of a Deputy Paymaster-General for the Eastern Department.

Agreeable to order, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the Resolutions to them referred; and after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee have had under consideration the matters referred to them, and have come to a Resolution thereon, which they directed him to report.

The Resolution agreed to in Committee of the Whole being read,

Resolved, That the consideration of the first Resolution be postponed to Monday, the 1st day of July next; and, in the mean while, that no time be lost, in case the Congress agree thereto, that a Committee be appointed to prepare a Declaration to the effect of the said first Resolution, which is in these words: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

Resolved, That the Committee be discharged.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o’clock, tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 11, 1776.

Two Letters, of the 9th and 10th, from General Washington, were read, and referred to the Committee appointed on the 6th.

A Letter from H. E. Stanhope, of the 11th, and one from E. Webb, of the 12th May, both dated from North-hampton Jail; also one from Mrs. Connolly, were read:

Resolved, That these be referred to the Committee on Prisoners.

Resolved, That the sum of 150 Dollars be paid to the Indian Interpreter for his services, and to defray his expenses.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to consider of a compensation to the Secretary for his services.

The Members chosen: Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. Hewes.

Resolved, That an Order for 10,000 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurer, in favour of Carpenter Wharton, for the use of the Pennsylvania Battalions, he to be accountable.

The presents for the Indians being provided, they were called in, and the Speech agreed to was delivered, as follows:

“Brothers: We hope the friendship that is between you and us will be firm, and continue as long as the sun shall shine, and the waters run; that we and you may be as one people, and have but one heart, and be kind to one another like brethren.

“Brothers: The King of Great Britain, hearkening to the evil counsel of some of his foolish young men, is angry with us, because we will not let him take away from us our land, and all that we have, and give it to them, and because we will not do everything that he bids us; and hath hindered his people from bringing goods to us; but we have made provision for getting such a quantity of them, that we hope we shall be able to supply your wants as formerly.

“Brothers: We shall order all our warriors and young men not to hurt you or any of your kindred, and we hope you will not suffer any of your young men to join with our enemies, or to do any wrong to us, that nothing may happen to make any quarrel between us.

“Brothers: We desire you to accept of a few necessaries, which we present you with as tokens of our good will towards you.”

The presents being delivered, the Indian Chief begged leave to give a name to the President; the same being granted, an Onondaga Chief arose and saluted the President by the name of Karanduaan, or the Great Tree, by which name he informed him the President will be known among the Six Nations.

After which the Indians took their leave, and withdrew.

A Letter from Brigadier-General Sullivan, dated St. Johns, June 1, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That Colonel Shee and Colonel Magaw be ordered immediately to march with their Regiments to New-York.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to lend the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania four tons of Powder.

Resolved, That Letters be sent, by express, to the several Colonies who are to furnish Militia for the defence of New-York, acquainting them of the necessity of forwarding the supplies with all possible despatch.

Resolved, That the Committee for preparing the Declaration consist of five.

The Members chosen: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. R. R. Livingston.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare and digest the form of a Confederation to be entered into between these Colonies.

That a Committee be appointed to prepare a plan of Treaties to be proposed to Foreign Powers.

Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll of Carrollton, two of the Commissioners, being arrived from Canada, attended, and gave an account of their proceedings, and the state of the Army in that country.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o’clock, tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 12, 1776.

Colonel Roberdeau, on behalf of the owners of the Privateers which have taken some prizes, on board of which was a quantity of Dollars, to the amount of 22,000, having tendered to Congress the moiety belonging to them, in exchange for Continental Bills of Credit,

Resolved, That their offer be accepted, and that application be made to the Agent for the men for the moiety belonging to them, and that Continental Money be given them in lieu thereof.

Congress proceeded to the election of a Deputy Paymaster-General for the Eastern Department, and, the ballots being taken, Ebenezer Hancock was elected unanimously.

Resolved, That the sum of 150,000 Dollars be sent to Mr. E. Hancock, Deputy Paymaster-General, for the use of the Continental Troops in the Eastern Department.

The Committee to whom Colonel Hand’s Letter, of the 3d of May last, was referred, brought in their Report; which was taken into consideration:

Whereupon, Resolved, That General Washington be directed to order the Rifles of such men belonging to the Rifle Regiment as will not reinlist, to be purchased, and that the General order the payment out of the military chest.

That the Rifle Regiment be allowed a Drummer and Fifer to each Company.

That 9,000 Dollars be advanced to Colonel Hand, to purchase an Uniform for the Rifle Regiment, the said sum to be stopped out of the pay of the said Regiment.

Resolved, That Captain Grier, who is returned from Virginia with his Detachment, and a number of Recruits, be directed to join the Battalions on their march to New-York, and that Mr. Carpenter Wharton be directed to supply them with Rations.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Colonel Magaw, for the use of his Battalion, the one hundred and ninety-one Muskets sent up by Captain Barry.

The Congress then proceeded to the appointment of the Committees voted.

Resolved, That the Committee to prepare and digest the form of a Confederation to be entered into between these Colonies, consist of a Member from each Colony.

The Members appointed: From New-Hampshire, Mr. Bartlett; Massachusetts, Mr. S. Adams; Rhode-Island, Mr. Hopkins; Connecticut, Mr. Sherman; New-York, Mr. R. R. Livingston; New-Jersey,          ; Pennsylvania, Mr. Dickinson; Delaware, Mr. McKean; Maryland, Mr. Stone; Virginia, Mr. Nelson; North-Carolina, Mr. Hewes; South- Carolina, Mr. Rutledge; Georgia, Mr. Gwinnett.

Resolved, That the Committee to prepare a plan of Treaties to be proposed to Foreign Powers, consist of five.

The Members chosen: Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. R. Morris.

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