“That the Militias be engaged to the 1st day of December next, unless sooner discharged by Congress.

“That the pay of the Militias commence from the day of their marching from home; and that they be allowed one penny a mile, lawful money, in lieu of rations, for travelling expenses, and one day’s pay for every twenty miles between home and the general rendezvous, going and returning.

“That two Provincial Brigadiers-General be employed in the Canada Department—one from Massachusetts-Bay and one from Connecticut.

“That four Provincial Brigadiers-General be employed in the New-York Department—one from Massachusetts-Bay, one from Connecticut, one from New-York, and one from New-Jersey.

“ That three Provincial Brigadiers-General be employed for the Flying-Camp—two from Pennsylvania and one from Maryland.

“ That the said Brigadiers-General be appointed by the respective Colonies above-mentioned.

“Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the Assemblies, Conventions, and Committees of Safety, in the United Colonies, to fall upon the most effectual means for removing the Stocks, Grain, and Meal, from such parts of their respective Colonies as are invaded, or are in imminent danger of being invaded by the enemy.

“That the General Assembly of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, the Governour and Assembly of Connecticut, the Conventions of New-York, and New-Jersey, and the Conventions of such other of the United Colonies in which there are any Lead Mines, be requested to transmit to Congress, with all convenient despatch, the state and condition of the Lead Mines in their respective Colonies, and use the most speedy means to procure their being wrought to effect.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

“June 4, 1776.—Resolved, That it be recommended to the Assemblies and Conventions of the Colonies requested to supply or furnish Militias by the Resolutions of yesterday, to take particular care that their Militias come provided with Arms, Accoutrements and Camp-kettles.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.”

A Letter was also laid before the Congress from his Excellency General Washington, earnestly recommending that the above Resolutions respecting the Militia of New-Jersey be immediately earned into effect. Whereupon,

Ordered, That Mr. Dickenson, Mr. Sergeant, Mr. Clark, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Mehelm, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Elmer, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Covenhoven, be a Committee to devise ways and means for carrying the said Resolutions into immediate effect.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o’clock.

Wednesday, June 12, 1776.

Met according to adjournment, and opened with prayer, pursuant to the standing order of the House.

Resolved, unanimously, That in all divisions upon any question, if any Member move to insert the yeas and nays on the Minutes, and is seconded, the same shall be inserted.

On motion, that not less than two-thirds of the Deputies of this Congress be a quorum or body sufficient to do business; the same was carried in the negative, as follows:

Resolved, That a majority of the Members elected be always a quorum sufficient to transact any business.

Adjourned to three o’clock, afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

A Letter from the Honourable President Hancock was read, enclosing a Resolution of the Continental Congress of the 11th instant, and urging to despatch in forwarding the Militia.

Richard Smith, Esquire, one of the Delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress, asking leave to resign his seat there, on account of indisposition.

Ordered, That his resignation be accepted.

A Memorial from Azariah Dunham, Esq., requesting the appointment of Commissary and Paymaster to the Troops about to be raised in this Colony for the Continental service, was read, and ordered a second reading.

A Memorial from the Commissioners of the Western Division, respecting the procuring Tents, &c., was read, and ordered a second reading.

A Letter from the Honourable Edmund Pendleton, Esq., President of the Convention of Virginia, enclosing the Resolutions of the said Convention respecting the Independence of these Colonies; read, and ordered to be filed.

A Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-York, respecting a defection in Bergen County, in this Colony, together with some Affidavits respecting the same; were read, and ordered to be filed.

A Letter from Colonel David Brearley, of the County of Monmouth, complaining of sundry disaffected persons in his Regiment; read, and ordered a second reading.

Resolved, That Doctor Roan be requested to attend the Western Company of Artillery; and that this Congress will defray the expense of such attendance.

Two Petitions from sundry Inhabitants of Burlington County, setting forth, that, for certain reasons therein mentioned, no Deputies were elected to represent the said County in the Provincial Congress; and praying that this Congress would appoint a day for the election of Deputies in that County; read, and ordered a second reading.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth, praying that none of the Militia may be taken out of that County, as it lies so exposed to hostile invasion; read, and ordered a second reading.

Two Petitions from sundry Inhabitants of the South Ward of the City of Perth-Amboy, in the County of Middlesex, praying that the Government under the King of Great Britain may be suppressed, and that this Congress would point out and establish some more suitable form of Government; read, and ordered a second reading.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants of the County of Hunterdon; setting forth, that John Allen, Esq., was elected a Deputy for that County to serve in Provincial Congress, and praying that his election may, for reasons therein mentioned, be vacated; read, and ordered a second reading.

Adjourned till eight o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Thursday, June 13, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

John De Hart, Esq., one of the Delegates in Continental Congress, asking leave to resign his seat on account of the situation of his family and affairs;

Ordered, That his resignation be accepted.

A Petition from sundry persons in Captain Maitland’s Company, in the Township of Alexandria, and County of Hunterdon, praying that the Petitioners may, for reasons therein mentioned, be taken from the said Company and annexed to a Company in Greenwich, in the County of Sussex; read, and ordered a second reading.

The Committee to whom were referred the Resolutions of the Continental Congress for detaching the Militia, made Report; which was read, and ordered a second reading.

Adjourned to three o’clock, afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

Two Petitions from the Inhabitants of Somerset County