that Clement Lempriere, Esquire, was duly elected Captain and Commander of the Colony Ship-of-War Prosper.

On motion, Resolved, That the Certificates issued, and to be issued, in pursuance of the Resolutions of Congress of the 14th of June, 1775, which have not been signed by Mr. Neufville and Mr. Bacot, two of the late Commissioners of the Treasury, shall be numbered and signed by Mr. Gibbes, and the other Commissioner nominated yesterday.

On motion, that the Report of the Committee on Henry Aitkin’s Petition be now taken under consideration, the question was put, and it passed in the negative.

And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine of the clock.

Thursday, April 11, 1776.

The House met according to adjournment.

Colonel Pinckney, from the Committee to prepare a Message to the President, to request that his Excellency will issue his Proclamation appointing a General Fast, reported the following Message to the President:

May it please your Excellency:

The House, sensible of their dependance upon the Supreme Ruler of all events, and impressed with sentiments of gratitude for the many signal interpositions of Heaven in favour of American liberty in general, and of this Colony in particular; more especially in the late happy establishment of a Constitution of Government, framed by the Representatives of this Colony for their security and good order, until an accommodation shall take place between Great Britain and the Colonies, do request that your Excellency will please to issue your Proclamation, appointing a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, to be observed throughout this Colony, exhorting and commanding the people, of every denomination, to confess and deplore their sins against Almighty God; thankfully to acknowledge his unmerited goodness; earnestly to implore his blessing upon all endeavours for the security of American rights; that he would be pleased to direct the united Councils of these Colonies, and prosper their arms for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the cruelty of their invaders; and that he would aid and bless the present constitutional authority of this Colony. And this House do likewise request that your Excellency would be pleased strictly to enjoin all Clergymen to make proper prayers, and deliver proper discourses upon the occasion.

And the same being agreed to by the House,

Ordered, That the Message be engrossed, and that Mr. Speaker do sign the same.

Ordered, That Colqnel Daniel Horry and Colonel Pinckney do carry the said Message to his Excellency the Presi­dent.

Message to the President.

May it please your Excellency:

This House beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that Element Lempriere, Esq., was yesterday duly chosen by the Members of the honourable the Legislative Council and of this House, to be Captain and Commander of the Colony Ship-of-War Prosper.

Ordered, That the Message be engrossed, and that Mr. Speaker do sign the same.

Ordered, That the Honourable Mr. Drayton and Colonel Pinckney do carry the Message to the President; and that they do, at the same time, acquaint his Excellency that this House have several Acts and Ordinances ready to be presented for his assent, as soon as it may be his pleasure to receive them.

Colonel Pinckney reported, that he, with Colonel Horry, had delivered the Message they had in charge to the President; and that his Excellency was pleased to say he would issue a Proclamation, as requested in the Message.

The Honourable Mr. Drayton reported, that he, with Colonel Pinckney, had delivered the Message they had in charge to the President; and that his Excellency was pleased to say he would acquaint the House when he should be ready to receive them.

Ordered, That Captain Simons and Mr. Elias Horry do wait on the President with such Bills and Ordinances as are engrossed, and desire his Excellency will be pleased to cause the seals to be affixed thereto.

Ordered, That the Honourable Mr. Drayton and Captain Savage do make immediate inquiry of Edward Blake. Esq., Commissary for the Naval Department, and yesterday chosen one of the Commissioners of the Colony Treasury, which of the two Departments he chooses to act in.

Mr. Elias Horry reported, that he, with Captain Simons, had waited on the President with the engrossed Bills and Ordinances they had in charge, and that his Excellency was pleased to say he would cause the seals to be affixed thereto.

Ordered, That Mr. Loocock, Mr. Rapley, and Mr. Salvador, be a Committee to inquire and report proper places of election for such Districts as are not yet fixed or divided into Parishes, and, also, proper persons to attend and receive the Votes of the Electors.

The Honourable Mr. Drayton reported, that he, with Captain Savage, had made the inquiry they were ordered, of Captain Blake, and that Captain Blake said he chose to act as a Commissioner of the Treasury, and to decline the Office of Commissary for the Naval Department.

Colonel Pinckney presented, according to order, an Ordinance to appoint a Commander of the Navy of this Colony, subject to the immediate command of the President and Commander-in-Chief; and the same was received and read a first time.

Ordered, That the Ordinance be read a second time.

Ordered, That Mr. Corbett, Mr. Bacot, Mr. Powell, and Mr. Chiffelle, be a Committee to examine the Receipts of the Paymasters of the several Regiments in the service of this Colony, and to compare them with the Pay-Bills which are, or ought to be, lodged in the Treasury, and to order the balance, if any in such Paymasters’ hands, to be paid into the Colony Treasury.

An Ordinance to appoint a Commander of the Navy of this Colony, subject to the immediate command of the President and Commander-in-Chief, was read a second time, and passed.

Ordered, That the Ordinance be sent to the Legislative Council.

Ordered, That Mr. Dupont and Mr. Berwick do carry the same to the Legislative Council.

A motion was made, that this House do resolve to make provision for a Chaplain to each of the Regiments as soon as such Regiments, respectively, have two hundred Men.

And the question being put, resolved in the affirmative.

A motion was made, that such Chaplains be allowed a Salary of one thousand Pounds a year, each, and two Rations per day.

And the question being put, it passed in the negative.

A motion was then made, that the Salary be, seven hundred Pounds a year, each, and two Rations per day.

And the question being put, resolved in the affirmative.

The Report of the Committee on Captain Aitkin’s Petition being taken into consideration, the same was debated on, paragraph by paragraph, and agreed to, after a question being put upon each.

Resolved, That the Commissioners appointed by the late Congress for the sale of the Cargo of the Ship Port-Henderson, Henry Aitkin late Master, be authorized to pay to the said Henry Aitkin, out of the proceeds of such sales, the sum of five hundred and fifty-eight Pounds twelve Shillings, currency, due to him for Wages; also, the sum of three hundred and one Pounds sixteen Shillings and nine Pence, for a Bill of Exchange paid to Mr. Nathaniel Russell, which, being drawn upon himself, is now of no value; and, also, the sum of four hundred and sixty-nine Pounds eight Shillings and nine Pence, currency, which Captain Aitkin has received from several passengers, and expended on the said Ship, and is now demanded of him by the said passengers.

Ordered, That a copy of the above Resolution be sent to the Legislative Council for their concurrence, and to his Excellency the President for his assent.

Ordered, That the said Resolution be engrossed, and that Mr. Speaker do sign the same.

Ordered, That Mr. Dupont and Mr. Corbett do carry the said Message to the Legislative Council.

On motion, Resolved, That this House will make provision for the payment of all reasonable charges attending the