Resolved, That the President inform General Schuyler that the Congress judge it necessary he should remain at Albany, to make the proper arrangements respecting the Army destined for Canada, and therefore that he establish his Head-Quarters at Albany until further orders.

Resolved, That Thomas Bullitt, Esq., be appointed Deputy Adjutant-General in the Southern Department, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Colonel Wayne the Arms in their possession, for the purpose of arming his Battalion, retaining so many as will be necessary for the guard that is to attend the Powder to Cambridge.

The Order of the Day being renewed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Thursday, March 7, 1776.

A Letter from General Washington, of the 29th of February, and a Letter from General Schuyler, of the 23d of the same month, were received and read.

Resolved, That an Order for one hundred thousand Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of the Delegates of Connecticut, in part of the money advanced by said Colony, on account of the Continent, said Colony to be accountable; and that the said Colony be desired to send forward their Accounts, with proper vouchers, in order for liquidation and payment.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to retain so many of the Arms yesterday ordered to be delivered to Colonel Wayne, as will be necessary for the guard that is to attend the Powder to Cambridge.

The Congress being informed that Isaac Melchior, on the evening of Saturday last, treated the President of this Congress with great rudeness, and made use of several disrespectful and contemptuous expressions towards him and this Congress,

Ordered, That the said Isaac Melchior attend the Congress to-morrow morning, at eleven o’clock, to answer for his conduct.

Resolved, That Edward Hand, Esquire, be promoted to be Colonel of the Battalion of Riflemen in the Army at Cambridge, and James Chambers, Esquire, to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the same.

That William Winds, Esq., be promoted to be Colonel of the First New-Jersey Battalion, and that Matthias Ogden, Esquire, be appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the same.

Resolved, That the Committee on the Applications and Qualifications of Officers be directed to supply the First and Third New-Jersey Battalions with proper Medicine-Chests and Instruments.

A Letter from Lord Stirling, with Affidavits, relative to the capture of the Amboy Packet-boat, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee to whom the Letters from General Washington were referred.

The Committee to whom the Letter from the Committee of Safety of New-Hampshire was referred, brought in their Report, which was read.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,

To Hall and Sellers, for Printing the Continental Bills of Credit, the sum of 1735.4 Dollars;

To Frederick Becking, for one hundred and two reams of Paper for the Continental Bills of Credit, the sum of 707.2 Dollars;

To the Estate of David Hall, deceased, for Stationery for the service of Congress, the sum of 50.6 Dollars;

To Robert Erwin, for twenty cords of Wood, the sum of 80 Dollars;

To Wallore Meng, for Canteen-straps, the sum of 84.3 Dollars;

To Jared Tracey, for carrying money from Philadelphia to Cambridge, the sum of 36 Dollars; and that the same ought to be paid to Josiah Bartlett, Esquire.

To sundries on certificates for Provisions furnished several Rifle Companies, the sum of 35.3 Dollars; and that the same ought to be paid to John Alsop, Esquire.

To Thomas Apty, for boarding several Prisoners taken from on board the Rebecca and Ann, the sum of 54.7 Dollars.

To Robert Erwin, for Wagonage, the sum of 637.7 Dollars.

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid.

Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for electing the Field-Officers for the four Battalions ordered to be raised in the Colony of New-York for the defence of the said Colony.

The Order of the Day being renewed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Friday, March 8, 1776.

Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress proceeded to the election of Field-Officers of the four Battalions ordered to be raised in the Colony of New-York for the defence of the said Colony, and the ballots being taken, the following gentlemen were chosen:

Alexander McDougall, Esquire, Colonel, Herman Zedwitz, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel, Joseph Benedict, Esq., Major, of the First Battalion.

James Clinton, Esquire, Colonel, Henry B. Livingston, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel, Peter P. Schuyler, Esquire, Major, of the Second Battalion.

Frederick Weisenfels, Lieutenant-Colonel, John Fisher, Esquire, Major, of the Third Battalion.

Cornelius D. Wynkoop, Esquire, Colonel, Philip Cortlandt, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel, John Nicholson, Esq., Major, of the Fourth Battalion.

The Congress being informed that Mr. Melchior was attending, agreeable to the order of yesterday:

Ordered, That he be called in.

Mr. Melchior appearing, the particulars of the charge were repeated to him, and on his assuring the House of his not remembering his having behaved with the disrespect mentioned, owing to the particular circumstances he happened to be under, and asking pardon of the Congress and President for his indecent behaviour,

Ordered, That in consideration of Mr. Melchior’s former services, and his present concessions, he be dismissed from further attendance.

The Committee, to whom the several Letters from Major-General Lee, Major-General Schuyler, Brigadier-General Wooster, and Brigadier-General Arnold, were referred, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration; and thereupon,

Resolved, That the Commissioners who are appointed to go to Canada be desired to inquire into the cause of the imprisonment of the Officers of Militia in that country, and others, and take such measures, in concert with the Commanding Officer of the Continental forces there, for their enlargement or confinement, as are consistent with the principles of justice, and the safety of the United Colonies.

That the provisions made by General Lee and General Schuyler to supply the Army in Canada with Pork, the direction given by General Lee to have Wheat ground into Flour for their use, and his contract with the company of carpenters, be approved; and that Mr. Peter Zabriskie, of Hackinsack, be employed to transport the Pork, to be procured in New-Jersey, to Hudson’s River, according to General Schuyler’s desire.

That when the articles specified in the Rations allowed to the Prisoners of War cannot be procured, the persons who supply them with other Provisions be entitled to eight Pence, New-York currency, a day, for every Prisoner.

That Indians be not employed as soldiers in the armies of the United Colonies, before the Tribes to which they belong shall, in a National Council, held in the customary manner, have consented thereunto, nor then, without express approbation of Congress.

That General Schuyler be directed to provide such a number of Batteaus for the service in Canada, as shall be sufficient for it.

That General Schuyler be desired to purchase the Cloth which Mr. Henry, of Albany, hath, for Tents.

That the Committee of Inspection and Observation for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia be desired to collect all the Gold and Silver Coin they can, to be exchanged for Continental Bills, for the service of Canada.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to inquire and report the best ways and means of supplying the Army in Canada with Provisions and necessaries: