Page images
PDF
EPUB

The resolution reported from the committee of the whole Congress being read, was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That the general be authorized to direct the building as many fire-rafts, row-gallies, armed boats, and floating-batteries as may be necessary, and suitable for the immediate defence of the port of New-York, and Hudson's river.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the committee of conference.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, May S1, 1776.

A letter of the 22d from commodore E. Hopkins, enclosing the proceedings of two courts-martial on John Hazard, commander of the sloop Providence, and Abraham Whipple, commander of the Columbus, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to the committee on the instructions given to commodore Hopkins.

A letter of the 21st from Jonathan Trumbull, deputy pay-master general; and a petition from Hugh King, in behalf of himself and others, were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That an order for 50,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of brigadier-general Mifflin, to enable him to pay for tents, entrenching tools, and sundry other articles, which he, as quarter-master general, has bought in Philadelphia, for the use of the continental army; he to be account

able.

The committee of conference brought in a farther report, which was read: Resolved, That it be referred to the committee of the whole Congress. Resolved, That John Connolly, John Smith, and Allan Cameron, three of the prisoners confined in the gaol of Philadelphia, who are represented to be in a dangerous state of health, be permitted, for the recovery of their health, to walk two hours in the day in the yard of the prison, in company with, or under the inspection of at least two of the guards.

Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports of the committee of conference; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into their further consideration the matters to them referred, but, not having yet finished, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, 'to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports of the committee of conference.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

SATURDAY, June 1, 1776.

Letters from the committees of Hartford and Northampton, in Connecticut, respecting prisoners, being laid before Congress and read,

Resolved, That they be referred to the committee on prisoners.

A letter of the 27th of May from governor Trumbull was also read; and a letter from colonel J. Read, imforming, that, upon his arrival at New-York, finding a gentleman of character and abilities performing the services of secretary, with satisfaction to the general, he was induced to request, and has obtained the general's leave, to resign that office.

VOL. I.

46

The committee on Indian affairs, to whom it was referred to consider of a proper present for the Indians, brought in their report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the said committee be empowered and directed to purchase goods for a present to the Indians, to an amount not exceeding 426 60-90 dollars.

The Congres then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the report of the committee of conferrence; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee had taken into further consideration the matters to them referred, and come to some resolutions, which they desired him to report; but, not having yet come to a conclusion, directed him to move for leave to sit again.

The report from the committee of the whole Congrees was read: Whereupon,

Resolved, That six thousand militia be employed to reinforce the army in Canada, and to keep up the communication with that province; to make up which number,

Resolved, That the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, be requested to supply, of their militia

Connecticut, of their militia
New-Hampshire, of their militia
New-York, of their militia

3000 1500

4 battalions.

[ocr errors][merged small]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

750

[ocr errors]

1 battalion.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the report be postponed till Monday next.

Resolved, That the Congress will, on Monday next, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the report of the committee of conference.

The committee of claims reported, that there is due,

To Anthony Fricker, for boarding the Scots hostages from the 22d of March to the 4th of June instant, 246 78-90 dollars :

To Samuel Patterson, for wagon-hire and dining the prisoners brought from North-Carolina, the sum of 7 60-90 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Thomas McKean, esq.

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock on Mondoy next.

MONDAY, June 3, 1776.

Sundry letters received by general Washington, were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, for 1066 2-3 dollars, in favor of Ephraim Blaine, esq. in advance, for the purchase of shoes, to be sent to Williamsburg, for the use of the continental army; he to be accountable. The committee of conference brought in a farther report, which was read: Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee of the whole Congress. The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration, the reports of the committee of conference: and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions thereon, which they have directed him to report; but, not having yet come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The report from the committee of the whole Congress being read, was agreed to: Whereupon,

Resolved, That 13,800 militia be employed to reinforce the army at NewYork; to complete which number,

Resolved, That the colony of Massachusetts-Bay be requested to furnish of their militia

Connecticut of their militia

New-York, of their militia
New-Jersey, of their militia

2000

5500

3000

3300

Resolved, As the opinion of Congress, that the eleven battalions, raised and ordered to be raised for the protection of the four New-England colonies, are sufficient.

Resolved, That a flying camp be immediately established in the middle colonies; and, that it consist of 10,000 men; to complete which number, Resolved, That the colony of Pennsylvania be requested to furnish of their militia

Maryland, of their militia.

Delaware government, of their militia

6000

3400

600

Resolved, That the militias be engaged to the first day of December next, unless sooner discharged by Congress;

That the pay of the militias commence from the day of their marching from home, and that they be allowed one penny a mile, lawful money, in lieu of rations, for travelling expenses, and one day's pay for every twenty miles, between home and the general rendezvous, going and returning:

That three major-generals, and two brigadier-generals, be added to the continental establishment of general officers, and that the vacancies in the offices of adjutant-general, and quarter-master general, be filled up:

That the general assembly of the colony of Massachusetts-Bay, the governor and assembly of the colony of Connecticut, the conventions of New-York and New-Jersey, and the several conventions of such other of the United Colonies, in which there are any lead-mines, be requested to transmit to Congress, with all convenient despatch, the state and condition of the lead-mines in their respective colonies, and use the most speedy means to procure their being wrought to effect:

'That it be earnestly recommended to the assemblies, conventions, and committees of safety of the United Colonies, to fall upon the most effectual means of removing the stock, grain, and meal, from such parts of their respective colonies, as are invaded, or are in imminent danger of being invaded by the enemy.

That two provincial brigadier-generals be employed in the Canada department; one from Massachusetts-Bay, and one from Connecticut:

That four provincial brigadier-generals be employed in the New-York department; one from Massachusetts-Bay, one from Connecticut, one from New-York, and one from New-Jersey:

That three provincial brigadier-generals be employed for the flying-camp; two from Pennsylvania, and one from Maryland:

That the said brigadier-generals be appointed by the respective colonies abovementioned.

That the commander in chief be authorized to form and fix such magazines of provisions and military stores, as he may judge necessary.

Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for electing the three major-generals and the two brigadier-generals, and for filling up the vacancies in the offices of adjutant-general, and quarter-master general.

Resolved, That the secret committee be empowered to export produce of these colonies to the foreign West-Indies, sufficient to pay for ten thousand stand of arms, ordered to be procured from thence by the committee of secret correspondence.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the committee of conference.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, June 4, 1776.

Resolved, That an order for 800 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of Joseph Swift, jun. being in full of a draught the 10th May, in his favor by B. Franklin, S. Chase, and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, commissioners in Canada, for value by them received there, and employed in the public service.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the assemblies and conventions of the colonies, requested to supply or furnish militia by the resolutions of yesterday, to take particular care that the militias come provided with arms, accoutrements, and camp kettles.

A letter of the 3d from William Palfrey, pay-master general, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the committee to whom the letters received the 21st of May last were committed.

A letter of the 31st of May from John Macpherson, was laid before Congress and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to Mr. Read and Mr. McKean, who are directed to confer with Mr. Macpherson.

A petition from colonel Turbutt Francis, was presented to Congress, and read.
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of seven.

The members chosen, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Harrison, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Wythe, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Braxton.

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver the muskets lately imported, to col. Shee, for the use of his battalion.

Resolved, That captain Herman Allen have leave to withdraw the petition by him delivered, in behalf of the inhabitants of the New-Hampshire grants, he representing that he has left at home some papers and vouchers necessary to support the allegations therein contained.

Resolved, That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania be empowered to negotiate with captain Bellew, on the best terms they can, for an exchange of the prisoners on board the Liverpool; Provided always, that this shall not be construed so as to enable them to deliver up lieutenant Bogar and lieutenant Ball in the exchange.

Agreeable to order, Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports of the committee of conference; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into their farther consideration the matters to them referred, and have come to some farther resolutions thereon, but not having yet come to a conclusion, directed him to move for leave to sit again.

The resolutions agreed to by the committee of the whole Congress, being read,

Resolved, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the reports of the committee of conference.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, June 5, 1776.

A letter of the 2d from major-general Putnam, with sundry letters and papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee on prisoners.

A letter from the committee of Greenwich, in Cumberland county, in NewJersey, dated the Sd, was laid before Congress and read, informing that the

sloop Betsey and Ann, B..T. master, was arrived there from Bermudas, with 1700 bushels of salt, and two puncheons of rum, which he is desirous of exchanging for provisions, which the inhabitants of Bermuda are in extreme want of: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the said master be allowed to exchange his cargo for provisions, and to export the same, under the inspection and direction of the committee of Greenwich, who are desired to take an oath, or such other security as they think proper, of the said master, that he will carry the same to the islands of Bermuda, and will use his utmost endeavors to avoid all English men of war and cutters.

Congress took into consideration the report from the committee of the whole : Whereupon,

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider what is proper to be done with persons giving intelligence to the enemy, or supplying them with provisions:

The members chosen, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. R. Livingston.

Resolved, That the deputy commissaries-general, deputy quarter-masters general, deputy adjutants-general, and deputy muster-masters general, make regular returns and reports to Congress, and to the respective officers to whom they are deputies, at least once a month, and that the principals also make returns to Congress at the same periods.

That the pay-master general, and the deputy pay-masters general, make monthly returns to Congress of their expenditures, and the state of the military chests in their several departments:

That the flying camp be under the command of such continental general officers as the commander in chief shall direct:

That expresses be established between the several continental posts:

That the militia, when in service, be regularly paid and victualled in the same manner as the continental troops:

That the aids-de-camp of the commander in chief rank as lieutenant-colonels:

That the aids-de-camp of major-generals rank as majors :

That Robert Hanson Harrison, esq. have the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the continental army:

That the assistant quarter-masters be allowed captain's pay:

That the pay of the regimental surgeons be augmented to thirty-three dollars and one-third of a dollar a month.

Resolved, That a committee, to consist of one member from each colony, be appointed, to consider of ways and means of establishing expresses between the several continental posts:

The members are, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Lewis, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Lynch, jun. and Mr. Gwinnett."

Congress then proceeded to the election of an adjutant-general and quartermaster general, to fill up the vacancies in those offices; when the ballots being taken and examined,

Joseph Reed, esq. was elected adjutant-general; and

Stephen Moylan, esq. was elected quarter-master general.

Resolved, That Joseph Reed, esq. have the pay of 125 dollars a month, and the rank of a colonel :

That Stephen Moylan, esq. have the pay of 80 dollars a month, and the rank of colonel.

Resolved, That the election of major-generals be postponed.

Resolved, That no person shall be appointed to any place of profit, unless the person be appointed shall have a majority of the voices of the colonies represented at the time of the election.

« PreviousContinue »