Proceedings of the (Second) Continental Congress
June 3, 1776

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1776

Sundry letters received by General Washington, were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, for 1,066 2/3 dollars, in favour [sic] of Ephraim Blaine, Esqr. in advance, for the purchase of shoes, to be sent to Williamsburg, for the use of the continental Army; he to be accountable.

The Committee of Conference brought in a farther report, which was read:

Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee of the whole Congress.

The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the report of the Committee of Conference; and, after some time spent, thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee have had under their farther consideration the matter to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions thereon, ||which they have directed him to report;|| but, not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The Congress then took into consideration the report from the committee of the whole:  Whereupon,

Resolved, That the General be empowered to employ in Canada a number of Indians, not exceeding two thousand.

Resolved, That 13,800 militia be employed to reinforce the army at New York; to compleat [sic] which number,

Resolved, That the colony of Massachusetts, be requested to furnish
     of their militia                             2,000
     Connecticut of their militia      5,500
     New York, of their militia         3,000
     New Jersey, of their militia      3,300

     Making in the whole              13,800

Resolved, As the opinion of this Congress, that the eleven batallions [sic], raised and ordered to be raised for the protection of the four New England colonies, are sufficient.

Resolved, That a flying camp be immediately established in the middle colonies; and, that it consist of 10,000 men; to compleat [sic] which number,

     || Total ||                                                    10,000

Resolved, That the militias be engaged to the first day of December next, unless sooner discharged by Congress.

That the pay of the militias commence from the day of their marching from home, and that they be allowed one penny a mile, lawful money, in lieu of rations, for travelling [sic] expences [sic], and one day's pay for every twenty miles, between home and the general rendezvous, going and returning:

That three Major Generals, and two Brigadier Generals, be added to the continental establishment of general officers, and that the vacancies in the offices of adjutant general, and quarter master general, be filled up:

That the general assembly of the colony of Massachusetts bay, the governor and assembly of the colony of Connecticut, the conventions of New York and New Jersey, and the several conventions of such other of the United Colonies, in which there are any lead mines, be requested to transmit to Congress, with all convenient despatch [sic], the state and condition of the lead mines in their respective colonies, and use the most speedy means to procure their being wrought to effect:

That it be earnestly recommended to the assemblies, conventions, and committees of safety in the United Colonies, to fall upon the most effectual means of removing the stocks, grain, and meal, from such parts of their respective colonies, as are invaded, or are in imminent danger of being invaded by the enemy.

That two provincial brigadiers general be employed in the Canada department; one from Massachusetts bay, and one from Connecticut:

That four provincial brigadiers general be employed in the New York department; one from Massachusetts bay, one from Connecticut, one from New York, and one from New Jersey:

That three provincial brigadiers general be employed for the flying camp; two from Pensylvania [sic], and one from Maryland:

That the said brigadiers general be appointed by the respective colonies abovementioned.

That the commander in chief be authorized to form and fix such magazines of provisions and military stores, as he may judge necessary.

Resolved, That to morrow be assigned for electing the three continental majors general and the two brigadiers general, and for filling up the vacancies in the offices of adjutant general, and quarter master general.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be empowered to export produce of these colonies to the foreign West Indies, sufficient to pay for ten thousand stand of arms, ordered to be procured from thence by the Committee of Secret Correspondence.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the Committee of Conference.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock [sic] to Morrow.

Journals of the Continental Congress, Vol. IV