are of opinion, that no further Fortifications ought to be erected at Martelaer's Rock, on Hudson's River, and that a point of land at Pooplopen's Kill, on the said River, ought, without delay, to be effectually fortified.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention, or in their recess, to the Committee of Safety of New-York, to carry into execution the above Resolution.

Resolved, That the Delegates of New-Jersey and Connecticut be directed to take the necessary steps for carrying into execution the Resolutions of Congress passed on Wednesday last, respecting the Inhabitants of Queen's County.

A Memorial from the Inhabitants of the Town of Newport was presented to Congress, and read.

Ordered, That the same be referred for consideration

till to-morrow.:

Resolved, That Mr. Paine be added to the Committee on General Schuyler's Letters.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, January 6, 1776.

Information being given to Congress that a quantity of Powder was arrived at Egg-Harbour, on board the Sloop Sally, of which a part was addressed to Congress by Mr. Parsons, and a part consigned to Mr. Webster, and others, in Philadelphia,

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to have the Powder addressed to Congress brought to Philadelphia, and to purchase, for the use of the United Colonies, the other quantities of Powder.

Resolved, That one ton of the Powder arrived be delivered to the Committee for fitting out Armed Vessels, for the use of said Vessels.

A Letter from the Committee of Lancaster, dated the 3d of January, was read;

Also, a Letter from an Officer in Lisbon, dated October 23, 1775;

Resolved, That these Letters, as well as the last received from Lancaster, and those formerly received from Lisbon, be referred to the Committee of Correspondence.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Memorial from the Inhabitants of Newport, and the papers accompanying it; and thereupon,

Resolved, That the said Memorial be referred to the consideration of the General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode-Island.

The Committee to whom it was referred to consider how the shares of Prizes, allotted to the captors, ought to be divided between the Officers and Men, brought in their Report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the Commander-in-chief have one-twentieth part of the said allotted Prize-Money, taken by any Ship or Ships, Armed Vessel or Vessels, under his orders and command.

That the Captain of any single Ship, or Armed Vessel, have two-twentieth parts for his share; but if more Ships, or Armed Vessels, be in company when a Prize is taken,