Committee to Confer with Colonel Heard

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Tuesday, February 6, 1776.

A Letter from the Committee of Safety for New-York was read, informing that General Clinton arrived there on the 4th instant, but that it was apprehended his destination was to the Southward.

Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter be sent to the Southern Colonies.

The Congress, being informed that Colonel Heard, having performed the service enjoined him, was ready to make report of his proceedings,

Resolved, That a Committee of Three be appointed to confer with Colonel Heard, and receive his Report.

The Members chosen, Mr˙ Crane, Mr˙ E˙ Rutledge, and Mr˙ McKean.

A Petition from sundry Captains of the New-Jersey Battalions was laid before Congress and read; which being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That the Officers of the two first New-Jersey Battalions be allowed the sum of ten Shillings for every Recruit by them raised, and that has passed muster.

A Letter from the Committee of Reading, in Berks County, was laid before Congress, informing that a number of Prisoners were arrived there, and desiring to know how they are to be supported.

Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee appointed to contract for supplying the Prisoners.

As two of the Members of said Committee are absent,

Resolved, That two new Members be added to said Committee.

The Members chosen, Mr˙ Wilson and Mr˙ Wolcott.

The Committee on the Regulations of Trade brought in their Report, which was read and referred to Thursday next, then to be considered in a Committee of the Whole.

Resolved, That General Schuyler be desired to encourage Sutlers to attend the Army in Canada; and that they return such specie as they shall receive for the articles they supply it with to the Commissary, who shall draw orders, to be countersigned by the General, for the amount thereof, upon the President; by which means a sufficient stock may be in hand to pay off the Soldiers, and the risk and expense of sending money for that purpose may be avoided.

The Committee appointed to confer with Colonel Heard returned, and laid before Congress a list of the names of nineteen persons taken into custody by Colonel Heard, by order of Congress, and brought to Philadelphia; also, two oaths, taken by a number of the inhabitants of Long-Island, one upon delivering up their arms, and the other respecting their future conduct.

The names of the prisoners are, Benjamin Whitehead, Joseph French, John Polhemus, Nathaniel Moor, Samuel Hallet, William Weyman, John Shoals, John Willet, Gilbert Van Wyck, Daiuel Kissam, Jacob Mott, Gabriel G˙ Ludlow, Charles Hicks, Samuel Martin, Samuel Clowes, Thomas Smith, George Weeks, David Brooks, John Townsend.

Ordered, That the said nineteen Prisoners be sent to New-York, and delivered to the Order of the Convention of that Colony, who are requested to confine or secure the said persons, until an inquiry be had by the Convention into their conduct, and report thereof made to this Congress.

Ordered, That the Committee confer with Col˙ Heard about the mode of sending them.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due, on several Certificates produced by George Kennedy, the sum of 427.1 Dollars; that £127 1s˙ 3d˙ (338.9 Dollars,) of said sum being for Rifles furnished to Captain Morgan' s Company of Riflemen, from Virginia, ought to be charged to said Company, and the remainder to the continent.

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Resolved, That a Committee of Five be appointed to bring in a Resolution respecting the exportation of Naval Stores for the publick service.

The Members chosen, Mr˙ Hewes, Mr˙ Lewis, Mr˙ Ward, Mr˙ Paine, and Mr˙ Adams.

Adjourned to ten o' clock, to-morrow.