Monday August 5. 1776. Two Letters from General Washington; one from the Council of Virginia, with sundry Copies of Letters from North Carolina And South Carolina inclosed; one from E. Anderson; and sundry Resolutions passed by the Convention of Pennsylvania, were laid before Congress and read. Referred to the Board of War.

The Board of War brought in a report; which was taken into consideration: whereupon

Resolved, that the Commanders of all Ships of War, and armed Vessels in the Service of these States, or any of them, and all Letters of Marque and Privateers, be permitted to inlist into Service on board the said Ships and Vessels, any Seaman who may be taken on board any of the Ships and Vessels of our Ennemies, and that no such Seamen be intitled to receive the Wages due to them, out of the said Prizes, but such as will so inlist and that all other Seamen so taken, be held as prisoners of War, and exchanged for others taken by the Enemy, whether on board Vessels of War, or Merchantmen, as there may be Opportunity.

That Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Putnam be appointed an Engineer with the Rank of Colonel and pay of sixty dollars a month.

A Petition from Commodore Hopkins, for a hearing &c.

Ordered that the Board of War furnish the Committee of Treasury, with the names of the British Officers and other Prisoners, who are entitled to the Allowance made by Congress of two dollars a Week, with the times of their Captivity and the places where they are quartered.

Resolved that the Pay of an Assistant Clerk to the Board of War be 266 dollars and two thirds a Year.

A Petition from Lewis de Linkensdorf, referred to the Board of War.

Tuesday August 6. 1776. A Letter of the 5th. from General Washington, enclosing copies of Letters between him and General Howe, respecting the Exchange of Prisoners, and sundry other Letters and Papers: Also one from Brigadier General Mercer of the 4th. were laid before Congress and read:

Resolved that they be referred to the Board of War.

A Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair.

Wednesday August 7th. 1776. A Letter from George Measam referred to the Board of War.

A Report from the Board of War, as in the Journal.1

A Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair.

Thursday August 8. The Board of War directed to see certain Resolutions carried into Effect.1

Resolved that the Board of War be directed to take into immediate Consideration, the State of the Army in the Northern department, and our naval force on the Lakes; and that Mr. Chace be directed to attend the said Board, and give them all the Information in his Power; and that Mr. Williams be desired to furnish the said Board with an Extract of the Letter he has received from Governor Trumbull, relative to the said Army and naval force; and that the said Board report thereon as soon as possible.

Resolved that tomorrow be assigned for electing four Major Generals And six Brigadier Generals.

A Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair.

Fryday August 9th. 1776. The Board of War, brought in a report. Ordered to lie on the Table.

Resolved that the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to the order of the Board of War such Articles in their possession, belonging to the Continent, as, in the Opinion of the said Board of War, are Necessary for the Deleware Battalion.

William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Sullivan, Nathaniel Green Esqrs. chosen Major Generals.

James Read, John Nixon, Arthur St. Clair, Alexander McDougal, Samuel Holden Parsons and James Clinton Esqrs., Brigadiers.

Resolved that the hearing of Commodore Hopkins be postponed to Monday next at Eleven O Clock, and that Captain Jones be directed to attend at the same time.