master general, at Newtown, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania; one, of the 5th, from Jonathan Trumbull; one, of the 25th November, from Joseph Trumbull; also, a petition from Faneuil and others, to the assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, and a resolution passed by the said assembly in consequence thereof. The committee on the state of the army, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That a brigadier general of artillery be appointed; and, the ballots being taken, Colonel Henry Knox was elected. Resolved, That general Washington be empowered to use every endeavor, by giving bounties and otherwise, to prevail upon the troops, whose term of inlistment will expire at the end of the month, to stay with the army so long after that period, as its situation shall render their stay necessary: That the new levies in Virginia, Maryland, the Delaware state, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, be ordered to march by companies, and parts of companies, as fast as they shall be raised, and join the army under general Washington, with the utmost despatch: That the foregoing resolution be transmitted by the president to the executive powers of the states before mentioned, who are requested to carry it into execution; to appoint commissaries to precede the troops, and procure provi sion for them on their march; and that they be empowered to draw money for this purpose from the nearest continental pay-master: That general Washington be empowered to appoint a commissary of prisoners, and a clothier-general for supplying the army; to fix their salaries, and return their names to Congress: That general Washington be requested to fix upon that system of promotion in the continental army, which, in his opinion, and that of the general officers with him, will produce most general satisfaction; that it be suggested to him, whether a promotion of field-officers in the colonial line, and of captains and subalterns in the regimental line, would not be the most proper : That Congress approve of general Washington's directing the quarter-master general to provide teams for each regiment, and for other necessary pur ⚫poses: That the 2d and 7th Virginia regiments, with all the convalescents from the other corps left in that state, and now fit for duty, be ordered to march and join the army under general Washington, with the utmost despatch, leaving the arms that they have at present, with the governor and council of that state, as they will be provided with others at the Head of Elk: That three regiments, upon the new establishment, in North-Carolina, be ordered to march immediately to join general Washington: That the state of Virginia be empowered to call into service, at the continental expense, three regiments of militia, or minute-men, if such a measure shall, by that state, be judged necessary. The unjust, but determined, purpose of the British court to enslave those free states, obvious through every delusive insinuation to the contrary, having placed things in such a situation, that the very existence of civil liberty now depends on the right execution of military powers, and the vigorous, decisive conduct of these, being impossible to distant, numerous, and deliberative bodies: This Congress, having maturely considered the present crisis; and having perfect reliance on the wisdom, vigor, and uprightness of general Washington, do, hereby, Resolve, That general Washington shall be, and he is hereby, vested with full, ample, and complete powers to raise and collect together, in the most speedy and effectual manner, from any or all of these United States, 16 battalions of infantry, in addition to those already voted by Congress; to appoint Officers for the said battalions of infantry; to raise, officer, and equip 3000 light-horse; three regiments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and to establish their pay; to apply to any of the states for such aid of the militia as he shall judge necessary; to form such magazines of provisions, and in such places, as he shall think proper; to displace and appoint all officers under the rank of brigadier-general, and to fill up all vacancies in every other department in the American army; to take, wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the use of the army, if the inhabitants will not sell it, allowing a reasonable price for the same; to arrest and confine persons who refuse to take the continental currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American cause; and return to the states of which they are citizens, their names, and the nature of their offences, together with the witnesses to prove them : That the foregoing powers be vested in gen. Washington, for and during the term of six months from the date hereof, unless sooner determined by Congress. Resolved, That the council of safety of Pennsylvania be requested to take the most vigorous and speedy measures for punishing all such as refuse continental currency; and that the general be directed to give all necessary aid to the council of safety, for carrying their measures on this subject into effectual execution. Mr. Hillegas having returned the names of persons by him employed to superintend the press, and to sign the bills of credit, they were agreed to; and are, Superintendents of the press, Thomas Harrison, William Smithe, and John Merryman, junior. Signers of money, William Asquith, John Griffith, Hercules Courtney, John Cockey, James Kelso, Richard Cromell, James Colhourn, George Welsh, Theodore Barrel, Thomas Donnellan, John Boyd, Benjamin Levy, Samuel Hillegas, and William Govett. Resolved, That 266.60 dollars be advanced to John Griffith, for the use of the sick soldiers in Baltimore; he to be accountable. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, SATURDAY, December 28, 1776. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a circular letter to the several United States, explaining the reasons which induced Congress to enlarge the powers of general Washington, and requesting them to co-operate with him, and give him all the aid in their power: The members chosen, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Adams. Resolved, That the five millions of dollars, which by the resolution of the 2d of November last, the treasury-board were ordered to prepare and have ready for emission, be now emitted on the faith of the United States. Resolved, That the council of safety of the state of Maryland, be, and they are hereby, requested, to furnish Mr. John Griffith with fifty blankets for the use of the sick soldiers in Baltimore, who stand in immediate need thereof. Resolved, That 400 dollars be advanced to colonel Carvill Hall, for the use of his battalion; he to be accountable. The committee, to whom the report of the gentlemen who were directed to repair to Ticonderoga, and the papers therein mentioned, were referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, Resolved, That in the opinion of Congress, the northern army may be supplied more advantageously and conveniently, in the present mode of the commissary general's governing himself by such regulations as have been, and may be, from time to time, ordained by the general or commander in chief, than by contractors. : That the commissary-general be directed, without fail, to supply the northern army, this winter, with vegetables twice in every week, or more fre VOL. I. 74 quently, if possible; and to take effectual measures that they be well supplied with vinegar: That two large floating batteries be built on Lake-Champlain, to cover the boom and the bridge; and that general Schuyler be desired to contract with builders for this purpose in New-York, or Massachusetts-Bay, or both, and that general Schuyler provide the materials: That the committee for supplying cannon be directed to procure ten brass six inch howitzers, with shells, and a proper attrail, for the use of the northern army: That a fort be constructed on Mount-Independence: that the navigation of the lake near that place be obstructed by cassoons, to be sunk in the water, at small distances from one another, and joined together by string-pieces, so as, at the same time, to serve for a bridge between the fortifications on the east and west side; that, to prevent the enemy from drawing their small-craft over land beyond Three-Mile Point into Lake-George, the passage of that lake be also obstructed, in like manner, by cassoons from island to island in the narrows, if practicable, or by floating batteries; that Fort Stanwix be strengthened, and other fortifications be made at proper places near the Mohawk river, and that general Schuyler, or the commanding officer of the northern army, execute these works this winter; and that the commanding officers of artillery, chief engineer, quarter-master general, and commissary-general, provide and perform whatever things in their respective departments are necessary, or may contribute to the accomplishment thereof: That the general court, or council, of the state of Massachusetts-Bay, be requested to procure such a quantity of oakum, and any other articles, as general Schuyler, who is desired to write to them on the subject, shall require; and to forward the same to such places as he shall direct: That the board of war be empowered and directed to write to Philadelphia for accoutrements and necessaries to supply the six troops of light-horse ordered from Virginia. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, SUNDAY, December 29, 1776. Resolved, That the committee appointed to consider the letter from general Schuyler, dated the 10th of December, be directed to send a suitable person or persons to Mr. Livingston, owner of the foundery in the state of New-York, and to governor Trumbull, under whose direction is the foundery at Salisbury; also to the council of the state of Massachusetts-Bay, to procure such cannon and stores, as are required by the general in his said letter; they being immediately necessary for the northern department. Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for appointing more general officers. MONDAY, December 30, 1776. A letter, of the 21st, from brigadier-general Lewis, was read; also two letters, of the 26th and 27th, from Mr. R. Morris. The committee, appointed to consider the letters from general Schuyler, relating to the northern army, brought in a report; Whereupon, Resolved, That gen. Schuyler, or the commanding officer of the northern army, be directed to cause an elaboratory to be erected at such place as he shall judge most convenient, to fix all the necessary ammunition for the ensuing campaign. Resolved, That 15 companies, consisting of a captain or overseer, and 30 men each, be engaged, upon such terms as general Schuyler shall think just and equitable, for the batteau service: and be occasionally employed on the high-ways and other quarter-master general's department; and that four com panies of carpenters, to consist of an overseer and twenty-five men each, be engaged in like manner to attend the northern army. For the better regulating wagons in the northern army, Resolved, That two wagons be allowed to each company on a march, and one wagon to the colonel, one to the lieutenant-colonel and major, one to the staff of a regiment, and one for the particular use of the director of the hospital. Each wagon to be drawn by two horses, (except that for the colonel, which is to be allowed four horses,) and subject to such orders, as shall, from time to time, be issued by the general or commanding officer. Resolved, That if any commissioned or non-commissioned officer shall employ more carriages than are mentioned in the foregoing resolution, he shall not be allowed to make a public charge of it, but shall pay the customary price himself: and, on his refusal or neglect of so doing, he shall be subject to be fined by a court-martial in treble the sum; one-third part of such fine to be for the use of the owner of the wagon or other carriage so employed, and the other two-thirds to the pay-master for the public use; the part adjudged to the owner of the carriage shall be paid to him by any quarter-master on the certificate of the president of the court-martial, who shall transmit the whole fine to the pay-master, in order that the same may be deducted from the pay of the delinquent. Congress being informed that some of the prisoners have broken out of gaol, and made their escape, Resolved, That the committee of observation for Baltimore county be requested to direct immediate and strict search for the prisoners, who last night escaped from the gaol in Baltimore town; and to offer a reward for the apprehending and securing the said prisoners; and that the said committee make enquiry into the conduct of the gaoler, or any other person suspected of permitting or assisting their escape; and that they take such measures as they shall think proper to bring the offenders to punishment. Resolved, That 200 dollars be paid into the hands of the committee appointed to consider the letter from gen. Schuyler of the 10th of December, for the payment of the expenses of some suitable person or persons to be sent by them to Mr. Livingston, gov. Trumbull, and the council of the state of Massachusetts-Bay, agreeable to a resolution passed yesterday; the said committee to be accountable. The committee appointed to prepare a circular letter to the several states, reported a draught, which was read, amended, and agreed to: Ordered, That copies be made, signed by the president, and transmitted to each of the United States. It appearing to Congress that it will be extremely difficult, if not impracticable, to supply the army of the United States with bacon, salted beef, pork, soap, tallow and candles, unless the exportation thereof be prohibited; therefore, Resolved, That none of the said articles, except such as may be necessary for the crew of any ship or vessel, be exported from any of these United States after the 5th day of January next, until the first day of November next, or until Congress shall take further order therein. And it is earnestly recommended to the executive powers of the several United States, to see that this resolution be strictly complied with. Resolved, That the board of war be empowered to agree with, and employ, as an assistant-clerk, Mr. Nourse, late general Lee's secretary. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. TUESDAY, December 31, 1776. A letter, of the 27th, from general Washington, and one, of the 28th, from the committee of Congress, at Philadelphia, with sundry papers enclosed, were read. Resolved, That Doctor Mackenzie be, and he is hereby authorized, to purchase such medicines as are immediately wanted for the sick soldiers belonging to the army of the United States, now in Baltimore, and return an account thereof to Congress. Resolved, That general Smallwood be directed to exert his utmost endea vours, and give the necessary orders and instructions to expedite the raising the levies in the state of Maryland; and that it be earnestly recommended to the legislature and council of safety, the several committees of observation, the civil, military and militia officers of said state, and every friend of liberty, and the United States, to give general Smallwood every assistance in their power. Resolved, That 300 dollars be advanced to lieut-col. Antil, of col. Hazen's battalion, for the use of the said battalion; and that the same be charged to the account of col. Hazen, who is to be accountable. Resolved, That the requisition of general Schuyler for a supply of 60 tons of cannon-powder, and 34 tons of musket-powder, for the use of the northern army, be referred to general Washington; and that he be directed to furnish that army with such quantities of that article as can be spared. Resolved, That the board of war be directed to inform general Washington of the quantities of gun-powder, belonging to the Congress on hand in the different parts of America, as far as may have come to their knowledge. A memorial from lieutenant-colonel Antil was presented to Congress, and read: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war. A letter from William Kennon, of North-Carolina, to general Lee, was read: The members chosen, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Heyward, and Mr. Harrison. Resolved, That a letter be written to gen. Washington, desiring him to order the clothier-general, to send agents into each state, to buy up linens and other clothing proper for the soldiery; and that he give similar orders to the quarter-master general to pursue the same mode for procuring a sufficient quantity of tent-cloth; and that they be severally directed to apply to the states to afford all necessary assistance therein. And whereas great expense hath heretofore arisen from public agents trading against each other, the general is desired to caution the clothier-general and quarter-master general, that their agents aforesaid, fall not into the above mistake in time to come. A memorial from John Matthewson, and others, was read; also a letter from Mr. Hughes: Ordered, That they be referred to the marine committee. An appeal being lodged against the judgment of the court of admiralty for the state of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, on the libel, Eseck Hopkins vs. Richard Derby: Ordered, That it be received, that it may be prosecuted before the committee on appeals. The several matters to this day referred being postponed, END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. |