The Congress took into consideration the Report from the Committee of the Whole House, and, after debate,

Resolved, That the same be recommitted.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the propriety of opening the Ports, and the Restrictions and Regulations of the Trade of these Colonies after the 1st of March next.

Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means to procure Cannon, be directed to inquire what quantity of Brass can be procured, and contract for the same.

Adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow.

Friday, February 16, 1776.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to furnish Colonel St. Clair's Battalion with Arms, and that the President write to Colonel St. Clair, and desire him to use the utmost diligence in getting his Battalion ready, and to march the Companies, one at a time, as fast as they can be got ready, to Canada, with all possible expedition.

The Committee appointed to make an estimate of the Cannon wanted for the defence of the Colonies, and to devise ways and means for procuring them, &c., brought in their Report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the propriety of opening the Ports, and the Restrictions and Regulations of the Trade of the Colonies after the first 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 to them referred, but not having come to any resolution, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the propriety of opening the Ports, and the Restrictions and Regulations of Trade after the first of March next.

The Committee on General Washington's and General Schuyler's Letters, laid their Report on the table.

Adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, February 17, 1776.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of James Mease, the Commissary, for the sum of 10,000 Dollars, for the use of the Pennsylvania Battalions, he to account.

That Colonel James Irvine, of the Sixth Pennsylvania Battalion, be authorized and empowered to purchase good Arms for the use of his Battalion, the price of the same to be deducted out of the pay of the men.

The Committee on the state of the Treasury brought in a Report, which was read:

Resolved, That a Standing Committee of Five be appointed for superintending the Treasury.

That it shall be the business of this Committee:

To examine the Accounts of the Treasurers, and, from time to time, report to Congress the state of the Treasury.

To consider of ways and means for supplying Gold and Silver for the support of the Army in Canada.

To employ and instruct proper persons for liquidating the publick Accounts, with the different Paymasters and Commissaries in the Continental service, and the Conventions, Committees of Safety, and others, who have been or shall be intrusted with the publick money; and, from time to time, to report the state of such Accounts to Congress.

To superintend the emission of Bills of Credit.

To obtain from the different Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, accounts of the number of Inhabitants in each Colony, according to the Resolution of Congress on that subject.

The Members chosen, Mr. Duane, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Gerry, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Willing.

The Congress, taking into consideration the Report of the Committee on the Treasury,

Resolved, That a further sum of four millions of Dollars be emitted, on the same security as sums of money heretofore emitted by Congress have been.

That the Committee for superintending the Treasury be directed to consider the numbers and denominations of the Bills in which it will be proper to emit the above four millions, and report to Congress.

The Committee appointed to consider into what departments the Middle and Southern Colonies ought to be divided, brought in their Report, which was read.

The Committee to whom sundry Letters from Brigadier-General Arnold, Brigadier-General Wooster, Major-General Schuyler, and Major-General Lee, were referred, brought in their Report, which being taken into consideration, on motion made,

Resolved, That Major-General Lee be directed immediately to repair to Canada, and take command of the Army of the United Colonies in that Province.

That Major-General Schuyler be directed to repair, as soon as his health will permit, to New- York, and take the command of the Forces, and conduct the military operations there; and that the President inform him by express of this arrangement, and the reasons that led to it.

That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety of New- York, to supply General Lee with a quantity of suitable Cannon, not exceeding twelve, and one or more Mortars, if to be had, with Bails, Shells, and other necessaries for the siege or assault, of Quebeck, and that they assist him in forwarding the same with all possible expedition.

That the Regiment of Canadians, the raising of which is mentioned in Brigadier-General Arnold's Letter, of the 12th of January last, to have been put on foot by him, receive the same pay, and be subject to the same regulations as the other Forces employed in Canada, and be accounted part of the number designed to be raised for that service.

That the appointment of Captain Rensselaer to be

Deputy Mustermaster-General of the Forces in Canada, be confirmed.

That the appointment of John Hoisted, Esquire, to be Commissary for the Army before Quebeck, be confirmed.

That Major-General Schuyler be directed to have Provisions stored in proper places near Hudson's Riper, between Albany and the Highlands, to supply such Troops as it may be necessary to call out of the country.

That the offer made by Major-Genera! Schuyler, to pay at the rate of four Shillings per day for each of the Sleds hired to forward the Pennsylvania and New-Jersey Forces in their march to Canada, be complied with.

That the Officers in the Continental Armies be enjoined to use their utmost diligence in preventing every kind of plunder; and that all who shall offend herein, be punished according to the strictest discipline.

That the Resolves of Congress for encouraging Settlers to attend the Army in Canada be published, with the information that Hosiery, Shoes, Coarse Linens, Soap, Rum, Sugar, and Wine, are much wanted there.:

That a few Artificers, such as Armourers, Smiths, Carpenters, Harness-Makers, and Wheelwrights, with proper persons to superintend them, be forthwith sent to Canada.

That it be recommended to the Convention of New-York, that such of the Officers who served faithfully in Canada the last campaign, as are willing to continue there, be preferred, in the new levies of the Colony of New-York, to others.

Resolved, That a Committee of Three be chosen to prepare Instructions for the Committee appointed to go to Canada.

The Members elected, Mr.J. Adams, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. Sherman. Resolved, That this Congress will, on Tuesday next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, take into consideration the propriety of opening the Ports, and the Restrictions and Regulations of Trade, after the first of March next."

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to purchase sundry articles of Clothing for the Northern Army, be directed to contract for good strong Shoes, for the Army in Canada.

The Congress, taking into consideration the Report of