the Minutes read as was a Letter from Gen. Washington inclosing a Letter from Lord John Drummond to Gen.[James] Robertson wherein his Lordship of his own Accord, takes steps for a Treaty & desires Passports for Commissioners on the Part of the Congress ー 4 Hours were spent in Grand Comee on Trade without any Conclusions, by a former Resolve Trade opens Tomorrow under the Restrictions of the Association ー the Points now agitated were the Expediency & Probability of contracting foreign Commercial Alliances and chiefly with France and Spain, and the Advantages and Disadvantages of attempting to carry on Trade in our present Circumstances, much was said about declaring our Independency on G Britain when it appeared that 5 or 6 Colonies have instructed their Delegates not to agree to an Independency till they, the Principals are consulted, the President ([John] Hancock) moved that Madeira Wine may be imported notwithstanding the Association, he meant to please the Southern Delegates who insist on having Wine, but no Question was put upon it ー [Joseph] Hewes had a Petition from a Foreigner who has imported Military Stores, praying Leave to load with Produce but Congress adjorned in the Moment of Presentationー