are engaged is not Provincial, but Continental. We, therefore, Gentlemen, shall rely upon your patriotism, abilities, firmness, and integrity, to propose, join, and concur, in all such measures as you shall think calculated for the common good, and to oppose such as shall appear destructive.

“By order of the Congress:

“ARCHIBALD BULLOCK, President.

“Savannah, April 5, 1776.”

A Letter of the 10th, from Major-General Lee, at Williamsburgh, with three Papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That the same be referred to a Committee of five.

The Members chosen: Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Paine, and Mr. Wolcott.

Certain Resolutions of the Convention of South-Carolina, respecting the Battalions raised in that Colony; also certain Resolutions passed by the General Assembly of the said Colony, respecting the manner in which Commissioners, coming from England, are to be received and treated in that Colony; were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That the Resolutions respecting the Battalions raised in the Colony of South-Carolina, be referred to a Committee of five.

The Members chosen: Mr. John Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Floyd, Mr. W. Livingston, and Mr. Morton.

The Proceedings of the Committee of Secret Correspondence which were laid before Congress, were this day read under the injunction of secrecy.

The Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the United Colonies; and, after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee had taken into their further consideration the matter referred to them; but not having come to a conclusion, 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 the United Colonies.

Resolved, That Mr. Rutledge, at his request, be discharged from serving on the Marine Committee, and that Mr. Middleton be a Member of the said Committee in his stead.

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Tuesday, May 21, 1776.

Sundry Letters and Papers were laid before Congress, and read, viz:

Three Letters from General Washington, of the 18th, 19th, and 20th of May, enclosing sundry Letters and Papers of intelligence from England, and a copy of the Treaties made by his Britannick Majesty with the Duke of Brunswick, for four thousand eighty-four of his Troops; with the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, for twelve thousand of his Troops; and with the Count of Hanau, for six hundred and sixty-eight of his Troops.

A Letter from William Palfrey, Paymaster-General, with a copy of his Weekly Account.

A Letter from John Langdon, of the 10th, to General Washington.

A Petition from Samuel Austin, John Rowe, S. Pattridge, SamuelD ashwood, and John Scottay, of Boston.

Resolved, That the said Letters, and Papers, and Petition, be referred to a Committee of five; that the said Committee be directed to extract and publish the Treaties, and such parts of the intelligences as they think proper; and to consider of an adequate reward for the person who brought the intelligence; and also that they prepare an Address to the foreign mercenaries who are coming to invade America.

The Members chosen: Mr. J. Adams, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. Sherman.

A Petition of Messrs. S. Austin, John Rowe, Samuel Pattridge, Samuel Dashwood, and John Scollay, of Boston, was presented to Congress, and read, together with a Proclamation of General Howe enclosed.

Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee above appointed.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on Prisoners, respecting the manner of treating Prisoners; and the same being read, debated, and amended, was agreed to.

Ordered, That the same be immediately published.

Resolved, That all persons taken in Arms on board any Prize, be deemed Prisoners, to be taken care of by the supreme Executive power in each Colony to which they are brought, whether the Prize be taken by Vessels fitted out by the Continent, or by others.

That such as are taken, be treated as Prisoners of War, but with humanity, and be allowed the same Rations as the Troops in the service of the United Colonies; but that such as are Officers supply themselves, and be allowed to draw Bills to pay for their subsistence and clothing.

That Officers made prisoners in the land service be allowed the same indulgence.

That the Officers be not permitted to reside in or near any seaport town nor publick post-road; and that the Officers and Privates be not suffered to reside in the same places.

That in case the Officers cannot draw or sell their Bills, the Congress will allow for each of them two Dollars a week for board and lodgings, to be repaid by said Officers before they are released from their captivity.

That no Tavern-keepers supply any Officers who are prisoners on the credit of the Continent.

That the capitulations entered into with Prisoners at the time of their surrender be punctually observed.

That such Officers as surrender Prisoners of War, be put on their parole, unless Congress shall otherwise direct.

That the form of the Parble be as follows:

“I,        , being made a prisoner of war by the Army of the Thirteen United Colonies, in North-America, do promise and engage, on my word and honour, and on the faith of a gentleman, to depart from hence to        , in the Province of        , being the place of my destination and residence, and there, or within six miles thereof, to remain during the present war between Great Britain and the said United Colonies, or until the Congress of the said United Colonies, or the Assembly, Convention, or Committee or Council of Safety of the said Colony, shall order otherwise; and that I will not, directly or indirectly, give any intelligence whatsoever to the enemies of the United Colonies, or do or say anything in opposition to, or in prejudice of, the measures and proceedings of any Congress for the said Colonies during the present troubles, or until I am duly exchanged or discharged.

“Given under my hand, this        day of        , A. D. 1776.”

That the said Parole be signed by the Officers.

That such as refuse to subscribe the Parole, be committed to prison.

That David Franks, Esq., Agent to the Contractors for victualling the Troops of the King of Great Britain, be permitted to supply the Prisoners with Provisions and other necessaries, and to sell his Bills for such sums of money as are necessary for that purpose.

And, to enable him to do this to the satisfaction of his employers, that a Commissioned Officer be permitted, once a month, to visit the Prisoners so victualled and supplied, in order to count their numbers and certify the rolls.

That such of the Prisoners as are not supplied by Mr. Franks, be furnished with Provisions not exceeding the Rations allowed to Privates in the service of the Continent.

That the Women and Children belonging to Prisoners be furnished with subsistence, and supplied with firing and other things absolutely necessary for their support.

That no Prisoners be inlisted in the Continental Army.

That the Prisoners be permitted to exercise their trades, and to labour, in order to support themselves and families.

That the Committees of Inspection and Observation for the Counties, Districts, or Towns, assigned for the residence of Prisoners, be empowered to superintend their conduct, and, in cases of gross misbehaviour, to confine them, and report to their respective Assemblies, Conventions, or Committees or Councils of Safety, the proceedings had on such occasions.

That a list of the Prisoners in each Colony be made out by the Committees of the Counties, Towns, or Districts, where they reside, and transmitted to the Assembly, Convention, or Council or Committee of Safety of such Colony, respectively, who shall send a copy thereof to Congress.