July 1, Resolution of Maryland Convention, passed 28th June, instructing their Delegates to vote for Independence

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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

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A Letter from the Convention of New Jersey, of the 29th June, and one from Mr˙ Tucker, enclosing a Letter from two Prisoners at Burlington.

A Letter from the Convention of New Hampshire, of the 17th June.

A Letter from Brigadier-General Lewis, from Williamsburgh, of June 17, with some Memorandums from Brigadier H˙ Mercer.

A Letter from B˙ Harrison, Jun˙, Deputy Paymaster-General to the Southern Department, with a Return of his Account to the 22d June.

Resolved, That an Order for 6,000 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers in favour of Richard Graham, of Virginia, in full of a Draft in his favour of the 20th June, by Brigadier-General Lewis, and that the same be charged to the account of Benjamin Harrison, Deputy Paymaster-General for Virginia.

A Resolution of the Convention of Maryland, passed the 28th of June, was laid before Congress, and read, as follows:

"That the instructions given to their Deputies in December last be recalled, and the restrictions therein contained removed; and that the Deputies of said Colony, or any three or more of them, be authorized and empowered to concur with the other United Colonies, or a majority of them, in declaring the United Colonies free and independent States, in forming such further compact and confederation between them, in making foreign alliances, and in adopting such other measures as shall be adjudged necessary for securing the liberties of America; and that said Colony will hold itself bound by the resolutions of a majority of the United Colonies in the premises, provided the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police of that Colony be reserved to the people thereof."

The Order of the Day being read,

Resolved, That this Congress will resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the Resolution respecting Independency.

That the Declaration be referred to said Committee.

The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole. After some time the President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Harrison reported, that the Committee had come to a Resolution, which they desired him to report, and to move for leave to sit again.

The Resolution agreed to by the Committee of the Whole being read, the determination thereof was, at the request of a Colony, postponed till tomorrow.

Resolved, That a Brigadier-General acting in a separate Department be allowed an Aid-de-Camp.

A Letter of the 29th from General Washington was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That the Letters this day received be referred to the Board of War.

Resolved, That this Congress will tomorrow resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the Declaration respecting Independence.

Adjourned to ten o' clock, tomorrow.