Resolved, That the pay of Dr. Huston, who was appointed Surgeon to the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion, be stopped till further orders of Congress, and that the Paymaster be notified thereof.

The Committee to whom it was referred to devise a mode of raising the German Battalion voted on the 25th of May last, brought in their Report; which was taken into consideration.

Whereupon, Resolved, That four Companies of Germans be raised in Pennsylvania, and four Companies in Maryland, to compose the said Regiment.

That it be recommended to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania immediately to appoint proper Officers for, and direct the inlistment of, the four Companies to be raised in that Colony.

That it be recommended to the Convention, or, in their recess, to the Council of Safety of Maryland, immediately to appoint proper Officers for, and direct the inlistment of, the four Companies to be raised in that Colony.

That the said Companies be inlisted to serve for three years, unless sooner discharged by Congress, and receive bounty, pay, rations, and all other allowances equal to any of the Continental Troops.

That the said Companies be entitled to pay and subsistence from the time of inlistment.

That the said Companies, when raised, be formed into a Battalion, under the command of such Field-Officers as the Congress shall appoint.

That the rank of the Captains of the said Companies be regulated as Congress shall hereafter direct.

That 5,000 Dollars be sent to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, and 5,000 Dollars to the Convention, or, in their recess, to the Council of Safety of Maryland, to defray the expense of raising the said Companies.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention, or, in their recess, to the Council of Safety of Maryland, to appoint the Officers, and to forward, with all possible expedition, the raising the two Companies of Riflemen.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow.

Friday, June 28, 1776.

The Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the Petition and Accounts of Thomas Thomson, reported,

That there ought to be paid to Thomas Thomson the sum of 750 Dollars, in part of an account for Lumber said to have been delivered by Simon Metcalf to the forces belonging to the Continent at St. Johns, in Canada.

The said Committee further reported that there is due—

To Thomas Mayberry the sum of 117 29–90 Dollars, for plated Iron.

Ordered, That the said sums be paid.

A Petition from Colonel James Easton was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada.

A Petition from William Pool was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee for making provision for wounded and disabled Soldiers.

Francis Hopkinson, Esq., one of the Delegates of New-Jersey, attended, and produced the Credentials of their appointment, which was read, as follows, viz:

“The Congress proceeded to the election of Delegates to represent this Colony in Continental Congress, when Richard Stockton, Abraham Clark, John Hart, and Francis Hopkinson, Esqs., and Dr. John Witherspoon, were elected by ballot, to serve for one year, unless a new appointment be made before that time.

“Resolved, That the following Instructions be given to the Delegates as aforesaid: The Congress empower and direct you, in the name of this Colony, to join with the Delegates of the other Colonies in Continental Congress, in the most vigorous measures for supporting the just rights and liberties of America; and if you shall judge it necessary or expedient for this purpose, we empower you to join with them in declaring the United Colonies independent of Great Britain, entering into a Confederation for union and common defence, making treaties with foreign nations for commerce and assistance, and to take such other measures as may appear to them and you necessary for these great ends; promising to support them with the whole force of this Province; always observing that, whatever plan of Confederacy you enter into, the regulating the internal police of this Province is to be reserved to the Colony Legislature.

“By order of Congress:

“SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“WILLIAM PATTERSON, Secretary.”

The Board of War brought in a Report, which was read, in these words:

Monsieur Le Chevalier de Kirmovan having produced to the Board indubitable credentials of his good character and superior abilities in the art of war, and particularly as an Engineer,* the Board resolved to recommend him to Congress as a person who can be much confided in; and it is the opinion of the Board that the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania be requested to employ him in planning and laying out the Fortification agreed by Congress to be erected at Billingsport, on the River Delaware.

The said Report being again read,

Resolved, That the same be agreed to.

Resolved, That Mr. Hopkinson be added to the Committee for preparing a Plan of Confederation.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to sell to the Committee of Salem County, in New-Jersey, three hundred pounds of Powder.

The Committee appointed to prepare a Declaration, &c., brought in a draft; which was read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

A Petition from Christopher Champlin was presented to Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee of three.

The Members chosen: Mr. Morris, Mr. Alsop, and Mr. Gerry.

Resolved, That Mr. Wisner, Mr. Paine, and Mr. Floyd, be a Committee to confer with Anthony Mosengeil on the subject of manufacturing Sulphur.

That 30 Dollars be advanced to the said Committee, they to be accountable.

Resolved, That the Treasurers be empowered to advance to the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania a sum not exceeding 100,000 Dollars, the Colony of Pennsylvania to be accountable.

Resolved, That the Committee for superintending the Treasury be directed to nominate and appoint six persons to sign and number the Million of Dollars ordered to be struck in small change.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to nine o’clock, on Monday next.

Monday, July 1, 1776.

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

One from General Washington, of June 27, 1776, accompanied with one from General Ward of the 20th of the same month to General Washington; one from General Schuyler of the 25th June; one from General Arnold of the 25th June to General Washington; and one from General Sullivan to General Schuyler; three to General Sullivan, to wit: one from General Arnold, Chambly, June 13, one from Lieutenant-Colonel Antill, June 13, and one from Colonel Hazen, June 13, with sundry Letters and papers enclosed;

Another Letter from General Washington, of the 28th June, enclosing sundry papers.

A third Letter from General Washington of the 27th, by

* Extract of a Letter from Mr. DUBOURG to Dr. FRANKLIN, dated PARIS, March 24, 1776.

I very seriously think the Chevalier de Kirmovan is one of the best men your country can acquire. He has already embraced its sentiments, and neither demands, nor has the ambition of obtaining, any rank until his zeal and talents have been experienced. He is even willing to devote himself to all dangers, as a simple volunteer, with as good and cheerful a will as if he had the chief command; besides, he appears to me well instructed in the military art, of which our Fribbles hardly know the name, &c.