Province, shall direct. But as the Petitioner is in want of money,

Resolved, That 200 Dollars be advanced to him, in part of his demand against the United Colonies.

With regard to the Petitioner’s request that a Court of Inquiry may be called respecting the charge against him and Major Brown, for plundering the effects of the prisoners: as Brigadier-General Arnold, in his letter of the 1st of February last, alleges that the Petitioner and Major Brown had been publickly accused of plundering the officers’ baggage taken at Sorel, contrary to the articles of capitulation, and to the great scandel of the American arms; for which reason, he declared it to be his opinion, that it would give great disgust to the Army in general if either of them should be promoted until these matters were cleared up; and as the Petitioner asserts his innocence, declaring that he neither plundered, nor directed, nor was privy to the plundering of any prisoner or other person whatever; considering, therefore, on one hand, the aggravated nature of this charge, which is an impediment to the Petitioner’s promotion, and, on the other, the great confidence reposed in him by General Montgomery, and the essential service which the Petitioner has rendered to his country:

Resolved, That the Commissioners from Congress, in Canada, be instructed to cause inquiry to be made, by a Court-Martial or otherwise, into the charge against the Petitioner, giving him an opportunity of making his defence; and that the proceedings thereon be transmitted to Congress, in order that justice may be done to the Petitioner, if he has been accused without sufficient reason.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, April 27, 1776.

Resolved, That an Order for 350 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of Mr. Edy, of which 250 for himself, and 100 for his attendant, Isaiah Beaudreau, for services done.

Sundry Letters and papers from North-Carolina were laid before Congress, and read, viz:

An Affidavit of Thomas Higgins and James McClery, respecting the capture of Captain W. Ginn’s Brig;

A Letter from Samuel Johnston, President of the Convention of North-Carolina, dated the 10th instant, enclosing sundry Resolves of the said Convention, of the 9th, 10th, and 13th, of the same month; and an extract of a Letter from Brigadier-General Moore.

Resolved, That the Affidavit be delivered to the Secret Committee; and that the other papers be referred to a Committee of three:

The Members chosen, Mr. Duane, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Alexander.

Congress proceeded to the election of a Paymaster-General, in the room of Mr. Warren, whose resignation was accepted; and the ballots being taken and examined, William Palfrey, Esquire, was elected.

Resolved, That a Mustermaster be elected, in the room of Mr. Edmund. Randolph, whose resignation was accepted.

The ballots being taken and examined, William Yates was elected.

Congress also proceeded to the election of a Deputy Commissary-General, for supplying the Troops in Virginia with Rations; and the ballots being taken and examined, William Aylet, Esquire, was elected.

Resolved, That Mr. Rodney and Mr. Read be added to the Committee appointed to contract for supplying the Troops in the Barracks at Philadelphia, and the Battalion in the Lower Counties on Delaware.

A Memorial from the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania was presented to Congress, and read.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed, Adjourned to ten o’clock, on Monday.

Monday, April 29, 1776.

Sundry Letters and papers being received, were laid before Congress, and read, viz:

A Letter of the 25th, from General Washington, enclosing a Return of the Army at New-York;

A Letter from Major Wrixon, declining to accept the Commission of Chief Engineer;

A Letter from the Council of Safety of Maryland, with the Examination of Alexander Ross, and sundry papers found in his possession.

Resolved, That the Letter from General Washington, and the Letter from the Council of Safety of Maryland, with Mr. Ross’s papers, be referred to a Committee of five.

The Members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Goldsborough, Mr. Payne, and Mr. Rodney.

Also, a Letter of the 19th, from General Lee; one from Thomas Bullitt; and a Petition from Dr. J. Potts, were read, and referred to the said Committee.

Resolved, That Letters be written by the President to General Schuyler and the Committee of Safety of New-York, desiring them to inform this Congress whether the Continental commissions sent to them for the Officers of the Troops raised by Connecticut the last campaign, were delivered or offered to them, or to any, and which of them, and whether any, and which of them, refused, or accepted the same; and particularly, whether commissions were offered to Colonel Waterbury and Colonel Easton, and whether they refused accepting them.

Resolved, That Captain Peter Adams, from Maryland, under whose custody Alexander Ross was brought to Philadelphia, be dismissed, and that the said Alexander Ross be committed to the care of the Officer commanding the Continental Troops in Pennsylvania.

Resolved, That a Standing Committee be appointed for Indian Affairs; that it consist of five; that the election of the Members be postponed till to-morrow.

Resolved, That the Congress, relying on the integrity and honour of Captain A. McGee, order that he be permitted to go at large, on giving his parole to the Committee of West-Augusta not to engage or be concerned in any measure injurious to these Colonies, by stimulating the Indian Nations to make, war against them, or otherwise.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,

To Benjamin Marshall, for tin Cartouch-Boxes, the sum of 465 Dollars;

To Ephraim Blaine, Esquire, for Subsistence, Wagonage, and Ferriages of the Sixth Pennsylvania Battalion, the sum of 2706 Dollars.

Ordered, That the said Accounts be paid.

Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washington’s Letter of the 19th, &c.

Whereupon, Resolved, That the papers from Fort Pitt be referred to the Committee appointed to consider the state of Indian affairs in the Middle Department; and that the said Committee be instructed to prepare a plan of an expedition against Fort Detroit, and an estimate of the expense.

Resolved, That no Traders ought to go into the Indian country without license from the Agent in the Department; and that care be taken by him to prevent exorbitant prices for goods being exacted from the Indians.

Resolved, That a ton of Powder be sent to Mr. George Morgan, to be distributed to such Indians as he shall be convinced are in our interest.

Resolved, That measures be immediately taken to procure goods to supply the Indians at the Treaties ordered to be held with them.

Resolved, That the Councils of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, and the Governours of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, be earnestly requested to take the most speedy and effectual measures to collect as much hard money in their respective Colonies as possible, and to send the same, as collected, to General Schuyler, and draw upon the President of Congress for the amount.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the Report and the several matters to this day referred, be postponed till to-morrow, to which time Congress adjourned.

Tuesday, April 30, 1776.

A Letter from Allan Cameron, and a Letter from John Smith, of the 29th, were presented to Congress, and read.

Agreeable to order, Congress proceeded to the election of a Standing Committee for Indian Affairs; and the ballots; being taken and examined,