Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Whipple, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Read, Mr. Tilghman, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Middleton, and Mr. Hall.

The Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, to whom were referred the Letter from the Convention of North-Carolina, and the list of the Prisoners sent from thence, having appointed Colonel Roberdeau to wait upon Congress and inform them that the Prisoners are arrived, and that they have ordered them to be closely confined, and have appointed an officer’s guard for their better security, and further to inquire what allowance for subsistence is to be granted them,

Resolved, That the disposition of the Prisoners made by the Committee of Safety, is approved, and that they have the allowance granted to other Officers who are Prisoners.

The Congress took into consideration the Report of the Committee on the Letter from General Washington, of the 11th of May, the Letter from General Schuyler, of the 3d, and the Letter from Captain Daniel Robertson, of the Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment, of the 9th; which was in part agreed to:

Whereupon, Resolved, That Lieutenant-Colonel Burbeck be dismissed from the Continental service.

That a Letter be written to the President of the Convention of Virginia, requesting that they will immediately forward to Philadelphia such quantity of Lead as can be spared from that Colony.

That one Battalion of Germans be raised for the service of the United Colonies.

That General Schuyler be empowered to increase the number of Batteaus to two hundred.

That four of the Prisoners taken at St. Johns, and suggested by the Letter from Captain Robertson to have in-listed in the Continental Army, viz: William Roughhead and Elisha Grisler, in Captain Hubley’s Company; John Stanton, in Captain Brown’s Company; and John Mayot, in a Company unknown, be dismissed the service, and return to their Corps at Lancaster.

Resolved, That the consideration of the first paragraph in said Report be postponed, and that the third and fifth paragraphs be referred to the Committee appointed to confer with the Generals.

A number of Deputies from four of the Six Nations of Indians, having arrived in town, and notified Congress that they are desirous of an audience,

Resolved, That they be admitted to an audience on Monday next, at eleven o’clock.

Ordered, That notice be given to the Colonels of the Association of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, to draw out their Battalions in Review, on Monday morning, as early as they can conveniently; and that the Congress, with the Generals in town, will attend the Review at nine o’clock.

Resolved, That the Arms, Ammunition, and Military Stores, taken by the armed Schooner Franklin, or any other of the armed vessels in the pay of the United Colonies, be at the disposal of the General or Commander-in-Chief of the American forces.

The Committee to whom the Resolutions of the Convention of South-Carolina, respecting the Battalions raised in that Colony, were referred, brought in their Report; which was read.

Resolved, That the several Reports on General Washington’s Letters not yet considered, and the General’s Letters which were referred to a Committee of the whole Congress, be committed to the Committee appointed to confer with the Generals.

As two of the Committee to whom the Letter from Colonel Hand, of the Rifle Battalion, was referred, are absent,

Resolved, That two other Members be chosen in their room.

The Members elected : Mr. Wilson and Mr. Wolcott.

The Committee to whom was referred the Letter from Charles Miller to the Commissary-General, brought in their Report; which was read and agreed to Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Commissary-General be directed to order so much of the Provisions stored in the Continental Magazine in Massachusetts-Ray, to be delivered for victualling the five ships of war, now building at Portsmouth, New-buryport, and Providence, as the Marine Committee shall direct; and to keep the residue for the use of the Continental Army that is or may be stationed in the Eastern Department.

That the Commissary-General be directed to receive the amount of the Pork, Beef, and Fish, supplied the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and credit the same in his account with the United Colonies.

The Committee appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major-General Gates, and Brigadier-General Mifflin, touching the most proper Posts and measures to be taken for preventing the enemy’s communication with the upper country from Canada, and such other measures as tend to secure the frontiers, brought in their Report; which was taken into consideration.* And thereupon,

Resolved, That it is of the highest importance that post be taken at Deschambault, and that the same be fortified; that works be likewise erected on the Islands in the River St. Lawrence, at the mouth of the River Sorel, as well to keep open the communication between Deschambault and St. Johns, as to prevent the enemy’s passing to the upper country, should the forces of the United Colonies be compelled to retreat from Deschambault.

That it is highly expedient to engage the Indians in the service of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the Report be postponed till Monday next.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock on Monday.

Monday, May 27, 1776.

A Letter of the 16th from George Morgan, Esq., to Lewis Morris, Esq., was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Standing Committee on Indian Affairs.

A Petition from Samuel de Lucena was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee for promoting the manufacture of Sulphur and Saltpetre.

A Petition from the Committee of the County of Mon-mouth, in the Colony of New-Jersey, was presented to Congress, and read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send forward with all convenient despatch, one ton of Powder, lent for the defence of the Western frontier; of which eight hundred pounds to be lodged in Fort Pitt, six hundred pounds with the Committee of West-Augusta, and six hundred pounds with the Committee of Westmoreland, to be used only in case that country is attacked.

*Report of the Committee appointed to confer with General WASHINGTON,Major-General GATES, and Brig. General MIFFLIN.

The Committee appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major-General Gates, and Brigadier-General Mifflin, touching the most proper Posts and measures to be taken for effectually preventing the enemy’s communication with the upper country from Canada, and such other measures as shall tend to secure the frontiers, beg leave to report:

That from a thorough consideration of the subject-matter referred to them, they are of opinion it is of the highest importance that post be taken at Deschambault, and that the same be fortified; that works be likewise erected on the Islands in the River St. Lawrence, at the mouth of the River Sorel, as well to keep open the communication between Deschambault and St. Johns as to prevent the enemy’s passing to the upper country, should the forces of the United Colonies be compelled to retreat from Deschambault.

That it is highly expedient to engage the Indians in the service of the United Colonies.

That the Commissioners at Albany be directed to use their utmost endeavours to procure the assistance of the Indians to act against the enemies of these Colonies; that they apply themselves particularly to induce the Indians to undertake the reduction of Niagara, and that, as an inducement so to do, they engage in behalf of the Congress to pay them £50, Pennsylvania currency, for every soldier of the Garrison they take and bring to Head-Quarters, or to the said Commissioners, and the free plunder of the Garrison.

That the Commissioners in the Middle Department be directed to use their best endeavours to procure the assistance of the Indians under their care; that they prevail upon them, if possible, to undertake the reduction of Detroit, upon the same terms as the Commissioners at Albany are directed to engage the Indians against Niagara.

That the Commissioners in each of these departments be directed to employ one or more able partisans, whom the Congress will liberally reward for their exertions in the business to be committed to them.

That the Commander-in-Chief be authorized and instructed to employ in the Continental Army a number of Indians, not exceeding, upon such terms as he shall think most beneficial for the United Colonies.

*