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Resolved, That general Washington be authorized to proceed to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, with all convenient despatch, on such terms in all respects as he may judge expedient.

That the resolution of Congress of the 11th instant, respecting the penalty for non-payment of the money

due from the convention troops be repealed. And that the board of treasury suspend the requisition for payment of the said money, until the proposed negotiation for exchange of prisoners is finished.

FEBRUARY 8, 1780.

On a report of the board of treasury—

Resolved, That the board of treasury direct Thomas Smith, esquire, continental loan officer for the state of Pennsylvania, to deliver to Peter Whitesides, or his order, three thousand nine hundred and thirtyone Mexican dollars and thirty-five fifty-fourths of a dollar, in bills of exchange, drawn upon the honourable John Jay, minister plenipotentiary of the United States at the court of Madrid, to discharge a note given by the treasury to Robert Morris, esquire, for specie borrowed agreeably to a resolution of Congress of the 16th of June last.

MARCH 14, 1780.

It being represented that the board of war have it in their power to make a contract which will be highly beneficial to the United States, but that to ensure the success of it secrecy is necessary—

Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with the board of war, and report on the expediency of the measure.

The members-Mr. Ellery, Mr. Clarke, and Mr. Sherman.

MARCH 20, 1780.

The committee appointed to confer with the board of war relative to the contract offered to the board of war, report

That they have attended that duty, and are of opinion, that the proposed contract will be beneficial to the United States; and that it is expedient for the board of war to take the measures necessary to carry the same into execution. That when the contract is fulfilled, bills on Spain, not exceeding the amount of thirty thousand pounds sterling, must be furnished the board to enable them on their part to comply with the terms of the contract: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the board of war be authorized to complete the proposed contract; and when fulfilled, that bills of exchange be drawn on Spain to the amount of thirty thousand pounds sterling, or so much thereof as may be necessary for the above purpose, payable to the paymaster of the board of war and ordnance for discharging the said contract.

APRIL 8, 1780.

Resolved, That the application from the state of Massachusetts Bay for an expedition to be adopted for dislodging the enemy from Penobscot, with the papers relating thereto, be referred to the consideration of the commander in chief of the army of these United States; and that continental pay and rations be allowed to any body of militia, not exceeding eight hundred men,

- which the state of Massachusetts Bay may judge necessary to be raised for the defence of the eastern part of that state.

APRIL 17, 1780.

On the report of a committee to whom was referred a letter from lieutenant colonel Dericks

Resolved, That lieutenant colonel Dericks have leave to return to Holland agreeably to his request.

That for his past services, and to enable him to return home, a bill of exchange for the sum of five hundred dollars be drawn in his favour, on the honourable Henry Laurens; and that his pay for the future

cease.

APRIL 19, 1780.

A letter from J. Wilson and W. Lewis, in behalf of Mr. Aaron Lopez, a merchant residing in the state of Massachusetts Bay, was read, requesting a protection for him, and also for his factor, captain Benjamin Wright, to enable Mr. Lopez to remove his property from Jamaica to some of these United States. Resolved, That the request be granted.

APRIL 20, 1780.

On a report from the board of treasuryResolved, That the board of treasury be authorized to negotiate, at the current rate of exchange, bills of exchange drawn on the honourable John Jay, pur

suant to a resolution of Congress of the 23d of November last, to the amount of five million of dollars, continental currency, no greater part of which than to the amount of one million of dollars to be negotiated in the present month.

APRIL 24, 1780.

The following letter to the states was agreed to: "It is the duty of Congress to be as full and expli"cit in their requisitions as the publick exigencies are "great and pressing; and they are confident that the "citizens of these states are not more desirous to be "informed of their affairs, than they are ready and "willing to afford the most vigorous assistance. It is

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unnecessary to mention our embarrassments. They "are known to you. To the means of relieving them "we wish your attention.

"The whole of the moneys due on the quotas of "taxes to the first of March last, are become of im"mediate and indispensable necessity. Numerous "debts have accumulated on the publick departments, "and justice requires they should be forthwith dis"charged. Large sums are also requisite for the

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purposes of transportation, and to continue the pur"chases of supplies for the army until the states are "prepared to furnish them. On these quotas drafts "are now making, and must continue to be made to "the whole amount, nor can a doubt be admitted of "their being punctually answered. If any state should "be unprepared, if the collections are incomplete, not

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