violence or oppression, to injure that union that happily subsists between all the Colonies, and on which their welfare so much depends.

Resolved, That the Committee for fortifying Ports be empowered to write, in the name of the Congress, to General Washington, and request him to send a proper person to examine such Ports on the coast of New-England as they shall direct, and report thereon.

That the said Committee be empowered to employ proper persons to examine the several Ports and Harbours on the coast between New-York and Delaware Bay, and between Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, and to the Southward.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to supply the inhabitants of Monmouth County, in New-Jersey, with three hundred pounds of Powder, they paying for the same.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to bring in a resolution, whereby persons resident, having property in America, who assist any of the enemies of the United Colonies in the capture of Vessels or Goods, may be made liable to make good the damages to the sufferers.

The Members chosen, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Wythe.

A Petition from Moses Kirkland, a prisoner, was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Prisoners.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on the ways and means of supplying the Troops in Canada.

Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. R. Morris be directed to purchase Bills of Exchange to the amount of £3000, sterling, and deliver the same to Mr. Price; and that Mr. Morris be indemnified for any loss that may arise from endorsing them.

That the sum of 13,333.3 Dollars be advanced to Mr. Price, to be employed by him in the service of the Continent, in Canada, he to be accountable.

Resolved, That the Officers of the Rifle Battalion, and Independent Rifle Companies, be authorized and directed to recruit the said Battalion and Companies, and inlist the men as speedily as possible; and that their reinlistment be for two years from the expiration of their present term, liable to be discharged sooner, if the Congress shall think proper, upon receiving a month’s pay advance.

A Petition from Thomas Learning, Jun., in behalf of the Committee of Inspection of the County of Cape-May, in the Colony of New-Jersey, was presented to Congress, and read, setting forth the defenceless state of that part of the country, and praying for a supply of Powder and Lead, and that two Companies of the Continental forces may be stationed there.

Resolved, That the prayer of the Petition be granted.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Tuesday, April 16, 1776.

A Letter of the 9th, from Commodore E. Hopkins, enclosing a list of the Cannon and Stores brought from Providence; and a Letter of the 14th from the Committee of Baltimore, enclosing copies of intercepted Letters from the Secretary of State to Governour Eden; also a Letter of the 8th, from General Thomas, were laid before Congress, and read.

Ordered, That the Secretary publish an extract of the Letter from Commodore Hopkins.

The Congress taking into consideration the Letter from the Committee of Baltimore, and the papers enclosed, came to the following Resolutions:

Whereas information has been this day laid before Congress, from which there is great reason to believe that Robert Eden, Esquire, Governour of the Colony of Maryland, has lately carried on a correspondence with the British Ministry highly dangerous to the liberties of America;

Resolved, therefore, That the Council of Safety of Maryland be earnestly requested immediately to cause the person and papers of Govemour Eden to be seized and secured, and such of the papers as relate to the American dispute, without delay, conveyed safely to Congress; and that copies of the intercepted Letters from the Secretary of State be enclosed to the said Council of Safety.

Resolved, That the Council of Safety of Maryland be requested to cause the person and papers of Alexander Ross to be immediately seized and secured, and that the papers be sent safely to Congress.

And to prevent the said Alexander Ross having any opportunity to escape,

Resolved, That the like request be made to the Committees of Observation for Baltimore and Frederick Counties in Maryland, in one of which Counties the said Alexander Ross probably now is.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,

To Isaac Melchoir, for expenses from Montreal to Philadelphia, including a part of St. Luke La Corne’s expenses to Albany, the sum of 34.7 Dollars;

To Leonard Melchoir, for boarding Mr. McDonald twenty days, the sum of 16 Dollars;

To William, Chew, for riding express to North-Carolina and back, including ferriages, the sum of 90 Dollars; and that the same ought to be paid to Joseph Hewes, Esq.;

To Samuel Purviance, Jun., the sum of 133.3 Dollars, money advanced by Col. Charles Beatty to Captain James Grier; and that the same ought to be paid and charged to the said James Grier;

To Anthony Tricker, for boarding Donald McDonald, and others of the Scots Prisoners taken by General Schuyler near Johnstown, the sum of 150 Dollars;

To Pelatiah Webster, for purchasing goods for the Continent, including some incidental charges, the sum of 66.3 Dollars.

Ordered, That the said Accounts be paid.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to supply the inhabitants of Monmouth County with five hundred Flints.

The Congress having proceeded to the election of a Clerk or Assistant to the Auditor-General, the ballots being taken, Mr. William Webb was elected.

A Letter of the 15th, from H. Beaumont, Surgeon of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Prisoners.

Resolved, That the sum of 1000 Dollars be paid to Messrs. Price and Haywood, in consideration of their extraordinary services in Canada.

Whereas much inconvenience may be derived to the publick from Committees, other than the Committees of Safety in each Colony, on the publick post roads stopping and opening the Mails, and detaining Letters from the Constitutional Post:

Resolved, That no Committee but the Council or Committee of Safety in each Colony, or such persons as they shall, on extraordinary occasions, authorize, shall stop the Constitutional Post, open the Mail, or detain any Letters therefrom.

Resolved, That the President write to Commodore Hopkins, and direct him to send a complete list and state of the stores taken and brought from Providence, with the sizes of the Cannon, &c.; and in case he should have left New-London, that Governour Trumbull be desired to order a list of the stores left at New-London by Commodore Hopkins to be made out, and transmitted to Congress.

Resolved, That the Cannon and such other of the stores as are not necessary for the fleet, be landed and left at New-London, and that such of the Cannon and wheels as Governour Trumbull shall direct, may be employed for the defence of that Harbour, during the pleasure of the Congress.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Wednesday, April 17, 1776.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers for 10 Dollars, in favour of John Avery, Jun., an express from Commodore Hopkins, he to account.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,

To John Avery, Jun., for riding express from Commodore Hopkins and back again, the sum of 40.7 Dollars.

Ordered, That the same be paid.