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

Wednesday, May 8, 1776.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That each of the late Paymasters to the Troops in this Province be allowed two and a half per cent, on all Moneys received and paid away to such Troops, as a com pensation for their trouble and expenses.

Resolved, That Henry Giffard be appointed Commissary to the Militia to be stationed at Cross-Creek.

Resolved, That Chapel Gee be appointed Commissary to the Militia for the District of Halifax, and that either of the Treasurers pay him two hundred Pounds, to enable him to purchase Provisions for the present, he first entering into bond to account for the same, and be allowed in their accounts with the publick.

On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Council, Mr. Burke, Mr. Rutherford, and Mr. Lock, be a Committee to inquire concerning the Salt taken on account of the publick at Cross-Creek, and make report.

Resolved, That the present Paymaster pay up all back arrears due to the two first Regiments in this Province.

The Committee to inquire of ways and means the most probable to prevent the desertion of Slaves, reported as fol lows, to wit:

Your Committee report that, in their opinion, it is expedient to recommend it to all masters and owners of slaves, on the south side of Cape-Fear River, to remove such male slaves as are capable of bearing arms, or otherwise assisting the enemy, into the country, remote from the sea; and that the commanding officer on that station be empowered to remove all such slaves as are above described to such distance as he shall think safe, in case he perceives a necessity for such movement, and that the recommendation here suggested should not be properly attended to.

The Congress, taking the same into consideration, concurred therewith.

The Committee for taking into consideration the Petition of Wills Cooper, reported as follows:

That it appears to them that the said Benjamin Arundel is indebted to the Petitioner one hundred and eighty-four Pounds ten Shillings and nine Pence, (Virginia money,) balance of a bond, with interest from the 22d of October, 1774; and also fifty-nine Pounds six Shillings and two Pence, like money, balance of an account; that the said Benjamin Arundel has absconded from this Colony, and left some property in the County of Wake; that the Petitioner’s prayer, to be allowed some remedy for securing the said effects from being removed or wasted, is reasonable; and your Committee humbly recommend that Trustees be appointed to take the same into their care, that they may be preserved for payment of the Petitioner, and any other creditors of the said Benjamin Arundel, who shall establish their claims in such manner as shall be provided by any ordinance in this Colony. Provided, nevertheless, that the said Benjamin Arundel be at liberty to replevy any part of his estate, so seized or taken, on his giving bond and approved security to Trustees for the payment of all debts that shall be adjudged against him, and accruing costs.

The House, taking the same into consideration, concurred therewith.

Resolved, That Michael Rogers and John Hinton, Jun., be appointed Trustees, to take into their possession the Estate of the said Benjamin Arundel, and preserve the same till further orders from this Congress.

Resolved, That Mr. John Webb, heretofore appointed to purchase Arms for this Province, do deliver all the Arms, by him purchased, to Colonel Jethro Sumner, for the use of the Soldiers of the Third Regiment, under his command; and that Mr. Webb take Colonel Sumner’s receipt for the same,

Resolved, That Edward Yarbrough be appointed Ensign in Captain Jacob Turner’s Company of Foot, in the American Army, of the Third Regiment, in the room of Benjamin Morgan, resigned.

Resolved, That the Treasurers, or either of them, pay into the hands of William Kennon, Esquire, Commissary to the First Regiment, two thousand Pounds, that he enter into bond, with security, faithfully to account for the same, and be allowed in their accounts with the publick.

The Chairman of the Committee of Claims reported that Colonel Joseph Taylor was allowed six hundred and sixty two Pounds four Shillings and two Pence, for the services of the Granville Regiment of Militia; Colonel Charles Eaton, one hundred and sixty-nine Pounds six Shillings and nine Pence, for services of the Granville Light-Horse; Ben net Crafton, twenty-three Pounds twelve Shillings, for ser vices as Adjutant of the Militia in Granville County; and Peter Dauge, eighty-four Pounds eight Shillings and six Pence, for bringing up Macknight’s Negroes, and for hand cuffs.

The House, considering the same, concurred therewith. .

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

Thursday, May 9, 1776.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Mr. Samuel Smith, one of the Delegates for the County of Johnston, appeared, subscribed the Test, and took his seat in Congress.

The Chairman of the Committee of Claims reported that Philemon Hawkins was allowed, for the services of his Regiment of Militia on the late Currituck expedition, and against the Insurgents, the sum of three hundred and thirty two Pounds two Shillings and seven Pence.

The House, considering the same, concurred therewith.

Resolved, That Mr. John Campbell, Mr. John Cowper, Mr. William Johnston, Mr. Joseph Jones, Mr. George Miller, Mr. Richard Caswell, and Mr. Thomas Jones, be a Committee to examine the Invoices and Papers laid before this House by Mr. John W. Stanly, and make report thereon.

The Committee to inquire concerning the Salt taken on account of the publick at Cross-Creek, reported as follows:

Your Committee having considered the matter referred to them, are of opinion that the proprietors ought to be allowed six Shillings and eight Pence for each bushel of the Salt taken at Cross-Creek on the publick account; which opinion is humbly submitted to the Congress.

The House, considering the same, concurred therewith.

Resolved, That fifteen hundred Pounds be paid into the hands of the Delegates for the County of Mecklenburgh, and by them paid to the Officers and Soldiers of the Militia of said County, now in the service of the Province, in part of their pay, who have not had time to lay their ac counts before the publick; that the Treasurers, or either of them, pay them the same, and be allowed in their accounts with the publick; and that the said Delegates give bond and security to account for the same.

Abraham Childers was brought before this Congress, pursuant to a former order, who was examined and discharged.

Resolved, That Arthur Moore, of Orange County, be allowed fifty-six Pounds for seven Rifle-Guns which Cornet Abraham Childers purchased of him for the use of the Light-Dragoons, under the command of Captain Dickerson; that the Treasurers, or either of them, pay him the same, and be allowed in their accounts with the publick.

Resolved, That James McKinnie be reinstated Ensign in Simon Alderson’s Company, in the Fifth Regiment of the American Army, in the room of Thomas Alder son, lately appointed by this Congress.

Resolved, That Mr. Caswell, Mr. Thomas Jones, Mr. Burke, Mr. Lock, and Mr. Rutherford, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a plan for the more conveniently paying the Militia who have or may serve in this Colony, and for adjudging and paying all expenses incident to the Militia, when in actual service.

Resolved, That a Committee of the whole House be appointed to examine the Proceedings of the late Provincial Council; to meet at the Court-House as soon as this House rises, and that such Members attend as can conveniently.