THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1775

Met according to adjournment.

The Committee of Acco's produced sundry accounts, viz. An acco1 from Timothy Matlack, employed as clerk, amounting to sixty pounds fifteen shillings.

Ordered, that the same be paid.

The Congress proceeded to the election of a Brigadier General and the votes being brought in and the ballots examined, it was found that Col. [John] Armstrong and Col. [Joseph] Fry had equal votes.

On motion, Resolved, That the appointment of a Brigadier general be deferred.

The Congress then proceeded in the consideration of Gen' Washington's letters,

Resolved, That General Washington be ordered to issue commissions to majors [Philip?] Box, [Alexander] Scammell, and Samuel Brewer, as Brigade Majors.

On motion made, Resolved, that General Schuyler be empowered to nominate and appoint a proper person to the office of Brigade Major in the army under his command and to issue a commission accordingly.

Resolved, That the pay of the judge Advocate for the army in the Massachusetts bay, for himself and clerk, fifty dollars per month, from the time of his appointment.

That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the memorial of the Commissary general, [Joseph Trumbull] and report their opinion on the best means of supplying the army with provisions.1

This action seems to have been taken on a letter from Washington dated 7 September, 1775, inclosing a proposal (unsigned) by Joseph Trumbull. The letter is endorsed "Read before Congress, 21 Sept. A Committee appointed on the subject." Both papers are in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, I, folios 109–113.

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The votes being taken, the following persons were elected, viz. Mr. [Thomas] Willing, Mr. [Silas] Deane, Mr. P[hilip] Livingston, Mr. [Thomas] Cushing and Mr. [Samuel] Ward.

An account of James Milligan, amounting to eighteen. hundred and fifteen pounds 15. . pensylvania currency for sundry sail cloth, Russia Sheeting, oznabrigs, &c. bought at the desire of Mr. Wilson, by order of the Congress, for the use of the|| continental army, amounting to 4,842 3-90 dollars.||

Ordered, that this be referred to the Committee of Accounts and that if upon examination it be found right they immediately pay it.

The Committee of Accounts produced an acco! from the Committee of Berks County amounting to two thousand and seventy pounds, nine shillings, advanced and paid for the riffle companies and Col. [William] Thompson.

Ordered, That this be referred back to the Committee, who are to examine and pay the acco

Ordered, that the President write to Gen' Washington and request him to order Col. [William] Thompson immediately to send to the Congress an account of the expenditure of 5,000 dollars paid him by order of the Congress on the 29th July, being in advance for the service of a Battalion of Rifflemen under his command.1

Resolved, That the Congress will, to Morrow, take into consideration the state of the trade of N. America. Adjourned till to Morrow 9 o'clock.

'Thompson's statement of account is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, I, 233.