The Committee are also of opinion that the turpentine now lying at Beaufort, belonging to William Gibbs, should be landed at his expense, and for his use, at some secure place where it may not fall into the hands of the enemy.

All which is submitted to Congress.

Ordered, That the said Report lie for consideration.

Mr. Lawrence Baker, one of the Delegates for Hertford County, appeared, subscribed the Test, and took his seat in Congress.

William Hooper and John Penn, Esquires, Delegates of the Continental Congress and Members of this House, appeared, subscribed the Test, and took their seats.

Resolved, That Mr. Hooper, Mr. Penn, Mr. Harnett, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Thomas Jones, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Spencer, be a Committee to take into consideration the most practicable and expeditious method of supplying the Province with Arms, Ammunition, Warlike Stores, and Sulphur; and also the expediency of erecting Works for the making of Saltpetre, Gunpowder, and purifying Sulphur.

On motion, Ordered, That the House take into consideration the state of the Sea-Coast, to-morrow morning.

Ordered, That Mr. Hooper and Mr. Penn be added to the Committee to prepare a temporary Civil Constitution.

The Congress taking into consideration the appointment of the Field-Officers to the Battalions directed to be raised:

Resolved, That Jethro Sumner, Esq., be appointed Colonel, William Alston, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel, and Samuel Lockhart, Esq., Major, of the Third Regiment; Thomas Polk, Esq., Colonel, James Thackston, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Davidson, Esq., Major, of the Fourth Regiment; Edward Buncombe, Esq., Colonel, Henry Irwin, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel, and Levi Dawson, Esq., Major, of the Fifth Regiment; Alexander Lillington, Esq., Colonel, William Taylor, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Gideon Lamb, Major, of the Sixth Regiment; and Robert Washington, Adjutant of the Third Regiment; William Williams, Adjutant of the Fourth Regiment; Henry Darnell, Adjutant of the Fifth Regiment; and Bennet Crafton, Adjutant of the Sixth Regiment.

The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Tuesday, April 16, 1776.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The several Districts, by directions of the Congress, having nominated sundry persons as Officers to the Battalions directed to be raised in this Province; the House taking the same into consideration:

Resolved, That the following persons be, and they are hereby, appointed accordingly, to wit:

The Congress taking into consideration the appointment of Officers to the Companies of Light-Horse to be raised in this Province:

Resolved, That the following persons be appointed accordingly, viz: John Dickerson, Captain, Samuel Ashe, Jun., Lieutenant, and Abraham Childers, Cornet, of the First Company; Martin Pfifer, Captain, James Sumner, Lieutenant, and Valentine Beard, Cornet, of the Second Company; James Jones, Captain, Cosimo Madacy, Lieutenant, and James Armstrong, Cornet, of the Third Company.

Resolved, That Mr. Sumner, Mr. Thomas Person, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Ashe, and Mr. NSash, be a Committee to regiment the different Companies to be raised.

Resolved, That the Committee of Secrecy, Intelligence, and Observation, already appointed by this Congress, shall have full power to send for, and enforce the attendance before them of all suspected persons, and to compel the attendance of witnesses, and to procure all such papers as may give information with respect to such offenders; and that such Committee report nothing to this House, or to any person, which may tend to defeat the purposes of this appointment.

Mr. William Cumming, one of the Delegates for Pasquotank County, and Mr. William Murfree, one of the Delegates for Hertford County, appeared and took their seats.

Ordered, That Mr. William Cumming and Mr. John Johnston be added to the Committee to take under consideration the Petition of William Alston; and that the said Petition be recommitted for their consideration.

Mr. President laid before the House a copy of a Letter received from the Committee of Onslow County, from John Cruden & Co., of Wilmington, to Patrick McLeod, of London, signifying sundry things therein unfriendly to the American rights:

Therefore Resolved, That the said John Cruden be immediately sent for, taken into custody, and brought before this House, to answer for his conduct; and that the Committee of Onslow County be desired to send to the Congress the original Papers respecting the said John Cruden & Co.and William Gibbs; and that Captain John Daly be appointed to execute this Resolve, and make due return thereon.

The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Wednesday, April 17, 1776.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That no Recruiting Officer shall be allowed to inlist into the service any Servant whatsoever, except Apprentices bound under the laws of this Colony; nor any such Apprentices, unless the consent of his Master be first had in writing; neither any man unless he be five feet four inches high, healthy, strong-made, and well-limbed, not deaf, or subject to fits, or ulcers on their legs.