That the frigate Randolph and the sloop Hornet be directed to act in such manner as the continental general commanding here may direct, for the defence of this city, in preventing the enemy from passing the Delaware.

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to employ one or more fast sailing vessels, to proceed on a cruise immediately off the Capes of Delaware, to give notice to all ships or vessels inward bound of the state of this port, in order that they may proceed to some other place or places of safety.

Resolved, That General Putnam be directed to send John Connolly under guard to Baltimore, Maryland, there to be confined.²

That General Putnam, or the commanding officer in Philadelphia, be desired to appoint suitable persons to make proper provision of combustibles, for burning such of the frigates and other continental vessels as may be in imminent danger of falling into the enemies' possession should this city come into their hands.

But when it shall happen that the General has no further occasion for the use of the frigate Randolph, for the defence of this city, if the same should fall into the enemies hands, should Captain Biddle in that case carry the said frigate safely to sea, and thereby save her from falling into the enemies' hands, this Congress will reward him and his people with a present of 10,000 dollars.

Resolved, That the continental general commanding in Philadelphia, be directed to defend the same to the utmost extremity, against the attempts of the enemy to get possession of it; and that, for this end, he apply, from time to time, to the council of safety of Pensylvania for their aid and assistance.

Resolved, That Mr. [Robert] Morris be empowered to borrow a sum, not exceeding 10,000 dollars, for the use of the Marine Committee; and Congress will indemnify him.

Resolved, That General Putnam be authorized to employ all the private armed vessels in this harbour, for the defence and security of the city. And that he take the most effectual measures for manning them, and putting them in fit condition for the above purpose.

General Putnam and Brigadier General Mifflin being called to a conference, and having, by strong arguments, urged the necessity of the Congress retiring, it was, therefore,

Resolved, That Mr. Wilson be desired to inform the assembly and council of safety of Pensylvania of the proposed adjournment of Congress, and the place to which they have resolved to adjourn; and to inform them, that Congress will, at all times, on their application, be ready to comply with their requisitions for the security of this city and state against the common enemy.

Whereas the movements of the enemy have now rendered the neighbourhood of this city the seat of war, which will prevent that quiet and uninterrupted attention to the public business, which should ever prevail in the great continental council:

Resolved, That this Congress be, for the present, adjourned to the town of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, to meet on the 20th instant, unless a sufficient number to make a Congress shall be there sooner assembled; and that, until the Congress shall otherwise order, General Washington be possessed of full power to order and direct all things relative to the department, and to the operations of war. That the several matters to this day referred, be postponed to the day to which Congress is adjourned.