New-York Government, the sum of 12.5 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to John Alsop, Esq.;

To Clement Biddle, for Provisions, &c., for the Seventh and Twenty-Sixth Regiments of British Troops, who are Prisoners, the sum of 294 Dollars, and for Wampum for the Southern Department, the sum of 59 Dollars;

To Ludwick Kuhn, for boarding part of Captain Romans’s Company of Matrosses, the sum of 59.8 Dollars;

To William Shepherd, for two Horses sold by him to General Lee, and for sundry articles of Geers, the sum of 175.7 Dollars;

To Matthias Slough, for Provisions for the Seventh and Twenty-Sixth Regiments of British Troops, from the 26th of February to the 21st March, the sum of 193.3 Dollars.

Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid.

Lord Stirling having, agreeable to the order of Congress of the 19th of March last, appointed persons to value the Boat of Michael Kearney, Jun., and transmitted to Congress the valuation by them made, amounting to 725 Dollars:

Ordered, That the same be paid to the said Michael Kearney.

The several matters to this day referred, lie postponed.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Wednesday, April 10, 1776.

Two Letters of the 1st from General Washington, were laid before Congress, and read; also, a Letter of the 8th from John Connolly.

Resolved, That the Letters from General Washington be referred to a Committee of the Whole Congress.

The Committee to whom the Report on Indian Affairs in the Middle Department, and the Petition of Captain White-Eyes, were referred, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration:

Whereupon, Resolved, That the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department, or any one of them, be desired to employ, for reasonable salaries, a Minister of the Gospel, to reside among the Delaware Indians, and instruct them in the Christian religion; a Schoolmaster to teach their youth Reading, Writing, and Arithmetick; also a Blacksmith, to do the work of the Indians, in the Middle Department.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department be desired to provide, at the expense of the United Colonies, for the entertainment of the Sachems and Warriors of the Indians, and their attendants and Messengers, with the accustomed hospitality, when they come to Pittsburgh, to treat, or give intelligence of publick affairs, or upon a visit.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for Indian Affairs be desired to acquaint the Indians in their respective Departments, that Congress have formed a plan for importing goods to supply their necessities.

That the Commissioners for Indian Affairs be desired to inquire into and report the cause of the discontent of the Indians in the Middle Department, what measures may be pursued to restore quiet and harmony, and to use their utmost endeavours, in the mean time, to prevent hostilities.

Resolved, That although the prosperity of Dartmouth College, in the Colony of New-Hampshire, is a desirable object, it is neither seasonable nor prudent to contribute towards its relief or support out of the publick Treasury.

Resolved, That so soon as conveniently may be, a Treaty be held between the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department and the Nations of Indians to the Westward; and that the said Commissioners be desired to appoint the time and place of meeting for that purpose, and give the Indians information thereof.

Resolved, That it be referred to Captain George Morgan, Æneas Mackay, Esq., and Captain John Neville, to adjust and determine all matters of difference between Coquataginta, or Captain White-Eyes, and Messrs. Bernard Gratz and Michael Gratz; and that the arbitrators, in case either of the parties to whom it is recommended to submit to their award shall refuse to abide thereby, report the reasons of such refusal, with a state of the case, and any other matters they shall think fit to Congress.

That disputes which shall arise between any of the white people and the Indians in their deelings (if the latter will consent) be determined by arbitrators, chosen, one by each of the parties, and another by the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, or, when they are absent, by the Agent in the Department where the Indian party resides.

Resolved, That that part of the Report relative to Fort Detroit be postponed.

The Congress then proceeded to the choice of an Agent for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department; and the ballots being taken and examined, George Morgan, Esquire, was elected.

Resolved, That the sum of 300 Dollars be presented to Captain White-Eyes.

Resolved, That George Morgan, Esquire, the Agent for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department, be empowered to purchase for Captain White-Eyes two Horses with two Saddles and Bridles, and that the Treasurers be directed to pay to the said George Morgan a sum not exceeding 100 Dollars for defraying the expenses thereof.

Resolved, That the following Speech be delivered to Captain White-Eyes to-morrow morning:

“BROTHER CAPTAIN WHITE-EYES:

“We have not been unmindful of our promise made to you and your nation, the 16th of December. We now thank you for your speech to us the 2d of last month.

“BROTHERS, THE DELAWARES:

“At the Council-fire, at Pittsburgh, last fall, and since by our brother Captain White-Eyes, who hath been all the winter with us, you requested our assistance to promote peace and useful knowledge among you, particularly the knowledge of the Christian religion. We rejoice, brothers, to find you thus disposed, and will, as early as we can, provide a suitable minister and schoolmaster, and a sober man to instruct you in agriculture. These things we agree to do, brothers, at your request, and to convince you that we wish to advance your happiness, and that there may be a lasting union between us, and that, as you express it, we may become one people. The introduction of useful arts among you will be effected, we apprehend, by encouraging handicraft-men to settle and reside in your country. The method of doing this must be left to your own discretion.

“BROTHERS:

“We desire you will make it known among all the Indian nations to the westward, that we are determined to cultivate peace and friendship with them, and that we will endeavour, by making the best regulations in our power, to prevent any of our people wronging them in any manner, or taking their lands; and that we will strive to put the trade between us on such a footing as will secure the peace, and promote the interest of all parties; and we expect that all the wise men, of every Indian nation, will use their influence for the same purpose.

“BROTHERS:

“We have named George Morgan, Esq., as Agent under our Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department, and we desire you will confer with him on whatever business you may have with us. We hope you will inform him of all publick matters. We recommend him to your friendship.

“BROTHERS:

“You tell us that your uncles, our brothers, the Wyandots, have given your nation a large tract of country, comprehended between the River Ohio on the south, the west branch of the River Muskingham and Sandusky on the west, Lake Erie on the north, and Presque-Isle on the east.

“BROTHERS:

“Hearken to our advice. As we are informed that your uncles, our brothers, the Six Nations, claim most of those lands, we recommend it to you to obtain their approbation of this grant to you from the Wyandots, in publick council, and have it put on record. Such a step will prevent uneasiness and jealousy on their part, and continue the confidence and friendship which subsists between you and them. We wish to promote the lasting peace and happiness of all our brothers, the Indian nations, who live with us on this great Island. As far as your settlement and security may depend upon us, you may be assured of our protection. We shall take all the care in our power, that no interruption or disturbance be given you by our people, nor shall any of them