A number of letters being received, were laid before Congress, and read, viz.

From General Washington, 24 and 30 January, with a copy of one to General Schuyler, 27 January, with a number of intercepted letters:

From General Schuyler 29, 31 January, and 1 February, 1776, enclosing copies of two letters from General Arnold, 11 and 12 January, and sundry othet papers from Governor Trumbull, 3d February, with sundry enclosd papers.

Resolved, That the above letters be referred to a committee of five.

The members chosen, Mr. [Samuel] Chase, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [John] Penn, Mr. [George] Wythe, and Mr. [Edward] Rutledge.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the Committee on the second memorial of Sansom, Murray & Co. &c. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the memorialists be permitted to make sale of their cargo of wheat in Connecticut, or else to proceed on their original voyage to Falmouth, in England, and a market under the office papers, and clearances, which the said vessel sailed with from New York in September last; and also subject to the former restrictions of Congress, respecting the appointment of a commander. ²

Information being given to Congress that a quantity of powder, arms and saltpetre was arrived.

Resolved, That the committee appointed on the 13th of last month, to purchase the salt petre then arrived, and have it manufactured, be directed and empowered to take every necesssary measure to have the salt petre, now arrived, manufactured into gun powder with all possible expedition.

Resolved, That a copy of the paper relating to signals found among the intercepted letters, be sent to the commander of the fleet, and that the delegates of the several colonies be permitted to send to their respective conventions or committees of safety a copy of the said paper under a strong injunction to keep it secret.

Resolved, That two tons of the powder now arrived, belonging to the United Colonies, be returned to the committee of safety for Pennsylvania, in part of that borrowed of them:

Ordered, That the committee appointed to manufacture the salt petre into gun powder, be directed to enquire and report to Congress a state of the powder, arms and salt petre arrived.