The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,

To William Hencher, for Wagon-hire, in conveying Captain Stevenson’s Baggage, &c., to Cambridge, the sum of 58.3 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Moses Hunter;

To Rachel Stille, for boarding several Officers, Prisoners, to the 8th of March instant, the sum of 224.7 Dollars;

To Joseph Fineur, for five hundred and eleven tin Cartridge-Boxes, the sum of 221.4 Dollars.

Ordered, The above Accounts be paid.

The matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Friday, March 15, 1776.

Sundry Letters being received, were laid before Congress, and read, viz: One from General Washington, of the 7th, with two papers enclosed, with a number of intercepted Letters; two from Lord Stirling, of the 12th and 13th; one from Lieutenant-Colonel Allen, of the 13th; one from the Convention of New-York; and one from General Schuyler, of the 6th.

Resolved, That the expenses of the Horses of General Officers, when travelling in the service of the Continent, be defrayed by the United Colonies.

Ordered, That Mr. R. H. Lee and Mr. Franklin call on General Lee, and direct him immediately to repair to the Southern Department, and take the command of the forces there.

Resolved, That four Muskets and Bayonets be lent to the Delegates of Virginia, for the use of the guards that accompany the Powder sent to that Colony.

The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of New- York; and, after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee had taken into consideration the matter to them referred, and had come to certain Resolutions; which, being read, were agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That Captain Nelson, with his Rifle Company, be directed immediately to repair to New-York.

Resolved, That the Governour of Connecticut, the Conventions, and Councils or Committees of Safety of New-York and New-Jersey, be requested to hold their Militia in readiness to march in such numbers, and at such times, for the defence of New-York, as the Continental Commander at New-York shall desire; and that the pay of the Militias called to the defence of New-York be the same as that of the Continental Troops raised and employed in the Middle Department, to commence from the time they begin their march.

Resolved, That Lord Stirling be directed to order the Troops destined for Canada to proceed on their march, agreeable to their former orders.

The matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, March 16, 1776.

A Letter from Lord Stirling, of the 14th, enclosing a copy of General Orders for the defence of New-York, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That a Letter be written to Lord Stirling, directing him immediately to send forward the Powder destined for Cambridge, unless he has received express advice from General Washington that the enemy’s Fleet and Army have sailed out of the Harbour of Boston.

Resolved, That the Account of Mr. Price, of Canada, be referred to the Committee of Claims.

A Petition from Coquataginta, or Captain White-Eyes, was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That the same be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen, Mr. L. Morris, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. R. H. Lee.

Resolved, That Captain Duncan Campbell, a prisoner at Lancaster, be permitted to come to Philadelphia, to meet his wife and children, and there reside till further orders.

Mr. W. Livingston, pursuant to leave granted, brought in a Resolution for appointing a Fast, which was agreed to, as follows:

In times of impending calamity and distress, when the liberties of America are imminently endangered by the secret machinations and open assaults of an insidious and vindictive Administration, it becomes the indispensable duty of these hitherto free and happy Colonies, with true penitence of heart, and the most reverent devotion, publickly to acknowledge the overruling Providence of God; to confess and deplore our offences against him; and to supplicate his interposition for averting the threatened danger, and prospering our strenuous efforts to the cause of freedom, virtue, and posterity.

The Congress, therefore, considering the warlike preparations of the British Ministry to subvert our invaluable rights and privileges, and to reduce us by fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness, and our own domesticks, to the most abject and ignominious bondage; desirous, at the same time, to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense, of God’s superintending Providence, and of their duty devoutly to rely, in all their lawful enterprises, on His aid and direction, do earnestly recommend that Friday, the 17th day of May next, be observed by the said Colonies as a day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease His righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain His pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring His assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies, and, by inclining their hearts to justice and benevolence, prevent the further effusion of kindred blood. But if, continuing deaf to the voice of reason and humanity, and inflexibly bent on desolation and war, they constrain us to repel their hostile invasions by open resistance, that it may please the Lord of Hosts and the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the Continental arms, by sea and land, with victory and success; earnestly beseeching Him to bless our civil rulers, and the Representatives of the people, in their several Assemblies and Conventions; to preserve and strengthen their union, to inspire them with an ardent, disinterested love of their country; to give wisdom and stability to their councils; and direct them to the most efficacious measures for establishing the rights of America on the most honourable and permanent basis; that He would be graciously pleased to bless all His people in these Colonies with health and plenty, and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism, and of pure, undefiled religion, may universally prevail; and this Continent be speedily restored to the blessings of peace and liberty, and enabled to transmit them inviolate to the latest posterity. And it is recommended to Christians of all denominations, to assemble for publick worship, and abstain from servile labour, on the said day.

Ordered, That the foregoing Resolve be published.

Resolved, That another Brigadier-General be appointed in the Continental Army.

The ballots being taken and examined, the Baron De Woedtke was elected.

Resolved, That Frederick William Baron De Woedtke, appointed a Brigadier-General in the Army of the United Colonies, be ordered immediately to repair to New-York, there to remain until the Commissioners appointed to go into Canada shall reach that Colony; and that he be directed to join and accompany them into Canada, and there serve under the command of the Continental Troops in that Province.

Resolved, That Carpenter Wharton, Commissary, continue, agreeable to his Contract, to supply with Rations the Pennsylvania Battalions serving in New-York.

A Petition from Joseph Blewer and Daniel Robinson was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress.

The Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the Memorial from the Merchants, Traders, and others, inhabitants of Philadelphia; the Memorial from Edmund Custis; the Letters from the Committees of Accomack and Northampton; and the Petition from Joseph Blewer and Daniel Robinson, &c.