John Ware the sum of 13.2 Dollars, for conducting a French gentleman from Harwick Township, in Sussex County, to Philadelphia.

Ordered, That the same be paid.

Application being made by some of the Master-Carpenters employed in building the Continental Frigates, to some Members of this House, informing that about fifty of their Journeymen and Apprentices had engaged as Volunteers to march with the Battalion of Associators for New-York, and that their zeal for the publick service was such that they cannot be persuaded to desist by any arguments or influence of said Builders:

Resolved, That the spirit and zeal of the said Journeymen and Apprentices is highly approved of by Congress; but, nevertheless, it is the opinion of this Congress that the publick will be more essentially served by the said Associators continuing at work on the said Continental Frigates; and that, therefore, all the Carpenters, Journeymen and Apprentices, employed as aforesaid, be requested to remain in that service, as there is no doubt but other Associators will complete the number wanted.

The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the Report of the Committee on the Regulations and Restrictions under which the Ports should be opened after the 1st of March next; and, after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the Committee had taken into consideration the matter referred to them, 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 lake into further consideration the Report of the Committee on the Regulalations and Restrictions of Trade, after the 1st of March next.

The Committee of Correspondence, who were ordered to confer with the gentlemen from Canada, brought in their Report, which was read.

Resolved, That the consideration of it be referred till to-morrow.

The Committee appointed to consider the best method of subsisting the Troops in New-York, laid their Report on the table.

Adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow.

Thursday, February 15, 1776.

Resolved, That one hundred and fifty stand of the Arms, lately imported into this Province, be delivered to Colonel Maxwell, for the use of such of the Companies of his Battalion as want them, in order that they may immediately proceed to Canada

The Committee to whom the Letters from the Convention of New-Jersey, and from the Field-Officers of the Third Battalion, ordered to be raised in that Colony, were referred, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon,

Resolved, That Colonel Heard be directed to furnish Colonel Dayton with such of the Arms lately brought from Long-Island, as are or may be made fit for service, or so many of them as Colonel Dayton may desire.

That 30,000 Dollars be advanced to Mr. Lowrey, Commissary for New-Jersey, on account; and that he be fully authorized to procure all necessaries (except Arms) ordered by Congress, for the three Battalions raised, or to be raised, in the Colony of New-Jersey.

That the Convention, or Committee of Safety, of New-Jersey, be allowed from the Continental Stock, half a ton of Powder, out of which they are to pay what has been borrowed from Elizabethtown, Somerset, Woodbridge, and Brunswick.

That to the same Convention, or Committee of Safety, be advanced the further sum of 5,000 Dollars, for the purpose of completing the three Battalions there with Arms, which they are desired to accomplish with all possible expedition.

Resolved, That two tons of the Powder, belonging to the Continent, be delivered to the Delegates of Virginia, for the use of the Forces in that Colony.

A letter from General Lee, dated the 11th of February; a Letter from General Schuyler, February 4th, with a Letter from General Wooster, dated Montreal, January 27, being received by Colonel Ritzema, were read.

Resolved, That the said Letters be referred to the Committee to whom the Letters received yesterday were referred, and that the said Committee be directed to confer with Colonel Ritzema, and report to Congress.

Information being received, that General Clinton was gone from New-York, the Congress came to the following Resolution:

The Congress have a proper sense of the spirit and patriotism of the Associators of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, in cheerfully offering and preparing to march, in order to assist in the defence of New- York; but, as the danger, which occasioned an application for their service, is at present over,

Resolved, That their march to New- York be suspended.

Resolved, That a Paymaster be appointed for the Troops in Virginia, and that his pay be fifty Dollars per month.

The Congress then proceeded to the election, when Benjamin Harrison, Jun., of Berkeley, was elected.

On the Report of the Committee of Correspondence,

Resolved, That a Committee of Three (two of whom to be Members of Congress) be appointed to proceed to Canada, there to pursue such instructions as shall be given them by Congress.

The Members chosen, Doctor Benjamin Franklin, Mr. S. Chase, and Mr. Charles Carroll, of Carrolton.

Resolved, That Mr. Carroll be requested to prevail on Mr. John Carroll to accompany the Committee to Canada, to assist them in such matters as they shall think useful.

Resolved, That this Congress will make provision to defray any expense which may attend this measure.

Resolved, That eight tons of Powder be immediately sent to Canada, for the use of the Forces there.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is dire:

To Richard Smith, the sum of 28.8 Dollars, for Provisions furnished by sundry persons in New-York Government to Captain Ross's Company of Riflemen.

To Michael Connolly, the sum of 1082.8 Dollars, on account of expenses in bringing the women and children, belonging to the Twenty-Sixth and Seventh Regiments, from Esopus to Reading.

To Colonel Simmes, the sum of 569 Dollars, on account of expenses in bringing the baggage of the Twenty-Sixth and Seventh Regiments from Walpack to Lancaster, and several other small expenses.

To Thomas McEnry, the sum of 133 1/3 Dollars, for eight hundred Canteen-straps.

Ordered, That the above be paid.

The Committee to whom the Letter from the Committee of Safety of New-York, of the 3d of January, and the Letter from Governour Trumbull, of January 6, were referred, brought in their Report,Which being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That no further Works be erected on Martelaer's Rock, but, that those already erected there be supported and garrisoned.

That a Fascine-Battery, to mount not exceeding eighteen heavy Cannon in number, be thrown up on the Gravel-Hill, eastward of Martelaer's Rock, marked in the draft so as to command the West-Point, the reach down the River from the West-Point, and part of the reach up the River; and that a convenient road be opened from this Battery to the Barracks on Martelaer's Rock.

That a Redoubt of earth and fascines be built on the eminence on the east side of the River, opposite to the West-Point, marked in the draft A, to mount thirty guns.

That it be recommended to the Convention, or Committee of Safety of New-York, to forward the Battery at Pooplopen's Kill, and that the said Battery be made of earth and fascines, and to mount a number of guns, not exceeding forty.

That such of the Continental Troops as are or may be stationed at the aforesaid places, be employed in erecting these Works and Batteries, under the direction of the Engineer.

That it be recommended to the Convention, or Committee of Safety, of New- York, to prosecute the discovery of the Lead-Mine at New-Canaan, and that a copy of the Report of Joseph Hopkins to the General Assembly of Connecticut, respecting this Mine, be sent to them.