Agreeable to order the Indians were admitted to an audience. After they withdrew,

Resolved, That the Standing Committee for Indian Affairs be directed to prepare a Speech to be delivered to the Indians, and to procure such articles as they judge proper for presents to the Indians.

The Delegates from North-Carolina laid before Congress certain Instructions which they have received from their Convention; also, the Delegates from Virginia laid before Congress certain Instructions they have received from their Convention; which were read.

Resolved, That the sum of 30,000 Dollars be transmitted to the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, to be by them exchanged for Silver and Gold, for the Canada expedition, agreeable to a former Resolution of Congress.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Tuesday, May 28, 1776.

Resolved, That Colonel Turbutt Francis be desired to attend at the next Conference with the Indians, and assist in interpreting for them.

The Committee to whom it was referred to consider of a mode for regulating the price of Salt, brought in their Report; which was read. *

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Wednesday, May 29, 1776.

A Letter from General Wooster, of the 27th of April last, and a Letter from William Palfrey, with a Weekly Account from the 19th to 25th May inclusive, were laid before Congress, and read.

A Petition from Captain Budden was presented to Congress, and read: Whereupon,

Resolved, That Midshipman Draper be offered in exchange for Captain William Budden.

A Letter from Levi Hollingsworth and Thomas Richardson to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, dated New-port, 21st instant; also, a Memorial from sundry Members of the General Assembly of Rhode-Island, were presented to Congress, and read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The Committee appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major-General Gates, and Brigadier-General Mifflin, brought in a further Report; † which was read: Whereupon,

Resolved, That an animated Address be published, to impress the minds of the people with the necessity of their now stepping forward to save their country, their freedom, and property.

That a Committee of four be appointed to prepare said Address.

The Members chosen: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Wythe, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Rutledge.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the Report be postponed till to-morrow.

Resolved, That the Committee have leave to sit again.

A Letter from Mr. Jay, introducing Johan Philip Merkle to the notice of Congress, was presented and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Secret Committee, and that they be directed to confer with the gentleman.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due—

For ferriages of two brass Field-pieces, sent to Virginia, the sum of 6 Dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to James Davidson;

To Walter Stewart, for his expenses in going on board the Liverpool Frigate, the sum of 8 15–90 Dollars;

*Report of the Committee on the regulating the price of Salt.

The Committee to whom was referred the regulation of the price of Salt, are humbly of opinion:

That some persons possessed of large quantities of Salt, imported before the late restrictions on our trade, have taken an undue advantage of the recommendation of Congress to the several Committees of Observation and Inspection to desist from any further regulation of the prices of merchandise, by demanding an extravagant price for that necessary article.

That, though regulations of that nature tend to discourage commerce and increase the scarcity which they were designed to remove, yet that the same is not applicable to Salt, unless it is sold so high as to be very burdensome to the poor, as it can only be imported in large vessels, the risk of which is extremely great.

That in order to remedy this inconvenience without burdening trade, it will be proper to fix the price of Salt now in the country, or hereafter to be imported or manufactured, when sold at the place into which the same is imported, or at which it is manufactured, at two-thirds of a dollar per bushel; if sold at any other, at the same price, with the addition of so much as will defray the charges of transportation.

That a bounty should be given by this Congress of one-third of a dollar per bushel upon all such Salt as shall be imported into or manufactured within either of these Colonies within one year from the date hereof; that the same should be paid by the Continental Treasurer to any person or persons who shall produce to him a certificate from the Convention, Assembly, or Committee of Safety, of the Province in which Salt shall have been manufactured, or into which the same shall have been imported, that the said certificate contains the name of the manufacturer, or importer, the quantity manufactured or imported at the time in which the same was applied for.

† Report of the Committee appointed to confer with General WASHIHGTON.

The Committee appointed to confer with the Generals, &c., beg leave to report as follows:

That it having been considered and proposed in what proportion of numbers should the enemy’s force be opposed?

A. Two to one.

Q. What number of the enemy may it be supposed will be sent to attack Canada?

A. Ten thousand. And as the whole force at present directed for Canada, when it arrives there, will not exceed ten thousand men, therefore, upon the question, What are the proportions to be furnished by the different Provinces out of the Militia for the defence of Canada?

A. Massachusetts 4,500, Connecticut 2,000, New-Hampshire 1,000, New-York 1,500, Indians 1,000; total 10,000.

Q. What number of the enemy may it be supposed will attack New-York?

A. Twelve thousand five hundred. And as the Continental force now at New-York for the defence of that place, and the communication with Albany, does not exceed ten thousand men, therefore, upon the question, What are the proportions to be furnished by the different Provinces out of the Militia for the defence of New-York, &c.?

A. Massachusetts 2,000, Connecticut 5,500, NewYork 3,000, New-Jersey 3,300, two Battalions Pennsylvania establishment 1,200; total 15,000.

Q. What force is necessary for protection of the four New-England Provinces?

A. The eleven Regiments raised and ordered to be raised in those Colonies are, in the opinion of the Committee, sufficient.

Q. Should a Flying-Camp be immediately established in the Middle Colonies?

A. Unanimously approved of.

Q. How many should the Flying-Camp consist of?

A. Ten thousand men.

Q. From whence and in what proportions ate the troops to come that are to form the Flying-Camp?

A. From Pennsylvania 6,000, Maryland 3,400, lower Counties 600; total 10,000.

Q. Is the present establishment sufficient for the Southern Colonies?

A. The present force is sufficient, except in South-Carolina and Georgia, where it appears to this Committee that an additional force is necessary.

Q. For how long a time is the Militia to be engaged?

A. To the 1st of December, unless sooner discharged by Congress.

Q. When is the Militia pay to commence?

A. From the day of their marching from home; and they are to he 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.

The Committee are of opinion that an animated address be published, to impress the minds of the people with the necessity of their now stepping forward to save their country, their freedom, and property.

That it be earnestly recommended to the Assemblies, Conventions, and Committees of Safety in the United Colonies, to fall upon the most effectual means of removing the stocks, grain, and meal, from such parts of their respective Provinces as are invaded, or are in imminent danger of being invaded by the enemy.

It is the opinion of this Committee that two Provincial Brigadiers-General be employed in the Canada Department—one from Massachusetts, and one from Connecticut. That four Provincial Brigadiers-General be employed in the NewYork Department—one from Massachusetts, one from Connecticut, one from New-York, and one from New-Jersey.

It is also the opinion of this Committee that three 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.

Your Committee further recommend that the Departments of Commissary-General, Quartermaster-General, Adjutant-General, &c, be under one head, to whom all Returns and Reports are to be made.

That the Engineers’ pay be increased.

That a Resolve of Congress be passed for punishment of Spies found in any of the Continental Camps.

That the Flying-Camp be under the command of such Continental General Officers as the Commander-in-Chief shall direct.

That the Commander-in-Chief be authorized to form and fix such Magazines of Provisions and Military Stores as he may judge necessary.

That the General be authorized to direct the building as many Fire-Rafts and Galleys as may be necessary and suitable for the immediate defence of the Post at New-York and Hudson’s River.