A letter from Messrs. P[hilip] Livingston, [John] Alsop, and [Francis] Lewis, dated 15 January, informing that only 462 quarter casks of powder were imported, ² being laid before Congress, was read.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the propriety of opening the ports after the 1 March next; and after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, that the Committee had taken into consideration the matter to them referred, and had come to a resolution, which he read in his place, and delivered in.

The report of the committee being read,

Ordered, That the same lie on the table.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, to consider under what regulations and restrictions the trade of these Colonies ought to be carried on, after the 1st of March next.

The members chosen, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, Mr. [Robert] Morris, Mr. [Thomas] Lynch, Mr. [Samuel] Adams, and Mr. [Roger] Sherman.

Resolved, That a member be appointed on the committee to confer with Mr. [Bernard] Romans.

The member chosen, Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott.

A letter from General Schuyler, dated 13th January, enclosing copies of letters from Generals Wooster, Arnold, and others, were laid before Congress, and read, containing,an account of an unsuccessful attempts made to gain possession of Quebec by storm, on the 31 of December, and the death of General Montgomery.

The committee to whom the matter of South Carolina, respecting the engaging seamen, was ref erred, brought in their report, which was read.