Page images
PDF
EPUB

“The following is the purport of the message from lord Howe to Congress, by general Sullivan: "That, though he could not at present treat with Congress as such, yet he was very desirous of having a conference with some of the members, whom he would consider for the present only as private gentlemen, and meet them himself as such, at such place as they should appoint:

"That he, in conjunction with general Howe, had full powers to compromise the dispute between Great-Britain and America, upon terms advantageous to both; the obtaining of which delayed him near two months in England, and prevented his arrival at this place before the declaration of independeney took place:

"That he wished a compact might be settled at this time, when no decisive blow was struck, and neither party could say, that they were compelled to enter into such agreement:

"That, in case Congress were disposed to treat, many things, which they had not as yet asked, might and ought to be granted them; and that, if, upon the conference, they found any probable ground of accommodation, the authority of Congress must be afterwards acknowledged, otherwise the compact not be complete."

would

The board of war brought in a report, which was read: Resolved, That the part of the said report, which relates to the establishing a post between Philadelphia and Ticonderoga, be referred to the committee for regulating the post-office, and that the remainder of the report lie on the table: That two members be added to the said committee:

The members chosen, Mr. Hooper and Mr. Huntington.

Congress proceeded to the election of a regimental pay-master to colonel Magaw's battalion; and, the ballots being taken,

John Mifflin, brother to brigadier-general Mifflin, was elected.

Resolved, That Jeduthun Baldwin, esq. be appointed an engineer in the continental army, with the rank of colonel, and pay of 60 dollars a month.

A letter from a number of officers who are prisoners at Carlisle, was read, complaining of some ill treatment they have received, and of their baggage having been plundered, contrary to the capitulation, upon which they sur

rendered.

General Wooster, who happened to be in the outer room, being examined touching the facts stated in the said letter;

Resolved, That a letter be written to general Schuyler, directing him to make particular enquiry whether the baggage of the officers taken at St. John's and Chambly was plundered, and by whom, and report to Congress:

That the secretary of the board of war be directed to inform the officers, that enquiry has been made of general Wooster, to whom they refer, respecting the plunder of their baggage, and that he says he knows nothing of the mat ter, and that no information or complaint was ever made to him respecting that matter: And farther, to inform them, that Congress have given orders to general Schuyler to cause strict enquiry to be made into this affair, and report thereon.

A letter, of the 2d, from general Washington, and one from William Palfrey, pay-master general, were read.

[ocr errors]

Resolved, That the letter from general Washington be referred to a committee of the whole Congress:

Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Nelson reported, that the committee have had under consideration the letter to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions, which he was ordered to report.

The resolutions from the committee of the whole, being severally read, were agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That general Washington be acquainted, that Congress

would

have especial care taken, in case he should find it necessary to quit New-York, that no damage be done to the said city by his troops, on their leaving it: The Congress having no doubt of being able to recover the same, though the enemy should, for a time, obtain possession of it.

Resolved, That three more battalions be ordered from Virginia, of which that commanded by colonel Stephen to be one, to reinforce the army at New-York: That for the same purpose, two of the North-Carolina battalions be ordered to march, with all possible expedition, to New-York, under the command of brigadier-general Moore:

That it be recommended to the assemblies and conventions of the several states to the northward of Virginia, immediately to send all the aid in their power to the army at New-York:

That one of the continental battalions in Rhode-Island be ordered immediately to march, to reinforce the army at New-York:

That it be recommended to the assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, to send to Rhode-Island a battalion of their militia, to supply the place of the continental battalion ordered from thence.

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

WEDNESDAY, September 4, 1776.

Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to pay the Virginia battalion, now on their march to New-York, one month's pay, and to supply them with such necessary clothing as they may stand in need of.

Resolved, That another brigadier-general be appointed in the continental

army:

The ballots being taken, colonel Adam Stephen was unanimously elected. Resolved, That the board of war be directed to cail in the several recruiting parties of the German battalion, and to have them formed and armed, with all possible expedition, and forwarded to New-York, taking measures, and giving proper directions to have the battalion recruited to the full complement, as soon as the same can conveniently be done.

Resolved, That the proposal made by general Howe, as delivered by general Sullivan, of exchanging general Sullivan for general Prescot, and lord Sterling for brigadier-general M'Donald, be complied with.

Mr. J. Mease having, in consequence of the resolution of the 30th August, made a report, that he cannot find there is any cloth in this city, fit for making tents, except a parcel of light sail-cloth, which is in the hands of the marine committee:

Resolved, That the marine committee be directed to deliver to Mr. J. Mease all the light sail-cloth in their possession: And that Mr. Mease be directed to have the same made into tents, as soon as possible, and forwarded to general Washington:

That the secret committee be directed to write to the continental agents in the eastern states, desiring them to purchase all the duck and other cloth fit for tents, which they can procure in their respective states, for the use of the continent.

Congress took into consideration the report of the board of war; and, after some time spent thereon,

Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, September 5, 1776.

A petition from John Shott was read, and referred to the board of war.

[blocks in formation]

Two petitions from the owners of the privateers Lee and Putnam were read, and referred to the marine committee.

A memorial from Jeremiah Halsey was read, and referred to the board of war. Resolved, That general Prescot and brigadier-general M'Donald, be sent by the board of war, under an escort, to general Washington, to be exchanged for general Sullivan and lord Sterling.

Resolved, That the marine-committee be directed to deliver Mr. Hewes 400 three-pound shot, for the use of the continental troops in North-Carolina. Two soldiers having escaped from Quebec, and applied to Congress for their

pay,

Resolved, That they be referred to the board of treasury.

A memorial from captain John Doyle was presented to Congress, and read, setting forth, that in consequence of the resolution passed the 16th of July last, he has inlisted 80 men, whereof about 60 have passed muster, as appears by the roll produced, and that the other 20 are at Lancaster, and, therefore, praying that a commission may be granted to him, pursuant to the said resolution:

Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted; and that Samuel Brady be commissioned as first-lieutenant, and William McMurray, second-lieutenant of the company commanded by capt. Doyle.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the board of war; Whereupon,

Resolved, That general Sullivan be requested to inform lord Howe, that this Congress, being the representatives of the free and independent states of America, cannot, with propriety, send any of its members to confer with his lordship in their private characters, but that, ever desirous of establishing peace on reasonable terms, they will send a committee of their body to know whether he has any authority to treat with persons authorized by Congress for that purpose, in behalf of America, and what that authority is, and to hear such propositions as he shall think fit to make respecting the same:

That the president be desired to write to general Washington, and acquaint him that it is the opinion of Congress, no proposals for making peace between Great-Britain and the United States of America ought to be received or attended to, unless the same be made in writing, and addressed to the representatives of the said states in Congress, or persons authorized by them: and, if application be made to him by any of the commanders of the British forces on that subject, that he inform them that these United States, who entered into the war only for the defence of their lives and liberties, will cheerfully agree to peace on reasonable terms, whenever such shall be proposed to them in manner aforesaid.

Resolved, That a copy of the first of the two foregoing resolutions be delivered to general Sullivan, and that he be directed to repair immediately to lord Howe.

Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for electing the committee:
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, September 6, 1776.

Resolved, That general Sullivan be requested to deliver to lord Howe the copy of the resolution given to him.

Resolved, That the committee, "to be sent to know whether lord Howe has any authority to treat with persons authorized by Congress for that purpose, in behalf of America, and what that authority is, and to hear such propositions as he shall think fit to make respecting the same," consist of three:

Congress then proceeded to the election; and, the ballots being taken, Mr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Rutledge, were elected.

A letter of the 4th, from general Washington, with sundry papers enclosed; One of the 29th August, from general Schuyler;

Four of the 18th, 20th, 26th, and 27th, of the same month, from gen. Gates, with a return of the army at Ticonderoga, and other papers;

One of the 4th, from brigadier-general Mercer; and

One of the 28th, from colonel Maxwell, enclosing a memorial from Jacobus Wyncoop, were read.

Resolved, That the memorial from Jacobus Wyncoop be referred to the marine committee, and that the other letters and papers be referred to the board of war.

Resolved, That an order for 2794 15-90 dollars be drawn on the treasurer, in favor of George Morgan, esq. agent for Indian affairs, in the middle department; he to be accountable :

That Mr. Morgan be supplied with a copy of the resolutions of Congress, relative to Indian affairs, in the middle department, and a copy of the treaty held with the Indians at the German-Flats:

Resolved, That the secret committee be directed to deliver to capt. Sheerer 6 lb. of powder, and 24 lb. of lead, for the use of two companies of riflemen, to prove their rifles.

A memorial from George Nicholson, with an account, was read, and referred to the board of treasury.

A letter from captain William Jenkins was read, praying for leave, on account of his family affairs, to resign his commission:

Resolved, That leave be granted.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That John Paul Shott, who is well recommended as an experienced officer, be appointed a captain in the continental army, with directions to raise a company as soon as possible; but, as he may be usefully employed immediately, that he be forthwith sent to general Washington at New-York, and that a month's pay be advanced to him.

Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be referred till to

morrow.

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

SATURDAY, September 7, 1776.

A letter of the 16th of August, from the Indian commissioners at Pittsburg, enclosing a memorial from Alexander Ross, was read, and referred to the committee on Indian affairs:

Also, a letter of the 6th, from R. Dallam was read: Whereupon,

Resolved, That an order for 1173 30-90 dollars, be drawn on the treasurer, in favor of colonel Charles Read, and charged to the account of Richard Dallam, deputy pay-master general, it being in full of a draught in his favor of the 6th instant, by the said R. Dallam :

That 200,000 dollars be sent to R. Dallam, deputy pay-master general, for the use of the flying-camp and militia; he to be accountable.

A letter of the 5th, from Charles Preston, major of the 26th regiment, a prisoner, was read, and referred to the board of war.

A letter and memorial of the 29th of August, from William Wild, was read, and referred to the convention of Pennsylvania.

The state of Virginia having, on the 23d of July last, appointed William Brady, captain; William Pile, first lieutenant; and Christopher Brady, second-lieutenant, in the battalion to be commanded by colonel Hugh Stevenson, and Amos Thompson to be chaplain to the said battalion :

Resolved, That commissions be granted to them accordingly.

Congress proceeded to the election of an adjutant for the battalion r fo to be raised in Westmoreland county; and, the ballots being taken, Michael Hoofnagel was elected.

A petition from Charles Roberts, master of the schooner Thistle, wa sented to Congress, and read.

se

re

1

Resolved, That Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Stockton, Mr. Stone, Mr. F. L. e Mr. Penn, and Mr. Walton, be appointed members of the committer « cause of the miscarriages in Canada, in the room of those who are abseit

Resolved, That two members be added to the committee appointed 24th of July last, to consider the proposal made by the president of Carolina, respecting general Lee, in the room of those who are absent: The members chosen, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. Walton.

Resolved, That an order for 1600 dollars be drawn on the treasureria of David S. Franks; for which he is to account on the settlement of his a The state of Rhode-Island having recommended sundry gentlemen officers of the two battalions raised in that state, Congress proceeded election when William Richmond and Christopher Lippit were ele& lonels; Caleb Gardner and Adam Comstock, lieutenant-colonels; B Tallman and James Tew, majors.

Resolved, That the battalion commanded by colonel Lippit be orde New-York, unless that commanded by colonel Richmond has already a Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to deliver to the deleg Maryland, three pieces of coarse cloths, for the use of the Maryland the said delegates to be accountable.

Resolved, That Mr. Risberg, assistant to colonel Biddle, be directed f proper measures for providing the sick soldiers in Philadelphia, with p lodgings and attendance.

A letter from brigadier-general M'Donald to the board of war, wa Whereupon,

Resolved, That he be allowed four days to prepare for his journey: That a copy of that part of his letter, respecting his treatment in Carolina, be sent to the convention of that state.

Resolved, That a copy of the resolutions passed by Congress on the tes brought by general Sullivan, and the names of the committee appoint. " sent to general Washington.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due,

er

To Richard Welsh, for his services as clerk, for delivering stores visions in Canada, certified by Henry Menson, in which service he 24th of April, and was discharged the 7th of June, 1776, at 50-9 dollar per day, 25 dollars:

To Casper Carver, for the hire of a team from York-town, in Pennsy to Williamsburg, in Virginia, 16 days, at 4 dollars a day, 64 dollars; ferriages, 6 6-90 dollars, and for the hire of another team from Yorkwith captain Grier's company, 14 days, at 4 dollars a day, and for fris 3 54-90 dollars; the whole being 129 60-90 dollars:

To John Sparhawk, for two maps, a court-calendar, &c. for the waras per R. Peters's certificate, 10 60-90 dollars:

To John Bates, for 200 camp-kettles, delivered to C. Biddle, deputy ter-master general, the 2d instant, 266 60-90 dollars:

To the following persons, for which a warrant is to be drawn in fa Mons. Rouville, for the sum of 788 10-90 dollars, the amount of his s

counts, viz.

1. To hostages sent by general Schuyler to Reading, in Pennsylvania,

ly; Allan M'Donald, sen. Allan M'Donald, jun. Alexander M'Donald, Re

M'Donald, and Archibald M'Donald, their allowance from the 4th of June the 3d of September, both days inclusive, is 13 weeks, at 2 dollars each,

h

3

« PreviousContinue »