inquire how far Commodore Hopkins has complied with said instructions; and if, upon inquiry, they shall find that he has departed therefrom, to examine into the occasion thereof; also, to inquire into the situation of the Governour and Lieutenant-Governour of Providence, and the other officer brought from thence, and report what, in their opinion, is proper to be done with them.

That the said Committee have power to send for Witnesses and Papers.

The Members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. McKean, Mr. Duane, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. W. Livingston.

Information being given to Congress, that Kirkland, a Prisoner, has broke Jail, and made his escape,

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to devise ways and means to have him retaken.

The Members chosen, Mr. McKean, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Gerry.

Resolved, That whenever it shall appear to this Congress, that any Officer or Officers, bearing Continental Commissions, shall have departed from Orders, an inquiry shall be made.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to sell to Aaron Biddle and John Helm, seventy-five pounds of Powder, for the use of the inhabitants of Upper-Pennsneck, in New-Jersey.

Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the Colonies; and, after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that they have had under consideration the matter to them referred; but not having come to any Resolutions thereon, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the state of these Colonies.

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

Thursday, May 9, 1776.

A Letter of the 8th, from Abraham Livingston, offering to resign the Contract made with the Convention of New-York for supplying the Troops in that Colony with Provisions; also, a Letter of the same date from Colonel James Easton, were laid before Congress, and read.

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

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

Application being made for a safe conduct for Mrs. Bellew, wife of Captain Bellew, of the Liverpool, to pass through the country to her relations in Marblehead,

Resolved, That it be referred for consideration to Mr. R. H. Lee and Mr. R. Morris.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due, To William Bedford, for Cartouch Straps, the sum of 193.3 Dollars;

To Colonel Joseph Reed, for Camp Equipage, &c., procured for General Washington, the sum of 434.2 Dollars.

Ordered, That the said Accounts be paid.

The said Committee having reported on the Petition and Accounts of Captain Heman Allen, which were referred to them,

Resolved, That the said Petition and Accounts be referred to the Committee on the Treasury.

The Committee on Prisoners, to whom the Letter from Henry Beaumont, of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment of the King of Great Britain, which said Henry Beaumont is a prisoner of war, was referred, brought in a Report; which was taken into consideration.

Whereupon, Resolved, That the said Henry Beaumont be permitted to reside with, his wife and family at Elizabethtown, in the Colony of New-Jersey, he giving to the Committee of Inspection and Observation of the said Borough, his parole, in the form prescribed by Congress.

The Committee appointed to devise ways and means for raising ten millions of Dollars for the service of the current year, brought in their Report; which was read and considered:

Whereupon, Resolved, That five millions of Dollars be emitted in Bills of Credit, in part of the ten millions voted for the service of the current year.

That the thirteen United Colonies be pledged for the redemption of the said five millions of Dollars, at such periods, and in such manner and proportions, as Congress shall hereafter direct and appoint.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Superintendents of the Treasury, to consider of and report a plan for carrying into effect the before-mentioned Resolution, for emitting five millions of Dollars in Bills of Credit, towards the service of the current year.

The Committee having informed Congress that they have not had time to complete their Report:

Resolved, That they have leave to sit again.

Captain Budden having been taken by the Liverpool man-of-war, and permitted, on his parole, to come to Philadelphia, in order to procure a Prisoner to be given in exchange for him,

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to consider the propriety of exchanging Seamen.

The Members chosen, Mr. R. Morris, Mr. Hewes, and Mr. Huntington.

Agreeable to the Order of the Day, Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of the United Colonies; and, after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that they have had under their further consideration the matter referred to them, and have come to a Resolution; which he read and delivered in.

The Resolution of the Committee of the whole Congress being again read, the determination thereof, at the request of a Colony, was postponed till to-morrow.

The Committee to whom the application in favour of Mrs. Bellew was referred, brought in a Report; which was taken into consideration.

Whereupon, Resolved, That a Passport be granted to Mrs. Bellew to come to the City of Philadelphia, under escort of a Continental Officer, and that she may reside safely and unmolested in the said City, until her friends in New-England come to escort her to Marblehead, when a safe conduct shall also be granted to her for that journey, and for her residence there during her pleasure.

The Order of the Day being renewed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Friday, May 10, 1776.

A Letter of the 7th, from General Washington, and one of the 3d, from Thomas Cushing, were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That they be referred to the Committee on the state of the Eastern Colonies.

A Letter from Monsieur Docaisor, of the 6th of April, being laid before Congress, was read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Secret Committee.

The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of General Washington’s Letter of the 5th, and the Papers enclosed, brought in a Report; which was taken into consideration.

Whereupon, Resolved, That a copy of the Resolutions passed the 1st day of April last, establishing the mode of settling the publick Accounts, be transmitted to the General;

That the Resolution of Congress, passed the 17th of January last, allowing one Dollar and one-third of a Dollar to the officers, in lieu of expenses for inlisting each soldier, being a general regulation, extends to the Troops raised in the Eastern Department; and that the General be directed to make that allowance for all the Troops inlisted since the time of passing the said Resolution.

That as the road recommended by General Washington to be opened between the Town of Newbury, on Connecticut River, and the Province of Canada, will facilitate the march and return of the Troops employed in that quarter, and promote the publick service, the General be directed to prosecute the plan he has formed, respecting the said road;

That ten tons of Gunpowder be sent to New-York;