Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department, be directed to purchase the Indian goods said to be at Pittsburgh, for the use of the United Colonies.

The Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on the case of Alexander Ross; whereupon,

Resolved, That the said Alexander Ross be discharged from confinement.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Saturday, May 11, 1776.

A Petition from John Jacobs, in behalf of himself and others, was presented to Congress, and read.

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

The Members chosen, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Rutledge.

Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on the state of the Eastern Colonies; whereupon,

Resolved, That the two Battalions directed by the Assembly of Rhode-Island to be raised, be taken into Continental pay; the Battalion ordered to be raised in November last, from the time they were armed, clothed, and fit for duty; and the one since ordered to be raised, from the present time, provided they be armed, clothed, and fit for service; and that if they be not so armed and appointed, they be taken into Continental pay as soon as they shall be armed and mustered.

Resolved, That the remainder of the Report be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress.

Resolved, That the Standing Committee for Indian Affairs be directed to take measures for carrying into execution the Resolution of the 6th, for holding a treaty with the Indians, in the different Departments, as soon as practicable.

That the 20th of July be fixed on for holding a treaty, at Pittsburgh, with the Indians in the Middle Department; and that the Standing Committee be directed to inform the Agent, and desire him to notify the Indians, and invite them to attend at the time and place mentioned; and, also, that the said Committee inform the Commissioners, and desire them to attend.

Resolved, That John Harvey be appointed a Commissioner for Indian Affairs, in the Middle Department.

Certain Resolutions of the Board of Officers in Philadelphia, and a Petition from the Committee of Privates of the Military Association of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, were presented to Congress and read.

Resolved, That they be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress.

A Memorial from Caunier de la Berthadure was presented to Congress and read.

Ordered to lie on the table.

Resolved, That two sets of Trepanning Instruments be sent to Virginia, for the use of the Surgeons of the Continental Troops there; and that two sets of Trepanning Instruments, and one hundred pounds of Peruvian Bark, be sent to North-Carolina, for the use of the Continental Troops in that Colony.

The Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the Report of the Committee on the state of the Colonies in the Eastern Department, and the Resolves of the Officers, and Petition of the Committee of Privates of the Military Association of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia.

And, after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported: That the Committee had taken into consideration the matters to them referred, and had come to a Resolution thereon, which he was directed to report; but that not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The Resolution reported from the Committee of the whole Congress being read,

Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next.

Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the Report of the Committee on the state of the Colonies in the Eastern Department, and the Resolves of the Officers, and Petition of the Privates, of the Military Association of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send five hundred pounds of Powder to the Committee of Safety of Delaware Government, for the use of their Militia.

The Committee of Claims reported that there is due,

On account rendered by the Committee for the Upper District of Frederick County, in Virginia, of expenses incurred by Captain John Nelson’s Company of Riflemen, the sum of 1415.4 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Michael Fackler; and that the said Company ought to be charged with the sum of 1016 Dollars, the amount of Rifles and Goods, &c., furnished for their use, the remainder being for provisions and wagonage, to be charged to the Continent.

To Andrew McNair, for attendance and for Candles, &c., the sum of 181.9 Dollars, in full of his account to the 30th of April last.

To Robert Erwin, Wagonmaster, for five Teams that went to Canada, a balance of 699.6 Dollars.

To Walter Drummond, for nursing several persons belonging to Captain Benezet’s Company, the sum of 27 Dollars.

To George London, for thirty-four days’ wagonage for the Sixth Battalion, the sum of 117.5 Dollars.

Ordered, That the said Accounts be paid.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, on Monday.

END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME OF THE FOURTH SERIES.

WASHINGTON, April 20, 1844.