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a moment is to be lost. Delay will be disappoint"ment, and may involve consequences too interesting, "too fatal, to be hazarded. Should the publick ope"rations, through languor and inattention, be retarded "and stopped; should those exertions, which have "hitherto rendered this contest conspicuous to the "world, be intermitted, the fairest prospects and the "most promising occasion may be irretrievably lost. Urge, therefore, the instant execution of every mea"sure which has been adopted, and the speedy adop"tion of such as yet remain to be taken.

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"The specifick supplies required by the resolution "of the 25th of February last, will forthwith become "matter of equal urgency and importance. These "must be relied on in future, as the principle, not to

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say the only resource from which the army is to be "supported. From the obvious propriety of adopting "the mode there described, as best suited to the ease "and convenience of the respective states, as making "a just apportionment of the burdens of the war, and "as necessary for correcting abuses in the expendi"ture of the publick money, Congress have the fullest "confidence that the measure will be approved and "successful, and by seasonably and amply providing "for the army, enable them to act and co-operate as "circumstances may require, with vigour and decision, "through the ensuing campaign.

"The resources of our country, even after a five "years obstinate and wasting war, are still abundant; "and, in articles the most essential, scarcely impaired. "The spirit of the people is free to produce them.

"All that is wanting is an established medium of ne"gotiation to be applied in effecting it. Such we are "firmly persuaded will be secured by a proper atten"tion to the resolutions of the 18th of March last, from "which, as the object is not confined to the purchase "of publick supplies only, but extends to the various "transactions of the community, the most extensive "benefits may be justly expected.

Much is to be done

"The crisis calls for exertion. "in a little time. And every motive that can stimulate "the mind of man presents itself to view. No period "has occurred in this long and glorious struggle, in "which indecision could be so destructive; and on the "other hand, no conjuncture has been more favourable "to great and deciding efforts.

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"We detain you no longer than to mention the ne

cessity of early and frequent communications on the "subjects of this address; and to remind you how "much they contribute, on all occasions, to the success "of arrangements for the publick safety."

On motion of Mr. Lovell, seconded by Mr. Muhlenberg,

Resolved, That the resolutions of the 17th, respect ing lieutenant colonel Dericks, be repealed.

APRIL 25, 1780.

Mr. Plater, a delegate from Maryland, laid before Congress a resolve of the assembly of that state, granting license to Mr. John Hunt to proceed to Great Britain, and return with Mr. Ridley and family

by the way of New York, or otherwise; and requesting "the honourable Congress to grant their passport to "protect Mr. Hunt and Mr. Ridley and family and ef"fects from capture by any vessel of war, privateer, "or letter of marque, belonging to the United States, "or any of them, or to any subject of the United "States:" Whereupon,

Resolved, That the request of the assembly of Maryland be complied with; and that the President be authorized to grant letters of protection accordingly.

MAY 9, 1780.

The committee, consisting of Mr. Clark, Mr. Lovell and Mr. Jos. Jones, to whom was referred a letter of the 5th from the board of war, report

That having conversed with the petitioner therein referred to, and having received from the board the testimonies mentioned by them respecting his reputable character, they are of opinion that permission should be granted to the petitioner to go to Great Britain, for the purpose of removing his property from thence to these United States; and that a protection in the usual form be given to him.

Resolved, That Congress agree to the report.

MAY 10, 1780.

On a report of the board of treasury

Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office in the state

of Pennsylvania, for twenty-five thousand dollars, specie, in favour of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the board of war and ordnance, payable in bills of exchange to be drawn on the honourable John Jay, esquire, minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the court of Madrid, to be applied pursuant to the resolution of Congress of 21st April, respecting American prisoners; and for which the said J. Carleton is to be accountable.

MAY 19, 1780.

On the report of a committee, to whom was referred a memorial from the honourable the minister plenipotentiary of France,

Resolved, That the states of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, be most earnestly called on to collect and pay into the continental treasury, immediately, if possible, and at all events within thirty days from this time, ten millions of dollars for the special purpose hereafter mentioned, in the following proportions; the payments to be credited to the said states respectively, on their quotas of money due to the United States to the first day of March last, viz.

Resolved, That bills be immediately drawn, under the direction of the board of treasury, on the honourable doctor Benjamin Franklin, for twenty-five thousand dollars, and on the honourable John Jay, for twenty-five thousand dollars, payable at sixty days sight; that they be offered for sale in Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, in the following proportions, viz.

Resolved, That the money to be raised as aforesaid, be appropriated and applied to the bringing the army into the field, and forwarding their supplies, in such manner as the exigencies and nature of the service may require.

Resolved, That the committee at headquarters be directed to expedite the drawing forth the supplies of