Resolved, That an order for 600 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers in favour of Captain James Grier, he to be accountable for the same, and to render an account thereof to the Paymaster-General upon his arrival at New-York.

Resolved, That the pay of the Secretary of the Board of War and Ordnance be at the rate 800 Dollar’s a year.

The Congress having proceeded to the election of a Committee to form the Board of War and Ordnance, the following Members were chosen:

Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. E. Rutledge.

Richard Peters, Esq., was elected Secretary of the said Board.

The Committee on Qualifications having recommended Dr. Benjamin Allison as Surgeon to the First Pennsylvania Battalion now in Canada; *

George Tudor to be Captain of the Company lately commanded by Captain Walter Stewart, in the Third Pennsylvania Battalion;

Mr. John Duguid, as a First Lieutenant in the said Third Battalion;

Mr. Harman Stout, as a Second Lieutenant in the said Battalion;

And that Mr. Andrew Graydon as an Ensign in the said Battalion.

Resolved, That they be accepted, and that Commissions be granted to them accordingly.

The Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the Reports to them referred; and after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported that the Committee have made some further progress in the matters referred to them, but not having yet 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 Reports to them referred.

The Marine Committee reported, that complaints are made against Commodore E. Hopkins, Captain Saltonstall, and Captain Whipple, for breach of orders, and other mal-prac-tices: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to inform Commodore E. Hopkins, Captain Saltonstall, and Captain Whipple, of the complaints lodged against them, and order them immediately to repair to Philadelphia, to answer for their conduct.

Resolved, That in case the enemy’s Ships of War attempt to come up the River Delaware, that the Secret Committee be empowered and directed to deliver such a quantity of Powder as they shall judge necessary to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania.

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

Friday, June 14, 1776.

Resolved, That an Order for 1,500 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of Mr. George Evans, Commissary, for the use of the Continental Troops in Delaware Government, he to be accountable.

A Letter of the 10th, from the Committee of Safety of Maryland, was laid before Congress, and read; also, a Letter of the 16th of May, from the Commissioners in Canada, recommending Major Dubois to the notice of Congress for promotion.

Resolved, That the Commanding Officer in the Barracks be directed to deliver the Prisoner in his custody to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, who are desired to treat him agreeable to former Resolutions of Congress.

A Letter of the 13th, from General Washington, enclosing two Letters from Major-General Schuyler, of the 8th, and sundry other Letters and papers, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That the same be referred to the Standing Committee on Indian Affairs, and that the Committee be directed to sit forthwith.

A Letter of the 13th, from W. Livingston, enclosing a Letter from Thomas Little, of the 2d, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That they be referred to the Committee appointed to inquire into and remedy the defects of the Powder manufactured at Mr. O. Eve’s Mill.

The Committee to whom were referred the Letters from General Washington, of the 9th and 10th, and a Letter from the President of the Convention of New-York, with the papers enclosed, brought in their Report; which was taken into consideration:

Whereupon, Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention of the Colony of New-York to make effectual provision for detecting, restraining, and punishing disaffected and dangerous persons in that Colony, and to prevent all persons from having any intercourse or correspondence with the enemy; and that General Washington afford his aid therein, when necessary.

Whereas it has been represented to this Congress that great quantities of salted Beef and Pork have been purchased for exportation, which, if not restrained, may render the supplies of the Army difficult and uncertain:

Resolved, therefore, That no salted Beef or Pork, except such as may be necessary for the use of the crew, be exported from any of the United Colonies, in any vessel, under any pretence whatever, until the further order of this Congress.

The Committee appointed to consider of a compensation to the Secretary for his services, brought in their Report; which was agreed to, as follows:

That the sum of 1,200 Dollars be granted and paid, out of the publick Treasury, to Charles Thomson, Secretary to the United Colonies, in consideration of his faithful services ces for one year, ending the 10th of May last.

The Committee to whom General Washington’s Letter of the 15th, and Major-General Schuyler’s of the 8th, were referred, brought in their Report; which was taken into consideration:

Whereupon, Resolved, That General Schuyler, and the other Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Northern Department, be directed immediately to hold a conference with the Six Nations; to engage them in our interest, upon the best terms that can be procured, and treat with them on the principles and in the decisive manner mentioned in his Letter.

That General Schuyler’s preparations for immediately taking post at Fort Stanwix, and erecting a Fortification there, be approved of; and that General Washington be instructed to give him directions for carrying that measure into execution.

Resolved, That the Committee on Spies be directed to revise the Rules and Articles of War, and to make such additions and alterations as they may judge proper, and lay the same before Congress for their consideration.

A Petition from Mrs. Gardner was presented to Congress, and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Spies.

A Memorial from the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania was presented to Congress, and read; setting forth, that a Committee of the Assembly, accompanied by the General Officers lately in town, and a skilful Engineer, have viewed the River Delaware, and the Fortifications and defences erected at the expense of the Colony of Pennsylvania, to oppose and prevent the passage of the enemy’s ships; and that they have judged it necessary, for further security, that a Redoubt should be erected at Billingsport, on the New-Jersey side, and that a Boom should be there thrown across, or some other obstructions fixed in the Channel; and praying, as the place for the Redoubt is Out of their Government, and as their Colony has expended a very large

* Report of the Committee on Qualifications.

Dr. Benjamin Allison is recommended as Surgeon to the First Pennsylvania Battalion now in Canada.

Mr. George Tudor is recommended as Captain to the Company lately commanded by Captain Walter Stewart, in the Third Pennsylvania Battalion.

Mr. John Duguid is recommended as a First Lieutenant in the said Battalion.

Mr. Harman Stout is recommended as Second Lieutenant in the said Battalion.

Mr. Andrew Graydon is recommended as an Ensign in said Battalion.

Captain De Hausay (a French gentleman) has produced to the Committee credentials of his having been a Captain in the French service, and comes well recommended. It is submitted to Congress whether or not they will grant his prayer in appointing him a Lieutenant-Colonel.

The Committee would be glad to have a list of Officers, that they may be proper judges of their seniority.