Committee to Consider

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In Congress, Sunday, February 18, 1776.

The Congress met.

The Rev˙ Mr˙ Turquand, by desire, performed Divine service.

And the thanks of the Congress were returned to that gentleman.

The Journal of yesterday was read.

Resolved, That Benjamin Booth Boote, Esq˙, be supplied with all proper necessaries and accommodation in his present confinement, and that he be allowed the liberty of the garden belonging to the Jail, in the day time only.

Resolved, That Michael Kalteisen, Esq˙, be appointed to the office of Commissary of Military Stores for the Regular Forces.

Ordered, That Colonel Powell, Colonel Pinckney, Colonel Richardson, Colonel Bull, Colonel Thomas, Colonel Wofford, Colonel Neel, Colonel Horry, Major Mayson, Major Kershaw, Captain Hammond, Captain Harrington, Captain Maham, Captain Vanderhorst, and Captain William Skirving, be a Committee to consider and report the number of country Militia that ought to supply the place of the detachments to be discharged on the first day of March next, and, In rotation, to do constant duty in and near Charlestown; also, the most effectual means to oblige such of the Inhabitants of Charlestown as are liable to bear arms, and are absent, to return to town; also, the best division of the country Militia into Battalions, where such division is necessary; and also, such measures as may, in their opinion, be necessary to render the Militia most serviceable to the publick.

Ordered, That Mr˙ Edwards, Captain Roger Smith, Mr˙ Corbett, Mr˙ Dupont, Mr˙ Robert William Powell, Mr˙ Hall, Captain Leger, Mr˙ Theodore Gaillard, Jun˙, and Mr˙ Elias Horry, be a Committee to receive and examine such publick Accounts as may be referred to them by the Congress or Council of Safety, and to report their opinion thereon to the Congress, or Council of Safety, as soon as possible.

A motion was made, that the Council of Safety, in order that they may be enabled to devote the more of their time to the immediate objects of their appointment, do set apart a particular day in each week for the particular purpose of determining on publick Accounts.

After some debate, the previous question was moved for; and, being put, it was resolved in the affirmative.

But the main question being then waived.

Resolved, That the Council of Safety shall only twice in the week be liable to be called upon to pay publick Accounts.

Adjourned to nine o' clock to-morrow.