influence to provide good Arms for such of said Battalion as may want them.

Resolved, That a Committee of Seven be appointed to consider the propriety of establishing a War-Office, and the powers with which the said Office should be vested.

The Members, Mr.Lynch, Mr. Franklin, Mr. E. Rutledge, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Ward, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Morris.

The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the Inhabitants of Canada, reported a draft, which being read and considered, was approved, as follows:

FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN: Our former address to you pointed out our rights and grievances, and the means we have in our power, and which we are authorized by the British Constitution to use, in the maintenance of the former, and to obtain a redress of the latter.

We have, also, shown you, that your liberty, your honour, and your happiness, are essentially and necessarily connected with the unhappy contest which we have been forced into for the defence of our dearest privileges.

We see with inexpressible joy the favourable manner in which you have received the just and equitable remonstrances of your friends and countrymen, who have no other views than those of strengthening and establishing the cause of liberty. The services you have already rendered the common cause deserve our acknowledgments, and we feel the just obligation your conduct has imposed on us to make our services reciprocal.

The best of causes are subject to vicissitudes; and disappointments have ever been inevitable. Such is the lot of human nature. But generous souls, enlightened and warmed with the sacred fire of liberty, become more resolute as difficulties increase; and surmount, with irresistible ardour, every obstacle that stands between them and the favourite object of their wishes.

We will never abandon you to the unrelenting fury of your and our enemies, Two battalions have already receivei orders to march to Uanada, a part of which are now on their route. Six additional battalions are raising in the United Colonies, for the same service, and will receive orders to proceed to your Province as soon as possible. The whole of these troops will probably arrive in Canada before the Ministerial army under General Carleton can receive any succours. Exclusive of the forces beforementioned, we have directed that measures be immediately taken to embody two regiments in your country. Your assisjance in the support and preservation of American liberty affords us the most sensible satisfaction; and we flatter ourselves that you will seize with zeal and eagerness the favourable moment to co-operate in the success of so glorious an enterprise. And if more considerable forces should become requisite, they shall not fail being sent.

At this period you must be convinced that nothing is so essential to guard onr interestsand liberty as efficacious measures to combine our mutual forces, in order that, by such a union of succour and counsels, we may be able to baffle the endeavours of an enemy who, to weaken, may attempt to divide us. To this effect we advise and exhort you to establish Associations, in your different Parishes, of the same nature with those which have proved so salutary to the United Colonies; to elect Deputies to form a Provincial Assembly; and that said Assembly be instructed to appoint Delegates to represent them in this Congress. We flatter ourselves with the prospect of the happy moment when the standard of tyranny shall no longer appear in this land; and we live in full hopes that it will never hereafter find shelter in North-America.

Signed in the name and by order of Congress:

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

Philadelphia, January 24, 1776.

Ordered, That it be immediately translated and printed.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of Mr. Carpenter Wharton, for the sum of one thousand Dollars, to enable him to supply the First Pennsylvania Battalion with Provisions on their march to Albany; he to be accountable,

Resolved, That a Committee of Five be appointed to prepare an Address to the Inhabitants of the United Colonies.

The Members chosen, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Duane, and Mr. Alexander.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers; in favour of Colonel Hazen, for sum of 533(1/3) Dollars, he to be accountable.

That a like Order be drawn in favour of Colonel Antilly for the sum of 200 Dollars.

That the sum of 2666(2/3) Dollars, in specie, be advanced to Colonel Hazen, for the use of the Battalion to be by him raised in Canada.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow.

Thursday, January 95, 1776.

A Letter from the Committee of Trenton, dated the 23d of January; a Letter from Ibbetson Hamar, dated January 23; a Letter from Dr. Richard Huddleston, of the same date; and a Letter from the Committee of Lancaster, of the 22d of January, enclosing an answer from the Officers to the Resolutions of Congress, were read.

Resolved, That the foregoing be referred to the Committee of Correspondence.A Letter from Colonel Maxwell, respecting the unprepared state of his Battalion, being read:

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of the Committee of Trenlon, for the sum of 4000 Dollars, for the purchase of Arms for ColoneL Maxwell's Battalion, the said Committee to be accountable.

Resolved, That the President write tojhe said Committee, and to Mr. Lowrey, stimulating them to furnish Colonel Maxwell with the articles necessary for their march; and that the President write to ColoneYMaxwell, and direct him to send forward to Albany the first Company that can be got ready, and that he cause the other Companies to march with like expedition, as fast as they can be got ready.

Resolved, That a Committee of Three be appointed tp take the examination of General Prescott and Captain Chace, who are now arrived at Philadelphia, and report to Congress.

The Members chosen, Mr. Adams, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Sherman.

The Committee appointed to consider of a proper method of paying a just tribute of gratitude to the memory of General Montgomery, brought in their Report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to, as follows:

It being not only attribute of gratitude justly due to the memory of those who have peculiarly distinguished themselves in the glorious cause of liberty, to perpetuate their names by the most durable Monuments erected to their honour, but, also, greatly conducive to inspire posterity with an emulation of their illustrious actions:

Resolved, That, to express the veneration of the UnitedColonies for their late General, Richard Montgomery, andthe deep sense they entertain of the many signal and important services of that gallant officer, who, after a seriesof successes, amidst the most discouraging difficulties, fell, at length, in a gallant attack upon Quebeck, the Capital ofCanada, and for transmitting to future ages, as examplestruly worthy of imitation, his patriotism, conduct, boldnessof enterprise, insuperable perseverance, and contempt ofdanger and death, a Monument be procured, fromParis,or any other part of France, with an inscription, sacred tohis memory, and expressive of his amiable character andheroick achievements; and that the Continental Treasurersbe directed to advance a sum, not exceeding three hundredPounds sterling, to Dr. BenjaminFranklin, (who is desired to see this Resolution properly executed,) for defraying the expenses thereof.

That Dr. Smith be desired to prepare and deliver a Funeral Oration in honour of General Montgomery, and ofthose Officers and Soldiers who so magnanimously foughtand fell with him in maintaining the principles of Americanliberty.

Resolved, That the direction of the Fleet fitted out by the order of Congress be left to the Marine Committee.

A Letter from General Washington, dated the 14th of January, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred Jor consideration to the.Committee of Correspondence.

Resolved, That Mr. James Mease he appointed Commissary to supply the Battalions ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania with the articles allowed by Congress; he