Tuesday August 13. 1776. The Board of War brought in a Report, which was taken into Consideration; whereupon Resolved as in the Journal.1

A Letter of the twelfth from Brigadier General Mercer was read.

Resolved that it be referred to the Board of War.

Congress took into Consideration the Articles of War, and after some time spent thereon, the farther Consideration thereof was postponed till tomorrow.

Wednesday. August 14. 1776. A Letter of the 12th from General Washington with a return of the Army at New York, and sundry other Papers inclosed, being received was read. Also sundry Letters from England were read.

Resolved That the Letter from General Washington with the Papers inclosed be referred to the Board of War.

The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration, whereupon Resolved, as in the Journal.1

Thursday. August 15. 1776. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration: whereupon Resolved as in the Journal.1

A Petition from Return Jonathan Meigs in behalf of himself and others was presented to Congress and read.

Resolved that it be referred to the Board of War.

Congress resumed the Consideration of the Instructions given to Commodore Hopkins &c.

Resolved That the said Commodore Hopkins, during his Cruise to the southward, did not pay due regard to the Tenor of his Instructions, whereby he was expressly directed to annoy the Ennemy's Ships upon the Coasts of the southern States; and that his reasons for not going from Providence immediately to the Carolinas, are by no means satisfactory. At the request of the delegates of Pennsylvania the farther Consideration of the report was postponed till tomorrow.

Fryday August 16. 1776.

Resolved that a Member be added to the Committee to whom were referred the Letters and Papers respecting the murder of Mr. Parsons. The Member chosen Mr. J. Adams.1

Resolved that the Letters received Yesterday from General Washington, General Schuyler and General Gates be referred to the Board of War.

Congress resumed the consideration of the Instructions given to Commodore Hopkins &c. and thereupon came to the following Resolution.

Resolved that the said Conduct of Commodore Hopkins deserves the Censure of this House and this House does accordingly censure him.

Ordered that a Copy of the Resolutions passed against Commodore Hopkins be transmitted to him.

Although this Resolution of Censure was not, in my Opinion demanded by Justice and consequently was inconsistent with good Policy, as it tended to discourage an Officer and diminish his Authority by tarnishing his reputation; Yet as it went not so far as to cashier him, which had been the Object intended by the Spirit that dictated the Prosecution, I had the Satisfaction to think that I had not laboured wholly in vain, in his defence.