Ordinance for the Further Regulating the Militia

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Thursday, October 19, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the Petition from Nottingham, praying that the petitioners may be admitted to join the Light-Infantry Company at Trenton; and, on the question being put,

Resolved, That the prayer of the Petition be granted to such persons as reside in the Village of Kingsborough.

The Congress adjourned to three o' clock, P˙M.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants and Freeholders of Trenton, and parts adjacent, praying that Householders may be admitted to vote at future elections, and that such elections be carried on by ballot, was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Committee appointed to prepare the draught of an Ordinance for the further regulation of the Militia of this Colony, reported a draught of the same; which was read, and ordered a second reading.

Pursuant to the Order of the Day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, upon the estimate of the expense necessary to put this Colony into a state of defence at this time; and also upon the ways and means necessary to be adopted to provide a sufficient Fund to defray that expense; and, after some time spent therein, Mr˙ President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had made some further progress in the matters referred to them, and desired leave to sit again; to which the Congress agreed.

The several Petitions from the County of Sussex, praying a suspension of Law Suits, upon certain conditions, were read a second time; and, after deliberating thereon,

Ordered, That the further consideration of the prayer of the said Petitions be postponed to a future session.

A Petition from the Farmers of Essex, praying that Money at interest, Lawyers, &c˙, may be taxed, was read, and ordered a second reading.

On motion made, Ordered, That Commissions do issue to the Field-Officers of the Northern Battalion of the Regiment of Militia of the County of Essex.

On motion made, The Congress resolved, unanimously, That a Commission of First Brigadier-General of the Militia Forces of this Colony do issue to Philemon Dickerson, Esq.

The Congress adjourned till nine o' clock, to-morrow morning.