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from being cut off; the remainder of the troops to be employed in securing the navigation of Hudson's river, by erecting batteries at such places as the said convention shall judge most proper to answer that purpose.

JUNE 19, 1775.

After the words "That no effort in his power shall "be wanting to serve the American cause," add, but before he entered upon the service, he desired a conference with a committee to consist of one delegate from each of the associated colonies, to whom he desired to explain some particulars respecting his private fortune.

Whereupon, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Dyer, Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Ross, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Henry, Mr. Caswell, and Mr. Lynch, were appointed as a committee to confer with general Lee.

The committee returned and reported, that they had conferred with general Lee, who had communicated to them an estimate of the estate he risked by this service. Whereupon,

Resolved, That these colonies will indemnify general Lee for any loss of property which he may sustain by entering into their service, and that the same be done by this, or any future Congress, as soon as such loss is ascertained.

JUNE 20, 1775.

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ.

This Congress having appointed you to be general and commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies, of all the forces raised or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service, and join the said army for the defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof-you are to repair with all expedition to the colony of Massachusetts Bay, and take charge of the army of the United Colonies.

FOR YOUR BETTER DIRECTION:

1. You are to make a return to us as soon as possible of all forces which you shall have under your command, together with their military stores and provisions; and also as exact an account as you can obtain of the forces which compose the British army in America.

2. You are not to disband any of the men you find raised until further direction from this Congress; and if you shall think their numbers not adequate to the purpose of security, you may recruit them to a number you shall think sufficient, not exceeding double that of the enemy.

3. In all cases of vacancy occasioned by the death or removal of a colonel, or other inferiour officer, you are by brevet, or warrant under your seal, to appoint

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another person to fill up such vacancy, until it shall otherwise be ordered by the provincial convention, or the assembly of the colony from whence the troops in which such vacancy happen, shall direct otherwise.

4. You are to victual at the continental expense, all such volunteers as have joined or shall join the united

army.

5. You shall take every method in your power, consistent with prudence, to destroy or make prisoners of all persons who now are, or who hereafter shall appear in arms against the good people of the United Colonies.

6. And whereas all particulars cannot be foreseen, nor positive instructions for such emergencies so beforehand given, but that many things must be left to your prudent and discreet management, as occurrences may arise upon the place, or from time to time fall out-you are, therefore, upon all such accidents, or any occasions that may happen, to use your best circumspection; and, advising with your council of war, to order and dispose of the said army under your command as may be most advantageous for the obtaining the end for which these forces have been raised, making it your special care, in discharge of the great trust committed unto you, that the liberties of America receive no detriment.

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Upon motion,

JUNE 26, 1775.

Resolved, That the delegates of Pennsylvania be appointed from this Congress to wait on the commit

tee of the city, and to request of them that a supply of powder be immediately furnished for the use of the fortifications of Ticonderoga and Crown Point; and sent forward immediately.

JUNE 27, 1775.

Resolved, That major general P. Schuyler be directed to repair, as soon as conveniently he can, to the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to examine into the state thereof, and of the troops now stationed there, and how they are supplied with provision and necessary stores; into the state also of the sloop and other navigation on the lakes; also to obtain the best intelligence he can of the disposition of the Canadians and Indians of Canada: that he confer with colonel Hinman and colonel Arnold on the subject of colonel Arnold's letter to this Congress; and report as soon as possible the state of the whole, as near as it can be ascertained, to this Congress: and that he give orders for the necessary preparation of boats and stores for securing to the United Colonies the command of those waters adjacent to Crown Point and Ticonderoga.

Resolved, That as governour Carlton is making preparations to invade these colonies, and is instigating the Indian nations to take up the hatchet against them, major general Schuyler do exert his utmost power to destroy or take all vessels, boats or floating batteries preparing by said governour, or by his order, on or near the waters of the lakes.

Resolved, That if general Schuyler finds it practicable, and that it will not be disagreeable to the Canadians, he do immediately take possession of St. Johns, Montreal, and any other parts of the country, and pursue any other measures in Canada which may have a tendency to promote the peace and security of these colonies.

Resolved, That if general Schuyler shall have occasion for a larger quantity of ready money and ammu. nition, for carrying on such expedition, than he can in convenient time procure from the provincial convention of the colony of New York, that he do in such case apply to the governour of Connecticut for such supplies as may be necessary, and can be furnished by that colony; and that governour Trumbull be desired to furnish such supplies; and this Congress will make provision for reimbursing the same.

JULY 1, 1775.

Resolved, That general Schuyler be directed not to remove general Wooster, or the troops under his command, from New York; but that he raise as many of the Green Mountain Boys, under such officers as they shall choose, with such other men in the vicinity of Ticonderoga as will be necessary to carry into execution the resolutions of the Congress, of the 27th of June last, transmitted to him.

Ordered, That this be transmitted to general Schuyler by the President.

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