Petition of John Smyth and Benjamin Lewis, praying relief from confinement, referred to a Committee

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Friday, August 23, 1776, A˙ M.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

A Petition from John Smyth and Benjamin Lewis, two languishing prisoners in the Jail of Philadelphia, praying relief from their confinement, was read; and thereupon, it was

Ordered, That Mr˙ Cannon and Colonel William Cook be appointed to inquire into the petitioners' case, and report thereon to this House.

Agreeable to order, the Convention resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House. Mr˙ Rittenhouse was called to and assumed the chair. After some time spent in deliberating on the frame of Government, the President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Rittenhouse reported from the Committee, that they had made some further progress in the business committed to them, but had not completed it; he therefore desired leave of the House to sit again in the afternoon; which was granted.

Adjourned to four o' clock, P˙ M.

Friday, August 23, 1776, P˙ M.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

According to the Order of the Day, the Convention resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House. Mr˙ Rittenhouse was called to, and assumed the chair. After some time spent in deliberating on the frame of Government, the President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Rittenhouse reported from the Committee, that they had made some further progress in the business committed to them, but had not completed it; he therefore desired leave of the House to sit again; which was granted.

Mr˙ Thomas Jones had leave of absence for three days.

Adjourned to eight o' clock to-morrow morning.