Yeas and nays to be inserted on the Minutes, on the request of any Member, Motion that not less than two-thirds of the Deputies of the Congress be a quorum to do business, rejected, Majority declared a quorum, Letter from the Convention of Virginia, enclosing Resolutions respecting Independence, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-York, respecting a defection in the County of Bergen, Letter from Colonel Brearley, of Monmouth County, complaining of sundry disaffected persons in his Regiment, Two Petitions from sundry Inhabitants of PerthAmboy, praying that the Government of the King of England may be suppressed

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Wednesday, June 12, 1776.

Met according to adjournment, and opened with prayer, pursuant to the standing order of the House.

Resolved, unanimously, That in all divisions upon any question, if any Member move to insert the yeas and nays on the Minutes, and is seconded, the same shall be inserted.

On motion, that not less than two-thirds of the Deputies of this Congress be a quorum or body sufficient to do business; the same was carried in the negative, as follows:

Mr˙ Drummond,
Allen,
Hart,
Dickenson,
Taylor,
Mr˙ Covenhoven,
Holmes,
Mott,
Sparks,
Cooper,
Mr˙ Demarest,
Post,
Van Boskirk,
Quackenbush.

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Resolved, That a majority of the Members elected be always a quorum sufficient to transact any business.

Adjourned to three o' clock, afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

A Letter from the Honourable President Hancock was read, enclosing a Resolution of the Continental Congress of the 11th instant, and urging to despatch in forwarding the Militia.

Richard Smith, Esquire, one of the Delegates for this Colony in the Continental Congress, asking leave to resign his seat there, on account of indisposition.

Ordered, That his resignation be accepted.

A Memorial from Azariah Dunham, Esq˙, requesting the appointment of Commissary and Paymaster to the Troops about to be raised in this Colony for the Continental service, was read, and ordered a second reading.

A Memorial from the Commissioners of the Western Division, respecting the procuring Tents, &c˙, was read, and ordered a second reading.

A Letter from the Honourable Edmund Pendleton, Esq˙, President of the Convention of Virginia, enclosing the Resolutions of the said Convention respecting the Independence of these Colonies; read, and ordered to be filed.

A Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-York, respecting a defection in Bergen County, in this Colony, together with some Affidavits respecting the same; were read, and ordered to be filed.

A Letter from Colonel David Brearley, of the County of Monmouth, complaining of sundry disaffected persons in his Regiment; read, and ordered a second reading.

Resolved, That Doctor Roan be requested to attend the Western Company of Artillery; and that this Congress will defray the expense of such attendance.

Two Petitions from sundry Inhabitants of Burlington County, setting forth, that, for certain reasons therein mentioned, no Deputies were elected to represent the said County in the Provincial Congress; and praying that this Congress would appoint a day for the election of Deputies in that County; read, and ordered a second reading.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth, praying that none of the Militia may be taken out of that County, as it lies so exposed to hostile invasion; read, and ordered a second reading.

Two Petitions from sundry Inhabitants of the South Ward of the City of Perth-Amboy, in the County of Middlesex, praying that the Government under the King of Great Britain may be suppressed, and that this Congress would point out and establish some more suitable form of Government; read, and ordered a second reading.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants of the County Hunterdon; setting forth, that John Allen, Esq˙, was elected a Deputy for that County to serve in Provincial Congress, and praying that his election may, for reasons therein mentioned, be vacated; read, and ordered a second reading.

Adjourned till eight o' clock, to-morrow morning.