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if any hussars are engaged or enlisted, to discharge the same; and that the said delegates settle and pay any expenses already incurred in consequence of the former resolve; and report their proceeding to the Congress at their next meeting.

SEPTEMBER 14, 1775.

Congress resumed the consideration of the letter of the 6th instant, from Messrs. L. Morris and J. Wilson, at Pittsburg.

Resolved, That the enterprise proposed in their letter be not undertaken.

SEPTEMBER 18, 1775.

Resolved, That a secret committee be appointed to contract for the importation and delivery of a quantity of gunpowder, not exceeding five hundred tons.

That in case such a quantity of gunpowder cannot be procured, to contract for the importation of so much saltpetre, with a proportionable quantity of sulphur, as, with the powder procured, will make five hundred tons.

That the said committee be empowered to contract for the importation of forty brass field pieces, six pounders; for ten thousand stand of arms, and twenty thousand good plain double bridled musket locks.

That the said committee be empowered to draw on the treasurers to answer said contracts.

That the said committee consist of nine, any five of whom to be a quorum.

SEPTEMBER 19, 1775.

The members chosen for the secret committee-Mr. Willing, Mr. Franklin, Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Deane, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Langdon, Mr. M'Kean, and Mr. Ward.

SEPTEMBER 21, 1775.

Ordered, That the President write to general Washington, and direct him to order colonel Thompson immediately to send to the Congress an account of the expenditure of five thousand dollars paid him by order of the Congress on the 29th of July, being in advance for the service of a battalion of riflemen under his command.

The Congress proceeded to the election of a brigadier general; and the ballots being examined, it was found that colonel Armstrong and colonel Fry had am equal number of votes.

SEPTEMBER 30, 1775.

It being represented to Congress, that from the present situation of affairs, and the correspondence now carried on through North America, if the rate of postage is lowered, agreeably to the resolution of Congress, it is apprehended the proceeds of the office will not support the necessary riders; and as the people in general are well satisfied with, at least have made no complaints in regard to the rates lately paid for the postage of letters

Resolved, That the resolution of Congress respecting the lowering the rates of postage be suspended until farther orders from Congress.

OCTOBER 3, 1775.

The committee of claims informed Congress, that there are a number of carabines and pistols provided for the hussar company, which the committee of safety for the province of Pennsylvania are willing to take at the first cost.

Ordered, That they be delivered to the said committee on the terms proposed.

Resolved, That general Washington may, if he thinks proper, for the encouragement of an attack on Boston, promise, in case of success, a month's pay to the army and to the representatives of such of our brave countrymen as may chance to fall; and in case success should not attend the attempt, a month's pay to the representatives of the deceased.

OCTOBER 5, 1775.

Sundry letters from London being laid before Congress

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a plan for intercepting two vessels which are on their way to Canada, loaded with arms and powder.

The committee appointed to prepare a plan, &c. &c. brought in a report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That a letter be sent to general Washington, to inform him that Congress, having received in

telligence of the sailing of two north country built brigs of no force, from England, on the 11th of August last, loaded with arms, powder, and other stores for Quebec, without convoy, which it is of importance to intercept, desire that he apply to the council of Massachusetts Bay for the two armed vessels in their service, and despatch the same, with a sufficient number of people, stores, &c., particularly a number of oars, in order if possible to intercept the said two brigs and their cargoes, and secure the same for the use of the continent; also any other transports laden with ammunition, clothing, or other stores, for the use of the ministerial army or navy in America; and secure them in the most convenient places for the purpose abovementioned. That he give the commander or commanders such instructions as are necessary, as also proper encouragement to the marines and seamen that shall be sent on this enterprise; which instructions, &c. &c. are to be delivered to the commander or commanders, sealed up, with orders not to open the same until out sight of land, on account of secrecy. That a letter be written. to the said honourable council, to put the said vessels under the general's command and direction; and to furnish him instantly with every necessary in their power, at the expense of the continent. Also, that the general be directed to employ the said vessels and others, if he judge necessary, to effect the purposes aforesaid; and that he be informed, that the Rhode Island and Connecticut vessels of force will be sent directly to their assistance. That a letter be written to governour Cook, informing him of the above; and desiring him to despatch one or both the armed vessels

of the colony of Rhode Island on the same service; and that he use the precautions abovementioned. That a letter be also written to governour Trumbull, requesting of him the largest vessel in the service of the colony of Connecticut, to be sent on the enterprise aforesaid; acquainting him of the above particulars, and recommending the same precautions.

That the encouragement recommended by Congress to be given shall be, on this occasion, that the master, officers, and seamen, shall be entitled to one half of the value of the prizes by them taken, the wages they receive from the respective colonies notwithstanding.

That the said ships and vessels of war be on the continental risk and pay during their being thus employed.

OCTOBER 6, 1775.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several provincial assemblies or conventions, and councils or committees of safety, to arrest and secure every person in their respective colonies, whose going at large may, in their opinion, endanger the safety of the colony, or the liberties of America.

Ordered, That an authentick copy of this resolve be by the delegates transmitted to proper persons in their respective colonies.

Resolved, That the committee appointed for the importation of powder do export, agreeably to the continental association, as much provisions or other produce of these colonies as they shall judge necessary, for the purchase of arms and ammunition.

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