13s. 4d., and also credits cash received for Boards, which he had purchased for the Indian houses, the sum of £15 6s. 2d.,) the sum of £868 15s. 4½ New-York currency; there will then remain in his hands the Mattresses, Wine, &c., and Spirits, before mentioned, and some Boards, which are not yet sold.

Ordered, That the above sums be paid Henry Dewson and Volkert P. Douw, Esqs., the debts to them due; the latter through the hands of James Duane, Esq.

The Committee appointed to inquire into the conduct of the Officers, who are prisoners, and the manner in which they are subsisted at present, brought in their Report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the conduct of the Officers at Trenton, though in other respects unexceptionable, is, as to their manner of living, exceedingly extravagant, they being boarded at Taverns, and the Innkeepers supplying them in a luxurious manner, on the credit of the Continent.

That the Congress will, for the future, allow two Dollars per week for the Board and Lodgings of Officers, who are prisoners, (for which sum they may have decent lodgings,) to be repaid by the Officers before they are released from their captivity.

That the Accounts of the several Innkeepers, against the Officers, be paid by the Continent, which are, also, to be repaid by the said Officers before their discharge.

That no Tavernkeeper supply the said Officers, for the future, on the credit of the Continent.

That the Officers now at Trenton be directed to remove to some other place, at a proper distance from the publick post-road.

That the Officers at Trenton have liberty, consistent with former Resolutions of Congress, to choose the places of their residence.

That a copy of the above Resolutions, together with a copy of the Resolution granting Officers liberty to sell Bills for their subsistence, be transmitted to the several Committees where Officers, who are prisoners, reside, and that the said Committees be directed to apply to the said Officers for their bills, to discharge the debts already incurred, and, also, to inform them it is expected they will, from time to time, draw for their future, subsistence.

Ordered, That Rachel Stelle's Account, amounting to 423.6 Dollars, for Subsistence of Officers to the 4th of January, 1776, be paid.

The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the Trade of the United Colonies, and, after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the Committee had taken into consideration the matter to them referred, but, not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into further consideration the Trade of the United Colonies.

A Memorial from tlie Field-Officers of the First Pennsylvania Battalion was presented to Congress:

Ordered, That the same be referred for consideration till to-morrow.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow.

Saturday January 13, 1776.

A Letter from General Washington, dated the 4th January, 1776; also, a Letter from the Committee of Safety of New- York, dated January 3d, 1776, being received, were read:

Resolved, That a Committee of Five be appointed to take into consideration a Letter from the Committee of Safety of New- York, and to confer with Mr. Romans, and report to Congress.

The Members chosen, Mr. Paine, Mr. Dyer, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. Livingston.

The Secret Committee having made report respecting the purchase of Saltpetre:

Resolved, That the said Committee be directed to purchase the Saltpetre on the best terms they can, and have it manufactured into Gunpowder as soon as possible.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to supply Colonel Heard with two hundred pounds of Gunpowder, to enable him to carry into execution the orders of Congress.

Resolved, That John Morgan be promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant in the First Pennsylvania Battalion.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, on Monday.

Monday, January 15, 1776.

A paragraph of a Letter from Peter Timothy, Secretary to the Provincial Convention and Committee of Safety of South-Carolina, dated January 5th, to C. Gadsden, Esq., was read, informing that the said Convention have resolved, to continue the Delegates, and have constituted any two of them to be a quorum to represent said. Colony.

A Letter from General Washington, dated the 31st of December, 1775, enclosing a Draft of Captain Matthews, on the Treasury of Virginia, for one hundred Pounds, lawful money, for so much advanced to him by the General; also, sundry other papers: Two Letters from Lord Stirling, dated January 8th and 11th, 1776, and a Letter from Governour Trumbull, dated 6th January, 1776, with three enclosures:

Resolved, That the Letter from General Washington be referred to a Committee of Three.

The Members chosen, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Wilson.

Resolved, That the Letters of Lord Stirling be referredto a Committee of Five.

The Members chosen, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McKean Mr. Floyd, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Alexander.

Resolved, That the Letter from Governour Trumbull, with the enclosed papers, be referred to the Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Romans.

A Letter from the Committee of Safety of New-York,dated January 11th, 1776, was read, and referred to theCommittee on the state of the Colonies.

Resolved, That a Committee of Five be appointed to make an estimate of the number of Cannon that may be wanted for the defence, of the United. Colonies, and to devise ways and means for procuring them, and that it be an instruction to the said Committee to inquire what size Cannon can be cast in these Colonies.

The Members chosen, Mr. Wisner, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Paine.

Resolved, That Captain Matthews's Draft on the Treasury of Virginia be delivered to the Delegates of that Colony, and that they be desired to receive the Money, and pay the same to the Continental Treasurers.

Resolved, That no bought or indented Servants beemployed on board the Fleet, or in the Army of the United Colonies, without the consent, of their Masters.

The Committee of Claims reported that there is due:

To Jacob Hiltzheimer, for Expresses, the sum of 356 Dollars.

To Jonathan Trumbull, Jun., for his expenses to Philadelphia, and returning to New- York with money, the sum of 99.7 Dollars.

To Thomas Apty, for boarding several Prisoners, the sum of 109.6 Dollars.

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania to inquire into the characters of the Recruits, or Privates, taken on board the Rebecca-and-Frances, transport, and to dismiss such as may with safety to the United Colonies be discharged.

The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of the Trade of the United Colonies; and, after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the Committee had taken into their further Consideration the matter to them referred, but, that not having yet come to a conclusion, they desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, on Friday next, resolve itself into a Committee of the. Whole, to take into consideration the Trade of the United Colonies.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow.