An express arriving with a letter from General Schuyler, containing an account of the continental troops, under [Brigadier] General Montgomery, having taken possession of Montreal on the 12th Inst., which was read.

The Committee to whom was referred the petition of Downham Newton, of the Island of New Providence, setting forth the distress of the inhabitants of that island, and offering, if the Congress will permit him, to export 1,000 barrels of flour for the said distressed inhabitants, he will give any reasonable security to bring back such a quantity of muskets as can be procured for the money arising from the sale of the said cargo, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration, was agreed to as follows:

The Committee to whom the petition of Downham Newton was referred, have had the same under their consideration, and come to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the said Downham Newton should be permitted to export on board his vessel, on the terms proposed in his petition, such provisions of flour and pork as he shall think proper.

Resolved, That the said Downham Newton should give bond with two sufficient sureties in a penalty equal to double the value of the cargo which shall be laden on board the said vessel, the condition of which bond shall be that the said Downham Newton shall on or before the 15th day of February next import into the port of Newbern in the province of N[orth] Carolina and then and there deliver to the commanding officer of the continental troops in that [province] good musquets and bayonets or gunpowder to the full amount of the proceeds of such cargo and that on giving such bond he shall receive from this Congress a permit to be signed by the president allowing him to export said cargo.

On Motion made, Resolved, That the executing the above business and taking the bond from Downham Newton be referred to the Committee who brought in the foregoing report

Information being given to Congress that there is a large quantity of powder in the Island of [New] Providence,

Ordered, That the foregoing Colllmittee take measures for securing and bring[ing] away the said powder and that it [be] an instruction to said Committee in case they can secure said powder to have it brought to the port of Philadelphia or to some other port as near Philadelphia as can with safety.

On Motion made, Resolved, That Mr. R[obert] Morris be added to the foregoing Committee.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed for the sole purpose of corresponding with our friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world, and that they lay their correspondence before Congress when directed.

Resolved, That this Congress will make provision to defray all such expences as may arise by carrying on such correspondence, and for the payment of such agents as the said Committee may send on this service.

The members chosen, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin, Mr. [Thomas] Johnson, Mr. [John] Dickinson, and Mr. [John] Jay.²