Mr. Wythe, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wolcott, Mr. L. Morris, and Mr. Rutledge, were elected.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,

To Matthew Swan, for carrying two brass Field-pieces from Philadelphia to Williamsburgh, the sum of 93.6 Dollars, over and beside the sum of 80 Dollars paid him by Robert Erwin, and 13.3 Dollars paid by the Committee of Williamsburgh;

For House-rent, Carriage, and other contingent expenses of the Fourth Pennsylvania Battalion, the sum of 358.6 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to John Harper, Quartermaster of the said Battalion;

For Provisions for Captain Ross’s Company, supplied by Charles Jackson, the sum of 9.1 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Timothy Matlack.

Ordered, That the said Accounts be paid.

The Committee to whom was referred the Memorial from the Committee of Inspection and Observation of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, praying the advice of Congress whether they ought to continue the exercise of the power of regulating the price of goods in other instances than that of Green Tea, brought in their Report; which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the ninth article of the Association, which enjoined the inhabitants of the United Colonies to sell goods and merchandise at the rates they had respectively been accustomed to do for twelve months then last past, was, in its nature, a temporary regulation, respecting the goods then on hand; but as those goods are nearly consumed, and a further supply must be obtained at an extraordinary risk and expense, and it is reasonable that adventurers should be encouraged by a prospect of gain adequate to the danger which may be incurred in the importation, and a free trade being now opened from the United Colonies to all parts of the world except the dominions belonging to the King of Great Britain,

Resolved, That the power of Committees of Inspection and Observation to regulate the prices of goods, in other instances than the article of Green Tea, ought to cease.

Ordered, That the above be published.

Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on General Washington’s Letter of the 24th of March. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Vessels which were left in the Docks and Harbour at Boston, by the enemy, and which different persons claim as their property, ought to be restored to their former owners, being inhabitants of these Colonies, on their making proof of their title, unless the said parties so claiming shall have been voluntarily active against the rights of the United Colonies, by affording aid and assistance to the British Fleet and Army; and that it be recommended to the Government of Massachusetts-Bay to appoint Commissioners to hear such claims, and determine on the sufficiency of the proof thereof;

Provided, That any person apprehending himself or herself to be aggrieved by the adjudication of the Commissioners, may appeal from their sentence to the Congress; such appeal being demanded and lodged with the Secretary of Congress, within the times limited, and the appellant giving security, in the manner prescribed in the case of an appeal from the sentence of a court appointed for hearing maritime causes.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the Report be postponed.

Resolved, That an Order for 2000 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of George Evans, who has contracted to supply the Delaware Battalions with Rations, he to be accountable.

The Delegates for New-Jersey having laid before Congress a number of Bills counterfeited to imitate the Continental Bills of Credit,

Resolved, That a Committee of six be appointed to consider of this matter, and report thereon to Congress.

The Members chosen, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. McKean, Mr. Sherman, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Duane.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, on Thursday.

Thursday, May 2, 1776.

Sundry Letters being received, were laid before Congress and read, viz. One of the 22d of April, from the Committee of Secrecy, War, and Intelligence, of North-Carolina, with a list of Prisoners sent by them to Philadelphia;

One of the 30th of April, from General Washington, enclosing a Memorial from Governour Cooke; and

One of the 29th of the same month, from the Committee of Safety of New-York to the Delegates of said Colony.

Resolved, That the Letter from General Washington, with the Memorial enclosed, be referred to the Committee appointed to take into consideration the state of the Eastern Colonies.

Resolved, That a Letter be written to General Schuyler, desiring him, in case Major Douglass declines to take the command of the Vessels on the Lakes, to appoint Captain Wynkoop to that command, and inform Congress thereof by the first opportunity.

Resolved, That an Order for 20,000 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of James Mease, Commissary, for the use of the Pennsylvania Battalions, he to be accountable.

A Letter of the 1st, from Henry Fisher, of Lewistown, directed to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, and by them sent to Congress, was read. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Commanding Officer of the Delaware Battalion be directed to station thirty-five men, with an officer, at the False-Cape, till further orders.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send two hundred pounds of Powder and two hundred pounds of Lead to Lewistown, for the use of the Companies stationed there.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,

To Dr. William Curry, for account of Medicine and attendance for the Fourth Pennsylvania Battalion, the sum of 58.3 Dollars.

Ordered, That the said Account be paid.

The Committee, to whom were referred the papers laid before Congress by the Delegates from North-Carolina, brought in their Report; which was read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washington’s Letter of the 24th of March last; and after some debate,

Resolved, That it be recommitted; and, as the Members of the former Committee are absent, that a new Committee be appointed.

The Members chosen, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. W. Livingston, and Mr. Rutledge.

Resolved, That it be recommended to that branch of the Council of Safety of the Delaware Government residing in Kent County, to furnish the Commanding Officer of the Delaware Battalion with as many of the publick Arms of that County as may be sufficient for arming the Companies of the said Battalion stationed at Lewistown, to be used by them till otherwise ordered by the said branch of the Council of Safety.

The several matters to this day referred being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Friday, May 3, 1776.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due to David Williams, for Wagon-hire, the sum of 112 Dollars.

Ordered, That the said Account be paid.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send two hundred pounds of Peruvian Bark to the Commanding Officer in Virginia, for the use of the Continental Forces in the Southern Department.

A Petition from Peter Simon was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee of three.

The Members chosen, Mr. McKean, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. J. Adams.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to sell to Hendrick Vanbrune and Thomas Littel, three hundred pounds of Powder, for the use of the inhabitants of the Township of Shrewsbury, to enable them to defend their Sea-Coast.

The Committee appointed to prepare an estimate of the