direct, and to abide the judgment of the same; and that they be further requested to take his parole not to hold any correspondence with the enemies of the United Colonies, or at any time to depart out of the said Colony without their license; and that, upon the performance thereof, the said Dr. Benjamin Church be set at liberty.

The Assembly of Rhode-Island, having appointed two Delegates to represent that Colony in Congress, the Credentials of their appointment were laid before Congress, and read, as follows:

[L. S.]

“The Governour and Company of the English Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, in General Assembly convened, to Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery, Esqs., greeting: Whereas this Assembly, reposing special trust and confidence in your abilities and integrity, have appointed you, the said Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery, Delegates to represent this Colony in General Congress; you are, therefore, hereby empowered to join with the Delegates of the other United Colonies, in Congress, at Philadelphia, as soon as conveniently may be, or at such time and place as shall be agreed upon by the major part of the Delegates from the said Colonies. You are also authorized and empowered to consult and advise with the Delegates of the said Colonies in Congress upon the most proper measures for promoting and confirming the strictest union and confederation between the said United Colonies, for exerting their whole strength and force to annoy the common enemy, and to secure the said Colonies their rights and liberties, both civil and religious, whether by entering into treaties with any Prince, State, or Potentate, or by such other prudent and effectual ways and means as shall be devised and agreed on; and, in conjunction with the Delegates from the said United Colonies, or the major part of them, to enter into and adopt all such measures, taking the greatest care to secure to this Colony, in the strongest and most perfect manner, its present established form, and all the powers of Government, so far as relates to its internal police and conduct of our own affairs, civil and religious. You are also instructed and directed to exert your utmost abilities in carrying on this just and necessary war, in which we are engaged against cruel and unnatural enemies, in the most vigorous manner, until peace shall be restored to the said Colonies, and their rights and liberties secured upon a solid and permanent basis. You are also empowered to join with the major part of the Delegates of the said United Colonies in adjourning from time to time, and to such place or places as shall be thought proper, for and during one year. And as it may happen that, from sickness or other necessary causes, one of you may be absent from Congress, in all such cases the other is hereby as fully empowered to represent the Colony as though both were present and agreed in sentiment. May 4, 1776.

“In behalf of the General Assembly, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the Colony to be affixed, the 6th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.

“NICHOLAS COOKE, Governour.

“By his Honour’s command:

“HENRY WARD, Secretary.”

The Committee, to whom the Letter from General Washington, of the 5th, and the Letter from Captain Delaplace of the 2d, &c., were referred, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration:

Whereupon, Resolved, That as a number of Arms, fit for use, may be bought of the owners, who may incline to sell them, General Washington be desired to employ such an Agent as he hath proposed, to go into any of the Colonies for that purpose.

That a copy of the Letter from Captain Delaplace be sent to Major-General Schuyler, and that he be desired to inquire how the things therein mentioned to have been left by Captain Delaplace, were disposed of, and what was the value thereof, and report the matter, as it shall appear to him, to Congress.

That the case of Captain Delaplace is not distinguishable from that of other Prisoners of War, who are obliged to refund the expenses of their maintenance.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Colonel Jacob Ford, Jun., three tons of Saltpetre, to be by him manufactured into Gunpowder for the use of the United Colonies, on the same terms as others have agreed to manufacture it.

That the said Committee be directed to sell to Joseph Ellis four hundred pounds of Powder, and a quantity of Iron Ball sufficient for nine hundred pounds of Powder, for the defence of the Colony of New-Jersey.

That the said Committee be directed to deliver to Colonel Bird two hundred pounds of Powder, to prove the Cannon he is making for the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to contract for the making of Cannon, be directed to employ proper persons to attend and see the Cannon proved.

That an Order for 2,000 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of the Committee appointed to contract for the making of Cannon; they to be accountable.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of the Report from the Committee of the Whole:

Whereupon, Resolved, That the five Battalions now in Massachusetts-Bay be recruited to their full complements, and that three additional Battalions be raised in the Eastern Department, for the service of the Continent, the recruits to be taken into Continental pay so soon as they shall be armed and mustered.

A Letter of the 7th, from General Lee, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to take into consideration a former Letter of General Lee.

Martin Strobach, Lieutenant of Marines on board the Hornet sloop, finding the service by sea to disagree with him, and apprehending he can be of more use in the land service, begs permission to be discharged from the present service he is engaged in, that he may apply for a Lieutenancy in the Pennsylvania Artillery Company, where there is a vacancy, which he is encouraged to make application for:

Resolved, That leave be granted to discharge him.

The Congress, agreeable to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole Congress, to take into their further consideration the Report of the Committee on the Eastern Department, the Resolves from the Officers and Petition from 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 of the whole Congress have had under their further consideration the matters referred to them, and have come to sundry Resolutions; but that not having yet finished, they desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The Resolutions reported from the Committee of the whole Congress being read, were agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That an additional Major-General and Brigadier-General be appointed in the Continental Army.

That General Washington be directed to order a Major-General forthwith to take the command in the Eastern Department, and also that he order a Brigadier-General on that service.

Resolved, That the election of the Major-General and Brigadier-General be postponed till to-morrow.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the Resolves of the Officers and Petition of the Committee of Privates of the Military Association of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia.

The Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee to whom the Letter from the Committee of Safety of New-Hampshire, and other papers from that Colony, were referred; and,

Thereupon, Resolved, That one Battalion be raised in New-Hampshire for the service of the United Colonies, and paid and subsisted on the same terms as the Continental Troops in the Eastern Department; the said Battalion to be taken into Continental pay so soon as they shall be armed and mustered.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send to General Washington the Muskets that are at Newport.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

*