to contract for the making, or purchasing already made, any number, not exceeding one thousand stand, of good Rifles, with good bridle-locks, and proper furniture, not exceeding the price of thirty Pounds each; the barrels of the Rifles to be made not to weigh less than seven pounds and a half, or be less than three feet eight inches long, and carrying balls of about half an ounce weight; and those new ones already made, not to be less than three feet four inches long in the barrel. Also for the making, or purchasing already made, one thousand stand of good smooth-bored Muskets, carrying an ounce ball, with good bridle-locks and furniture, iron ramrods and bayonets, at a price not exceeding twenty Pounds each; the Muskets to be made to be three feet six inches long in the barrel, and the bayonets seventeen inches long. The power of the Commissioners to continue during six months. And they are required, from time to time, to cause the Rifles and Muskets by them purchased, to be delivered to the Council of Safety, who are hereby authorized to pay their drafts for such Arms.

The Report of the Committee on the Petition of Captain Aitkin and Mr. Russell, was taken under consideration; and the same being gone through,

Ordered, That the Ship Port-Henderson be forthwith discharged, agreeable to the prayer of the Petitioners.

Resolved, That the Council of Safety be, and they are hereby authorized, to contract with Mr. Kershaw for all the Flour and Ship-bread he can supply, on the publick account; the delivery thereof to be at the risk of the publick from capture by the enemy.

Adjourned to five o’clock in the evening.

In Congress, Saturday Afternoon, February 24, 1776.

The Congress met.

A Memorial, signed by twenty-one Officers of the country Militia, now doing duty in Charlestown, was presented and read.

Mr. President, by desire of the Congress, requested of the Rev. Mr. Turquand that he would perform Divine service in Congress to-morrow.

Adjourned to half past nine o’clock to-morrow.

In Congress, Sunday, February 25, 1776.

The Congress met.

The Rev. Mr. Turqand performed Divine service, and received the thanks of the Congress.

The Journal of yesterday was read.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for purchasing Rifles, or either of them, be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered, to agree with any person to make a Rifle of a new and different construction from the kind they have power to purchase by the Resolution of yesterday; and that, if the Council of Safety shall approve of the construction, they may contract for the purchasing and making such kind of Rifles.

Ordered, That the Memorial delivered in yesterday, do lie on the table.

The Congress then proceeded to ballot for the Captains of the Regiment of Riflemen.

And the ballots being counted, it appeared that the following gentlemen were, by majority of votes, duly elected: Hezekiah Maham, Benjamin Tutt, George Cogdell, William Richardson, Richard Richardson, Jun., William Henderson, and John Bowie, Esquires.

Adjourned to ten o’clock to-morrow.

In Congress, Monday, February 26, 1776.

The Congress met.

And the Journal of yesterday was read.

Mr. President declared the names of the gentlemen that had been yesterday, by majority of votes, elected Captains for the Regiment of Riflemen.

Ordered, That the Members of the Council of Safety, with Colonel Gadsden, be a Committee to consider the necessity and expediency of immediately raising another Regiment of Riflemen, for the service of this Colony; and that they do report thereon to-morrow.

A Petition of Robert Cunningham, proposing to observe a neutrality, was presented and read.

Captain Maham, Captain Richard Richardson, and Major Henderson, yesterday elected Captains for the Regiment of Riflemen, respectively declined accepting Commissions in that Regiment; the two former alleging, among other reasons, that they already commanded Volunteer Companies, to which their particular attention was due, and with which they should always be ready to go forth and render their best services to the Colony; and the latter, that being a Field-Officer of a new Regiment, composed entirely of Volunteers, the publick service required his continuance in that station.

Resolved, That this Congress will forthwith proceed to the choice of three other Captains, for the Regiment of Riflemen, in the room of the gentlemen who have declined to serve.

The said Captains were accordingly immediately balloted for; and the following gentlemen, declared duly elected, by a majority of votes, viz: Francis Prince, Thomas Potts, David Anderson, Esquires.

Adjourned to eleven o’clock to-morrow.

In Congress, Tuesday, February 27, 1776.

The Congress met.

And the Journal of yesterday was read.

The Church-wardens of the Parishes of St. Philip and St. Michael, Charlestown, returned Alexander Moultrie, Esquire, as duly elected, yesterday, to be a Member of the present Congress, for Charlestown, in the room of the late Miles Brewton, Esquire.

Ordered, That Mr. Moultrie, (who attended,) do take his seat accordingly.

Read a Letter from Jonathan Downs, Esq., dated the 25th instant, acquainting the Congress that he was on his way to Charlestown, with Patrick Cunningham, Hugh Brown, and William Duggins, three of the late Insurgents, as Prisoners.

Ordered, That Mr. President do issue his Warrant for the immediate commitment of the said Patrick Cunningham, Hugh Browm, and William Duggins, to the common Jail in Charlestown.

And a Warrant was issued accordingly.

Resolved, That the Captains of the Companies of Artillery, to be raised and posted at Fort Lyttleton and Georgetown, shall have rank in the Army as they shall respectively have made Returns to the Parochial Committees, of their having raised sixty men; the said Returns to be transmitted to the Council of Safety.

Resolved, That the Ensigns in the Regiment of Riflemen be allowed a daily pay of thirty-two Shillings and six Pence.

Ordered, That Colonel Gervais, Colonel C. C. Pinckney, Major Cattell, Captain Lynch, and Doctor Oliphant, be a Committee to consider and report the best ways and means of supplying the Colony Troops and Militia with Rations.

Ordered, That the Committee on Publick Accounts do inquire into the state of the Colony Treasury, and report thereon as soon as possible.

Resolved, That Edward Rutledge, Esq., one of the Delegates from this Colony to the Continental Congress, have leave to return.

Mr. Rutledge, from the Committee appointed to consider the necessity and expediency of raising another Regiment of Riflemen, for the service of this Colony, delivered in a Report.

Ordered, That the said Report be taken into consideration to-morrow.

Adjourned to eleven o’clock tomorrow.

In Congress, Wednesday, February 28, 1776.

The Congress met.

And the Journal of yesterday was read.

The Congress entered upon the consideration of the Report of the Committee to consider and report on the necessity and expediency of raising another Regiment of Riflemen.

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