together with the said effects, to confiscation, in the same manner and proportions as have been heretofore resolved by-Congress.

That the Continental Agents in the respective Colonies, where no Courts have been established for the trials of captures, have power, and be directed, to dispose, at publick sale, of such articles of a perishable nature as shall be taken from the enemies of America, and that the money arising from such sale be liable to the decree of such Court whenever established.

That the inventory of the Ordnance Stores, taken by Captain Manley, be sent to General Washington, and that he be requested to appoint a person on the part of the Colonies, to join one on the part of Captain Manley and his crew, who, having first taken an oath for that purpose, shall proceed to value the same; and if they cannot agree in the value, they shall call in a third person to determine the same; that the Report of such persons be returned to Congress so soon as may be, and the value of the Stores belonging to Captain Manley and his crew be thereupon transmitted to them.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Delegates of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, and New-York, to devise the mode of raising the Battalion of Germans voted the 25th of May last.

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

The Committee to whom was referred the Cartel between Brigadier-General Arnold and Captain Forster, for the exchange of Prisoners, and the several papers relating thereto, brought in their Report, which was read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The Committee on the Petition of Colonel Turbutt Francis reported, that they had met on the business referred to them; that the Indians refused to be examined, or to give evidence on the matter, which prevented their proceeding; wherefore they desired to be discharged.

Resolved, That they be discharged.

The Committee on Spies brought in their Report, which was read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The Committee to whom the Letters from William Palfrey, Esquire, Paymaster-General, were referred, brought in their Report, which was read. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the said Letters, with the Weekly Returns enclosed, be delivered to the Superintendents of the Treasury, to be filed in the Auditor-General’s Office.

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

Tuesday, June 18, 1776.

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

One from General Washington, of the 16th, enclosing one from General Ward, of the 9th, and one from William Palfrey, of the 16th.

Three from General Schuyler, of the 11th and 12th.

One Letter from Brigadier-General Sullivan, of the 5th and 6th, with three papers enclosed; and

Two from Brigadier-General Arnold, of the 5th and 6th.

Resolved, That the aforegoing Letters and papers be referred to the Board of War and Ordnance.

A Letter from William Palfrey, with a Weekly Return, was read.

Ordered, To be delivered to the Superintendents of the Treasury.

A Letter from Joseph Trumbull, Commissary-General, of the 17th, informing, that he has found it necessary to order a quantity of Flour to be purchased in Philadelphia, and that to pay for the same he has drawn on the President in favour of Mr. Matthew Erwin, for 60,000 Dollars, and, as he shall be under the necessity of giving orders for purchasing Pork and Flour in Philadelphia, desiring to know whether he may, from time to time, continue to draw on the President for the payment of those articles.

Resolved, That the President pay such Bills as are or may be drawn by Joseph Trumbull, Esq., for the purposes above-mentioned, and that the same, as paid, be charged to his account.

A Letter from the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, requesting the opinion of Congress, whether persons taken

on board merchants’ ships and river-craft, ought to be exchanged for seamen taken from the enemy’s ships of war?

Resolved, That the President inform the Committee of Safety that the Congress judge it improper that such exchange be made.

Resolved, That Gunning Bedford, Esq., Deputy Muster-master-General, be promoted to the rank of Mustermaster-General, and that he be directed immediately to repair to Head-Quarters at New-York.

Resolved, That General Washington be empowered and directed to nominate and send a Deputy Mustermaster-Ge-neral to Canada.

Resolved, That two Members be added to the Committee for superintending the Treasury.

The Members chosen: Mr. Hewes and Mr. McKean.

A Memorial from Dr. John Morgan, Director-General and Chief Physician of the Hospital, was laid before Congress, and read.*

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to provide Medicines.

The Committee to whom the Report on the Resolutions of the Convention of South-Carolina, respecting the Battalions raised in that Colony, was recommitted, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration. Whereupon, the Congress came to the following Resolutions:

Whereas the Congress, on the 4th day of November last, resolved that, for the defence of South-Carolina, there be kept up in that Colony, at the Continental expense, three Battalions of Foot—each Battalion to consist of the same number of men and officers, to be upon the same pay, and under the same regulations, as the Continental Army; and, on the 25th day of March last, resolved, that the Convention, or Council of Safety of South-Carolina, be permitted to raise and imbody two other Battalions, and that they be on the pay, and at the expense of the Continent, as soon as they shall be armed fit for service, and accordingly mustered: And whereas the Convention of South-Carolina, on the 22d day of February last, ordered that their Council of Safety return the thanks of that Colony to the Continental Congress for their attention to its security; that they state the peculiar circumstances and the heavy expenses which have been and will be incurred by that Colony in the measures necessary for its defence; and that they request the Continental Congress to allow that Colony so much money as the expenses

*Doctor Morgan’s Memorial.

Mr. President: I am to acquaint this honourable House that the late augmentation of the forces already raised and to be raised for the defence of North-America, which are ordered for New-York, Boston, and Canada, and the information I have received that the supplying of all the Hospital stores which may be required for these departments will depend on me, put me under the necessity of applying to Congress for such instructions on this head as may enable me to understand what further duties are required from me in the discharge of this important trust; to ascertain a little more accurately the nature and extent of my commission; and to allow me such further assistance as shall be deemed adequate to the expectations of this honourable House in the discharge of my office.

Already have I had orders drawn upon me from Canada for very large supplies of medicines, without any tolerable information of the state of the Army, or number of sick and wounded, or in what manner the Congress have hitherto directed provision for that purpose; nor do I know the number of Surgeons allotted for that district, who they are, what subordination they are under, or, finally, who is to direct the management of the Hospitals which it may be thought necessary to establish in Canada or at Boston.

The number of Hospital Surgeons and Hates now in employ at New-York (though sufficient for the care of the sick at present) may, and it appears to me very probable will, be found unequal to the task of attending all the sick and wounded that may require their aid, increased in proportion to the present augmentation of the Army, should we, as it is looked for, have a vigorous and active campaign there; and I can easily foresee that a great number of both may be sent from Canada for the greater conveniences in taking care of them. Add to this, I have never received any instructions from the Congress relative to the supply of Regimental Surgeons; and as the Commander-in-Chief refers all matters requiring new appointments, or the discharge of duties not ascertained, to the determination of Congress, I now request I may be instructed in my duties towards Regimental Surgeons, and whether they are any how subject to any regulations that may be devised for the government of the Hospital, and the good of the service.

I compute that there are not less than three or four score Regimental Surgeons and Mates who were in commission at Cambridge, and yet they were destitute (as such) of every article essentially necessary for the care of sick and wounded, (which I mention not as a fault, but a misfortune,) yet presumed they had a right to draw upon the General Hospital for every store they thought proper for the sick under their care. Though I had no instructions that would authorize my compliance, and though I knew it to be contrary to every known establishment of the like nature, yet I had it not in my power to demand from them any report of the