Robert Morris informed Cngress that a Tender was sent from New York to cruize at our Capes, whereupon it was agreed that our Marine Comee should purchase for the Continent a Maryland armed Brig now at Philada & send her immedy to fight the Tender & to keep this Matter secret for the present 2 Govr [Samuel] Ward in the Chair, on the Petitions for allowing Privateers to cruize agt the English, [Samuel] Chase offered a Sett of Propositions &

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[George] Wyth[e] a preamble, [Thomas] Willing and [Thomas] Johnson were the only Members who spoke directly and clearly agt the Measure, [John] Jay was for a War against such only of the British Nation as are our Enemies, E[dward] Rutledge was agt privateering in any Case and for Letters of Marque in this Case, many Delegates were strongly for the Thing but the Determination was left till Tomorrow ー Dr Franklin read some Extracts of Letters to Him from Paris giving a high Character of the Baron de Woedtke 4 late a Major Gen of Cavalry in the Prussian Service and Aid du Camp to that King but now in Philada whither he came last from Parisー