the United States at the court of France, by different conveyances.

Ordered, That the Marine Committee provide vessels for carrying the said despatches.

Ordered, That the committee appointed to prepare the form of ratification, &c. be directed to prepare a proper publication on the present occasion.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,

Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Moses Black, for the sum of fifty four thousand three hundred and eighty seven dollars and 60/90, in discharge of the following draughts of Otis and Andrews, in favour of Philip Moore, and endorsed to the said Black, viz.

which sums are paid at the instance of James Mease, Esq. cloathier general, and to be charged to his account. Resolved, That a warrant Issue on the Treasurer in favour of James Mease, Clothier General, for the sum of Fifty thousand Dollars for the use of his Department, and to be charged to his account.

Postponed

Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel Charles Stewart, commissary general of issues, for the sum of forty thousand dollars, for the use of his department, and to be charged to his account.

Ordered, That 400,000 dollars be paid to William Buchanan, Esq: late commissary general of purchases, 200,000 of which, for the payment of debts by him contracted in

the northern, and 200,000 dollars for the payment of debts contracted in the southern district; which sum is to be charged to his account.

Ordered, That 1,934 60/90 dollars, be paid to Daniel Joy, it being the amount of his account, liquidated by the Board of War, for proving cannon, &c., for the use of the United States.

Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of General Greene, Q. M. G., for three millions of dollars, for the use of his department, and to be charged to his account.1

Resolved, That the officers appointed to command the two batallions ordered to be raised in Virginia and Pensylvania, for the defence of the western frontiers, be no longer continued in pay, nor be considered as continental officers, longer than the said regiments are continued in service.

The committee to whom was referred the letter of 30 April, from General Washington, brought in a report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That Congress approve General Washington's plan for the institution of a well organized inspectorship: That the Baron Steuben be appointed to the office of inspector general, with the rank and pay of major general; his pay to commence from the time he joined the army and entered into the service of the United States:

That there be two ranks of inspectors, under the direction of the inspector general, the first to superintend two or more brigades, and the other to be charged with the inspection of only one brigade.

That the officers appointed inspectors receive, in addition to the pay which they derive from their rank, thirty

1This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 269. 4938-07-30

dollars a month; and that the brigade inspectors receive, in addition to their pay, twenty dollars a month:

That General Washington be authorized to appoint such persons to be inspectors and brigade inspectors for the main army, as he shall think best qualified to execute the several duties of those offices.

Your Committee beg leave further to report as their Opinion, That it would be proper for Congress to appoint an Inspector General for the Army under the Command of Major General Gates, and that Mons Laneuville appears to your Committee to be an able, skilful Officer, and well qualified for that Office, and therefore that it be resolved,

That Mons** Laneuville be appointed to the Office of Inspector General of the Army under the Command of Major General Gates, and that he have a Brevet Commission of Brigadier General and receive the Pay and Rations annexed to that Rank.1

Postponed.

TREASURY OFFICE, York Town, May 5th, 1778. Resolved, That Samuel Hillegas be hereafter allowed four Dollars per day whilst attending the business of signing Loan Office Certificates or Bills of Exchange. That William Palfrey, Pay Master General, be allowed the additional Pay of [one hundred] Dollars per month, from the date of this Resolution untill Congress shall otherwise order.

Postponed;
Agreed, 6th

That each of the auditors of the Army be hereafter allowed Five Dollars per day and Forrage for his Servant's Horse whilst in Camp. That considering the Extra Expence of officers attending Congress, the Secretary and Pay Master of the Board of War and Ordnance be hereafter allowed [one hundred Dollars] per month, and the first Clerks of the several Boards [in the Secretarys office not exceeding 100] Dollars per month untill the further orders of Congress."

Postponed,
Amended, 16
June

*Note by the Committee: "Insert Christian name."

'This report, in the writing of Samuel Chase, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 19, VI, folio 243. It is endorsed: "part agreed to 5 May, 1778, rest postponed."

2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 267. The words in brackets were inserted by Henry Laurens.

Resolved, That the pay of the auditors of the army be hereafter augmented to five dollars a day, and that each of them be allowed forage for his servant's horse whilst in camp.

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1778

A letter, of 27 April, from John Baynton, paymaster at Fort Pitt, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury. A letter, of 27 April, from the Commissioners at Fort Pitt, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:1

Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War, who are directed to report thereon.

The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,

Ordered, That sixteen thousand dollars be paid to the Marine Committee, to enable them to make a partial payment to William Smith, Esq! for iron and flour purchased by him for the use of the navy in the eastern department; for which they are to be accountable:

That 18,306 dollars be paid to the Committee of Commerce, to discharge three bills of exchange drawn upon them by Messrs. Hewes & Smith, commercial agents at Edenton, North Carolina; the said Committee to be accountable.2

The committee appointed to prepare a publication, brought in a draught which was read, and after debate, Resolved, That the same be re-committed.

That Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris be added to the said committee.

1This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 155. This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 271.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

The committee to whom was re-committed the draught for publication, brought in another draught, which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:

Whereas, Congress have received from their commissioners at the court of France, copies of a treaty of amity and commerce, and of a treaty of alliance, between the crown of France and these United States, duly entered into and executed at Paris, on the 6th day of February last, by a minister properly authorized by his most Christain majesty on the one part, and the said commissioners on the other part: and whereas, the said treaties have been maturely considered and unanimously ratified and confirmed by Congress;

It is recommended to the Inhabitants of these United States, that they regard and treat the subjects of France as those of a magnanimous and generous Ally. For it is with pleasure that Congress inform the Public that his most Christian Majesty, declining to avail himself of the situation of these United States, engaged in a war with a powerful and cruel Enemy, hath with a magnanimity becoming a great Prince, generously treated on terms of perfect equality and mutual benefit. And to the end that all proper alacrity may be shewn in giving aid and protection to the commerce, property and persons, of the subjects of his Most Christian Majesty, the following extracts from said Treaties are published for the information of all, and for regulating the conduct of those whom it may more immediately concern.1 in which said treaty of amity and commerce are the articles following, to wit: (here insert Art. 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, and 29, with the form of the passports.) Now, therefore, to the end, that the said treaty may be well and faithfully performed and kept on the part and behalf of these United States:

1To this point the report, in the writing of Francis Dana, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 303. What follows is based upon rough notes in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, on folio 301.