The committee appointed to plan a voyage or voyages for one or more vessels, delivered in a report which was read, and after some time spent therein and some advice given thereon, it was returned to the said committee for their further consideration.

Die Martis, 3 ho. P.M. Decr. 19th, 1775.

The Committee appointed to employ two or more vessels for a voyage to Europe reported, that they think it necessary to load two vessels with wheat on account and risk of this Congress, for some port or ports in Europe on the customary freight; that the owners run the risk of the vessel out, and be allowed three pence sterling per bushel extraordinary for such risk; that the common freight of such vessels is as follows, to wit: For any port without the Straits as far as Gibraltar 13d. stg. per bushl.; to Malaga, 14d. do; to Allicant 15d do; to Barcelona, 16d. do; to Marseilles 17d. do.

That the said Committee had agreed to let one of the two vessels return with the return cargo to St. Eustatius or St. Martin's, for one hundred pounds currency; and that the said committee would give directions, that the said goods brought in return, as soon as they arrived in the West Indies be shipped on board of different vessels to bring them to the Continent; which the committee conceive to be the most advantageous method. That the committee have proposed to direct the whole property adventured to be invested in gunpowder; and if gunpowder is not to be purchased, to be invested in saltpetre; if neither saltpetre or gunpowder is to be had, then to be laid out in good muskets; and if none of the before mentioned articles are to be got, or not sufficient to expend the value of the cargoes adventured, then the property or so much thereof as shall remain unexpended in those articles, to be laid out in goods of the following kinds, vizt: Russia Drilling, ravens duck, osnaburgs, coarse linens from 12 to 15d. stg. pr yard, sheetings from 10 to 12d. do. coarse thread hose from 20s. to 25s. stg. pr doz. coarse tandem silesias from 17s. to 20s. pr piece, vittery fit for soldier's shirting, or any other articles they may think will be wanting.

The said report being read a second time and approved of, the Congress unanimously agreed that the said report stand confirmed, and that the committee carry the said report into execution. And

Resolved, That John Van Derbilt, Comfort Sands and Jacobus Van Zandt, and each and every of them shall be fully indemnified by this Congress or the Committee of Safety, or the Congress of this Colony for the time being, against any bonds which they or either of them will be under the necessity to enter into at the custom house in New-York, for the said vessels and cargoes; and that in case any costs or damages shall accrue by means of entering into such bonds, that all such costs and damages as may arise, happen or accrue by means thereof, shall be borne by this Colony. And

Ordered, That the Treasurer of this Congress pay to Jacobus Van Zandt, Comfort Sands and John Van Derbilt, the sum of £5,000 in part, to enable them to load the said vessels.