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ARTICLES
OF
CONFEDERATION and PERPETUAL UNION,
Between the STATES of
NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
MASSACHUSETTS-BAY,
RHODE-ISLAND,
CONNECTICUT,
NEW-YORK,
NEW-JERSEY,
PENNSYLVANIA,
The Counties of NEWCASTLE
KENT and SUSSEX on Delaware,
MARYLAND,
VIRGINIA,
NORTH-CAROLINA,
SOUTH-CAROLINA, and
GEORGIA,
Art. I. The name of this Confederacy shall be “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Art. II. The faid States hereby feverally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence, the fecurity of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themfelves to affift each other againft all force offered to or attacks made upon them or any of them on account of religion, fovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever.
Art. III. Each State referves to itfelf the role and exclufive regulation and government of its internal police in all matters that fhall not interfere with the articles of this Confederation.
Art. IV. No State, without the confent of the United States in Congrefs Affembled, fhall fend any Embaffy to or receive any embaffy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance or treaty with any King, Prince or State; nor fhall any perfon holding any office of profit or truft under the United States or any them accept of any prefent, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any King, Prince or foreign State; nor fhall the United States Affembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.
Art. V. No two or more States fhall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them without the confent of the United States in Congrefs Affembled, fpecifying accurately the purpofes for which the fame is to be entered into, and how long it fhall continue.
Art. VI. No State fhall lay any impofts or duties which may interfere with any ftipulations in treaties hereafter entered into by the United States Affembled with any King, Prince or State.
Art. VII. No veffels of war fhall be kept up in time any State, except fuch number only as fhall be by the United States Affembled for the defence of fuch ftate or its trade, nor fhall any body of forced be kept up by any State in time of peace, except fuch number only as in the judgment of the United States in Congrefs Affembled fhall be deemed requifite to garrifon the forts neceffary for the defence of fuch State, but every State fhall always keep up a well regulated and difciplined Militia, fufficiently armed and accoutred, and fhall provide and conftantly have ready for ufe in public flores a due number of held pieces and tents and a proper quantity of ammunition and camp equipage.
Art. VIII. When land forces are raifed by any State for the common defence, all officers of or under the rank of Colonel fhall be appointed by the legiflatures of each State refpectively by whom fuch forces fhall be raifed, or in fuch manner as fuch State fhall direct, and all vacancies fhall be filled up by the State which firft made the appointment.
Art, IX. All charges of war and all other expences that fhall be incurred for the common defence or general welfare, and allowed by the United States Affembled, fhall he defrayed out of a common treafury, which fhall be fupplied by the feveral States in proportion to the number of inhabitants of every age, fex and quality, except Indians not paying taxes in each State; a true account of which, diftinguifhing the white inhabitants, fhall be triennially taken and tranfmitted to the Affembly of the United States. The taxes for paying that proportion fhall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legiflatures of the feveral States within the time agreed upon by the United States affembled.
Art. X. Every State fhall abide by the determinations of the United States in Congrefs Affembled, on all queftions which by this Confederation are fubmitted to them.
Art. XI. No State fhall engage in any war without the confent of the United States in Congrefs Affembled, unlefs fuch State be actually invaded by enemies or fhall have received certain advice of a refid by nation of Indians to invade fuch State, and the danger is fo imminent as not to admit of a delay till the other States can be confulted nor fhall any State grant commiffions to any fhips or veffels of war, nor letters of marque or reprifal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States Affembled, and then only againft the Kingdom or State and
the fubjects thereof againft which war has been fo declared, and under fuch regulations as shall be eftablished by the United States Affembled.
Art. XII For the more convenient management of the general interefts of the United States, Delegates fhall be annually appointed in fuch manner as the legislature of each State fhall direct to meet at the city of Philadelphia in Pennfylvania, until otherwife ordered by the United States in Congrefs Affembled, which meeting fhall be on the firft Monday in November in every year, with a power referred to each State to recal its Delegates or any of them at any time within the year, and to fend others in their Read for the remainder of the year. Each State fhall fupport its own Delegates in meeting of the States, and while they aft as members of the Council of State herein after mentioned.
Art. XIII. In determining questions each State shall have one vote.
Art. XIV. The United States Affembled fhall have the fole and exclufive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cafes mentioned in the eleventh article—of eftablifhing rules for deciding in all cafes what captures on land or water fhall be legal—in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the fervice of the United States fhall be divided or appropriated—granting letters of marque and reprifal in times of peace—appointing Courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high feas—eftablifhing Courts for receiving and determining finally, appeals in all cafes of captures—fonding and receiving Ambaffador—entering into treaties and alliances deciding all difputes and differences now fubfifting or that hereafter may arife between tow or more States, concerning boundaries, jurifdiction, or any other
The United States in Congrefs Affembled fhall have authority appoint a Council of State and fuch Committees and Civil Officers as may be neceffarry for managing the general affairs of the United States, under their direction while affembled and in their recefs under that of the Council of State—to appoint one of their number to profide and a fuitable perfon for Secretary and to adjourn to any time within the year and to any place within the United States—to agree upon and fix the neceffary fums and expences—to borrow money or emit bills on the credit of the United states—to build and equip a navy—to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requifitions from each State for its quota in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in fuch State, which requifitions fhall be binding, and thereupon the ligiflature of each State fhall appoint the regimental officers, raife the men, and arm and equip them in a foldier-like manner, and the officers and men fo armed and equipped fhall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the United States affembled.
But if the United States in Congrefs Affembled fhall on confideration of circumftances judge proper that any State or States fhould not raife men, or fhould raife a fmaller number than quota or quotas of fuch State or States, and that any other State or States fhould raife a greater number of men than the quota or quotas thereof, fuch extra numbers fhall be railed, officered, armed and equipped in the fame manner as the quota or quotas of loch State or States, unlefs the legiflature of fuch State or States refpectively fhall judge that fuch extra-numbers cannot be fafely fpared out of the fame in which cafe the fhall raife, officer, arm and equip as many of fuch extra-numbers as they judge can be fafely fpared. And the officers and men fo armed and equipped fhall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the United States Affembled.
The United States in Congrefs Affembled fhall never engage in a war. nor grant letters of marque and reprifal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances except for peace, nor coin money nor regulate the value thereof, nor agree upon nor fix the fums and expences neceffary for the defence welfare of the United States or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money, nor the credit of the United States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of veffels of war to he built or purchafed, or the number of land or fea forces to be railed, nor appoint a Commander in Chief of the army or navy unlefs nine States
other point, except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unlefs by the votes of a majority of the United States.
No perfon fhall be capable of being a Delegate for more than three years in any term of fix years.
No perfon holding any office under the United States for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any falary, fees or emolument of any kind, fhall be capable of
The Affembly of the United States to publifh the Journal of their Proceedings monthly, except fuch parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances, or military operations, as the their judgment require fecrecy, the yeas and nays of the Delegates of each State on any queftion to be entered on the Journal when it is defired by any Delegate; and the Delegate of a State or any of them, at his or their requeft, to be furnifhed with a tranfcript of the laid Journal, except fuch parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legiflatures of the feveral States.
Art. XV The
The Council have power to receive and open all letters directed to the united States, and to return proper anfwers; but not to make any engagements that fhall be binding on the united States—To correfpond with the legiflature of every State, and all perfons acting under the authority of the United States, or of the faid legiflatures—To Correfpond with the legiflature, or to the Officers in the feveral States who are entrufted with the executive powers of government, for occafional aid whenever and wherever neceffary—To give counfel to the Commanding Officers, and to direct military operations by fea and land, not changing any ofjects or expeditions determined on by the United States Affembled, unlefs an alteration of circumftances which fhall come to the knowledge of the Council after the recefs of the States, fhall make fuch change abfolutely neceffary—To attend tot he defence and prevation of forts and ftrong pofts—To procure intelligence of the condition and defigns of the enemy—To expedite the execution of fuch meafures as may be refolved on by the United States Affembled, in purfuance of the powers hereby given to them—To draw upon the Treafurers for fuch fums as may be appropriated by the united States Affembled, and for the payment of fuch contracts as the
faid council may make in purfuance of the powers
Art. XVI. Canada acceding to this Confederation
These Articles fhall be propofed to the legiflatures of the United States, to be by them confidered and if approved by them, they are advifed to authorife their Delegates to ratify the fame in the Affembly of the United States, which being done, the Articles of this Confederation fhall inviolably be obferved by every State and the Union
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
JOURNALS OF THE
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
1774–1789
EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL RECORDS
IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS BY
WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD,
CHIEF, DIVISION OF MANUSCRIPTS
Volume IX. 1777
October 3–December 31
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1907
Letters of the 1st, and 12 September, from Captain N. Biddle, of the
Randolph
, the first containing charges against Lieutenant Panatiere de la Falconer; one, of the 26 August, and one, of the 12 September, from John Dorsius; and, two letters of intelligence respecting stores and cloathing, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folios 237 and 241. Three of Dorsius are in No. 78, VII, folios 113, 117, and 127. Two anonymous letters on stores are in No. 78, I, folios 121 and 125.
Ordered
, That everything relative to the intelligence now received respecting stores and cloathing be kept secret.
That the Committee of Commerce be authorized and directed to pursue such measures as they judge proper in consequence of the intelligence now received.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be paid to James Hays, in discharge of a bill of exchange assigned to him, drawn by John Ashe, Esq
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock P. M.
Four o'Clock, P. M.
Met.
Resolved
, That Monday next be assigned for appointing commissioners to audit and settle the accounts of Georgia against the United States.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, it was moved,
“That the consideration of the report of the Board of War, respecting the Baron de Kalb, be postponed; that a copy of the Baron's letter to R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Esq
So it passed in the negative.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 30 September, from Charles Stewart, commissary general of issues, and one of this day from the Chevalier de Preudhomme de Borré, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 279.
Ordered
, That such part of Mr. Stewart's letter as relates to money, be referred to the Board of Treasury, and the remainder to the Board of War.
Congress took into consideration the letter of the 1st, from Mons. Preudhomme de Borré, wherein he asks to be made a major general, and complains of being condemned before he was heard; and considering that Congress had ordered an enquiry into the conduct of Mons
Resolved
, That Congress do not consider him as an officer in the service of the United States, he having resigned his commission; and that his request to be made a major general, or to be further employed in the service of the United States, cannot be complied with.
A motion being made, “That General Washington be directed to order 2,000 stands of the arms expected from Springfield, to the State of Maryland, to be delivered to the governor and the council of that State, the arms so delivered to be charged to that State:” on motion made, and question put,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 13a.
Resolved
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
The House was moved to pass the following resolution: “Whereas, it appears by letters to Congress from John Adam Treutlan, Esq
Resolved
, That the committee appointed to consider and report upon the letters, depositions, and other papers which have been received from Governor Treutlan, be authorized to inform the said G. M'Intosh, now attending the orders of Congress, of the accusations alledged against him, and to furnish him, if he shall require it, with copies of the depositions and other evidence in support of the charge, to hear and receive such answers as he may offer in his defence, and report the whole to Congress.”
Question put, passed in the negative.
It was then moved, that the committee to whom the letters from Governor Treutlan, with the papers accompanying them, [were referred,] be discharged from considering them; and the question being put, and the yeas and nays required:
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
A motion was then made respecting George M'Intosh; and, on a motion, made,
Resolved
, That the consideration thereof be postponed till Monday next.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be paid to Mons. de Romanet, Mons. du Ballet, Mons. Villefranche, Mons. l'Enfant, Mons. Niverd, Mons. Fouquet and Mons. Fouquet, Jun(r). lately arrived from France, to tender their services to the United States, each 100 dollars, for which they shall respectively be accountable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 427.
Resolved
, That the commissary general of issues be supplied, from time to time, with money for the payment of the several officers and other expences of his department,
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p. m.
Met.
The committee to whom were referred the two letters to William Buchanan, Esq
1.
Resolved, That if the deputy commissary general of purchases, or of issues, appointed for the eastern district, shall decline to accept of, or officiate in, their respective offices, Major General Putnam, the commanding officer at Peekskill, or the commanding officer there for the time being, be authorized and directed to appoint suitable persons to those respective offices, or either of them; and that Major General Gates, or the commanding officer for the time being of the northern department, have similar power with respect to the deputy commissary general of purchases and of issues for the northern department, and that they respectively certify the names of the commissaries, which they may appoint, to Congress, for their approbation.
2.
Resolved, That every assistant appointed, or that hereafter may be appointed by the respective deputy commissaries general of purchases and of issues, shall enter into bond to the president of Congress, in the penalty of
3. That every deputy commissary general shall be authorized to appoint as many clerks, not exceeding the number of three, as the respective commissaries general shall judge necessary, who are directed to report the same to Congress.
4. And whereas it is represented that it will be exceeding difficult to comply with the regulations of Congress, for branding and numbering cattle on the horns:
Resolved
, That the purchasers of live stock be respectively directed to adopt such other modes for marking the same as they shall judge expedient, and to transmit to Congress, by the earliest opportunity, the regulations for that purpose by them adopted:
5. That the Commissary General of purchases be directed to inform the Deputy Commissary General of purchases for the eastern District, that the Regulations of Congress requiring the Receipts of the issuing Commissaries as Vouchers to the Accounts of the purchases of Cattle are necessary, as well to ascertain the Weight of the Meat, Hides, and Tallow w
5. That each of the deputy commissaries general of purchases be authorized to allow to the purchasers of live stock, in his respective district, a longer time for making the returns required by the 10th article of the regulations
6.
Resolved
, That it Never was the Intention of Congress, by any of the regulations of the Commissarys Departments, to charge the Loss of Cattle on the Road, or straying from their Keepers at the Camp, to the purchaser of Live Stock, or any officer of the Department unless when the Officers on whom it was incumbent, shall not have taken proper and reasonable Care, according to the Circumstances of the place, post, or Magazine, for the Security of such Cattle.
6. That it never was the intention of Congress to make any purchaser of live stock, or officer of the department, liable for unavoidable loss of all or any part of such live stock, when such purchaser or officer shall make appear that proper care hath been taken to prevent such loss.
Resolved
, That there be advanced to Marquis Calmes, commander of the division of Virginia militia from Frederick county, 1,000 dollars, for the use of the said division, the said Marquis Calmes to be accountable.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Captain Weaver,
Congress resumed the consideration of the report from the Board of War; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the Baron de Kalb be at liberty to give up his commission of major general, if the contingency mentioned in his letter of the 28 ult. should happen:
That the Baron de Kalb's commission be dated the same day with that of the Marquis de la Fayette, [agreeable to the request of the Baron]:
That the Chevalier de Buisson have a Brevett Commission of Lieut. Colonel with the Pay of a Major.
That a compliance with the 4 and 5 articles of Baron de Kalb's letter would be improper at this time, as Congress have not made any provision for their own officers, with whom foreign officers of equal merit and service will always be considered on a footing.
[
Resolved
,] That the commissary general of purchases employ a proper person to receive all the wheat belonging to the United States in the several mills and store-houses in the neighbourhood of York Town, and have such parts as are good manufactured into flour and delivered to the commissary general of issues; the bran and damaged wheat to be delivered to the commissary of forage.
Resolved
, That Major Henry Brockholst Livingston, aid de camp to Major General Schuyler, be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, as a reward for his merit and services in the American army.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 352, with 9 ayes and 1 no recorded.
Resolved
, That Major Troup, aid de camp to General Gates, be presented with a commission of lieutenant colonel, as a reward of his merit and services in the American army.
Resolved
, That the Chevalier de Buisson shall have a commission as a major, and that whenever he shall think proper to return to France, he shall, if not promoted before that time to a higher rank, receive a commission of lieutenant colonel.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 355, with Chase alone in the negative.
Resolved
, That it be referred to General Washington to make such provision for the quartering the troops in the winter season, as he shall think proper.
Resolved
, That a standing committee of Indian affairs be appointed, and that the petition of Abraham Nimham be referred to them:
That Monday next be assigned for appointing the said committee.
Resolved
, That the governor and council of New York, be desired to erect a monument, at continental expence, of the value of 500 dollars, to the memory of the late Brigadier Herkimer, [commanding the militia of Tryon county, in the state of New York,]
Resolved
, That a letter be written to General Gates, informing him, that Congress highly approve of the prowess and behaviour of the troops under his command, in their late gallant repulse of the enemy under General Burgoyne.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 349.
Resolved
, That the thanks of Congress be presented to General Stark of the New Hampshire militia, and the
On the last clause, the yeas and nays were required and taken, as follows:
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved
, That the thanks of Congress be given to Colonel Gansevoort, and to the officers and troops under his command, for the bravery and perseverance which they have so conspicuously manifested in the defence of Fort Schuyler:
That Colonel Gansevoort be appointed colonel commandant of the fort he has so gallantly defended.
That Congress have a just sense of the distinguished
That a Letter be written to General Gates informing him that Congress highly approve of the Behaviour of the Troops under his Command in their late gallant and spirited Repulse of the Enemy under General Burgoyne.
ante.
That Daniel and Samuel Hughes of the State of Maryland should be released from their Contract for supplying the United States with Cannon at the Rate of
That the Works of Daniel and Samuel Hughes should be engaged for the Public Use from the
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 357. The members of the Board present were: John Adams, Samuel Adams, William Duer, Francis Lightfoot Lee and Charles Carroll.
Resolved
, That the commissary of prisoners be directed to provide, under the directions of the Board of War, log barracks for the continental prisoners of war, that are already, or may hereafter be, sent to the commonwealth of Virginia, at such place or places as the governor and council of that State shall approve; that, in the construction thereof, regard be had to the health and safe-keeping of the prisoners, and that a convenient space of ground, surrounding or adjoining thereto, be set apart for benefit of air, and so enclosed, as to prevent all intercourse with the inhabitants; that until such barracks be provided, the prisoners be sent to the county lieutenants of Frederick and Augusta counties, in Virginia, to be by them secured, at continental expence, in such manner as shall be suitable for prisoners of war, and until the governor and council of Virginia shall take further order herein.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, Folio 353. Thomson has noted 7 ayes and 4 noes.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock Monday.
A letter, of the 3d, from General Washington, 20 miles from Philadelphia, enclosing a copy of a proclamation by Sir William Howe, dated 28 of September; one of the 29 September from General Putnam, at Peeks Kill; and one, of the 5 inst. from Chevalier de Preudhomme de Borré. ∥were read:∥
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 77. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 91. That of Putnam is in No. 159, folio 99, and that of De Borré, in No. 78, II, 283.
Ordered
, That the copy of the proclamation be referred to the Committee of Intelligence; and that
the letter from
they be directed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of Pensylvania, and report the same to Congress.
Ordered
, That a copy of the letter from General Putnam, be immediately transmitted to General Washington; and that he pursue such measures in consequence thereof, as he judges most conducive to the public safety, and that he advise General Gates of the steps he may think proper should be taken.
Ordered
, That a copy of the said letter be sent to General Gates, and that he be directed to give such assistance for strengthening the defences of Hudson's river, as the circumstances of his own department may admit, of which he is to judge.
Resolved
, That General Washington be directed, if the situation of his army will admit, to send one of the four engineers to do duty at Fort Montgomery and the defences on Hudson's river.
Ordered
, That the letter from the Chevalier de Preudhomme de Borré, be referred to the Board of War, and that they be directed to report thereon as soon as possible.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved
, That two companies be raised on continental establishment for the purpose of guarding the stores at Carlisle; these companies to have no bounty, and to be inlisted for one year, unless sooner discharged by Congress, under an engagement from Congress that they shall not be removed from Carlisle, nor be ordered on any other service. That James Armstrong Wilson be appointed to one of the said companies, with the rank and pay of a major, and that Samuel Postlethwaite be appointed captain of the other company.
Resolved
, That the commissaries general of purchases and issues, and their deputies and assistants, have power
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to George Eichelberger, Esq
Ordered
, That there be paid to William Ch[urchill] Houston, or his order, 333 ⅓ dollars, for his salary as deputy secretary of Congress, from the 1st day of April to 1st of September last, being five months, at the rate of 800 dollars per ann.
Resolved
, That the drawing of the United States' lottery be deferred until the sixth day of January next, on account of the unsettled state of the commonwealth of Pensylvania, occasioned by the invasion of the enemy; and that the managers of the said lottery give notice thereof by advertisement in the newspapers of the several states.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 429.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met.
A letter, of the 5, from General Mifflin, enclosing one of the 4th, from Colonel Lutterloe, was read.
Congress proceeded to the election of a committee for Indian affairs; and, the ballots being taken, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [George] Walton, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [Joseph] Jones and Mr. [Richard] Law, were elected.
A petition, from Charles M. Davitt, Patrick Smith and others, was read:
Ordered
, That the said petition be referred to the commissioners of accounts for the northern department, and that they or any two of them enquire into the facts suggested by the petitioners, and also into the objections made by General Gates against allowing the claims of the petitioners, and make report thereof to Congress, delivering a copy of their report to General Gates.
Ordered
, That the letters of the 19 June, and the 14 August, from Governor J. A. Treutlan, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered
, That to morrow morning, at 11 o'clock, Congress take into consideration that part of the confederation that relates to the mode of voting in Congress.
Resolved
, That so much of the resolution of the 23d day of March, 1776, as directs that the wages of seamen and mariners taken on board British merchant vessels, be paid and deducted out of the prize money, be repealed and made null and void.
Resolved
, That all masters, officers and mariners, and all subjects of the king of Great Britain, taken on board any prize made by ally continental vessel of war, be hereafter considered as prisoners of war, and treated as such; and that the seamen and mariners of such prize be confined
Ordered
, That the commissary general of prisoners be informed of this resolve; and that he be directed to appoint a deputy in each State.
Resolved
, That it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states to pass laws, declaring, that any person, his alder or abettor, who shall wilfully and maliciously burn or destroy, or attempt or conspire to burn or destroy, any magazine of provisions, or of military or naval stores, belonging to the United States; or if any master, officer, seaman, mariner or other person entrusted with the navigation or care of any continental vessel, shall wilfully and maliciously burn or destroy, or attempt or conspire to burn or destroy, any such vessel, or shall wilfully betray or voluntarily yield or deliver, or attempt or conspire to betray, yield or deliver, any such vessel to the enemies of the United States, such person, his alder or abettor, on legal conviction thereof, shall suffer death without benefit of clergy.
A letter, of the 25 September, from Brigadier Parsons, was read, recommending Mr. [Timothy] Dwight to be appointed chaplain to his brigade; Whereupon,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 151.
Resolved
, That the Rev. Mr. Dwight be appointed a chaplain to Brigadier Parsons' brigade.
Ordered
, That the resolution of Congress of the 10th of September last, for paying the interest of money lent the Continent with bills of exchange on the commissioners
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of this day, from Peter Tarlan, deputy quarter master general for Georgia, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 121.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered
, That 390 dollars be advanced to R. Peters, Esq
A memorial, from Mons. le Brun, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 438.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Agreeable to the order of the day, Congress took into consideration the 13th article of the confederation as reported by the committee of the whole, vizt.: “In determining questions each State shall have one vote.” To which sundry amendments were moved. After debate, the farther consideration thereof was postponed to the afternoon.
Ordered
, That 20,000 dollars be advanced and charged to the Committee of Commerce, by a draught on the loan office in Boston, to be paid to Mr. John Bradford, agent for the committee, he to be accountable to the committee.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p. m.
Congress resumed the debate on the amendments proposed and the question being put on the first amendment, viz., after “questions” leave out “each State shall have one vote” and insert:
“Rhode Island, Delaware and Georgia shall have one vote, and every other State shall have one vote for every fifty thousand white inhabitants therein, taken and transmitted according to the directions of the 9th article; and when the white inhabitants of Rhode Island, Delaware or Georgia shall exceed fifty thousand, the number of votes to be given by such State shall be increased in the proportion of one vote for every fifty thousand such inhabitants, that an equality in this national assembly may be preserved as nearly as possible, and that those who are bound by measures and are to pay taxes demanded by an assembly, the members of which are elected not by all the people, but by those of a particular district, may have the same proportionable number of votes as they would have if they were personally present. If, in process of time, the people shall so multiply as that the Congress, consisting of one delegate for every fifty thousand white inhabitants, would be too numerous, the proportions shall be again adjusted, wherein the same rule of equality in the representation shall be observed;” and the yeas and nays being required:
So it passed in the negative.
It was then moved, instead of the 13 article as expressed to insert, “each State shall have a right to send one delegate to Congress for every thirty thousand of its inhabitants, and in determining questions in Congress each delegate shall have one voice;”
And the question being put, and the yeas and nays required:
So it passed in the negative.
It was then moved, “That the quantum of representation for each State shall be computed by numbers proportioned according to its contribution of money or tax levied, agreeable to the 9th article of this confederation, and paid into the public treasury towards the annual expences necessary for the support of the union;”
And the question being put, and the yeas and nays required:
So it passed in the negative.
The question being put on the article as reported, and the yeas and nays required:
So it was resolved, That in determining questions each State shall have one vote.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 77.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 5, from General Washington, was read; also a petition from David Redick:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 81. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 93. That of Redick is in No. 42, VI, folio 421.
Ordered
, That the petition be referred to the Board of War.
Whereas, the fourth Georgia batallion of continental troops, commanded by Colonel John White, is about to march from the State of Pensylvania to its station in the State of Georgia; and, whereas, it may be necessary for the good order of the said batallion that general courts martial may be held to try and punish offenders for breach of the articles of war on the march of the said batallion; and whereas, there is no general officer in the service of the United States stationed on or near the route of its march, without whose authority, according to the articles of war, no general court martial can be held for the trial and punishment of such offenders:
Resolved
, therefore, That the said Colonel John White be empowed, at any time in the course of his said march, to order a general court martial to consist of his own officers, if none others of the continental army can be conveniently summoned, and to try any non-commissioned officer and soldier belonging to the said batallion, who shall be charged with breaking any of the articles of war; and to confirm the sentence of any such court martial, to discharge the said court martial, or to confirm any such sentence, and afterwards to remit the punishment that shall be so sentenced, as he shall think proper; provided that the powers hereby given shall cease and determine so soon as the said batallion shall arrive at its station in Georgia.
The house being moved to pass a resolution, to prevent an intercourse between the towns in the possession of the enemy and the inhabitants of the country;
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. J[ohn] Adams and Mr. [Samuel] Chase.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
∥Four o'Clock, p. m.∥
The committee to whom was referred the resolution ∥motion∥ for preventing an intercourse between the towns in the possession of the enemy and the inhabitants of the country, brought in a report; Whereupon Congress came to the following resolutions:
Whereas, it is of essential consequence to the general welfare that the most effectual measures should be forthwith pursued for cutting off all communication of supplies, or intelligence to the enemy's army now in, and near the city of Philadelphia; and whereas, it has been found, by the experience of all states, that, in times of invasion, the process of the municipal law is too feeble and dilatory to bring to a condign and exemplary punishment persons guilty of such traitorous practices:
Resolved
, That any person, being an inhabitant of any of these states, who shall act as a guide or pilot by land or water for the enemy, or shall give or send intelligence to them, or in any manner furnish them with supplies of provisions, money, cloathing, arms; forage, fuel, or any kind of stores, be considered and treated as an enemy and traitor to these United States; and that General Washington be empowered to order such person taken within thirty miles of any city, town or place in the states of Pensylvania, Jersey and Delaware, which is, or may be in the possession of any of the enemy's forces, to be tried by a court martial, and such courts martial are hereby authorized to sentence any such persons convicted before them of any of the offences aforesaid, to suffer death or such other punishment as to them shall seem meet.
This resolve to remain in force until the first day of January next, unless sooner revoked by Congress.
And, whereas, it has been represented to Congress, that many evil disposed persons, enemies to these United
Resolved
, That it be recommended to all magistrates and officers, civil and military, and to all the good people of these states, to be vigilant in apprehending, securing and bringing to condign punishment all such offenders, in order that a speedy and effectual stop may be put to such a pernicious practice.
Resolved
, unanimously, That the thanks of Congress be given to General Washington, for his wise and well concerted attack upon the enemy's army near Germantown, on the 4th instant, and to the officers and soldiers of the army, for their brave exertions on that occasion; Congress being well satisfied that the best designs and boldest efforts may sometimes fail by unforeseen incidents, trusting that, on future occasions, the valour and virtue of the army will, by the blessing of Heaven, be crowned with complete and deserved success.
Resolved
, That Mr. [Henry] Laurens and [Thomas] Heyward be added to the committee appointed to carry into execution the resolution of Congress, ordering a medal to be struck and presented to General Washington.
Resolved
, That to morrow morning Congress take into consideration that part of the confederation that relates to taxation.
A letter, of the 27 September, from General Schuyler, at Albany, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, III, folio 252.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That a warrant be drawn on the treasurer, in favour of William Hornby, for twenty thousand dollars,
Resolved
, That another warrant be drawn on the treasurer in favour of the said William Hornby, for five hundred dollars, to defray his expences in coming and returning from Georgia to York town, in Pensylvania, agreeable to the request of the president of Georgia, and that the said sum be considered as part of the four hundred thousand dollars, ordered to be sent to that State to reimburse it for its expenditures for the Continent, the said State to be accountable.
Resolved
, That there be advanced to the Marine Committee eight hundred Dollars, for which they are to be accountable.
Resolved
, That five thousand dollars be advanced to Colonel Peter Tarling, deputy quarter master general to the troops in Georgia, he to be accountable; and that the same be considered as part of the three hundred thousand dollars ordered to be transmitted for the use of the continental troops in that State.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 431. The last two paragraphs are in the writing of James Duane.
The several matters &c ∥to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Ordered
, That so much of General Schuyler's letter ∥of the 27th of February,∥ as relates to Indian affairs, be referred to the standing Committee for Indian Affairs, and
A petition from Captain Silas Talbut, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VII, folio 334.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A memorial from George M'Intosh was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, folio 33.
So it passed in the negative.
Upon considering the papers received from the president of the State of Georgia, respecting George M'Intosh, taken into custody in consequence of information transmitted, and a request made by Congress to the government of the said State; and the memorial of the said George M'Intosh, praying Congress to take his case into consideration:
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to examine into the said papers and memorial, and report their opinion, whether there is sufficient cause before Congress for the detention of the said George M'Intosh, in order that, if such cause appears, he may be sent a prisoner to the State of Georgia, of which he is a citizen, for his trial, or otherwise may be discharged:
The members chosen, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [James] Duane, and Mr. [William] Williams.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Met.
Congress took into consideration the 9th article of the confederation as reported by the committee of the whole, viz:
“All charges of war, and all other expences that shall be incurred for the common defence or general welfare, and allowed by the United States assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the number of inhabitants of every age, sex, and quality, except Indians not paying taxes in each State; a true account of which, distinguishing the white inhabtants, shall be triennially taken and transmitted to the assembly of the United States. The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of
After debate, the farther consideration thereof was postponed till to morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 27 of September, from Major General Sullivan, enclosing a bundle of papers, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 160, folio 57.
A memorial, from George Ewing, commissary of hides, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, folio 15.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered
, That 12,000 dollars be advanced to the Marine Committee, for the public service in Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, the said committee to be accountable.
Ordered
, That 2,000 dollars be paid to the said Marine Committee, for the purpose of paying bills drawn upon them, the said committee to be accountable.
The committee to whom were referred the papers received from the president of the State of Georgia, respecting George M'Intosh, taken into custody in consequence of information transmitted, and a request made by Congress to the government of the State of Georgia, and the memorial of the said George M'Intosh, praying Congress to take his case into consideration, report, that they have examined into the said papers and memorial, and are of opinion, that there is not sufficient cause before Congress for the detention of the said George M'Intosh; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That he, the said George M'Intosh, be discharged.
The Committee of the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Major James Armstrong Wilson, appointed to command two companies to be raised in the State of Pensylvania for the purpose of guarding the continental stores at Carlisle, one thousand dollars, for the use of the said companies, and for which he is to be accountable.
Resolved
, That John Montgomery, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, folio 29. This report is in No. 136, I, folio 435. It is in the writing of James Duane.
Resolved
, That the president issue his warrant to the auditor general, in favour of the Board of War, for three hundred thousand dollars, to be transmitted by them to the deputy pay master general of the northern department, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable:
Resolved
, That the president issue his warrant to the commissioner of the loan office for the State of New York, in favour of the commissary general of purchases, to be transmitted to Peter Colt, Esq
Ordered
, That there be paid to Benjamin Walker, or order, five hundred dollars in discharge of a bill, dated the 17 day of July last, drawn by Governor Treutlan, of the
Ordered
, That there be paid to Daniel Mallet, or his order, one thousand dollars in discharge of a bill, dated the 8 of February last, drawn in his favour by John Ashe, Esq
Ordered, That there be paid to William Dry Esq
Ordered
, That there be paid to Robert Ralston, or order, 250 dollars, in discharge of a bill, dated the 10 May last, drawn by John Ashe, Esq
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That eight hundred dollars be presented to Monsieur Preudhomme de Borré, to defray his expences to Charleston, South Carolina, and from thence to France.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 361. The members of the Board present were John Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Samuel Adams, Charles Carroll, and William Duer.
On motion,
Resolved
, That one hundred blank commissions for privateers, be signed and delivered by the president to the Committee of Commerce, to be by them transmitted to such of their agents and correspondents abroad as they may think proper to entrust therewith.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock. p. m.
Met.
A letter, of the S, from General Mifflin, was read, wherein he represents, that his health is so much impaired, and the probability of a recovery so distant, that he thinks it his duty to return to Congress their commission to him of major general and quarter master general.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 161, folio 16.
Congress being informed of great irregularities committed by the fourth Georgia batallion, commanded by Colonel White, contrary to all order and discipline, and to the great annoyance and injury of the good people of the country through which the said regiment hath passed:
Resolved
, That Colonel White be ordered immediately to join his regiment, and continue with it until the regiment shall arrive in Georgia: that he take the most effectual care to prevent future irregularities of any kind being committed by the said regiment on its march: and that his excellency the governor of Maryland, be requested to appoint proper persons to value the damages done by the said regiment since it entered the State of
Ordered
, That the Board of War prepare a resolution for preventing plundering of the inhabitants by troops in the pay of the Continent.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That Captain Silas Talbot, of the State of Rhode Island, be promoted to the rank, and have the pay of major in the army of the United States, in consideration of his merit and services in a spirited attempt to set fire to one of the enemy's ships of war in the North River last year; and that he be recommended to General Washington for employment, agreeable to his rank.
Resolved
, That Captain Silas Talbot make an estimate of the expence and loss incurred by him in the attempt to destroy the said ship of war, to be laid before the Treasury Board for their consideration.
Congress resumed the consideration of the ninth article of the confederation as reported by the committee of the whole; and after debate,
Resolved
, That the farther consideration be postponed till to morrow.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 6th, from General Putnam, at Peeks Kill, and one, of the 4th, from Peter Colt, were read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No 159, folio 103.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire of the commissary general of purchases, the measures adopted by him for obtaining the necessary supplies of provisions for the ensuing year, and report thereon to Congress:
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, and Mr. [Richard] Law.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
That Captain Silas Talbot of the State of Rhode Island be promoted to the Rank and have the Pay of Major in the Army of the United States, in Consideration of his Merit and Services il, a spirited Attempt to set Fire to a Man of War, supposed to be the
Asia
in the North River last Year, and that he be recommended to General Washington for Employment agreeable to his Rank.
That Captain Silas Talbot make an Estimate of the Expence and Loss incurred by him in that Attempt to destroy the said Ship of War, to be laid before the Treasury Board for their consideration.
Resolved
, That the commissary general of issues, his deputies and assistants, and all persons employed under him or them, deliver over, on demand, to the commissary of hides, all hides, tallow, feet, and offal of all cattle killed for the use of the army, taking a receipt for the same, any order or direction of any person or persons, to the contrary notwithstanding:
Resolved
, That the said commissary of hides be supplied with money for carrying on the business of his department, from time to time, [upon his application to Congress, and that]
That he or his deputies, at any principal department or post, be authorized to hire or impress one or more waggons or carriages for the use of his department, as
That the commander in chief, and the commanding officer of any department post or detachment, be directed to supply the commissary general of hides and his respective deputies with guards for their waggons, when the said commissary shall apply for the same, and they shall appear to be necessary:
That the said commissary of hides shall make a return, once in every three months, to the Board of War, of his whole transactions, specifying the number of workmen employed, the quantities of hides on hand, the quantities exchanged for leather and shoes, what quantity made up into shoes, and what otherwise disposed of; and to enable him to do this, his deputies and assistants, (whose names, occupations and pay or wages he is also to return,) shall make monthly returns to the said commissary of hides:
That the said commissary of hides shall receive and take care of the tallow, and all other useful offal of the cattle
That the commissary of hides have the appointment of all deputies and assistants to be employed under him, for whose conduct he shall be responsible, and have authority to displace them at pleasure.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 363.
The Board of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to George Ewing, Esq
Whereas, it is represented that Mons. du Coudray had in his pocket-book, the day he was unfortunately drowned, the order of Congress of the 15 September, for paying to him 1,500 dollars for the use of the gentlemen who accompanied him from France, named in the said order, and that the said order has never been paid, but is lost,
Ordered
, That the money mentioned in the said order be paid to Mons. le Brun, for the use of the gentlemen therein named; and for which he is to be accountable:
Ordered
, That there be paid to Thomas Heyward, Esq
Ordered
, That there be paid to Silas Talbot the sum of 433 ⅔ dollars, in full for his account of expences and
Congress having been informed that the enemy have frequently obliged the American soldiers in their possession as prisoners of war to labour in erecting works or fortifications, and that they are now against their consent employed in such business,
Resolved, That General Washington be directed to send in a flag to General Howe to inquire of him the truth of be true, give such of orders as they think proper, respecting british prisoners.
A letter and memorial from Archibald, Allan, and Reynold M'Donald, (prisoners,) were read:
Ordered
, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A memorial from Colonel la Balme, inspector of cavalry, was presented to Congress, and read, wherein he entreats Congress to accept his resignation, and to order him the payment of what is due to him: Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the resignation of Colonel la Balme be accepted, and that the arrears due to him be paid.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 142; a translation is on folio 144.
Ordered
, That the committee appointed to prepare a quota for the several states for raising an immediate tax, sit on that business, and report thereon on Tuesday next. Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 9 article of the confederation and the amendments proposed; and after debate,
Resolved
, That the farther consideration be postponed to Monday next.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday next.
A letter, of the 7, from General Washington, near Pennibacker's mill, with sundry papers enclosed; another, of the 10th, from General Washington, 26 miles from Philadelphia, were read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folios 89 and 101. That of the 7th is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 98.
Ordered
, That 300,000 dollars be paid to the Board of War, to be by them sent, as speedily as possible, to the pay master general, for the use of the army under the command of General Washington.
Another letter, of the 8, from General Washington; one, of the 4th, from Governor Livingston; one, of the 5th, from General Gates, at Behmus' Heights, enclosing a number of letters and papers.
A letter, of the 6th, and one, of the 12, from General Sullivan; a letter, of the 1st, from John Smith, lieutenant of Frederick county, Virginia, with sundry papers enclosed; also, a remonstrance from Israel Pemberton, and others, and a memorial from the Chevalier du Portail, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 97; that of Livingston, in No. 68, folio 289; that of Gates, in No. 154, I, folio 266; that of Smith, in No. 78, XX, folio 155; and that of Pemberton, in No. 43, folio 227.
Ordered
, That the letters from General Washington be referred to the Board of War.
The letter from Governor Livingston be referred to the Board of War.
That the letters from General Gates, and the letter from Mr. J. Smith, with the papers enclosed, and the memorial from Israel Pemberton, and others, be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 2, from Colonel Nicola, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 163, folio 17.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the commissioned and non-commissioned officers, who have accompanied Mons. du Condray from France, have the ranks proposed for them in France, together with the pay and emoluments of officers of equal ranks in the service of the United States.
That in case the said officers shall decline accepting the above proposals, it be referred to the Board of Treasury to take into consideration what gratifications should be given to the said officers, respectively, in compensation for their loss of time and expence, and to defray the charges of their voyage to France.
That it be referred to the Board of Treasury to settle the accounts of the late Mons. du Coudray.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 367. The members of the Board present were: john Adams, Samuel Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Charles Carroll and William Duer.
On motion,
Ordered
, That the Board of War apply to the executive powers of Pensylvania, and request their co-operation, to supply the army with shoes, stockings and other necessaries; that the said Board maintain a constant correspondence with the executive powers of the said State, and with General Washington, for the purposes above mentioned, and for the service of the army in general.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Resolved
, That it would be inconsistent with the public safety to permit Dr. John Connolly, at present a prisoner on parole, to remain any longer at large, and, therefore, that the Board of War be directed to order him into safe custody immediately, taking care to seize such of his papers as may be of a political nature.
Whereas, a number of the members appointed to hear and determine appeals are absent;
Resolved
, That a new committee, to consist of five members, be appointed, and that they or any three of them be empowered to hear and finally determine upon appeals brought to Congress:
The members chosen, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [Joseph] Jones, Mr. [Richard] Law, Mr. [Henry] Marchant and Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
Congress resumed the consideration of the ninth article of confederation.
And it was moved,
“That the proportion of the public expence, incurred by the United States for their common defence and general welfare, to be paid by each State into the treasury, be ascertained by the value of all property except household goods and wearing apparel within each State, to be ascertained agreeable to the directions of Congress:” And the question being put, passed in the negative.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 80.
Another amendment was moved; and, after debate, the determination thereof, at the request of a State, was postponed till to morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 13, from Colonel George Morgan, with sundry papers and accounts, was read:
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 9 article of confederation, and the amendment moved yesterday, viz. “That the proportion of the public expence incurred by the United States for their common defence and general welfare, to be paid by each State into the treasury, be ascertained by the value of all land within each State granted to, or surveyed for any person, as such land, and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated, according to such mode as Congress shall, from time to time, direct and appoint;”
The yeas and nays being required, and the Question put
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 80. It reads: “Congress resumed the consideration of the 9th article of the confederation, as reported by the committee of the whole, whereon it was moved” &c.
A memorial from William Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, was laid before Congress and read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 146.
Ordered
, It be referred to the committee appointed to confer with Mr. Buchanan.
Resolved
, That Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom, Mr. [John] Penn, and Mr. [Henry] Laurens be added to the Marine Committee, in the room of the members from their respective states, heretofore appointed on the said committee.
Whereas, the British nation have received into their ports, and condemned in their courts of admiralty, as lawful prize, several vessels and their cargoes belonging to these states, which the masters and mariners, in breach of the trust and confidence reposed in them, have betrayed and delivered to the officers of the British crown:
and whereas such contract is contrary to that good faith and honour which all men ought to preserve inviolate, and repugnant to the practice of the commercial and civilized nations of Europe:
Resolved
, therefore, That any vessel or cargo, the property of any British subject, not an inhabitant of Bermuda or any of the Bahama islands, brought into any of the ports or harbours of any of these United States by the master or mariners, shall be adjudged lawful prize, and divided among the captors in the same proportion as if taken by any continental vessel of war.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That the president issue a warrant to the commissioner of the loan office for the State of Pensylvania, for ten thousand dollars, in favour of William Henry, Esq
Ordered
, That there be paid to Robert Turner, or his order, 462⅓ dollars, in discharge of a bill drawn on the continental treasurer by John Ashe, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 437.
Congress took into consideration the fourteenth article of the confederation ∥relative to the manner of constituting the Congress of the United States:∥
On the question put,
Resolved
, That no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years.
It was moved, That no State shall be represented in Congress by less than two nor by more than seven members: and the yeas and nays being required, and the question put:
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 81. It again has the phrase “as reported by the Committee of the Whole.”
A memorial from the Chevalier Dorset, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 418. It has a certificate by Lafayette of the Chevalier's merits.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Committee on Foreign Applications.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Mr. [John] Harvie, a delegate from Virginia, attended and took his seat in Congress.
Ordered
, That the Committee of Commerce take effectual measures to make as public as possible the resolution passed yesterday, for making lawful prize British vessels ∥or cargoes∥ brought into any of the ports of the United States by the master or mariners.
A letter, of the 8th, from General Putnam, at Fishkill, was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
A motion was made for recruiting the army;
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [William] Duer and Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee.
Ordered
, That the said committee sit on this business this evening, and report to morrow morning.
The committee to whom was referred the letter of William Buchanan, Esq
Resolved
, That a deputy commissary general of purchases and a deputy commissary general of issues be appointed for supplying the forts and posts on the western frontiers of Pensylvania and Virginia, and that the limits of the district be assigned by the respective commissaries general:
That assistant purchasing commissaries be not allowed in the district aforesaid:
That the said deputy commissary general of issues be directed to receive from Colonel George Morgan, all the provisions in his possession belonging to the United States, who is directed to take receipts therefor, and to deliver his accounts and vouchers to the Board of Treasury, in order for settlement, and for charging the said provisions to the respective commissary.
Ordered
, That to morrow be assigned for appointing the deputy commissaries general aforesaid.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14th article of the confederation ∥relative to the powers of Congress∥; and, after debate,
The farther consideration thereof was postponed to the afternoon.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met.
Ordered
, That Mr. [Robert] Morris have leave of absence for the remainder of this week.
The Committee of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to William Buchanan, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 439.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to consider of and report a competent allowance to support the extraordinary expence of the president of Congress in the execution of his office:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Henry] Laurens, and Mr. [Robert] Morris.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of the confederation ∥under debate this morning;∥ whereon it was moved,
“ That, in order to render the present union and confederacy firm and perpetual, it is essential that the limits of each respective territorial jurisdiction should be ascertained by the articles of confederation; and, therefore, it is recommended to the legislatures of every State to lay before Congress a description of the territorial lands of each of their respective states, and a summary of the grants, treaties, and proofs upon which they are claimed or established:” and the yeas and nays being required:
So it passed in the negative.
It was then moved “That the United States in Congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power to ascertain and fix the western boundary of such states as claim to the South Sea, and to dispose of all land beyond the boundary so ascertained, for the benefit of the United States;” and the question being put, passed in the negative.
It was then moved, “That the United States, in Congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power to ascertain and fix the western boundary of such states as claim to the Mississippi or South Sea, and lay out the land beyond the boundary, so ascertained, into separate and independent states, from time to time, as the numbers and circumstances of the people thereof may require:”
And the yeas and nays being required:
So it passed in the negative
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 82.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 13th, from General Washington, with a copy of the judgment of a court of enquiry, appointed to examine into the conduct of Major General Sullivan in the expedition commanded by him to Staten Island in the month of August last, and sundry other papers; also, a letter of the 10, from Jonathan Trumbull, Jun
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 105.
Ordered
, That 2,249 dollars be paid to Messrs. Livingston & Turnbull, or order, in discharge of a bill, in their favour, drawn by J. Bradford, dated Boston, August 27, 1777, on the Marine Committee, expressed to be for value received for the naval department in the service of the United States, the said J. Bradford to be accountable.
Ordered
, That the letter from General Washington, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Board of War, and that the judgment of the court of enquiry be published.
Ordered
, That the letter from General Mifflin and J. Trumbull, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant for two hundred thousand dollars be drawn on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of Jonathan Trumbull, Jun
Ordered
, That a copy of General Washington's letter of the 13th, and returns relative to cloathing wanted for the army, be sent by express to each of the states of Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland and Virginia, and they be respectively requested to send the General, with all possible despatch, as many of the several articles mentioned in the return as can be collected and are not immediately wanted for their respective regiments which have not joined the army aforesaid, and to order the officers in the cloathier's department, in the states aforesaid, to use their utmost exertions in forwarding the cloathing in their possession.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on departments relative to the war office, and the same being read over and debated by paragraphs, it was moved and agreed that the first be postponed.
The second and third paragraphs, the question being severally put, were agreed to. The 4th passed with an amendment. The 5th was agreed to. The 6th was amended and passed. The 7 was agreed to. The 8th was amended and passed. The 9th, 10th and 11 were agreed to. The 12 was amended and passed. after which a new paragraph was moved to be inserted, and agreed to. The 13th was agreed to, after which two new paragraphs were moved to be inserted, the first of which was agreed to; to the second, it was moved to add these words: “and papers of the said board except the returns of the army, military stores or provisions;” instead of which it was moved that
it should be expressed thus
the following addition should be made: “and to take copies thereof excepting copies of returns of the armies, provisions or military stores, which shall not be delivered to any member without the order of Congress;” and the yeas and nays being required:
So it was resolved in the affirmative, and the paragraph with the amendment was agreed to.
The 14 was amended and passed.
∥The farther consideration of the report being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Ebenezer Hazard, Esq
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Joseph Holmes, Esq. deputy commissary general of prisoners, 1,500 dollars towards the expence of hiring houses or erecting barracks and palisades for the habitation of the prisoners of war ordered to be removed into Virginia, he to be accountable:
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Colonel George Morgan 14,000 dollars, on occount of expences incurred by him for the public service at Fort Pitt, and for which he is to be accountable:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 441.
Ordered
, That there be paid to Messrs. Price & Haywood the sum of 348 dollars, on account of a balance due them from the United States:
That four sets of exchange be drawn by the president on the Hon
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 443.
Ordered
, That the president issue the following warrants in favour of Major General Mifflin, quarter master general, and for which he is to be accountable, viz. a warrant, on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of Connecticut, for fifty thousand dollars, to be transmitted to the deputy quarter master general at Fishkill; a warrant, on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of New Hampshire, for fifty thousand dollars, to be transmitted to the deputy quarter master general at Hartford; a warrant, on the commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Virginia, for fifty thousand dollars, to be transmitted to the deputy quarter master general at Williamsburg; a warrant, on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of New Jersey, for forty thousand dollars, to be transmitted to the deputy quarter master general at Easton; and a warrant, on the commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, for sixty thousand dollars:
And that there be paid to the said quarter master general, out of the treasury, or moneys in the hands of the auditor general, the farther sum of 102,000 dollars, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable; the said several sums amounting to 352,000 dollars, and for which the said quarter master general has made application by letter to Congress, dated the 14 instant.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 445.
Resolved
, That Congress highly approve of the brave and spirited conduct of Commodore Hazlewood, and the other officers and men concerned in the defence of the river Delaware, and of their undaunted perseverance and resolution to maintain that pass to the city of Philadelphia to the utmost extremity.
Resolved
, That four members be added to the Board of War:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Harvie, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [William] Williams, and Mr. [Joseph] Jones.
A letter, of this day, from Joseph Pennell, was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee appointed to consider a motion made on the 15 for recruiting the army, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolutions:
Whereas, the deficiency of the several batallions, now in the service, has, in the present campaign, been attended with manifest disadvantages to the United States; and, whereas, the divided state of the enemy's troops, their reduced number, and distance from their ships of war, afford the most favourable opportunities for attacking and subduing them before reinforcements can be sent to their aid; which salutary purpose may, under Providence, be obtained by the vigorous exertions of the several states for speedily filling their respective batallions:
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the said states, to use their utmost endeavours for immediately compleating their several quotas, and to address their inhabitants on the advantages that will result therefrom:
That to the premium of 5 dollars offered by a resolution of Congress of the 31 July last, for apprehending and securing deserters from the continental army, an addition
That the premium and other expences for apprehending deserters be stopped out of the pay which may be already due to such deserters respectively, or that shall become due to such of them as may receive a pardon:
That it be recommeded to the Legislatures of the several states to provide by Law, that any person may apprehend and carry any Deserter from the Land or Sea Service of the united States before the nearest Justice of peace who shall forthwith cause such Deserter to be conveyed to the nearest Continental officer of the Land or Sea Service, as the Case may be, or to the public Goal of the County. The Justice shall give a Certificate expressing the arrest of, and the distance, such Deserter be brought, which Certificate shall entitle the Bearer to a reward of 8 Dollars for the apprehending such Deserter and 12/90ths of a Dollar for every Mile therein expressed; that any person, who shall deliver the Deserter to the officer, Sheriff or Goal, shall receive the same Mileage; that the Reward and Mileage aforesaid shall be paid by the officer or sheriff, to whom such Deserter shall be delivered, that the Sheriff be reimbursed by his State, the Money by him paid, together with the expense of advertising such Deserter, and ⅕ of a Dollar per day for his Maintenance, to be charged to the united States; that the Sheriff shall immediately publish the Name of the Deserter and the Company, Regiment or Vessel, to which he belongs, or such of those circumstances as shall come as shall come to his Knowledge, in some one of those of the News Papers of his State, for four successive Weeks: That the Justice, before whom any Deserter shall be brought, shall immediately transmit an account thereof to the Secretary of the Continental Board of War, and to the Commanding Officer of such Desarter.
That it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states to provide by law for the more effectual detecting and punishing any person who shall knowingly
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 89.
That copies of the above resolves, with duplicates of the resolution of Congress of the 31 of July last, be sent to the respective states, and that they be desired to publish such parts thereof as they shall judge necessary:
That General Washington be directed, forthwith, to order one or more of his officers, that are or may be appointed to receive recruits and deserters, agreeable to the resolution of the 31 of July last, to apply to the supreme executive authority of each respective State for the names of the recruiting officers and of the places of rendezvous, which the said executive authority were requested to appoint by the resolution aforesaid; and the said executive authority are requested to furnish such commissioned officer or officers with sufficient sums of money to pay the premiums, mileages, and subsistence of the recruits and deserters, which they may receive, agreeable to the said resolve; to draw on Congress for such advances; to call to account therefor, the officer or officers, and arrest such as shall refuse a compliance therewith; and the said officer or officers are respectively directed punctually to pay the premiums for each recruit and deserter as aforesaid; to take receipts therefor, and to adjust their respective accounts with the supreme executive authority aforesaid before they leave the State, and constantly to publish the names of the places of their residence and rendezvous as aforesaid:
That General Washington be directed to publish a proclamation, offering pardon to such as have deserted from the continental army, and shall, on or before such day as he shall think proper to fix in his proclamation, return to their respective corps, or surrender themselves to the officers appointed to receive recruits and deserters in the respective states, or to any other continental commissioned officer.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 135. The proclamation by Washington was issued October 24. See
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 139
n.
Some packets being brought from Martinico, and laid before Congress, directed to Willing, Morris, & Co. and Mr. Morris being absent, and there being strong reasons from the information of the messenger who brought the said packets, that they contained public despatches for Congress, or some of its committees:
Ordered
, That the covers be opened.
The committee on the post office brought in a report.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the post office; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the post master general be authorized, during the present exigence, to appoint two additional surveyors of the post office, and that all the surveyors be allowed six dollars a day each, in full consideration of travelling expences, and all other allowances:
That the tour of the whole be as follows: one from Casco Bay to Philadelphia, or, during the enemy's being in possession of that city, to Lancaster; one from Philadelphia or Lancaster, to Edenton, in North Carolina, and the third from Edenton to Savannah, in Georgia:
That an inspector of dead letters be appointed, with salary of one hundred dollars a year: to examine all dead letters at the expiration of each quarter; to communicate to Congress such letters as contain inimical schemes or intelligence; to preserve carefully all money, loan office certificates, lottery tickets, notes of hand, and other valuable papers enclosed in any of them, and be accountable for them; and to keep a book containing an exact account of such papers, &c. so found, the date of the letters, from whence and by whom written, and to whom directed; that he be under oath faithfully and impartially to discharge the duties of his office; that he be enjoined to take no copy of any letter whatever, and not to divulge their contents to any but Congress, or those whom they may appoint for the purpose:
That the post go not out of his regular and usual course in order to pass by head quarters, but that the post masters on each side of head quarters, and nearest to them, have authority to hire expresses for the purpose of carrying letters for the army to the post office there:
That the rate of postage be increased fifty per centum
above its present rate, as the present profits of the office fall far shall of the expence created by it
Resolved
, That an allowance of 250 dollars be made to the present survevor of the post office, for past extraordinary services.
Resolved, That 3,000 o dollars be advanced to the Postmaster general for Post office expences, he to be accountable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, folio 443.
Resolved
, That the Committee of Intelligence be authorized to take the most speedy and effectual measures for getting a printing press erected in this town ∥York town, ∥ for the purpose of conveying to the public, the intelligence that Congress may, from time to time, receive.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the War Office, which was agreed to: Whereupon,
Resolved
, That a Board of War be established by Congress, to consist of three persons not members of Congress:
That there shall be a secretary to the said Board, to be appointed by Congress:
That the Board shall recommend, for the approbation and appointment of Congress, as many clerks as shall be necessary for assisting them in the execution of the business of their department:
That the powers and duties of the said Board shall be as follows:
To obtain and keep an alphabetical and accurate register of the names of all officers in the land forces in the service of the United States, with their ranks and the dates of their commissions; to fill up all military commissions which shall be signed by the president of Congress, and countersigned by the secretary of the war office, and to publish annually a register of all appointments.
To obtain and keep regular and exact accounts of the numbers and dispositon of the forces of the United States.
To obtain and keep exact accounts of all the artillery, arms, ammunition, warlike stores, cloathing, medicines, and provisions, belonging to the United States, and of the manner in which, and the places where the same shall, from time to time, be lodged and employed.
To take the immediate care and direction of all such artillery, arms, ammunition, and warlike stores, as shall not be employed in actual service.
To superintend the building and management of laboratories, arsenals, founderies, magazines, barracks, and other public buildings, the necessity of which they are, from time to time, to report to Congress.
To forward all despatches from Congress to the states
To superintend the raising, recruiting, and despatching, of the land forces in the service of the United State.
To take the care and direction of prisoners of war.
To lay before Congress proper and seasonable estimates of such artillery, arms, ammunition, and warlike stores, cloathing and medicines, as shall, from time to time, be wanted for the service of the United States.
To execute all such matters as they shall be directed, and give their opinion on all such subjects as shall be referred to them by Congress; and, in general, to superintend the several branches of the military department; and if, at any time, they think a measure necessary for the public service, to which their powers are incompetent, they shall communicate the same to Congress, for their direction therein.
To keep fair entries of all the business transacted by them.
The said Board shall sit in the place where Congress shall be held, and no member of the Board shall absent himself without leave of Congress:
All the proceedings of the Board shall be inspected by Congress, or a committee by them appointed for that purpose, once a month, or oftener, as may be thought proper and convenient; and every member of Congress may have free access to the records of the said Board, and take copies thereof, excepting copies of returns of the armies, provisions, or military stores, which shall not be delivered to any member without the order of Congress.
Resolved
, That all military and other officers attending upon or connected with the army of the United States,
That it be recommended to each of the United States, to give the said Board all necessary assistance in the execution of the business of their department.
Resolved
, That the salary of each of the three gentlemen who shall conduct the business of the Board of War, be two thousand dollars per annum.
Ordered
, That to morrow be assigned for electing commissioners to audit and settle the accounts of Georgia against the United States.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
A letter, of the 12th, from General Gates, at Saratoga, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, I, folio 272.
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
Resolved
, That all letters, returns and despatches relative to the public affairs of these United States, in the department of the Treasury Board, the Board of War, the Marine Committee, the Commercial Committee, the Committee of Foreign Affairs, and all other committees and departments, be, in future, directed to Congress or the president; any resolution of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Committee of Commerce laid before Congress a letter from Mr. Bingham, at Martinico, containing a copy
Congress, taking into consideration a resolve of the house of assembly of Georgia, of the 26 of May last, purporting, “that Captain de la Playne be empowered to engage two or three engineers of character, with some officers for the artillery service, and that there be delivered to him some blank continental commissions, which he may bestow on such officers as he shall think proper for recruiting men, both soldiers and sailors, which business, if completed, the officers and men shall be received into the continental batallions and service of that State; and that he do also receive cadets according to the usual custom of the army.”
Resolved
, That Congress highly disapprove of the continental commissions being sent abroad in the manner and for the use mentioned in the said resolve, as well as of the design to recruit soldiers for the continental service in foreign parts, without application to Congress, and permission from the princes and governments within whose dominions such recruits may be obtained.
Ordered
, That this resolve be transmitted to the American commissioners at Paris, by the Committee for Foreign Affairs:
That a copy be sent to the State of Georgia.
Ordered
, That the said letters and papers be referred to the Board of War.
A letter from William Shippen, director general, to the Medical Committee, was laid before Congress and read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
A letter, of the 16, from General Washington, at Wentz's tavern, enclosing a letter of the 8th, and one of the 13, from Jacob Duché; also, a letter of the 11, from Colonel David Mason, enclosing the judgment of a court martial on the trial of John More, a deserter, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 119. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 114.
Ordered
, That the judgment of the court martial be referred to the Board of War, and the letter from Colonel Mason to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of the 16th, from the Rev. Mr. George Duffield, at Trenton, was read, wherein he declares his acceptance of the office of chaplain to Congress.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VII, folio 139.
Congress proceeded to the election of one of the chaplains for the hospital in the middle department, and, the ballots being taken,
The Rev. Mr. Elihu Spencer was elected.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the governor and council of Maryland be informed that the artillery regiments in the service of the United States have suffered so much in the late engagements, that there are not a sufficient number to do the duty of artillery men in the army, and therefore that the government of that State be earnestly requested to order the companies of matrosses in the service of the State of Maryland to join the army immediately, and promising that the said companies shall be ordered to return whenever the government of that State shall require it.
Resolved
, That the result of the court of enquiry into
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 13, I, folio 2. The testimony taken on Sullivan's venture is in No. 63, folios 1–23.
Resolved
, That Brigadiers General Howe and M'Dougal, be promoted to the rank of Major General in the service of the United States.
Resolved
, That Mr. William Massey be appointed deputy muster master general to the continental troops raised or to be raised in the States of South Carolina and Georgia.
Resolved
, That those parts of Mr. President Rutledge's letter of the 8 August, and the whole of that of the 11th September, to the delegates of South Carolina, relative to Indian affairs, be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs:
Resolved
, That General R. Howe's letter of the 29 August last, relating to the general hospital in South Carolina, be referred to the Medical Committee.
Congress taking into consideration General Howe's letter of the 4 September, 1777, to the speaker and assembly of the State of Georgia, and another of the 28 August to the president of Congress, in which he represents the danger of an Indian war, being provoked by the wantonness and indiscretion of several persons in that State;
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the president and assembly of the State of Georgia, to use their utmost exertions to cultivate peace and harmony with the Indian nations; and to enable them to effect this salutary purpose, that they forthwith enact laws inflicting severe penalties on such of their inhabitants as
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 315.
Resolved
, That Samuel Allen M'Croskey and George Stevenson, Jun
Ordered
, That Mr. [Thomas] Heyward have leave of absence to convey his family to South Carolina.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs laid before Congress a letter of the 11 August from W. Lee, at Nantes, which was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met. No business done.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers by M
A letter, of the 18, from General Washington, and one, of the 16, from General Putnam, at Fishkill, both enclosing
Letters of Washington, Series A, III, folio 80. The letter of Putnam is in the
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 107; that of Sullivan, in No. 160, folio 75; that of Mifflin, in No. 181, folio 20; that of Lutterloe, in No. 161, folio 24; that of Trumbull, in No. 66, I, folio 345; and that of Mason, in No. 78, XV, folios 257, 261.
Ordered
, That the message from Captain White Eyes be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Resolved
, That Jesse Brown, who hath been employed as an express by his excellency Governor Trumbull to the different departments and to and from Congress, and hath proved himself faithful and alert in that business, submit his accounts for past services to the commissioners of accounts for the State of Connecticut, and charge the same to account of the United States; and that he be continued as an express in the continental service.
Resolved
, That the commissioners of the United States in France and Spain, have full power to superintend and direct the several agents and factors of the said states, employed in the kingdoms aforesaid; to remove such as they shall think disqualified for this office, and to appoint others in their room.
A motion being made for importing arms, ammunition, cloathing, &c.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel Jeremiah Dugan, to be paid to Mrs. Dugan, for the sum of two hundred dollars, advanced on account of his pay as a major commandant, he to be accountable:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 449.
That there be advanced to John Baynton, Esq
Congress resumed the consideration of the articles of confederation, as reported by the committee of the whole.
The fourth article being read and debated, on the question put, was agreed to, N. C. D.
The fifth article was read twice, and on the question put, the same was agreed to, N. C. D.
The sixth article was read, as follows: “No state shall lay any imposts or duties which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties hereafter entered into by the United States assembled, with any king, prince or state;” Whereupon it was moved, to strike out from the word “duties,” and insert “upon goods, wares or merchandise, imported or exported by any foreign nation with whom the United States assembled shall enter into any commercial treaty, other than what shall be laid upon the inhabitants of such state; provided that any state may totally prohibit the exportation or importation of any
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 109, is the following, in the writing of Richard Henry Lee:
“Strike out from the word “duties” and insert Upon goods wares or Merchandise imported or exported by any foreign Nation with whom the United States assembled shall enter into any Commercial Treaty, other than what shall be laid upon the inhabitants of such state,
or inconsistent with the stipulation contain Provided that any State may termly prohibit the exportation or importation of any particular Species of goods, wares or Merchandise, and provided also that if any foreign Nation shall not allow the same priviledges, exemptions, or advantages to the people and Vessels of any of these States trading in their Ports as to their own people and Vessels, the said State may disallow the like privileges, exemptions, and advantages to those foreigners.”
In the same volume, folio 109½, is the following in the writing of Elbridge Gerry:
“That the Revenue arising in each State from the Duties and Imports laid therein on Exports, and Imports, shall be Considered as the Property of the said State; but the Laws of each State imposing such Duties or Imposts, shall pass the Approbation of Congress before they are carried into Execution by such State.”
On the back of this slip, in the writing of John Adams, is the following:
“To [agree upon and fix] ascertain the necessary sums of Money to be raised for the service of the united States, and to appropriate and apply the same [to public uses] for defraying the public Expences.”
After some debate thereon, the farther consideration thereof was postponed till the afternoon.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met.
The committee appointed to confer with the commissary general of purchases, brought in a report:
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to Morrow.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 6th article of the confederation, and the amendment thereon; and the question being put on the amendment,
The states were equally divided.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
Resolved
, That the president issue his warrant on the treasurer for four thousand dollars, in favour of George Ross, Esq
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the case of John More, a private in the 4th Virginia regiment, tried and condemned to be shot for desertion, together with the proceedings of the court martial, be referred to General Washington for his determination thereupon.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 371. It contains the following:
“
Ordered, That the Chairman lay the letter from Daniel Clymer, Esq
A petition, from Daniel Shelly, a prisoner in the gaol of Carlisle, in the state of Pensylvania, together with a copy of his examination, were laid before Congress and read:
Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, III, 136.
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the executive council of the State of Pensylvania.
A letter from Daniel Clymer to R[ichard] Bache,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 111.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A petition and memorial of Cumberland Dugan, of Baltimore, was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
A petition from John Kerr was read.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to confer with the commissary general of purchases, on the measures adopted by him for obtaining the necessary supplies of provisions for the ensuing year,
together with a letter from the said commissary to the Committee, and an estimate of the necessary quantities of the respective species of provisions &c., for the support of the army.
and on a proposed alteration in the rations; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the commissary general of purchases be authorized and empowered to apply to the governor and council of safety of Connecticut, or to the board of war of the Massachusetts bay, or to empower the deputy commissary general of purchases for the eastern district, to import (or contract with persons who shall import and supply, on reasonable terms) a sufficient quantity of salt, for the army of the United States, in the middle district; that the masters of the vessels to be employed for this purpose, be severally directed to deliver their cargoes of salt at such ports in the middle or southern districts as the commissary general shall think most convenient, and that he order cargoes of flour or grain, on the arrival of these vessels at the ports aforesaid, to be provided and shipped in them for the army in the eastern district:
And the said governor and council of safety and board of war are severally requested to assist the commissary in accomplishing these purposes, and to grant or procure permits for exporting cargoes to purchase the salt.
And, whereas, there is an immediate demand for the article aforesaid in the middle district:
Resolved
, That the supreme executive authorities of the states of Massachusetts bay and Connecticut, be respectively requested to assist the commissary general of purchases in procuring waggons or teams for removing 12,000 bushels of salt from the eastern to the middle district, that the said commissary be directed to employ the waggons or teams procured in the Massachusetts bay, to remove the salt from thence to Connecticut; and those procured in the state last mentioned in removing the salt from thence to such places on the North River as he shall judge most convenient; and the said commissary general is directed to procure waggons or teams in the middle district, and load them with flour, to be delivered at the North River, and sent by the teams bringing the salt from Connecticut to the magazines of the army in that State; and that the waggons or teams from the middle district be employed to bring from the North River the salt to be deposited there as aforesaid:
That the commissary general of issues be directed to apply to General Washington for a certificate of the provisions allowed for each ration drawn by the army, previous to the appointment of himself to the office aforesaid, and to direct the several issuing commissaries under him to deliver provisions to the army agreeable to the said certificate, till the further order of Congress, any resolution of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding; and that the commissary general of issues transmit to Congress by the earliest opportunity, a copy of the certificate which he shall receive from General Washington.
Resolved
, That the alteration proposed by the commissary general of purchases in the ration at present ordered by Congress to be issued to the army, be transmitted to General Washington, and that he be desired to communicate to Congress his sentiments on this subject as soon as possible.
That a Committee be appointed to enquire into the Conduct of Colonel Morgan, agent of Indian Affairs; that they correspond with General Hand and such other persons as they may think capable of giving them Information, relative thereto, and that in the Interim the Business of the Commissary's Department be conducted, as heretofore, by Colonel Morgan.
Ordered
, That the committee who brought in the foregoing report prepare a plan for establishing a board to superintend the departments of the commissaries and quarter master general.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 95.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Whereas, reports injurious to the character of Colonel George Morgan, agent for Indian affairs at Fort Pitt, have prevailed, representing him as unfriendly to the cause of America:
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the conduct of Colonel Morgan; and that he be required forthwith to repair to Congress for that purpose; and that a proper person be appointed to perform the duties entrusted to Colonel Morgan until the event of such enquiry:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau and Mr. [Richard] Law.
Ordered
, That to morrow be assigned for appointing a
The Committee of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Lieutenant Colonel Levin Powell, for the use of part of the Virginia regiment, now on their march to join the main army, which regiment is under the command of Colonel William Grayson, the sum of 400 dollars, the said Colonel Grayson to be accountable:
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Major James Armstrong Wilson, 520 dollars, to purchase blankets for the use of two companies under his command, stationed at Carlisle, to guard the public stores deposited there.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 451.
The Board of Treasury farther reported, that they have reason to think, from the best information they can obtain, that Mr. Robert Ritchie, one of the commissioners of claims, has not removed from the city of Philadelphia, and find that the private concerns of Mr. Fitzsimons, another of the commissioners, has prevented his necessary attendance to the business of the said office;” Whereupon,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 447.
Resolved
, That two commissioners of claims be appointed to supply the places of the gentlemen aforesaid:
Ordered
, That to morrow be assigned for nominating the commissioners aforesaid, and also of a commissioner for auditing and settling accounts in the northern department, in the room of Mr. Robert Carter, who has resigned.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
Ordered
, That Dr. John Linn, appointed a director of the hospital in the district of Quebec, as appears by Brigadier General Wooster's orders, dated Albany, September 30, 1776, be referred for the settlement of his accounts, to the Board of Treasury.
Congress took into consideration a report of the Marine Committee of the 10 July last; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the Navy Board for the eastern department be empowered to suspend any commander or other officer in the continental navy within their district, until the pleasure of Congress shall be known, giving immediate notice thereof to the Marine Committee, with the causes of such suspension.
The Committee of Commerce, to whom the petition and memorial of Cumberland Dugan was referred, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the president issue his warrant for five thousand dollars on the treasurer, in favour of the Committee of Commerce, to enable them to settle the claims of Cumberland Dugan, specified in his petition and memorial referred to them; they to be accountable.
Congress resumed consideration of the Articles of Confederation, as reported by the committee of the whole.
The sixth article was read; whereupon it was moved to strike out the word “hereafter,” in the second line, and to add to the article ∥paragraph under debate on Tuesday, these words,∥ “in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress to the courts of France and Spain;” and, the question being put, the same was agreed to.
On the question put, the 6th article as amended passed.
The seventh article was read, and on the question put,
Resolved, in the affirmative, N. C. D.
The eighth article being read, and the question put,
Resolved in the affirmative, N. C. D.
The last sentence in the 9 article being read, and the question put,
Resolved in the affirmative, N. C. D.
The Tenth article being read and the question put,
Resolved in the affirmative, N. C. D.
The eleventh article was read, whereupon it was moved, after the word “reprisal” in the 8th line, to insert “Unless such state be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion and kept so long as the danger shall continue or till the united states in Congress assembled shall determine otherwise.” And the question being put, the same was agreed to.
The question being then put on the 11th article, as amended,
Resolved in the affirmative.
The 14 article was read, and debated by paragraphs, and the question being put severally thereon, the 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 paragraphs were agreed to. It was then moved after the word “captures” at the end of the 11th line, to insert “provided that no member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts. The united States in Congress assembled shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of.” And the question being put,
Resolved in the affirmative.
The 6 and 7 paragraphs as amended were agreed to.
It was moved, after the word, “alliances,” in the 13 line, to insert, “provided, that no treaty of commerce shall be made whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever:”
∥After debate, the farther consideration thereof was postponed to the afternoon. ∥
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Mrs. Fullerton for 160 dollars, being for the payment of her husband Humphrey Fullerton, his draught, dated Long Island, 1st May last, on the pay master of the flying camp, for sixty pounds, on account of his pay as surgeon to Colonel Swoop's Pensylvania batallion of the flying camp, he being taken prisoner at Fort Washington, and yet remaining so; he to be accountable.
Congress resumed the consideration of the amendment on the paragraph in the article of confederation, under consideration ∥ this morning, ∥ and after debate the motion was divided, and the yeas and nays being required on the first part, ∥ as far as the disjunctive “or;” ∥
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The question was then put on the second part of the motion, and the same was agreed to. The question being put on the paragraph with the amendment,
Resolved
, in the affirmative.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 85.
On motion,
Resolved
, That the farther consideration of the article be postponed till to morrow.
The Marine Committee brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That the president issue his draft on Nathaniel Appleton, Esq
Ordered
, That the president issue his draft on Joseph Clark, Esq
Ordered
, That the president issue his draft on Nathaniel Appleton, Esq
Resolved
, That any two being a majority of the navy board for the eastern department, in the absence of the other, be, and they are hereby empowered, to do and
Resolved
, That the clerk of the navy board for the eastern department, instead of the salary heretofore ordered, be allowed fifty-five dollars per month, and that the said navy board be, and they are hereby empowered, to appoint one other clerk, if they shall judge it absolutely necessary, and to allow him such salary as they shall judge adequate to his services, not exceeding the sum of fifty-five dollars per month.
∥The several matters to this day referred being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
A letter, of the 21, from General Washington, at White Marsh, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 143.
Ordered
, That an extract thereof, so far as relates to the recruiting service and taking up deserters, be sent to the executive powers of each State.
A memorial from Jonathan Trumbull, Jun
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A memorial, from Mons. de Crenis, praying to be appointed a lieutenant colonel of cavalry was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folios 31 and 41.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Committee on Foreign Applications.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of confederation ∥respecting the powers of Congress,∥ and, after some debate thereon, adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Resolved
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer for 500 dollars, in favour of William Shippen, Jun
Mr. President informed Congress that, with the advice of the Marine Committee, he had, on the 7th January last, issued a warrant on the treasurer for three thousand dollars, in favour of James Morris, Esq
Lexington
, as a gratuity, and also for two months' pay on account of wages due to the seamen of the
Lexington
, Mr. Morris to be accountable; with an order to the treasurer to omit charging this in the public books, till the books of the Marine Committee arrived, when the money would be properly charged; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That this warrant be entered and the money charged by the treasurer in the public books.
A letter, of the 19, from Brigadier Conway, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 457.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Committee to whom was referred ye letter of W
That a Deputy Commissary General of purchases, and a Deputy Commissary Gen
That assistant purchasing Commissaries be not allowed in ye district aforesaid.
That ye said Deputy Commissary General of issues be directed to receive from Col
Agreed.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 437. The word “agreed” is by another hand. The report or conclusions were not entered upon the Journals.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of confederation ∥ relative to the powers of Congress, ∥ and, after some time spent thereon,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
The Committee on the Treasury reported, that they have audited the account of the hon
Ordered
, That the treasurer pay the said balance to the hon
The said committee brought in a farther report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Simon Hancock, captain of a company in Colonel Josias Clapham's batallion of Virginia militia, the sum of fifty dollars, the said Colonel Clapham to be accountable:
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 453.
The Committee on Indian Affairs brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the application of Abraham Nimham and his companions, in behalf of the Stockbridge Indians, to be employed in the service of the United States, be referred to Major General Gates, to whose army they are requested to repair.
Ordered
, That the sum of two hundred dollars be paid to the said Abraham Nimham, for the use of himself and his companions, and as an acknowledgment for their zeal in the cause of the United States.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 9. It has the following memorandum in the writing of Charles Thomson: “The law meaning of quorum I have always understood to [be] when the King appoints several persons to constitute a court, but distinguishes one or more by say[ing] that he shall be one necessary to constitute the court.”
A letter, from Richard W. Stockton and others, prisoners in Carlisle gaol, and a letter, of the 22d, from the committee of Carlisle, with one enclosed from Dr. John Kearsley, were read, representing the uncomfortableness of the gaol, on account of the windows not being glazed;
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 273.
Resolved
, That the president write to the committee of Carlisle, and request them to apply to the commissioners of the county, and desire them to have the gaol made as comfortable as circumstances will admit, for the accommodation of the prisoners.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of confederation ∥respecting the powers of Congress;∥ Whereupon,
It was moved to strike out “coining money and regulating the value thereof,” and insert, “regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective states:” and on the question put, resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved
, That the farther consideration of the articles of confederation, be postponed to Monday.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, ∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
Prayers.
The committee appointed to consider the letter from the hon
Ordered
, To lie on the table.
A letter, of the 24, from General Washington, enclosing copy of a letter from Commodore Hazlewood dated 23; one, of the 23, from Samuel Ward, at Red Bank and of one, of the same date from Robert Ballard, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 147. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 136.
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14th article of confederation, ∥respecting the powers of Congress;∥ Whereon it was moved to strike out ∥these words,∥ “deciding all disputes and differences now subsisting or that concern hereafter may arise between two or more states concerning
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 48.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of the confederation ∥last under debate.∥
It was moved to strike out in the 19 and 20 lines “not members of any of the states,” and insert “not residing within the limits of any of the United States;” to this an amendment was moved to strike out the whole paragraph and insert, “managing all affairs relative to war and peace with all Indians not members of any particular State, and regulating the trade with such nations and tribes as are not resident within such limits wherein a particular State claims, and actually exercises jurisdiction:” after debate,
Resolved
, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of confederation, and, the amendments moved, and after
a considerable
debate adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Robert Jewell, for maintaining prisoners in the Philadelphia new gaol, from the 19 August to the 24 September, for the salary due him and his two assistants,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 455.
A petition from Henry Watts, and a memorial from the Chevalier Dorset, were read :
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 424.
Ordered
, That the former be referred to the Board of War, and the latter to the Committee on Foreign Applications.
Congress resumed the consideration of the articles of confederation, and instead of the two former amendments, it was moved to add to the paragraph as reported these words, “provided, that the legislative right of any State, within its own limits be not infringed or violated.” The question being put on this amendment, the same was agreed to.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
A petition from Mons. le Brun, was read, praying that the president would grant him a certificate to verify the death of the late Mons. Charles Tronson du Coudray, brigadier, colonel, and adjutant general of artillery in France, born in Rheims, in the province of Champeigne, which happened the fifteenth day of September, 1777, and representing that such a certificate is necessary for his family, and that he would wish to have it triple, in order to send it to his brother by different ways:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 289.
Ordered
, That the prayer of the petition be granted.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of confederation, whereon it was moved to strike out the words “general officers” in the 24 line, and insert “all officers:” and to add after “United States,” “excepting regimental officers.” And on the question put, the same was agreed to.
It was then moved to strike out the next paragraph, and in the following paragraph, after the word “forces” to insert these words, “and commissioning all officers whatever.” And on the question put, the same was agreed to.
The president having taken leave of Congress.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Met.
Resolved
, That the secretary officiate as president until a new choice is made.
On motion,
Ordered
, That the secretary wait upon the president and request him to furnish the house with a copy of the speech with which he took leave of Congress.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of confederation, and after some time spent thereon.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Stevens Thomson Mason, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 425.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the government of the State of Connecticut be requested to permit the workmen at Salisbury iron works to cast mortars for continental use of such calibres, and in such numbers, as shall be directed by Brigadier General Knox, and that he be informed of this resolution, and desired to write to Governor Trumbull on the subject:
That a letter be written by the Board of War to the government of the State of New York, representing, in the strongest terms, the great want of lead, the absolute necessity there is for providing seasonable resources of that article: that it be therefore earnestly recommended to the said government forthwith to take measures for having the lead mines in that State worked; and that, in case a sufficient number of labourers cannot be procured for that purpose, the commissary general of prisoners be directed to furnish a competent number of prisoners of war for that end.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folios 375 and 377.
Resolved
, That William Feltman, second lieutenant in Captain Weaver's independent company, be advanced to the rank of first lieutenant:
That Ensign Bachenstone be promoted to the rank of second lieutenant; and
That Joseph Bank be appointed an ensign in the said company.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 373. The report had the following note: “An Officer is Waiting in Town for the Confirmation of the above promotions, by Congress, and for the Commissions.”
Congress resumed the consideration of the 14 article of confederation, whereon it was moved in the 2d 1. 4 p. to strike out “council of state, and such”
Resolved in the affirmative.
A motion was then made [on] the first part of the next paragraph, when, at the desire of a State, the consideration thereof was postponed.
It was then moved to strike out “and a suitable person for a secretary,” ∥and read “to appoint one of their number to preside:”∥ and after the word “year” in the 8 line to insert, “so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six months.”
In the 9 line to strike out “agree on and fix” and assert “ascertain,” and after “sums” to strike out “and expences,” and insert, “of money to be raised for the service of the United States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expences:”
in the 11 line after “States” to add, “transmitting every half year to the respective states an account of the money so borrowed or emitted.”
in the 16 line after “and,” to insert “cloath.”
in the 171, after “manner,” to insert “at the expence of the united states.”
in the 18 l. after “so,” to insert “cloathed.”
in the 27 l. after “officered,” to insert “cloathed.”
in the 32 l. before “arm,” to insert “cloath.”
in the 34 l. before “armed,” to insert “cloathed.”
in the 39 l. to strike out “except for peace.”
And the questions being severally put thereon,
Resolved in the affirmative.
It was then moved after “same” in the 47 l. to insert “provided that the nine states so assenting shall comprehend a majority of the people of the united states excluding negroes and indians, for which purpose a true account of the number of free people in each State shall be triennially taken and transmitted to the assembly of the united states.” And the yeas and nays being required:
So it passed in the negative.
It was then moved after “kind” in the 8 1. to strike out “shall be capable of being a delegate.”
And in the 6 l. after “person” to insert “being a delegate shall be capable of.”
On the question put,
Resolved in the affirmative.
And the question being put on the several paragraphs as amended, the same were agreed to.
The next paragraph was divided, and the question being put on the first part,
Resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved to amend the second part:
In the 14 l.5 p. after “question,” to insert “except on a previous question.”
In the 16 line to strike out “delegate” and insert “state;” and the question being severally put,
Passed in the negative.
The yeas and nays being required, and the question put on the second part as reported:
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The question being put on the third and last part of the paragraph,
Resolved in the affirmative.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
A letter, of the 18 October, from General Gates, with the copy of the convention at Saratoga,
whereby General Burgoyne surrenders himself and his whole army
; and another, of the 20th, enclosing the copy of a letter from him to Major General John Vaughan, were read :
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, I, folio 278.
Ordered
, That the letters from General Gates, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Board of War, and that the Committee of Intelligence publish the convention.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of thanksgiving, for the signal success, lately obtained over the enemies of these United States:
The members chosen, Mr. S[amuel] Adams, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, and Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau.
A letter from Robert Towers, to Mr. Roberdeau, was laid before Congress and read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Ordered
, That Colonel Wilkinson, who brought the despatches from General Gates, be directed to attend [Congress]:
Colonel Wilkinson attending, was admitted, and having informed Congress that he had sundry papers to lay before Congress as soon as he could have time to digest and arrange them, and having answers to sundry questions relative to the situation of our army, and those of the enemy, before, at the time of, and since the capitulation of General Burgoyne, he withdrew.
Ordered
, That an express be immediately despatched to General Washington, with a copy of General Gates's letter to Congress, and the enclosed capitulation.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
∥
Four o'Clock, p. m
.∥
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be paid to William Buchanan, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 457.
Ordered
, That the speech with which Mr. [John] Hancock took leave of Congress, be entered on the journal, which is as follows:
Gentlemen
: Friday last compleated two years and five months since you did me the honour of electing me to fill this chair. As I could never flatter myself your choice proceeded from any idea of my abilities, but rather from a partial opinion of my attachment to the liberties of America, I felt myself under the strongest obligations to discharge the duties of the office, and I accepted the appointment with the firmest resolution to go through the business annexed to it in the best manner I was able. Every argument conspired to make me exert myself, and I endeavoured, by industry and attention, to make up for every other deficiency.
As to my conduct, both in and out of Congress, in the execution of your business, it is improper for me to say any thing. You are the best judges. But I think I shall be forgiven if I say I have spared no pains, expence, or labour, to gratify your wishes, and to accomplish the views of Congress.
My health being much impaired, I find some relaxation absolutely necessary, after such constant application; I must therefore request your indulgence for leave of absence for two months.
But I cannot take my departure, gentlemen, without expressing my thanks for the civility and politeness I have experienced from you. It is impossible to mention this without a heartfelt pleasure.
If, in the course of so long a period as I have had the honour to fill this chair, any expressions may have dropped from me that may have
May every happiness, gentlemen, attend you, both as members of this house and as individuals; and I pray heaven, that unanimity and perseverance may go hand in hand in this house; and that every thing which may tend to distract or divide your councils be forever banished.
It was then moved, that the thanks of Congress be presented to John Hancock, Esq
After debate it was moved, that the consideration of this motion be postponed, till the sense of Congress be taken on a general proposition, and on the question put,
Resolved in the affirmative.
It was then moved to resolve, as the opinion of this Congress, that it is improper to thank any president for the discharge of the duties of that office;
And the yeas and nays being required:
So the states were equally divided.
The question being then put on the first motion, and the yeas and nays required:
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Mr. [William] Clingan, a delegate from Pensylvania, attended and took his seat.
Congress proceeded to the choice of a president; and, the ballots being taken,
The Hon
Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, V, 735.
The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to these states, to set apart a day of thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was agreed to as follows:
Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with
And it is further recommended, that servile labour, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 431.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
Prayers.
A letter, of the 24 October, from R. Bache; one, of the 20th of the same month, from Governor Trumbull, enclosing a resolution passed in the house of assembly of Connecticut, 11 of the same month; one, of the 25 of the same month, from General Sullivan, with sundry papers enclosed, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, folio 5; that of Trumbull, in No. 66, I, folio 349.
Ordered
, That the president return an answer to Major General Sullivan, and enclose him a copy of the resolution passed the 20th October last:
ante.
That the letter from Governor Trumbull, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the commissary general of purchases, and that they be directed to confer farther with the commissary general on the subject, and bring in a report this afternoon:
That the letter from Mr. Bache be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered
, That Colonel Wilkinson be admitted to lay before Congress ∥this afternoon∥ sundry papers relative to the affairs in the northern department.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
According to order, Colonel Wilkinson attended and delivered a message from General Gates, in the words following:
I have it in charge from Major General Gates to represent to the hon
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 57, folio 23.
He then laid before Congress sundry original papers, relative to the convention, which were read, viz.
No. 1. A message from Lieutenant General Burgoyne to Major General Gates, with General Gates's answer, the 13 October, 1777:
2. A message from Lieutenant General Burgoyne to Major General Gates, October 14, 1777:
3. Another message accompanying the former:
4. General Gates's proposals to General Burgoyne, with General Burgoyne's answer:
5. A message from General Burgoyne to General Gates:
6. General Burgoyne's proposals, and General Gates's answer:
7. Message from General Burgoyne to General Gates, October 15:
8. Another message from General Burgoyne to General Gates, October 16:
9. Message from General Gates to General Burgoyne:
10. Return of General Burgoyne's army, which surrendered:
11. Return of ordnance, &c. taken and surrendered:
12. Articles of convention:
13. General Gates's explanation to include General Burgoyne in the convention:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 57, folio 96. A list of twelve of the papers, and some notes evidently of Wilkinson's testimony, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is in No. 59, II, folio 69.
After which Colonel Wilkinson withdrew.
The committee to whom was referred the letter from Governor Trumbull, with the enclosed resolution of the general assembly of Connecticut, brought in a report, which was read and considered; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That a copy of the resolutions of Congress of the 4th of October last, relative to the department of the purchasing and issuing commissaries, be forthwith transmitted by express to the governor and council of safety of Connecticut, who are authorized and requested to appoint a deputy commissary general of purchases, and a deputy commissary general of issues for the eastern district, provided the appointments of Congress to the respective offices aforesaid are not accepted, and General Putnam has not made such appointments, agreeable to the powers given him by the resolution last mentioned, or that the officers so appointed should appear to the said governor and council incompetent to the business:
That a copy of the preceding resolution be transmitted by the express aforesaid to Major General Putnam, who is directed to inform his excellency Governor Trumbull of his conduct relative to the premises, and to direct the officers who may have accepted the appointments aforesaid, forthwith to apply to the governor and council of safety for instructions, and that General Putnam cease to proceed further in the business aforesaid:
That a duplicate warrant for two hundred thousand dollars, on the loan office of the State of New York, be issued by the president in favour of William Buchanan, Esq
That the governor and council aforesaid be requested to afford such assistance to the officers in the purchasing and issuing departments of the eastern district, as shall be requisite for obtaining the necessary supplies of provisions for the army, and furnishing them therewith, and that they be farther requested to advance such supplies of money as may be immediately wanted by the deputy commissary general of purchases aforesaid, and take his order therefor on the commissary general of purchases.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 253.
A motion being made for directing the future operations of General Gates:
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. J[ohn] Adams and Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
The Marine Committee brought in a report, which was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in faveur of Thomas White, for five hundred dollars, in discharge of John Ashe, provincial treasurer of North Carolina, his following drafts on the continental treasurer, in favour of the said T. White, expressed for the service of the United States, for which sum the said State is to be accountable, and is to be considered as part of the five hundred thousand dollars heretofore appropriated for the use of the said State, viz. one dated 9 May, for 100 dollars, one, dated 10 May, for 100 dollars, and one dated 11 May, for 300 dollars.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Robert Morris, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Richard Bache, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Colonel Nathaniel Gist, to be paid to Lieutenant Francis Nure, of Captain Joseph Smith's company, of the said regiment, and for the use thereof, the sum of 350 dollars, the said Colonel Gist to be accountable.
Ordered
, That a warrant for two hundred dollars issue in favour of Colonel Josias Carvil Hall, to be paid to Captain John Sulman, of his regiment, for the use of a party under his command, the said Colonel Hall to be accountable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 459.
A letter, from Colonel Sheldon, of the 25 October, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress:
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved
, That his excellency Governor Caswell of North Carolina, be requested to erect a monument of the value of 500 dollars, at the expence of these United States, in honor of the memory of Brigadier General Francis Nash, who fell in the battle of Germantown, on the 4 day of October, 1777, bravely contending for the independence of his country.
Resolved
, That the thanks of Congress, in their own name, and in behalf of the inhabitants of the thirteen United States, be presented to Major General Gates, commander in chief in the northern department, and to Majors General Lincoln and Arnold, and the rest of the officers and troops under his command, for their brave and successful efforts in support of the independence of their country, whereby an army of the enemy of 10,000 men has been totally defeated, one large detachment of it, strongly posted and entrenched, having been conquered at Bennington, another repulsed with loss and disgrace from Fort Schuyler, and the main army of six thousand men, under Lieutenant General Burgoyne, after being beaten in different actions and driven from a formidable post, and strong entrenchments, reduced to the necessity of surrendering themselves upon
Resolved
, That Congress have an high sense of the merit of Colonel Green, and the officers and men under his command, in their late gallant defence of the fort at Red Bank, on Delaware river; and that an elegant sword be provided by the Board of War, and presented to Colonel Green.
Resolved
, That Congress have a high sense of the merit of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, and the officers and men under his command, in their late gallant defence of Fort Mifflin, on the river Delaware; and that an elegant sword be provided by the Board of War, and presented to Lieutenant Colonel Smith.
Resolved
, That Congress have an high sense of the merit of Commodore Hazlewood, the commander of the naval force in Delaware river, in the service of the commonwealth of Pensylvania, and of the officers and men under his command, in their late gallant defence of their country against the British fleet, whereby two of their men of war were destroyed, and four others compelled to retire; and that an elegant sword be provided by the Marine Committee, and presented to Commodore Hazlewood.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Met.
The proceedings of a general court martial, held at the German Flats, August 20, 1777, by order of Major General
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The committee to whom was referred the motion for directing the future operations of the army under the command of General Gates, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and, after debate,
Resolved, That General Gates be directed to make a proper disposition of the army under his command for reducing forthwith the posts of the enemy on the North or Hudson's River, keeping in mind the importance of regaining the possession of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, at such time as he shall judge most convenient.
Resolved
, That it be re-committed, and that Mr. [William] Duer be added to the committee.
A letter, of the 3d, from the president of the council of Pensylvania, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 429. It is printed in
Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, V, 738.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Marine Committee reported, “that they have received a letter from the navy board at Bordentown, dated the 27 October last, informing them of orders given by General Washington to scuttle the frigates in the river Delaware, in order to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, and that having taken the same into consideration, they are of opinion, that the frigates should be lightened as much as possible, and either run into some adjacent creek or hauled as high upon shore as may be without ballast, and a battery constructed with the guns of the
Washington
on the most convenient ground, to cover the frigates from the enemy; that the frigates should be charged properly with combustibles, and a careful watch employed under a vigilant officer to
Ordered
, That a copy of the said report be sent to General Washington for his approbation, and if he approve the same, that a detachment of troops be sent to assist in the construction and management of the batteries aforesaid.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter from Monsieur de la Balme, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VII, folio 143.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was read:
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
The committee to whom was re-committed the report for directing the future operations of the army under the command of General Gates, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That General Washington be informed that it is the earnest wish of Congress to regain the possession of the forts and passes of the North or Hudson's river, and to secure the communication thereof; and for that purpose, that General Gates should remain in command in that quarter; and that General Putnam be called upon to join the main army with such a detachment from the army under the command of General Gates, as General Washington may think can be spared, not exceeding the number of two thousand five hundred men, including Colonel Morgan's corps:
That a copy of the foregoing resolution be sent to General Gates, and that he be directed to make a proper disposition of the army under his command for reducing, forthwith, the posts of the enemy on the North river, and that he order such of the continental troops and militia, in the service of the United States, as are posted on or near the said river, to join him for the services aforementioned:
That General Gates be empowered to apply to the respective states of Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, for such a number of their militia as he shall judge necessary to maintain the posts which he shall order to be taken on the said river, to the end that his army may be in readiness to pursue such operations as Congress shall direct; and that the said militia be inlisted to serve until the fifteenth day of March next, unless sooner discharged by Congress or the commander in chief:
That General Washington be directed to order one or more able engineers to the North river, to attend the army under the command of General Gates:
That General Gates be empowered to order such a
That the governor and council of the State of New York be furnished with a copy of these resolutions, and requested to appoint a committee of three active and judicious persons, to assist General Gates in obtaining such artificers and materials for accomplishing these purposes as he shall direct; and the said committee are empowered to apply to the several states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, for their assistance, who are requested to afford the same by furnishing the said committee with such artificers and materials as they, by direction of General Gates, shall apply for; and the said states are respectively requested to furnish such a number of men as General Gates shall require, to accomplish the important and salutary purpose of maintaining the communication between the northern and southern states, by keeping possession of the North river:
That General Gates be authorized and directed to apply to the State of New York, and the states eastward of North River, for such aids as he shall judge necessary for the reduction of Ticonderoga and Fort Independence, if not reduced by General Stark, at such time as he shall deem best adapted for that expedition; and that the said states be requested to supply General Gates with such a number of their militia as he shall judge necessary for the purposes intended:
That General Gates be directed to take effectual care that the fortifications which shall be erected on the North river be not too extensive, and that each be compleated
That if General Washington, after consulting with General Gates and Governor G. Clinton, shall be of opinion, that a reinforcement exceeding the number above-mentioned can be detached to the main army, consistent with the attainment of the objects specified in the preceding resolutions, in such case he be directed to order such further reinforcements to the main army as may be thought conducive to the general welfare, any thing in the preceding resolutions to the contrary notwithstanding.
In debating the last resolution, it was moved after “directed” to insert “with their concurrence;” and the yeas and nays being required:
So it passed in the negative.
The question being put on the resolution, and the yeas and nays required;
∥So it was resolved in the affirmative.∥
The Board of Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be paid to John Conner, late a fifer in the invalid regiment, 14 60/90 dollars, for two month's pay due to him before his being discharged, as per Colonel Lewis Nicola's certificate, the said sum to be charged to the colonel:
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of William Buchanan, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Belcher P. Smith, for 205 48/90 dollars, being for his services as a clerk in the secretary's office, from 1 July to 5 November, and for sundry contingent expences:
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Joseph Borden, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of the delegates for the State of North Carolina, for the use of that State, for one thousand dollars, it being advanced on application of the hon
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Abraham Clark, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 461. The last paragraph providing for an emission of bills of credit is printed under November 7, 1777,
post.
At a Board of War
,
Nov. 5, 1777
.
Agreed to report to Congress,
That Elisha Sheldon, Esq, have a Commission of Colonel of Horse dated the 12th Day of December, 1776, and that General Washington be desired to commissionate the Officers of Colonel Sheldon's Regiment as speedily as possible according to the Rules established as to the relative Rank of Officers.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 379. The paragraph was struck out, and the second paragraph was added by Charles Thomson.
That General Washington be directed immediately to settle the relative ranks of the officers of the cavalry and to issue their commissions accordingly; and that he be furnished with copies of the several resolutions of Congress on that subject.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 1, continued to the 3d, from General Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 161. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 156.
Ordered
, That the recommendation in favour of Mons. de Vrigny, being one of the papers enclosed in the General's letter, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Applications:
Ordered
, That the General's letter, with the other papers enclosed, be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved
, That Colonel James Wilkinson, adjutant general in the northern army, in consideration of his services in that department, and being strongly recommended by General Gates as a gallant officer, and a promising military genius, and having brought the despatches to Congress, giving an account of the surrender of Lieutenant General Burgoyne and his army, on the 17 day of October last, be continued in his present employment, with a brevet of brigadier general in the army of the United States.
Resolved
, That the unremitted attention shewn by Dr. Potts, and the officers of the general hospital in the northern department, [as represented in General Gates's letter to Congress, of the]
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 381. The members of the Board present were: Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, Joseph Jones, William Williams and John Harvie.
Congress took into consideration a report from the Board of War of the 23 July; and, making some progress therein,
Ordered
, That it be re-committed.
Congress being informed that the commissary general of issues has not assigned districts to the several deputy commissaries general of issues, agreeable to the regulations of his department,
Resolved
, That the said commissary general of issues, be directed forthwith to make such assignments, and communicate the same to the governor and council of the State of Connecticut, and his respective deputies.
A motion being made and read ∥respecting the convention of Saratoga, ∥
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of four:
The members chosen, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Joseph] Jones, and Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
A letter, of the 25 October, from the council of Massachusetts bay, and one, of the same date, from General Heath, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 65, I, folio 269. That of Heath is in No. 157, folio 17.
Ordered
, That the letter from General Heath, be referred to the committee appointed in the forenoon ∥on the motion respecting the convention of Saratoga, and∥ that the letter from the council be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of ∥committee on the∥ Treasury brought in a report, which was read:
post.
Ordered
, That it be re-committed.
Congress took into consideration the report which was made yesterday by the Board of War; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That General Washington be directed immediately to settle the relative ranks of the officers of the cavalry, and to issue their commissions accordingly, and that he be furnished with copies of the several resolutions of Congress on that subject.
Ordered
, That the confederation be taken into consideration to morrow.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Captain James O'Harra, the sum of two thousand dollars, agreeable to the request of the Board of War, for the purchase of shoes, hats and blankets for the use of the independent companies at Fort Pitt, under the command of General Hand, which sum is to be charged to the general:
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Colonel William Beatty, for the use of a batallion of militia under his command from Frederick county, Maryland, for the sum of one thousand dollars, the said Colonel Beatty to be accountable:
Ordered
, That there be paid to Jacob Gotwalt and Simon Keeppenhover, the sum of 60 72/90 dollars, for their expences as an escort to British prisoners from York town to Brunswick, in New Jersey, by direction of the Board of War last winter:
Ordered
, That there be paid to Jacob Rush, Esq
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Adjutant Thomas Taylor, of the Georgia batallion, commanded by Colonel J. White, the sum of 200 dollars, to enable him to bring in deserters of the said regiment, the said sum to be charged to the State of Georgia, and to be considered as a part of the three hundred thousand dollars appropriated for the use of that State.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 465.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Ordered
, That a duplicate of the recommendation of Congress to the several states to set apart a day of thanksgiving, signed by the president, be sent to the respective states, and to General Washington and General Gates.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Board of Treasury, of the 5th; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That one million of dollars be emitted under the direction of the Treasury Board and on the faith of the United States:
That the bills shall, excepting the numbers, be of the same tenor and date as the emission directed on the 13th of August last, be numbered from the last number of each respective denomination, viz.
That all power and duties of Michael Hillegas, Esq
ante.
Whereas, Major General Mifflin, by his letter of the 8th day of October last, has requested leave to resign his commissions of major general, and quarter master general in the army, on account of his ill state of health:
Resolved
, That General Mifflin's resignation of his commission of quarter master general be accepted, but that his rank and commission of major general be continued to him, without the pay annexed to that office, until farther order of Congress.
Congress proceeded to the election of a Board of War, and the ballots being taken,
General Mifflin, Colonel Timothy Pickering, and Colonel Robert H. Harrison, were elected.
Ordered
, That the president inform the several gentlemen of their appointment, and desire their attendance with all convenient despatch.
A memorial from John Richards, in behalf of himself, James Taylor and company, and Hall and Hornor, was laid before Congress, and read.
Congress being informed, that Mr. Houston has declined the office of deputy secretary, ∥on account of his being elected a member of assembly, for the State of New Jersey:∥
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XI, folio 243.
Resolved
, That another deputy secretary be appointed:
Resolved
, That the pay of the deputy secretary be seventy-five dollars per month.
Resolved
, That Jacob Rush, be appointed deputy secretary.
On motion,
Resolved
, That Mr. John Eustace, who has served with honour, fidelity and bravery as aid-de-camp to General Lee and General Sullivan, have the commission of a major,
Resolved
, That to morrow be assigned for electing a quarter master general in the room of General Mifflin.
The Board of Treasury, to whom was recommitted their report of the 6th, reported, “That agreeable to the order of Congress, referring to the Board the claims of Mens. le Brun and the other French gentlemen who accompanied the late Mons. du Coudray from France in consequence of an agreement with Mr. Deane, they have been attended by Mons. le Brun, who is agent for the other gentlemen:
That the Board offered Mons. le Brun to report it as their opinion, and which they had reason to believe would be agreeable to Congress, notwithstanding they had declared that the United States were not bound by Mr. Deane's convention, that Mons. le Brun and all the other gentlemen whom he represents should be received into the service of the United States and enjoy the several ranks and employments which had been stipulated for them by Mr. Deane, and the same pay and appointments which were allowed to other officers of similar ranks and employments in the American army, explaining, at the same time, the mischief which must arise from partial distinctions in the appointments of the officers of the army; that they had made the same propositions and remarks with respect to him and the gentlemen whom he represents, to Mons
That Congress, on the 13th day of October last, did pass the following resolution:
“
Resolved
, That the commissioned and non-commissioned officers who have accompanied Mons
That it appears from a memorial presented to Congress by Mons
Resolved
, That it is the opinion of this committee, that the return of the said gentlemen to France, at their own request, be facilitated, and that it will be doing full justice to allow them continental pay according to their respective stations, from the time of their agreement with Mr. Deane, to the first day of November, 1777, their expences in travelling to the eastward or southward for embarkation for Europe, and a farther sum in bills of exchange for their passages to France and travelling charges to Paris; that the bills be drawn in their favour, by the president, on the commissioners in France, at thirty days'
Of which they have been paid 11,421 dollars, so that there remains a balance of pay 4,201 ⅔ dollars, for travelling expences 2,800 dollars, and for taking a draught at Marcus Hook 219 dollars, amounting in the whole to 7,220 ⅔ dollars.
The said report being read,
Resolved
, That Congress agree to the said report and resolution of the Board of Treasury, and that the said balance of seven thousand two hundred and twenty dollars and two thirds of a dollar be paid, and the bills drawn ∥for 25,200 livres∥ accordingly.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a farther report, which was read; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the provision made for Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 467.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
A motion being made for supplying Colonel Dayton with a horse,
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Application being made by Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 291.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War, with power to grant his request, and to employ the waggons on their return in such public service as they think proper.
Congress resumed the consideration of the confederation.
It was moved, in the 6 line, p. 4, after “preside,” to insert “provided that no person be allowed to serve in that office more than one year in any term of three years:” and the yeas and nays being required:
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved to strike out the whole fifteenth article ∥relative to the powers of the committee of the states,∥ and insert, “The committee of the states, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of
On motion, in the 2 line of the 16 article ∥respecting Canada∥ to strike out “entirely” ∥before “joining” and read “Canada acceding to this confederation and joining in the measures of the United States,”∥ resolved in the affirmative.
Ordered
, That Mr. Samuel Adams, and Mr. J[ohn] Adams, have leave of absence to visit their families.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
The committee to whom was referred a proposition made to Congress on the subject of the convention between Lieutenant General Burgoyne and Major General Gates, brought in a report; which was read:
Upon motion, to postpone the consideration thereof:
So it was determined in the affirmative.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee brought in this morning: Whereupon,
Resolved
, That Major General Heath be directed forthwith, to cause to be taken down the name and rank of every commissioned officer, and the name, former place of abode, occupation, size, age, and description of every non-commissioned officer and private soldier, and all other persons comprehended in the convention made between Lieutenant General Burgoyne and Major General Gates, on the 16 day of October, 1777, and transmit an authentic copy thereof to the Board of War, in order that if any officer, soldier, or other person, as above mentioned, of the said army, shall hereafter be found in arms against these states in North America during the present contest, he may be convicted of the offence, and suffer the punishment in such case inflicted by the law of nations:
That Major General Heath be directed to take the parole in writing of the officers according to the convention, and
Ordered
, That the committee have leave to sit again.
A memorial from sundry officers of the Pensylvania troops was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, folio 169.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved
, That General Mifflin be desired, notwithstanding his resignation of quarter master general is accepted, to continue in the exercise of that office, and that he be invested with full powers to act until another quarter master general is appointed and enters upon the duties of the office.
Mifflin, 8 November, 1777.
The Committee on Foreign Applications reported a memorial and proposal of Mons
Ordered
, That they be referred to the Board of War, and that they be empowered to enter into a contract with Mons
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
Prayers, Mr. Duffield.
A letter, of the 30, and one of the 31 October, from General Gates at Albany, with one, of the 26, from Governor Clinton to General Gates:
A memorial, from Mons. le Brun; a letter, of the 8,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, I, folios 288 and 292. That of Clinton is in No. 67, II, folio 83; that of Buchanan, in No. 78, II, folio 293.
Ordered
, That the letter from Governor Clinton be referred to the Board of War; and that the letters of the 30 and 31 October, from General Gates, the letters from Mr. Buchanan, and the memorial from Mons
Sundry depositions relative to the conduct of one Lieutenant Reynolds, of the additional regiments, were read:
Ordered
, That the same be referred to General Washington, and that he be directed to cause strict enquiry to be made into the conduct of Lieutenant Reynolds, as set forth in the said depositions, that if found guilty he may be punished as his crimes deserve.
Congress took into consideration a report of the Board of War of the 6th; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the Committee of Foreign Affairs be directed to write to the commissioners of the United States, in France and Spain, to purchase and ship, on continental account, in armed vessels, in addition to what has been heretofore ordered by Congress,
fifty thousand blankets of a proper sort for soldiers
five hundred tons of lead, four hundred tons of powder, one million gun-flints, tents for fifty thousand men, and ten thousand yards of flannel for cartridges, to be sent to such ports or places as the said committee shall direct; and that the former orders of Congress, and the commercial committee for cloathing, fire-arms, equipage, brass field-pieces, salt, and other articles, and for 130,000 blankets, be compleated as soon as may be:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 383. The members of the Board present were: Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, John Harvie, Joseph Jones, and William Williams. The report called for “all the Blanketts they can possibly procure in any Part of Europe.”
That the committee be also directed to write to the commissioners, and instruct them to contract with, and send over, by different conveyances, two or three persons, well acquainted with the making of gun-flints, in order to instruct persons in that business, and introduce into these states so useful a manufacture; [likewise, three or more proper persons, skilful in working lead mines and refining lead ore, and three or more persons, skilful in the discovery of sulphur mines, and manufacturing and refining sulphur.]
Ordered
, That the Commercial Committee, and the Committee of Foreign Affairs, immediately report to Congress what orders they have transmitted to the commissioners of the United States, in France and Spain, for military supplies, designating what have arrived, and such as they are informed have been taken by the enemy, or have miscarried.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 384-1.
Resolved
, That General Gates be authorized to order the deputy pay master general to pay, upon the certificates of such officers as he shall think proper, the sums due to the officers and soldiers of the army, under his command, for rations or parts of rations, allowed to, but not drawn by them, respectively, provided the regulations of the commissary's department, relative to the payment of rations as aforesaid, be no longer dispensed with than General Gates shall judge it necessary.
Ordered
, That to morrow be assigned for appointing a deputy commissary general of purchases and a deputy commissary of issues in the western department.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Sundry propositions being laid before Congress in addition to the articles of confederation:
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to take the same into consideration, and report such as they shall judge proper to be added to the articles of confederation, not changing or altering any of the articles already agreed on.
∥The members chosen,∥ Mr. [Richard] Law, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, and Mr. [James] Duane.
A memorial from Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIII, folio 61.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War, who are directed to consider the merits and services of Mons
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
A memorial, from the Chevalier Dorset, and a memorial from one of the officers who accompanied Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 426. A letter, dated October 11, is on folio 16.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the applications of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers who accompanied Mons
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [Henry] Marchant, and Mr. [James] Duane.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Met.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Mr. John Brown, secretary to the Marine Committee, for 2,000 dollars, for the use of the said committee, who are to be accountable:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 469.
Ordered
, That the president issue a warrant on Thomas Smith, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Elijah Etting, for 426 60/90 dollars, for the payment of Joseph Simon's order, dated Lancaster, 29 October last, in his favour, for blankets delivered Brigadier General Hand at Fort Pitt, for the use of the hospital there, Brigadier General Hand to be accountable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 471.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the
The Committee appointed to take into Consideration
new
articles proper to be added or included in the Confederation, beg leave to Report, the following ones as proper for that Purpose,
Art
. 1. That Freedom of Speech and Debate in Congress
2. That the United States in Congress Assembled, shall have Power to censure and to fine any of their Members, the better to
3. That if any Person charged or Suspected of any Crime committed in any State Shall flee or escape into another, upon Application of the Governor or Chief Justice of the former State to the Governor
latter
, the said
4. That full Faith and Credit shall be given in each of these States to the Records, Acts, and Judicial Proceedings of the
5. And for the more certain preservation of friendship and mutual intercourse between the people of the different States in this Union, +
And the better to secure and perpetuate mutual Friendship and Intercourse between the People of the different States in this Union,
Agreed “that, The free Inhabitants of each of these States, Paupers Vagabonds and fugitives excepted, shall be entitled to all Priviledges and Immunities of free Citizens in
all and every of said the respective(saveing to the Inhabitants of the respective States the Admission of their own Inhabitants and the Sole Management of their own municipal Affairs). And the People of each State shall have free Ingress and Egress for their Persons and Property to and from every other State, to trade and traffick, without any Hindrance or Imposition of any Kind whatsoever, provided that if any Merchandise or Commodity be imported into any State for the purpose of Traffick therein, the Person so importing shall be liable to the same Imposts and Duties as the People of the State are by Law liable to where such Importations are made and none other, provided also that the Benefit of this Article shall Extend to the property of the United States and of any particular State in the same Manner as to the property of an Individual.Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 99-3.
5. And [the better to secure and perpetuate mutual]
6. That all Bills of Credit emitted, Monies borrowed, and Debts Contracted, by or under, the Authority of Congress, before the Assembly of the United States in pursuance of the present Confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a Charge against the United States; for Payment and Satisfaction whereof the said States, and the publick Faith, are hereby Solemnly pledged.
7
7. That all controversies concerning the private Right of Soil claimed under different Grants of two or more States whose Jurisdictions, as they may [affect] respect such Lands and the States which passed such grants are adjusted; being at the same time claimed to have Originated antecedent to such Settlement of Jurisdiction, shall on the Petition of either party to Congress be finally determined in the Same manner, as near as may be, which is before prescribed for deciding Disputes respecting territorial Jurisdiction between different States.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 97. The last paragraph was a substitute for the first form of No. 7.
Ordered
, That it be taken into consideration to morrow morning.
Congress proceeded to the election of a deputy commissary general of issues, for supplying the forts and posts on the western frontiers of Pensylvania and Virginia, and the ballots being taken,
John Erwing was elected.
The president laid before Congress a copy of a resolution passed in Congress on 18 September last, ordering commissions to be granted to a number of officers in the department of the commissary general of military stores, which was delivered to him by Colonel Flower, C. G. M. S. together with the list of the officers, who, notwithstanding the foregoing resolution, have not yet received their commissions;
Whereupon,
Ordered
, That commissions be granted to the following persons in the department of the commissary general of military stores, with the dates annexed to their respective names, agreeable to the said list, viz.
Of the company to work in the laboratory inlisted to serve during the war as artillery men:
Isaac Curren, capt. February 1, 1777. William E. Godfrey, capt. lieut. July 1, 1777. Anthony Wright, first lieut. March 1st, do. Andrew Caldwell, second lieut. April 1st do.
Of the company of artillery artificers inlisted to serve during the war to be attached to the artillery in the field:
Jesse Roe, capt. Feby 3, 1777. Valentine Hoffman, capt. lieut. 12 Feby. Christian Beackley, first lieut. 3 Feby. William Preston, second lieut. 7 April.
Of the company of artillery artificers inlisted to serve for one year and ordered to be reinlisted to serve during the war:
David Pancoast, captain, 10 Feby, 1777. John Jordan, capt. lieut. 17 Feby, do. James Gibson, first lieut. 17 Feby, do.
Of the company of artillery artificers inlisted to serve for one year and ordered to be reinlisted during the war:
Nathaniel Irish, captain, 7 Feby. 1777. Thomas Wylie, capt. lieut. 17 do. George Norris, first lieut. 8th do. James Sweiney, second lieut. 22d do. Jonathan Gostelow, major commissary military stores, 1 February, 1777. Josiah Watkins, major commissary ordinance stores, 5 February, 1777. Wollory Ming, captain superintendant of the leather manufactory, 1 April, 1777. — Parks,
Samuel Sergeant, superintendent of the public works at Carlisle and keeper of all the stores, August, 1777, pay 60 dollars per month and 4 rations a day. Charles Lukens, major, commissary military stores and pay master to the commissary general of military stores in the department at Carlisle, March 8, 1777, his pay 60 dollars a month and 4 rations a day: Johnson Smith, contractor and procurer of all the lumber and some other materials wanted for the public works at Carlisle, July 21, 1777, pay 60 dollars per month and 3 rations a day: Cornelius Sweers, assistant commissary general military stores at Philadelphia, February 1, 1777: the same pay and rations as commissary military stores. Alexander Power, quarter master to the corps of artillery artificers at Carlisle, 30 July, 1777, same pay and rations as regimental quarter master. Samuel French, major, commissary military stores, 18 January, 1777, with the army. George Everson, captain, deputy commissary military stores, 18 January, 1777. Alexander Henderson, captain, deputy commissary military stores, 10 September, 1777.
foreman to the leather manufactory, August, 1777.
A memorial, from Thomas Hite, administrator of the estate of Jacob Hire, deceased, in behalf of the heirs of the said deceased, was laid before Congress and read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Prayers.
A letter, of the 8, from General Washington, at White Marsh, enclosing a copy of a letter from General Dickinson; one, of the 31 October, from General Heath; also, a letter of the 30th October, from Ebenezer Hancock; and one, of the 16 October, from J. Bradford; were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 181. That of Heath is in No. 157, folio 21; that of Hancock, in No. 78, XI, folio 249; and that of Bradford, in No. 78, II, folio 297.
Ordered
, That the letters from General Washington and Mr. E. Hancock be referred to the Board of Treasury; and that the letter from J. Bradford be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
Resolved
, That a copy of General Heath's letter of the 31 day of October be transmitted to the general assembly of the State of Massachusetts bay, who are requested to afford Samuel Allen Otis, Esq
An order drawn on John Hancock, Esq
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Congress took into consideration the new articles proposed to be added to the confederation; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the following be included:
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress:
The members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments during the time of their going to, and from, and attendance on, Congress, except for treason, felony or breach of the peace.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
The Board of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That Jonathan Trumbull, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 473.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Nathaniel Appleton, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Nathaniel Appleton, commissioner of the continental loan office of the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of William Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, for two hundred thousand dollars for the use of the eastern department; and that one other warrant issue on the continental treasurer in favour of the Board of War for two hundred thousand dollars, to be by them transmitted to the deputy commissary general of purchases for the northern department; that
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 475.
Congress resumed the consideration of the articles reported by the committee as proper to be included in the confederation;
And upon the question put, the following were adopted:
If any person guilty of, or charged with treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand of the governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offence.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these states, to the records, acts and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.
To which it was moved to add,
And an action of debt may lie in a court of law of any State for the recovery of a debt due on a judgment of any court in any other State; provided the judgment
of any court
creditor shall give bond with sufficient sureties before the said court, in which the action shall be brought, to answer in damages to the adverse party, in case the original judgment should be afterwards revised and set aside, and provided the party against whom such judgment may have been obtained, had notice in fact of the service of the original writ upon which such judgment shall be founded; and the yeas and nays being required,
So it passed in the negative.
A letter, of the 10, from General Washington, was read, together with the proceedings of a board of general officers for settling the rank of the Pensylvania field officers,
inclosed therein
dated August 19, 1777, ∥and the same being taken into consideration;∥ Whereupon,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 173. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 180.
Resolved
, That Congress agree to the principle adopted by the said board in settling the relative rank or precedence of officers according to that standing they held in the army immediately before their present commissions, except where persons are promoted upon a principle of merit only; and that the arrangement made by the said board, with respect to the relative rank of the Pensylvania field officers, be, and it is hereby confirmed.
Resolved
, That the commissions heretofore granted to the said officers be
by them respectively
, and they are hereby vacated.
Ordered
, That the said commissions be delivered by the respective officers to General Washington.
Ordered
, That new commissions be made out for the said officers, with the rank and dates annexed to their names respectively, and transmitted to General Washington:
Resolved
, That Colonel Stewart's regiment be annexed to the Pensylvania line and form the thirteenth regiment.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postported∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That blank commissions be sent to General Gates, to enable him to fill up the vacancies in the Massachusets regiments, in pursuance of powers given him for that purpose by that State.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 385.
A letter, of the 17 October, from William Aylett, Esq
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the cause of the obstructions in the department of the post master general, and report thereon to Congress:
The members chosen, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and Mr. [Henry] Marchant.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the commissioner of the loan office of the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of Ebenezer Hancock, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the continental loan officer for the State of Rhode Island, for forty-four thousand dollars, and another warrant on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of Maryland for eight thousand dollars, both in favour of the Marine Committee, or their order, and for which they are to be accountable:
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel Jesse Ewell, of a regiment of militia from the State of Virginia, for 1,097 30/90 dollars, for which he is to be accountable:
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the continental loan officer for the State of Massachusetts bay, for twenty thousand dollars, and another warrant on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of New Hampshire,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Captain David Bell, for three thousand dollars, in discharge of a bill drawn on Congress in favour of Sampson Matthews, by Colonel George Morgan, dated the October 1, 1777, on account of provisions for the use of the western department, Colonel Morgan to be accountable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 477.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock p. m.
A letter, of the 3d, from General Putnam, and one, of this day, from William Buchanan, Esq
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the committee appointed to consider and report upon the letter from S. Hopkins, Esq
Congress took into consideration the articles reported by the committee as proper to be included in the confederation, and the following were adopted:
And the better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the respective states; and the people of each state shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively; provided that such restriction shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any State to any other State of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided, also, that no imposition, duties, or restriction, shall be laid by any State on the property of the United States, or either of them.
All bills of credit emitted, moneys borrowed, and debts contracted by or under the authority of Congress, before the assembling of the United States in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the United States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said United States and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged.
All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more states, whose jurisdictions, as they may respect such lands, and the states which passed such grants, are adjusted, the said grants, or either of them, being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall, on the petition of either party to the Congress of the United States, be finally determined in the same manner, as near as may be, as is before prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different states.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to revise and arrange the articles of confederation
as amended and passed
agreed to, and to prepare a circular letter to the respective states to accompany the said articles:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [James] Duane, and Mr. [James] Lovell.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 11th, from General Washington, at White Marsh, with copy of a letter of the 7, from General Putnam, and a report of a board of general officers on the subject of rations, and a memorial from Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 187. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 184.
Major General Schuyler having greatly suffered in his private affairs by the barbarous ravages of the British army, under the command of Lieutenant General Burgoyne, on their retreat from Saratoga:
Resolved
, That General Schuyler be at liberty to attend to his private affairs until the committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the loss of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence shall make their report, and he shall have notice to attend at head quarters, in order to an enquiry into that event.
Whereas, the committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the loss of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, have not yet been able to collect materials and make their report:
Resolved
, That Major General St. Clair be at liberty to attend his private affairs until he shall have notice to repair to head quarters, in order to an enquiry into his conduct.
that to Major general Sinclair proceeded from the appearance of his name subscribed at a meeting of a board of officers.”
Henry Laurens to Washington, 13 November, 1777.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of the Board of War, for 150,000 dollars, to be forthwith transmitted, agreeable to the request of William Palfrey, Esq
Ordered
, That the letter from General Washington, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Board of War:
That the letter from W. Palfrey, Esq
The committee appointed to revise and arrange the articles of confederation, made their report, which was read and agreed to.
Ordered
, That
they be engrossed
a fair copy thereof be made out accordingly.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the application of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers who accompanied Mons
Your committee find by the representation of Mona
Your committee also think it reasonable, that provision be made for the travelling expences and the passages of twelve serjeants belonging to General du Coudray's corps, who are likewise returning to France, in proportion to the allowance already made the commissioned officers which proportionate allowance the committee estimate at 60 dollars each, for travelling expences to Boston, and 450 livres each, for passage and travelling expences to Paris, amounting to 720 dollars and 5,400 livres.
Your committee likewise find on examination, that in the former settlement a ballance of travelling expences, accruing on the journey from Boston to Philadelphia, was omitted to be credited, which ought to be allowed, amounting to 1,004 dollars.
Your committee are farther of opinion, that the inconveniences of dissimilar pay to persons of similar ranks serving in the same army, being no bar at present, since the officers under consideration are returning to France, it will be expedient and proper that they be allowed their pay in livres, by which it appears that a ballance should be paid to Mons
Your committee are of opinion, that no settlement of General du Coudray's affair can properly be made but with his legal representatives, and that Mons
Your committee are farther of opinion, that the two servants of Mons
On a motion to agree to the report of the committee:
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved
, That the additional allowances now made shall be deemed and considered to be in full satisfaction
Resolved
, That General Washington be informed that Congress have long since written to the commissioners in France for cloaths complete for eighty thousand men, and have received for answer that they might be expected here by the setting in of winter; in consequence of which, Congress have reason to hope for this necessary arrival in a short time: that Congress have also adopted various other means for importing cloathing, which they have reason to expect will be successful; and, on the 16th day of October, ordered a copy of the General's return of articles wanted for the army to be transmitted to the respective assemblies of the eastern and middle states, with a pressing recommendation to them to use their utmost endeavours to collect the same without delay, and send them to the army. But, since the wants of the army are immediate, Congress wish the General may avail himself of the powers vested in him for obtaining these necessary supplies from the disaffected inhabitants, Congress being of opinion that the well disposed people of these states will rather be pleased than dissatisfied with a procedure, by which their enemies shall be compelled to supply those things that are essential to the support and comfort of the army; and the more especially as even the disaffected will be paid a reasonable price for what is demanded of them;
Resolved
, That the powers with which General Washington was invested by a resolution of Congress of the 17 September, and another of the 8th of October last, be continued till the first day of March next, unless sooner revoked.
Resolved
, That Mr. President write a letter to the Honorable Thomas M'Kean, speaker of the house of assembly of the State of Delaware, requesting him to exert his
The delegates from New York produced credentials of their appointment made in assembly and council October 3, 1777, whereby it appears that the honorable Philip Livingston, James Duane, Francis Lewis, William Duer, and (Gouverneur Morris, or any two of them, are empowered to represent that State in Congress.
∥the several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Henry Laurens to Washington, 13 November, 1777.
A memorial from Edward West, was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the executive council of the State of Pensylvania.
Resolved
, That an extract of General Washington's letter of the 11th inst. relative to cloathing, be forthwith sent to the states of Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, who are requested to send, without delay, to the army under his command, the blankets and other articles of cloathing
A copy of the confederation being made out, and sundry small
verbal
amendments
preserving
made in the diction, without altering the sense, the same was agreed to, and is as follows:
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, 1
between the States of
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folios 41 and 51, are two copies of the Articles of Confederation in the writing of Charles Thomson. The first is, with the exception of the few words written on the margin by Duane, entirely in the writing of Thomson, and is without endorsement. The second copy is also in Thomson's writing, but it has on the first page a marginal direction to the printer, as to numbering the paragraphs, written by Duane, and the last paragraph is in his writing. The marginal captions of the articles are also in another hand. As the sheets bear the finger marks of the printer, they are undoubtedly the set sent to the printer [Francis Bailey]. They are endorsed: “Articles of Confederation made out for the press—as agreed to by Congress, Nov
I have used the first copy (which appears to be the earlier in time) in the first column, adding in a note any differences found in the second copy, except mere erasures of words, or where the change is not explained by a transfer from one article to another.
New Hampshire,
Massachusetts Bay,
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Connecticut,
New York,
New Jersey,
Pennsylvania,
Delaware,
Maryland,
Virginia,
North Carolina,
South Carolina,
Georgia.
SECOND REPORT.
FINAL FORM.
Art. 1. Stile of the Confederation.
Art. 1. The
name stile of this confederacy
Article 1. The stile of this confederacy shall be “The United States of America.”
Art. 2. Sovereignty and lndependance of the respective states.
Art. 2. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independance, and every power, jurisdiction and right which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the united states in Congress assembled.
Art. 3. Design of the Confederation as it
respects
regards common security.
Art. 3. The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence, the security of their liberties and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever.
Art. 4. Social and mutual intercourse among the states.
Art. 4.between among the people of the different states in this Union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be intitled to all privileges, and immunities of free citizens in the
respective several states: and the people of each state shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other state and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the sonic duties, impositions and restrictions
Art. 2. Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.
Art. 3. The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other for their common defence, the security of their liberties and their mutual and general welfare; binding themselves to assist each other against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever.
Art. 4. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different states in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several states; and the people of each State shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions, as the inhabitants thereof respectively; provided, that such
as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restriction shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any state to any other state of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided, also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any state on the property of the united states or either of them.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 99—1–2.
Full faith If any person guilty of or charged with treason, felony or other high misdemeanor in any state shall flee from justice and be found in any of the united states, he shall upon demand of the governor or executive power of the state from which he fled
from be delivered up and removed to the state having jurisdiction of his offence.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these states to the records, acts and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other state.
Manner of constituting the Congress of the states, with the qualifications and privileges of the delegates.
Art.
4 5. For the more convenient management of the general interests of the united states, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislature of each state shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November in
restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property, imported into any State, to any other State of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided also, that no imposition, duties, or restriction, shall be laid by any State on the property of the United States, or either of them.
If any person guilty of, or charged with treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice and be found in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand of the governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offence.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these states to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.
Art. 5. For the more convenient management of the general interests of the United States, delegates shall be annually appointed, in such manner as the legislature of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress, on the 1st Monday in November in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recal its delegates, or any of them,
every year, with a power reserved to each state to recall its delegates or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.
No state shall be represented in Congress by less than two nor by more than seven members, and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years: nor shall any person being a delegate be capable of holding any office under the united states for which he or another for his benefit receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.
Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the states, and while they act as members of the committee of the states.
In determining questions in the United States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of congress. And the members of congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments during the time of their going to and from and attendance on Congress,
except for treason felony or breach of the peace.
at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.
No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor by more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the United States, for which he, or any other
Each state shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the states and while they act as members of the committee of the states.
In determining questions in the united states in Congress assembled each state shall have one vote.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress: and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on Congress,
except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.
Art.
5 6. No state without the consent of the united states in Congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance or treaty with any king, prince or state; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the united states or any of them accept of any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any king, prince, or
state foreign state; nor shall the united states in Congress assembled, or any of them grant any title of nobility.
Art. 6
state two or more states shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance
Art 7.
Art. 6. No State, without the consent of the United States, in Congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance, or treaty with any king, prince, or state; nor shall any person, holding any office of profit or trust under the United States, or any of them, accept of any present, emolument, office or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state; nor shall the United States, in Congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.
No two or more states shall enter into any treaty, confederation, or alliance, whatever, between them, without the consent of the United States, in Congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.
No state shall lay any imposts or duties which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties entered into by the United States, in Congress assembled, with any king, prince, or state, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress to the courts of France and Spain.
Art.8.
No state shall engage in any war &c.
No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only as shall be deemed necessary by the United States, in Congress assembled, for the defence of such State or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State, in time of peace, except such number only as, in the judgment of the United States, in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defence of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutred, and shall provide, and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.
No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the United States, in Congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the United States, in Congress assembled, can be consulted; nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or
Mixed Right of Congress and the separate states.
Art.
9 7. When land forces are raised by any state, for the common defence, all officers of or under the rank of colonel shall be appointed by the legislatures
Manner of defraying public expences.
Art.
10 8. All charges of war and all other expences that shall be incurred for the common defence or general welfare, and allowed by the united states in Congress assembled shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the
reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States, in Congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or state, and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the United States, in Congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the United States, in Congress assembled, shall determine otherwise.
Art. 7. When land forces are raised by any State for the common defence, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature of each State respectively, by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such State shall direct; and all vacancies shall be filled up by the State which first made the appointment.
Art. 8. All charges of war and all other expences, that shall be incurred for the common defence or general welfare, and allowed by the United States, in Congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the value of all land
several states in proportion to the value of all lands within each state granted to or surveyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the united states in Congress assembled shall from time to time direct and appoint. The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several states within the time agreed upon by the united states in Congress assembled.
Art. 11. Every state shall abide by the determinations of the united states in Congress assembled, on all questions, which by this confederation are submitted to them.
No state shall engage in any war without the consent of the united states in Congress assembled, unless such state be actually invaded by enemies or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of indians to invade such state and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the united states in Congress assembled can be consulted; nor shall any state grant commissions, to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, [insert the parenthesis below at X] unless such state be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasionArt. 12.
within each State, granted to or surveyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the United States, in Congress assembled, shall, from time to time, direct and appoint.
The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several states, within the time agreed upon by the United States, in Congress assembled.
and kept so long as the danger shall continue or until the united states in Congress assembled shall determine otherwise except it be after a declaration of war by the united states in Congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or state, and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the united states in Congress assembled: X Unless &c.
Art. 13.
In determining questions in the united states in Congress assembled, each states shall have one vote.
Art. 14.twelfth 6th article; of sending and receiving ambassadors; entering into treaties and alliances; provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners as their own people are subjected to or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever; of establishing rules for deciding in all cases what captures on land or water shall be
Art. 9. The United States, in Congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the 6th article; of sending and receiving ambassadors; entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made, whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever; of establishing rules for deciding, in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal, and
legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the united states shall be divided or appropriated; of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace; appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and establishing courts for receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures, provided that no member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts.
The united states in Congress assembled shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting, or that hereafter may arise between two or more states, concerning boundary, jurisdiction or any other cause whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following: Whenever the legislative or executive authority or lawful agent of any state in controversy with another shall present a petition to Congress stating the matter in question and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given by order of Congress to the legislative or executive authority of the other state in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint, by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question; but if
in what manner prizes, taken by land or naval forces in the service of the United States, shall be divided or appropriated; of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace; appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and establishing courts for receiving and determining, finally, appeals in all cases of captures; provided, that no member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts.
The United States, in Congress assembled, shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting, or that hereafter may arise between two or more states concerning boundary, jurisdiction or any other cause whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following: whenever the legislative or executive authority, or lawful agent of any State, in controversy with another, shall present a petition to Congress, stating the matter in question, and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given, by order of Congress, to the legislative or executive authority of the other State in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint, by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question;
they cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each of the united states, and from the list of such persons, each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven nor more than nine names, as Congress shall direct, shall in the presence of Congress be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn or any five of them shall be commissioners or judges to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges, who shall hear the cause, shall agree in the determination: And if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed without shewing reasons, which Congress shall judge sufficient, or being present shall refuse to strike,
do it strike in behalf of
such party absent or refusing; and the judgment and sentence of the court to be appointed in the manner before prescribed shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence or judgment, which shall in like manner be final
but, if they cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each of the United States, and from the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names, as Congress shall direct, shall, in the presence of Congress, be drawn out by lot; and the persons whose names shall be so drawn, or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the cause shall agree in the determination; and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without shewing reasons which Congress shall judge sufficient, or, being present, shall refuse to strike, the Congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of each State, and the secretary of Congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgment and sentence of the court to be appointed, in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed
and decisive, the judgment or sentence and other proceedings being in either case transmitted to Congress and lodged among the acts of Congress for the security of the parties concerned; provided that every commissioner before he sits in judgment shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the state, where the cause shall be tried, “well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question according to the best of his judgment without favour, affection or hope of reward;” provided, also that no state shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the united states.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 101.
All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more states, whose jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the states which passed such grants, are adjusted; [the said grants or either of them]
to pronounce sentence or judgment, which shall, in like manner, be final and decisive, the judgment or sentence and other proceedings being, in either case, transmitted to Congress, and lodged among the acts of Congress for the security of the parties concerned; provided, that every commissioner, before he sits in judgment, shall take an oath, to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State where the cause shall be tried, “well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgment, without favour, affection, or hope of reward:” provided, also; that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States.
All controversies concerning the private right of soil, claimed under different grants of two or more states, whose jurisdictions, as they may respect such lands and the states which passed such grants, are adjusted, the said grants, or either of them, being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall, on the petition of either party to the Congress of the United States, be finally determined, as near as may be, in the same manner as is before prescribed
prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different states.
The united states in Congress assembled, shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority or by that of the respective states; fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout the united states; regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the indians, not members of any of the states, provided, that the legislative right of any state within its own limits be not infringed or violated; establishing and regulating post offices from one state to another throughout all the united states, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the expences of the said office; appointing all officers of the land forces in the service of the united states excepting regimental officers; appointing all the officers of the naval forces and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the united states; making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces and directing their operations.
The united states in Congress assembled shall have authority to appoint a committee to sit in the
for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different states.
The United States, in Congress assembled, shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective states; fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout the United States; regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians not members of any of the states; provided that the legislative right of any State within its own limits be not infringed or violated; establishing and regulating post offices from one State to another throughout all the United States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the expences of the said office; appointing all officers of the land forces in the service of the United States, excepting regimental officers; appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the United States; making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.
The United States, in Congress assembled, shall have authority to appoint a committee to sit in the
recess of Congress, to be denominated a
committee of the states, and to consist
ing of one delegate from each state; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the united states under their direction; to appoint one of their number to preside, provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year, in any term of three years;
and to adjourn to any time within the year so longer duration than the space of the united states; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the united states and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expences; to borrow money or emit bills on the credit of the united states, transmitting every half year to the respective states an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted; to build and equip a navy; to agree upon the number of land forces and to make requisitions from each state for its quota in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such state, which requisitions shall be binding, and thereupon the legislature of each state shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men and cloath, arm and equip them in a soldier like manner at the expence of the united states,
recess of Congress, to be denominated “a Committee of the States,” and to consist of one delegate from each State, and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States, under their direction; to appoint one of their number to preside; provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the United States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expences; to borrow money or emit bills on the credit of the United States, transmitting, every half year, to the respective states, an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted; to build and equip a navy; to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such State; which requisitions shall be binding; and, thereupon, the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men, and cloathe, arm, and equip them in a soldier-like manner, at the expence of the United States; and the officers and men so cloathed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the United States, in Congress
and the officers and men so cloathead armed and equiped shall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the united states in Congress assembled.
But if the united states in Congress assembled shall on consideration of circumstances judge proper that any state
or states should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number than
the its quota
or quotas of such state or states; and that any other state
or states should raise a greater number of men than the quota
or quotas thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, cloathed, armed and equipped in the same manner as the quota
or quotas of such state
or states, unless the legislature of such state
or states respectively shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, cloath, arm and equip as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so cloathead, armed and equipped shall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the united states in Congress assembled.
The united states in Congress assembled shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor agree upon nor
agree upon nor
assembled; but if the United States, in Congress assembled, shall, on consideration of circumstances, judge proper that any State should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number than its quota, and that any other State should raise a greater number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, cloathead, armed, and equipped in the same manner as the quota of such State, unless the legislature of such State shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, cloathe, arm, and equip as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so cloathed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the United States, in Congress assembled.
The United States, in Congress assembled, shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the
fix ascertain the sums and expences necessary for the defence and welfare of the united states or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the united states nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war to be built or purchased or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy unless nine states assent to the same; nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of a majority of the united states in Congress assembled.
No state shall be represented in Congress by less than two nor by more than seven members.
No person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years.
No person being a delegate shall be capable of holding any office under the united states for which he or another for his benefit receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments during the time of their going to and from and attendance on Congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of peace.
sums and expences necessary for the defence and welfare of the United States, or any of them: nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the United States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised. nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine states assent to the same; nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day, be determined, unless by the votes of a majority of the United States, in Congress assembled.
The Congress of the united states
in Congress assembled shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year and to any place within the united states; so that no period &c.to shall be entered on the journal, when it is
to be desired by any delegate; and the delegates of a state or any of them, at his or their request
to shall be furnished with a transcript of the said journal except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several states.
Art.
15 10.they no power be delegated to the said committee
no power for the exercise of which by the articles of confederation the voice of
The Congress of the United States shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the United States, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six months, and shall publish the journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof, relating to treaties, alliances or military operations, as, in their judgment, require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each State on any question shall be entered on the journal, when it is desired by any delegate; and the delegates of a State, or any of them, at his, or their request, shall be furnished with a transcript of the said journal, except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several states.
Art. 10. The committee of the states, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of Congress, such of the powers of Congress as the United States, in Congress assembled, by the consent of nine states, shall, from time to time, think expedient to vest them with; provided, that no power be delegated to the said committee, for the exercise of which, by the articles of confederation,
nine states in the Congress of the united states assembled is requisite.
Art.
16 12. All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed and debts contracted by or under the authority of Congress, before the assembling of the united states in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and sided as a charge against the united constates, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said united states and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged.
13. Every state &c: see art. 11.
Art.
16 11.
the voice of nine states, in the Congress of the United States assembled, is requisite.
[See Art. 12.]
Art. 11. Canada acceding to this confederation, and joining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into and entitled to all the advantages of this union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine states.
Art. 12. All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed and debts contracted by, or under the authority of Congress before the assembling of the United States, in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the
These articles shall be proposed to the legislatures of all the united states to be by them considered, and if approved by them they are advised to authorize their delegates to ratify the same in the Congress
of the united states, which being done and the articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every state; and the union
is to shall be perpetual: nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in
these articles or any of them unless such alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the united states and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every state.
These articles shall be proposed to the legislatures of all the united states to be considered, and if approved of by them they are advised to authorized their delegates to ratify the same in the Congress of the united states which being done, the same shall become conclusive.
United States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said United States and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged.
Art. 13. Every State shall abide by the determinations of the United States, in Congress assembled, on all questions which, by this confederation, are submitted to them. And the articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every State, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them, unless such alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the United States, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State.
These articles shall be proposed to the legislatures of all the United States, to be considered, and if approved of by them, they are advised to authorize their delegates to ratify the same in the Congress of the United States; which being done, the same shall become conclusive.
First motion from New York.
For deciding all Disputes or Differences, which may arise
betwixt
between any two or more States in the Confederacy concerning Boundaries or Jurisdiction Commissioners shall bein Con
by the United States in Congress assembled by the Ballot of such
State or
or States as have no Claim with Respect to Boundaries or Jurisdiction
or with any State of
with either of the States,
betwixt
between which the Matter in Contest, is to be determined, or have Claims with respect to Boundaries, or Jurisdiction founded upon Similar Principles with those upon which the Claim or Claims of
any
either of the States, betwixt whom the a Controversy subsists, may be grounded, provided
always
, (that no Person shall be capable of being a Commissioner for this Purpose,
nor
who is an Inhabitant of,
either
or may
be
have landed Property in either of the States between which the Matter in Controversy subsists),
and that they be pointed the said Commissioners be appointed the nine States
or who may be Inhabitants of, or have landed Property in any State having a Claim with Respect to Boundary, or Jurisdiction grounded upon similar Principles as that upon which the Claim or Claims of either of the States
betwixt
in Controversy may be founded, and with respect [to] any Dispute, or Difference, which may arise betwixt any two or more States
the United States
on any other Cause the united States in Congress assembled shall have full Power to decide the same [so as that no state be deprived of territory for the benefit of the united States].
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 99.
On a loose sheet (folio 99-4) is found the following in the writing of Charles Thomson: “provided that for deciding disputes and differences now subsisting or that may hereafter arise between two or more states concerning boundaries or jurisdictions.” On the same sheet he has written: “I would propose to pass the printed paragraph as it stands. adding Mr. Lee's motion, viz: So as no State be deprived &c. and follow it with one of the amendment as a proviso, as above.” On the reverse of the same sheet James Duane has written: “Provided that every Commissioner so to be appointed, shall before he sits in Judgement, take a solemn Oath in open Court, to be administered by one of the Judges of the Supreme or Superior Court of the State where the Causes shall be tried, truly and impartially to hear and determine the matter in Question according to evidence; and such determination shall be final and conclusive between the States in Contention and all claiming under them.”
2 Motion from New York instead of the first withdrawn
“deciding, ‘or, at the Request of any State in Controversy with another, appointing by Ballott of States not interested in the Dispute, impartial and disinterested Judges, or Commissioners upon Oath to decide’ all Disputes, and Differences now subsisting, or that hereafterappointed
ballotted for be not less in Number than nine, and that each of the States in controversy have a right peremptorily to challenge two out of that Number; and further that no State be deprived of Territory for the Benefit of the United States.rsquo;
“N. B: What lines are marked with Quotations, are proposed Amendments to the printed Report of the Committee.”
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 105.
Motion from Connecticut.
For deciding disputes or differences now subsisting or which may hereafter arise between any two or more States, concerning boundaries or jurisdiction,
or any other causes whatever
, [so as that no state be deprived of territory for the benefit of the united states,] a Court shall be constituted consisting of one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of judicature in each State which is not interested [directly or indirectly] in the point in controversy, to be
designated
[chosen] by
let fairly drawn
[ballot] by the
assembly of the
United States [in Congress assembled,]
or the Council of States
, on application of the parties or either of them; any
seven
[five] of said Judges who may be present to be a quorum who shall be duly sworn to hear and determine the cause impartially
agreeable
[according] to the right of the parties [and the evidence that shall be before them] according to their best skill and judgment, and having rendered Judgment therein shall transmit the record thereof with the evidence to the Assembly of the United States, which shall be conclusive between the parties. and carried into execution by order of said Assembly in such manner as the Nature of the case may require. Provided nevertheless that if either party be agrieved with the Judgment, and shall shew to the satisfaction of said Assembly that there was any unfairness in the trial or that justice has not been done, said Assembly may grant a new trial in manner aforesaid, by other Judges of said Supreme Courts
designated by lot
chosen by ballot as aforesaid; and if the second judgment shall be in affirmance of the first, it shall be final: but if otherwise, a third trial and no more may be granted by said Assembly, if either party be agrieved and shew sufficient reasons therefor [and with respect to any dispute or difference which may arise betwixt any two or more statesmake
does not
his plea good
support his title.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 107. The words in brackets were inserted by Charles Thomson.
Ordered
, That the committee appointed to revise and arrange the articles ∥of confederation,∥ have three hundred copies printed and lodged with the secretary, to be subject to the future orders of Congress;
and that the articles of confederation, as now agreed to, be entered on the journal.
Note by Charles Thomson.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
A letter, of the 14, from G. Bryan, vice president of the council of Pensylvania, to the delegates of that State in Congress, together with sundry papers relative to Indian depredations on the western frontiers, was laid before Congress and read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folios 433.
Ordered
, That they be referred to a committee of three; the members chosen, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. [John] Harvie and Mr. [Cornelius] Harnett.
Ordered
, That Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee have leave of absence for the recovery of his health.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to collect and digest the late useful discoveries for making molasses and spirits from the juice of corn stalks, and report a plan for communicating the said discoveries to the inhabitants of the several states.
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Richard] Law and Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau.
Resolved
, That a copy of the letter from J. Bradford, dated Boston, 16 October, 1777, to the Secret Committee, be transmitted to the cloathier general, to the quarter master general, and to the Board of War; that the cloathier general, without delay, appoint a deputy in each State, if he hath not already made such appointments; that the cloth for soldiers' cloathing, mentioned in the said letter to be imported into Bedford for account of Congress, be delivered to the cloathier general, or his order; the bales of tents to the quarter master general or his order; and that the Board of War give directions respecting the arms mentioned in the said letter; that the receipts taken on the delivery, be forthwith transmitted to the Commercial Committee; that the cloathier general be directed immediately to give orders to his deputy for the State of Rhode Island, to receive the said cloth for soldiers' cloathing, and procure the making up the same into cloaths there or elsewhere, as soon as may be, and to forward them with the utmost despatch to General Washington's army; that the cloathier general, also write to the governor and council for the State of Rhode Island, requesting them, in case the person appointed by him as his deputy should decline acting, to appoint a suitable person for that purpose, and forwarding the same as above directed; and the said governor and council are requested to make such appointment accordingly, and to give every necessary aid to the above important business.
The committee appointed to consider the applications of foreign officers, &c., having had under consideration the memorials of Chevalier Crenis,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 37.
That although the committee are sensible of the zeal and good intentions of the Chevalier Crenis and Monsieur Dorset in their wishes to serve the United States, yet when they reflect upon the circumstances of the American army, and consider that the number of officers now in commission are greatly disproportionate to the soldiers to be commanded, they cannot venture to recommend the said Chevalier Crenis as lieutenant colonel and Monsieur Dorset as major in the service of the United States, which ranks are respectively desired by the gentlemen aforesaid:
That considering the expences these gentlemen have incurred, and the inability stated by Monsieur Dorset of returning to his own country, they submit it to the wisdom of Congress, whether it may not be expedient to furnish the necessary aid for this purpose.
That with regard to the Chevalier de la Colombe, for whom the Marquis de la Fayette requests a captain's commission in the American service, your committee think the same may be granted: [as the Chevalier may be usefully employed ill the quality of captain in the family of the Marquis during his service in the American service.]
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 33.
The said report being read, on the question put to agree to the first paragraph, resolved in the affimative.
The second paragraph was taken into consideration, and a motion being made to grant Monsr. Dorset a sum to defray his expences to France, and the question put.
Passed in the negative.
The third paragraph was read, whereupon,
Resolved
, That a captain's commission be granted to the Chevalier de la Colombe.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
Edward Langworthy, and Joseph Wood, two of the delegates from Georgia, attended and produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read as follows:
State of Georgia
.
House of Assembly
, Saturday, June 7, 1777.
“The house proceeded to the choice of continental delegates, when it appeared that the following gentlemen were duly elected, to wit, Nathan Brownson, Edward Langworthy. Joseph Wood, Lyman Hall, and George Walton, esqrs.
A true extract from the minutes,
James Wood, Jun
.
Cl. H. A.
Mr. [Francis] Dana, a delegate from Massachusetts bay, and Mr. [William] Ellery, a delegate from Rhode Island, attended and took their seats in Congress.
Congress resumed the consideration of the second paragraph in the report of the committee to whom was referred the application of foreign officers, and it appearing that Mens∥ Dorset had arranged himself and obtained the commission of a lieutenant among the officers who accompanied
Resolved
, That 200 dollars be
advanced
presented to Mons
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the Chevalier du Portail be appointed to the rank of brigadier general, Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 479.
A letter of advice of the 14 April last, from J. Rutledge, with sundry bills of exchange ∥drawn by Colonel Kennon,∥ was laid before Congress:
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered
, That Mr. [Henry] Marchant have leave of absence.
The committee appointed to arrange the articles of confederation, and prepare a circular letter to accompany it to the several states, brought in the following draught:
In Congress, York Town
, 17 November, 1777
Congress having agreed upon a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States, authentie copies are now transmitted for the consideration of the respective legislatures.
This business, equally intricate and important, has, in its progress, been attended with uncommon embarrassments and delay, which the most anxious solicitude and persevering diligence could not prevent. To form a permanent union, accommodated to the opinion and wishes of the delegates of so many states, differing in habits, produce, commerce, and internal police, was found to be a work which nothing but time and reflection, conspiring with a disposition to conciliate, could mature and accomplish.
Hardly is it to be expected that any plan, in the variety of provisions essential to our union, should exactly correspond with the maxims and political views of every particular State. Let it be remarked, that, after the most, careful enquiry and the fullest information, this is proposed as the best which could be adapted to the circumstances of all; and as that alone which affords any tolerable prospect of a general ratification.
Permit us, then, earnestly to recommend these articles to the immediate and dispassionate attention of the legislatures of the respective states. Let them be candidly reviewed under a sense of the difficulty of combining in one general system the various sentiments and interests of a continent divided into so many sovereign and independent communities, under a conviction of the absolute necessity of uniting all our councils and all our strength, to maintain and defend our common liberties: let them be examined with a liberality becoming brethren and fellow-citizens surrounded by the same imminent dangers, contending for the same illustrious prize, and deeply interested in being forever bound and connected together by ties the most intimate and indissoluble; and finally, let them be adjusted with the temper and magnanimity of wise and patriotic legislators, who, while they are concerned for the prosperity of their own more immediate circle, are capable of rising superior to local attachments, when they may be incompatible with the safety, happiness, and glory of the general Confederacy.
We have reason to regret the time which has elapsed in preparing this plan for consideration: with additional solicitude we look forward to that which must be necessarily spent before it can be ratified. Every motive loudly calls upon us to hasten its conclusion.
More than any other consideration, it will confound our foreign enemies, defeat the flagitious practices of the disaffected, strengthen and confirm our friends, support our public credit, restore the value
In short, this salutary measure can no longer be deferred it seems essential to our very existence as a free people, and without it we may soon be constrained to bid adieu to independence, to liberty and safety; blessings which, from the justice of our cause, and the favour of our Almighty Creator visibly manifested in our protection, we have reason to expect, if, in an humble dependence on his divine providence, we strenuously exert the means which are placed in our power.
To conclude, if the legislature of any State shall not be assembled, Congress recommend to the executive authority to convene it without delay; and to each respective legislature it is recommended to invest its delegates with competent powers ultimately in the name and behalf of the state to subscribe articles of confederation and perpetual union of the United States; and to attend Congress for that purpose on or before the
On motion to fill up the blanks with “first” and “May,”
or as much sooner as possible
So it passed in the negative.
It was then moved to fill the first blank with “tenth,” and second ∥with∥ “March next,” and the question being put,
Resolved
in the affirmative.
It was moved, to add after “next” these words “if practicable;”
So it passed in the negative.
The letter being agreed to,
Ordered
, That thirteen copies be made out, signed by the president, and forwarded to the several states, with copies of the confederation.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Met.
Resolved
, That Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Ellery, and Mr. [Joseph] Wood, be appointed members of the Marine Committee, in the room of those from
Resolved
, Three members be elected for the Committee of Appeals, in the room of Mr. President, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, and Mr. [Henry] Marchant:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Harvie, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. [William] Ellery.
Resolved
, That two members be added to the Board of War:
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. J [onathan] B[ayard] Smith.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
A letter, of the 12, from General Mifflin, declaring his acceptance of the appointment which Congress have been pleased to make of him as one of the new Board of War, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 16l, folio 28.
Sundry letters, viz., one of the 2d, from Brigadier Hand; one, from Arch: Steel; and one, of the 1st, from J. Boreman, at Fort Pitt, directed to Colonel G. Morgan, were laid before Congress.
Ones of the 10, from General Gates, at Albany, with sundry papers enclosed;
One, of the 6, from Hezekiah Van Orden, with an affidavit enclosed.Ordered
, That it be sent to Governor Clinton of New York.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIII, folio 55. That of the New York Council of Safety in No. 67, II, folio 87.
One of the 5th from the Council of Safety of New York, were read:
The Committee of the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Josiah Clarke, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Brigadier General du Portail, for 400 dollars, advanced to him, and for which he is to be accountable:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 483.
Ordered
, That there be paid to Colonel R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of Dr. Jonathan Elmer, for 700 dollars, advanced to, and to be charged the State of New Jersey, at the request of Dr. Elmer, a delegate of the said State.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 481.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Whereas, Congress is informed that there is now in York town a certain John Brown, who, after the enemy
Resolved
, That the Board of War cause the said John Brown to be arrested and sent under guard to the executive council of Pensylvania, to be dealt with as they, in their wisdom, may deem fit and proper.
Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, XI, 345, 347.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,I∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 30 October, from E. Hancock, deputy pay master general in the eastern department, with his monthly account:
One, of the first November, from B. Harrison, deputy pay master general in Virginia, with his monthly account;
A letter, of the 11, from General Sullivan, were read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 160, folio 89.
Ordered
, That the two former be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered
, That the letters from Fort Pitt be referred to the committee on Mr. ∥Vice president∥ Bryan's letter of the 14.
Ordered
, That the return of ordnance, &c. taken from the enemy, which was enclosed ill General Gates's letter of the 10th, and the letter from the council of safety of New York, be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [Francis] Dana.
Ordered
, That the letter of General Gates, with the other papers enclosed, be referred to the Board of War.
Congress being informed that there is a quantity of leather on the way to this town from North Carolina;
which may be purchased
;
Ordered
, That the Board of War purchase the same, and take measures to have it made into shoes for the use of the army.
Congress having received information, through various channels, that the American soldiers and other inhabitants of the United States of America, whom the fortune of war hath made prisoners to the British army under command of General Howe, are now imprisoned in Philadelphia, and treated with such shocking inhumanity that numbers expire in the prison yard for want of food; and whereas, such treatment of the American prisoners is not only inconsistent with the practice of civilized nations, but totally the reverse of that humane treatment which the British prisoners have uniformly received in these united states:
Resolved
, That General Washington be desired to make strict enquiry into the truth of this information, and to report to Congress, as soon as possible, the result of his enquiries.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That David Poe be appointed quarter master for the town of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, in
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, 1, folio 387.
Resolved
, That the resolution passed the 2d [1] of October last, for sitting twice a day, be repealed, and that, after this day, the Congress sit but once a day; that they meet at ten o'clock precisely.
The bell to ring at ¾ after 9, and continue to ring ¼ of an hour
.
The Committee of the Treasury brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favour of the Board of War, for 300,000 dollars, to be by them forwarded to William Palfrey, Esq
Ordered
, That there be advanced to the president 1,000 dollars, to pay expresses and other contingent expences, for which he is to be accountable; and that an authenticated copy of this resolution shall be a sufficient voucher to the treasurer for the payment of this sum:
Ordered
, That a duplicate warrant in favour of Jonathan Trumbull, Jun
Resolved
, That it is the opinion of this Committee that the Pay of Jonathan Trumbull jun
To take place from the time of the Augmentation of the Pay of Mr. Palfrey, Paymaster-General.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 485. The words in brackets were added by Henry Laurens. The erased lines are in the writing of Roger Sherman. See under November 22,
post.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
The Medical Committee brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the cloathier general be directed to deliver to the director general of the military hospitals, the deputy directors general, or their assistants, for the use of the sick and wounded of the several departments, a proportionable share of the blankets, shirts, shoes, and stockings, he shall, from time to time, procure for the supply of the army:
That the director general of the hospitals be authorized to cause stoves to be erected in the different hospitals, in case he shall think such a measure will conduce to make up for the present scarcity of blankets and cloathing, or to the greater comfort of the sick; and that the waggons annexed to the hospital department be employed, as much as possible, in the transportation of fuel for the respective hospitals.
A letter, of the 6, from General Mifflin to Colonel R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, on the subject of the quarter master general, was laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the new Board of War, so soon as they meet, and that they be directed to report a plan of conducting the business of the quarter master general.
The committee to whom the letter from the vice president of Pensylvania, and the letters from Fort Pitt, were
Resolved
, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to Morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom were referred the letter from G. Bryan, Esq
That an inroad has been made on the western frontiers of Virginia and Pensylvania, by some savage tribes of Indians, wherein a number of helpless people have been cruelly massacred, and the peaceable inhabitants driven from their homes and reduced to great distress:
That from a number of papers styled proclamations,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 427. It was sent by the Delawares to George Morgan in March, 1778.
Your committee apprehend, that so long as that post continues to be garrisoned by British troops who are restrained by no laws of humanity from using every means to accomplish their purpose of subjugating these states, those frontiers will be incessantly exposed to the barbarous ravages of the Indian tribes under their influence.
That by means of the said agents and emissaries a dangerous spirit of disaffection has been excited and fomented among some worthless and evil-disposed persons on the said frontiers, who, lost to all sentiments
That the Shawanese and Delaware Indians continue well affected and disposed to preserve the league of peace and amity entered into with us; for which reason they are threatened with an attack by their hostile neighbours who have invaded us, and are at the same time exposed to danger from the attempts of ill-disposed or ill-advised persons among ourselves.
Your committee therefore are of opinion, that for the safety and security of the frontiers, as well as to preserve the public faith of these United States, plighted to our Indian allies, speedy and effectual measures ought to be taken to suppress the spirit of disaffection among our own deluded people, to repel and put a stop to the hostile invasions of our enemies, to protect our Indian allies, and confirm them in their good disposition, and to remove, if possible, the cause from whence all the evils in that quarter arise. For which purpose your committee submit the following resolutions,
Resolved
, That three commissioners be appointed to repair, without delay, to Fort Pitt; that they be instructed to investigate the rise, progress, and extent of the disaffection in that quarter, and take measures for suppressing the same, and bringing the deluded people to a sense of their duty:
That the said commissioners be invested with full power to suspend for misconduct any officers in the service of the United States employed in that quarter, and appoint others in their room, and to confine, in safe custody, all such officers against whom they shall. have satisfactory proof of being offenders against the rights and liberties of America:
That the said commissioners be directed to cultivate the friendship of the Shawanese and Delawares, and prevent our people from committing any outrages against them:
That they be empowered to engage as many of the Delaware and Shawanese warriors in the service of the United States as they judge convenient:
That they be empowered and directed, for effectually checking the progress of the enemy, to concert with Brigadier General Hand a plan of carrying the war into the enemy's country, and cause the same to be executed with all convenient despatch:
And in order to prevent such barbarous incursions for the future, that the said commissioners be empowered to cause the operations of
That it be earnestly recommended to the legislative powers of Virginia and Pensylvania, to invest the commissioners with every necessary authority over their respective militias, to empower them to arrest and commit for trial such of their respective inhabitants on the western frontiers as shall appear to have been concerned in any conspiracy or plot against the United States; and otherwise to afford the said commissioners such assistance as shall be necessary to prosecute with vigour the measures that they may adopt in consequence of these resolutions.
Upon the question put,
Resolved
, That Congress agree to the report of the committee.
Resolved
, That General Washington be requested to send Colonel William Crawford to Pittsburg, to take command, under Brigadier General Hand, of the continental troops and militia in the western department.
The committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of Colonel G. Morgan, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the case of Colonel G. Morgan be included in the business referred to the consideration of the commissioners who are to be appointed for various purposes on the western frontiers: that, in the mean while, Colonel Morgan be restored to the appointment of agent for Indian affairs, and that he be appointed deputy commissary general of purchases in the western district.
A letter, of this day, from Alexander Gillon, was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
Congress proceeded to the election of commissioners to proceed to Fort Pitt, and the ballots being taken, Colonel
Upon declaring the election.
It was moved, whether Colonel J. Reed, being elected by ballot, not being nominated to the office before the balloting was gone into, is elected agreeable to the usage and practice of this house ? And on the question put,
Resolved
in the negative.
Colonel Reed being then nominated, Congress proceeded to a new election, and the ballots being taken, Colonel Joseph Reed was elected.
Resolved
, That the hour of two P. M. be fixed on for the time of adjourning.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 17, from General Washington, at White Marsh, with sundry papers enclosed.
A letter, of the 12, from R. H. Harrison, expressing his obligation to Congress for the honour done him in appointing him a member of the Board of War, which, from a sense of his being unequal to the various important duties of the office, he wishes to decline.
A letter, of the 13, from Colonel T. Pickering, declaring his acceptance of the appointment to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 11, from Governor Livingston of New Jersey, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 191. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 200. The letter of Harrison is in No. 78, XI, folio 253; and that of Livingston in No. 68, folio 293.
Ordered
, That the letter from Paul Zantzinger to Brigadier Wayne, enclosed in General Washington's letter, together with such part of the said letter as relates thereto, be referred to the Board of Treasury:
That the letter from General Washington, with the other papers enclosed, and the letter from Governor Livingston, be referred to the Board of War.
A petition from Thomas Moore, with an account enclosed, was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury, who are directed to report specially thereon.
A petition from sundry inhabitants of Sharpsburg, and a, memorial from sundry officers, prisoners there, also a petition from John Sumner, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, folios 11 and 13. The petition of Sumner is in No. 42, VII, folio 37.
Ordered
, That they be referred to the Board of War.
Whereas all the commissioners of the Board of War have not yet attended, and it is essential to the public good that several matters referred to the consideration of the said commissioners should be immediately entered upon,
Resolved
, That any one or more of the Commissioners of the Board of War, together with any two members of the committee which constituted the late Board of War, be authorised to execute the trust reposed in the commissioners of the war office in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 17 October last, till such time as the commissioners shall enter on the execution of their department or till Congress shall determine otherwise.
Resolved
, That Silas Deane, Esq be recalled from the court of France, and that the Committee for Foreign Affairs be directed to take proper measures for speedily communicating the pleasure of Congress herein to Mr.
Resolved
, That Monday next be assigned for choosing a commissioner to the court of France, in place of Silas Deane, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 165 is a memorandum in the writing of Henry Laurens: “Nominations 21st Nov
Marquis de la Fayette, Col. R. H. Lee, Mr. John Adams, Col. Jos. Reed.
The committee to whom were referred the return of ordnance, &c. taken from the enemy, and the letter from the council of safety of New York, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and after debate,
Resolved
, That the same be re-committed.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
Nathaniel Folsom to Meshech Weare, 21 November, 1777.
New Hampshire StatePapers, VIII, 755.
A letter, of the 21, from Colonel G. Morgan, was read: Whereupon,
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 163, folio 297.
Resolved
, That the resolution of Congress of the 15 day of October last, directing that no assistant purchasing commissaries be appointed for the western districts, be not extended to the temporary appointments of such officers, and that the commissary general of purchases be directed to authorize the deputy commissary general of purchases for the said district to make such appointments when he, the said commissary general, shall judge it necessary.
A letter, of the 21, from W. Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 301.
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of three: The members chosen,
Mr. R. H. Lee
, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau.
Ordered
, That the committee attend immediately to this business, and that they confer with General Mifflin.
A letter, from Mons
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
A letter from Charlotte, the wife of Colonel Antil, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, I, folio 131.
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
The committee to whom were referred the return of ordnance and stores taken from the enemy since the 19th day of September, and the letter from the council of safety of New York, and to whom their former report
That there is no mention in the said return of standards, military chest, medicines or tents; that the quantity of powder is very small, being only 15 barrels grained and 2 barrels mealed, and the quantity of fixed ammunition very inconsiderable; that the muskets amount only to 4,647, a number not equal to the prisoners who surrendered agreeable to the convention of Saratoga, and all these muskets, are returned unfit for service; that there are only 638 cartouch boxes; that the number of bayonets is greatly inferior to the muskets, and these, as well as the cutlasses, are returned “without scabbards” or belts; in short, the whole return seems very inadequate to a well appointed army and to what might be expected from the answers returned by Lieutenant General Burgoyne to the first propositions made by Major General Gates: your committee, therefore, are of opinion, that an enquiry ought to be made into the causes of this deficiency: Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the president immediately send an express to General Gates, and desire answers to the following questions, viz.
What is become of the standards belonging to the respective regiments in General Burgoyne's army?
Where is the military chest, and medicines?
What is become of the cartouch boxes?
How comes the quantity of powder and cartridges to be so small?
How comes it that the number of muskets is less than that of the prisoners, and that all the muskets are unfit for service?
How comes the number of bayonets to be so greatly inferior to that of the muskets?
Where are the scabbards and belts of the bayonets and cutlasses?
Was there any destruction, waste, removal or concealment of the arms, tents, colours, treasure, or other military stores, belonging to General Burgoyne's army, from the time the first proposal was made, on the 13 October, to the time of surrender?
What was the state and condition of the arms and military stores when received by General Gates?
Were the arms piled agreeable to the articles of convention? If they were not, did any damage necessarily accrue in consequence of the failure?
And that General Gates be directed to make the necessary enquiries and return his answers to Congress as soon as possible.
Resolved
, That it is not to be understood that the embarkation of the troops under Lieutenant General Burgoyne is in any wise to be delayed on account of the foregoing queries if transports arrive before the answers are returned and the enquiry directed is finished.
In debating the foregoing report, it was moved,
That a committee of be
So it passed in the negative.
It was then proposed to add, ∥after the words “and return his answers to Congress as soon as possible,”∥
“And whereas it is probable that sufficient evidence cannot be obtained in Albany touching the premises;
Resolved
, that Major General Heath be directed to collect all the evidence he can possibly procure concerning the
On this the previous question was moved, whether that question be now put? and the yeas and nays being required:
So it passed in the negative.
Congress having received information, that the insidious enemies of the United States of America have endeavoured to propagate in Europe false and groundless reports, that a treaty had been held between Congress and the commissioners of the king of Great Britain, by which it was probable that a reconciliation would take place:
Be it declared and resolved, That the commissioners of the said United States at the several courts in Europe be authorized to represent to the courts at which they respectively reside, that no treaty whatever has been held between the king of Great Britain or any of his commissioners and the said United States since their declaration of independence:
And whereas, the cause of these United States may be greatly endangered, unless such of the European powers as regard the rights of mankind should interpose to prevent the ungenerous combination of other powers against the liberties of the said states:
Resolved
, That the commissioners of the United States at the several courts in Europe be directed to apply to the respective courts, and request their immediate assistance for preventing a farther embarkation of foreign troops to America, and also to urge the necessity of their acknowledging the independence of these states.
Resolved
, That all proposals for a treaty between the king of Great Britain, or any of his commissioners, and the United States of America, inconsistent with the independence of the said states, or with such treaties or alliances as may be formed under their authority, will be rejected by Congress.
Resolved
, That the commissioners of the United States be severally directed to communicate to the respective courts the purport of the first and second resolutions when they shall think it expedient, and to suspend the last until upon a general consultation of the commissioners a majority shall judge it necessary.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report from the Board of Treasury of the 19th; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the pay of Jonathan Trumbull, Jun. Esq
Resolved
, That the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be allowed to Jonathan Trumbull, Jun. Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 487.
Resolved
, That the resolution passed yesterday, relative to the execution of the war department, be annulled, and that the former Board of War be authorized to proceed on the business of that department till such time as a quorum of the commissioners of the war office shall attend.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee to whom were referred the letter from the Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Esq
Pursued by the injustice and the vengeance of
the King and Parliament
Great Britain, these United States have been compelled to engage in a bloody and expensive war. Amidst
much great
every distress that
they have yet experienced
may befal them, it will be their consolation to appeal to Heaven for the rectitude of their measures; since
they have her influence
they have had recourse to arms, not from ambition or the lust of power, but to resist actual invasion and boundless rapine, and to secure
to themselves and to their Posterity
the common rights and privileges of human nature: the blessings of freedom and safety
that they have had recourse to arms
.
Aided by venal foreigners and domestic traitors, the war has been prosecuted by our implacable foes with their utmost force and vigour, and aggravated by more than savage barbarity.
Congress, nevertheless, supported by the
virtue, patriotism and good faith of their constituents have hitherto raised all the necessary supplies on the publick credit
confidence of their fellow citizens, without burthening them with taxes or pecuniary contributions, have hitherto raised all the necessary supplies on the public faith
For these purposes
.
To maintain our fleets and armies, large sums have been emitted in
continental
bills of credit, and the same
expedient
method has been
adopted
embraced by the respective states to answer
the demands of their internal governments
their internal wants. By these
exertions
expedients, our paper currency, notwithstanding the
settled
solid basis on which it is founded, is multiplied beyond the rules of good policy. No truth being more evident, than that where the quantity of money of any
quality or
denomination exceeds what is useful as a medium of commerce, its comparative value must be proportionably reduced. To this cause, conspiring with the arts
and practices
of our open and secret enemies, the shameful avidity of too many of our professed friends, and the scarcity of foreign commodities are we to ascribe the depreciation of our currency: the consequences to be apprehended are equally obvious and alarming.against those dangerous evils
.
“If the Depravity of Morals, if the Extinction of publick Virtue, if the Supplies for carrying on the War,
if the Interests of Individuals,
if the preservation of the publick Faith and the Honour, Safety and Independance of the United States, are Objects,
which are worthy of our Concern, we are loudly, &c.”
Blessed be God, they are not
unavoidable
irremediable.curse
disgrace. Let the extortioner and oppressor be
To promote these great and salutary purposes, Congress, upon mature deliberation and with the most earnest solicitude, recommend the following propositions to the legislatures of the respective states, to be immediately adopted and carried into effect:
1.
Resolved
, That it be most earnestly recommended to
New Hampshire
Massachusetts Bay
Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
That the sum so assessed and to be raised shall not be considered as the proportion of any State, but being paid into the treasury shall be placed to
each of
their respective credit,
and
bearing an interest
allowed thereon
of six per cent. per annum, from the time of payment until the quotas shall be finally ascertained and adjusted by the Congress of the United States, agreeable to the confederation hereafter to be adopted and ratified by the several states. And if it shall then appear that any State is assessed more than its just quota of the said tax, it shall continue to receive interest on the surplus, and if less it shall be charged with interest on the deficiency, until by a future tax such surplus or deficiency shall be properly adjusted
by the Congress of the United States.
2.
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the legislatures of the several states to refrain from further emissions of
paper
bills of
3. And whereas the obstruction of the course of justice in any State may not only prove injurious to its
inhabitants
citizens, but also to the circulation and credit of the currency of such State and of the United States:
Resolved, therefore
, That it be recommended to the several states, forthwith to take effectual care that justice be duly administered within their respective jurisdictions, as well for the recovery of debts as for the punishment of crimes and misdemeanors; provided, that no suit or action shall be maintainable for the benefit of the enemies of these United States.
4. And whereas signal advantages have arisen from the establishment of continental loan offices, on which Congress continue to place great dependence; in order, therefore, as far as it is practicable, to ascertain the supplies for the war
for the next four months
which may be raised in the several states upon loan office certificates;
Resolved
, That it be recommended to the legislatures, or, in the recess of any of them, to the executive authority of the respective states, to cause subscriptions to be opened under the inspection of one or more respectable
inhabitants
citizens within each town or district, specifying the names of the lenders, and the sums they are willing to lend,
in monthly payments,
and that
a copy
copies of such subscription papers shall,
as soon as possible
from time to time, be
transmitted
delivered to the respective commissioners of the
continental
said loan offices, and by them
forwarded
transmitted to Congress; provided, that no certificate shall issue for less than two hundred dollars.
5.
Resolved
, That it be recommended to the legislatures, or, in their recess, to the executive power of the respective states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, and Delaware, respectively, to appoint commissioners to convene at New Haven, inProvisions and other Necessaries for the supply of the fleets and armies of the United States
manufactures, internal produce, and commodities imported from foreign parts, military stores excepted; and also to regulate the charges of inn-holders; and that, on the report of
such
the commissioners, each of the respective legislatures enact
such
suitable laws, as well for enforcing the observance of such of the regulations as they shall ratify, and enabling such inn-holders to obtain the necessary supplies, as to authorize the purchasing commissaries for the army, or any other person whom the legislature may think proper, to take from any engrossers, forestallers, or other person possessed of a larger quantity of any such commodities or provisions than shall be competent for the private annual consumption of their families, and who shall refuse to sell the surplus at the prices to be ascertained as aforesaid, paying only such price for the same.
6. And in order to introduce immediate œconomy in the public expence,
which is become indispensable
the spirit of sharping and extortion, and the rapid and excessive rise of every commodity being confined within no bounds; and considering how much time must unavoidably elapse before the plan
proposed
directed by the preceding resolution can be carried into effect,
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the respective legislatures of the United States, without delay, by their separate authority, to adopt and effectually enforce a temporary regulation of the prices of provisions and other commodities for the supply of the army, in such manner as they shall judge reasonable; and to continue in force until the general regulation before proposed shall be adopted.
VII. Resolved, that it be earnestly recommended to the Legislatures of the respective. States to [exert themselves to the utmost of their Power] furnish and supply the soldiers already enlisted, or who shall hereafter enlist, as the Quota of their respective States in the Continental Army, with Blankets shoes, stockings and other warm cloathing sufficient to defend them from the Inclemency of the Winter; And
The two papers are embodied in the resolution 7, printed under November 26, 1777, post. The original of this report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folios 155–163.
Resolved
, That the further consideration of the report be postponed.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
A letter, of the 9, from Brigadier General Hand, at Fort Pitt, to the secretary of the Board of War. A letter of the 11, from Colonel Mason, at Williamsburgh; one from Brigadier de Roche Fermoy, with sundry papers enclosed; two letters from Brigadier General Conway, one of the 15, enclosing his commission, which he begs leave to resign, and another directed to Cha. Carroll, or, in his absence, to the secretary of Congress, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 283; that of Fermoy, in No. 78, IX, folio 129; and that of Conway, in No. 159, folio 461.
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A letter from Preeson Bowdoin, enclosing a bill of exchange drawn by W. Kennon, with a letter of advice from J. Rutledge, Esq
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of War reported,
“That they have had a conference with General Mifflin on the late establishment made by Congress for conducting the war department, and are unanimously of opinion, that a sufficient number of commissioners have not been appointed for giving due weight to the execution of the regulations which may be recommended by the Board, and adopted by Congress, and particularly for enabling one of the board of commissioners to visit, from time to time, the different armies, posts, or garrisons, in order to see that the regulations adopted by Congress are carried into execution, and to examine what are the wants of the army, and what defects or abuses prevail, from time to time, in the different departments;” Whereupon,
That it would further greatly tend to facilitate the Business of the Department, especially at the commencement of the new Establishment,
The Board further beg leave to represent that General Mifflin has expressed a warm Sollicitude that Major General Gates should be appointed President of this Board, from a Conviction that his Military Skill would suggest Reformations in the different Departments of the Army essential to good Discipline, Order and Œconomy,
On these principles your Committee are of opinion That two additional Commissioners should be appointed to execute the Department of the War Office in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 17
The Board are further of Opinion that the Resolution passed on the
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 389. The members of the Board present were: Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, Joseph Jones, John Harvie, William Williams, and Francis Dana. The name of Major General Mifflin was placed first, but struck out. The last paragraph is in the writing of William Duer.
Resolved
, That two additional commissioners be appointed to execute the department of the war office, in pursuance of the resolution of the 17 October last, and that any three of the said commissioners be a quorum to transact business, any thing in the former resolutions respecting the Board to the contrary notwithstanding.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 165, Gates and Peters were nominated this day.
The committee to whom was referred a letter from William Buchanan, Esq
That on conferring with the commissary general upon the supplies of flour for the army in the middle district, he informed the committee, that he knew of no other magazines established for this purpose than those at Lancaster and York Town; that he could not ascertain the quantity of flour therein, but supposed the former contained 1,000 and the latter 5,000 barrels; that to transport these to the camp some teams were provided, and persons employed to procure as many more as were necessary; that these magazines would soon be exhausted, the consumption of the army being about 200 barrels a day; that if by stormy weather or any accident the teams employed in this business were interrupted, he imagined the army would want bread; that he knew not where to purchase
To proceed to head quarters, and hire 12 or more mills within six miles of, and covered by the army, to purchase
By these means, a present supply may be obtained, which bad weather cannot prevent, and time will be gained for establishing at Pottsgrove, Reading, Lancaster, &c. magazines of flour for three months, in which time the new Board of War will probably take up the business, and give proper orders for the supplies of the next campaign.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 87. The advice of General Mifflin is summarized from a memorandum, in the writing of Daniel Roberdeau, on folio 89.
The committee farther reported, that the commissary general was gone to camp on this business, and that they have recommended to him, on his way, to apply to the executive council or assembly of this State ∥Pennsylvania∥ for such assistance as shall be necessary: all which they submit to Congress: Whereupon,
Resolved
, That Congress concur with the committee, and approve the advice given and measures taken for the supply of the army.
Resolved
, That a committee of five be appointed, to devise ways and means for providing a sufficient supply of provisions for the army.
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [John] Harvie, and Mr. [William] Smith.
The committee appointed to prepare a plan for establishing a board to superintend the departments of the commissaries and quarter master general, report,
That as a Board of War, consisting of persons not members of Congress, has been lately established, and
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 93.
Resolved
, That Congress agree to the report of the committee.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the auditor general in favour of the Hon
Ordered
, That there be advanced to the Chevalier de la Colombe, a captain in the army, the sum of 120 dollars; he to be accountable: the warrant to issue on the auditor general.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the auditor general in favour of Winslow and Ingraham, for 4,323 60/90 dollars, for the payment of a quantity of leather purchased of them by Mr. William Henry, for public service; Mr. William Henry to be accountable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 489.
The commissioners for building ships of war in Virginia, having represented to the Marine Committee the necessity of a guard being provided for the protection of the continental frigates now on the stocks in that State against the efforts of the enemy's ships of war, five of which lie frequently within ten miles of the yard where the frigates are building, and the committee having taken the same into consideration, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the governor and council of Virginia be requested to provide such a guard, from time to time, at the continental expence, as may be deemed necessary by the said commissioners, upon consideration of circumstances, for the protection aforesaid; and also to furnish the said commissioners with arms and ammunition sufficient to enable the men working in the yard, to assist the guard in repelling any attempt that may be made by the enemy for the destruction of the frigates aforesaid.
Resolved
, That the commissioners aforesaid be authorized to prepare a few fire-rafts for the better security of the said frigates, it being represented by the commissioners that such rafts may be of considerable service, and fixed at no great expence.
Resolved
, That for the purposes of laying in provisions, and other expences of the said yard, an order be drawn on the loan office for the State of Virginia, in favour of the Marine Committee, or their order, for the sum of ten thousand dollars, to be remitted to the commissioners aforesaid.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
That the Executive Powers of the respective States take Bonds in their Names, but for the use of the United States, in such sums as shall by the said Executive Powers be deemed adequate, from the
Resolved
, That General Washington be directed to publish in general orders, that Congress will speedily take into consideration, the merits of such officers as have distinguished themselves by their intrepidity and their attention to the health and discipline of their men; and adopt such regulations as shall tend to introduce order and good discipline into the army, and to render the situation of the officers and soldiery, with respect to cloathing and other necessaries, more eligible than it has hitherto been.
Resolved
, That Governor Caswell be desired to appoint proper persons within the State of North Carolina, to purchase, with secrecy and despatch, all the merchantable leather and deer skins in that State proper for the making shoes, breeches, saddles, harness, and military accoutrements: that he be desired to detain so much thereof as can be manufactured into shoes and breeches within the space of four months, sending on to the cloathier general, at Lancaster, in Pensylvania, the shoes and breeches which may be made, from time to time, and
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 395. The members of the Board present were: Francis Lightfoot Lee, John Harvie, Joseph Jones, William Duer, William Williams, and Jonathan Bayard Smith.
A petition from John Simpers was read, setting forth, “that his brother, Thomas Simpers of Cœcil county, in the State of Maryland, was taken into custody at the Head of Elk, in the said county, about the 1st week of September last, on suspicion of having dealt with the English army then at Elk, and carried to the American army, then in the Delaware State, put in the provost guard, and sent from place to place, and is now confined in Eastown gaol, in the State of Pensylvania, and praying that he may be returned back to Cœcil county, in order to undergo his trial for the supposed offence;” Whereupon,
Ordered
, That the said petition be referred to General Washington, and that he be directed to give orders that the prisoner be remanded to Cœcil county, in the State of Maryland, there to undergo his trial agreeable to the laws of that State; the prisoner to bear the expences of his removal.
Resolved
, That a committee of five be appointed to enquire in what manner the department of the cloathier general has been executed, and report such regulations as they judge necessary to be adopted for the better execution of that office.
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Harvie, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau and Mr. [William] Duer.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Jean Baptist Mourgens, late a lieutenant in Colonel Livingston's regiment raised in Canada, for 78 dollars, as a recompence for his extraordinary services in Canada, performed by desire of General Sullivan, and for his expences in performing the said service.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 491.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That it be recommended to the commonwealth of Virginia, to appoint proper persons to re-inlist the soldiers of their first nine regiments, whose times of service are near expiring, and, in failure thereof, to take some speedy and effectual course for supplying their places in the continental army; and Congress agree to allow the men inlisting for the war, or three years, the usual bounty given to such recruits.
Resolved
, That Monsieur Fleury, in consideration of the disinterested gallantry which he has manifested in the service of the United States, be appointed to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the army.
That Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 393. The members of the Board present were Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duet, Joseph Jones and Francis Dana.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 493.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the letter from S. Hopkins, Esq
7. And whereas, notwithstanding the large quantities of cloathing which have seasonably been ordered from Europe for the armies of the United States, such have been the obstructions, from
British Cruizers
a variety of causes,in a matter so essential
of the like nature, and that, for this purpose, the several states should be called upon for assistance.
Resolved
, therefore, That it be earnestly recommended to the several states, from time to time to exert their utmost endeavours to procure, in addition to the allowances of cloathing heretofore made by Congress, supplies of blankets, shoes, stockings, shirts, and other cloathing, for the comfortable subsistence of the officers and soldiers
engaged in the defence of their country
of their respective batallions; and to appoint one or more persons to dispose of such articles to the said officers and soldiers in such proportions as the general officers, from the respective states commanding in such army, shall direct, and at such reasonable prices as shall be assessed by the cloathier general or his deputy, and be in just proportion to the wages of the officers and soldiers,Provided that for preventing any Competition between the purchasing Agents to be appointed by the States, and the Commissary General of Cloathing and his Deputies and Agents: no greater Price shall be given for any Article than such as shall be limited by the said Commissary General of Cloathing and his Deputies. And that this proviso shall remain in Force untill the Regulation of Prices herein before directed shall take effect and no longer.
And all Cloathing hereafter to be supplied to the officers and soldiers of the Continental Army out of the publick stores of the united States: beyond the Bounties already granted, shall be charged at the like Prices, the surplus to be defrayed by the united States.
A particular Regard in the Distribution of such Continental Clothing being paid to the Wants of the Troops of such States, who from the obstruction of their commerce cannot with equal advantage cloath their respective Troops with equal Facility with these States w
Provided that Measures be adopted by each State for preventing any Competition between their purchasing Agents and ye Cloathier General or his Agents, who are severally directed to observe ye
direction of ye Legislature of such State
Instructions of ye respective States relative to ye prices of Cloathing
which they may purchase therein and each State shall purchase within its own limits only
purchased within such State.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folios 165–167. The vote, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is on folio 163½.
On the yeas and nays being required,
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved
, That the further consideration of the report be postponed till to morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 23d, from General Washington, enclosing copies of letters that passed between him and General Howe, relative to the exchange and treatment of prisoners, and also extracts of sundry sentences of courts martial against officers, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 199. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 214.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the letter from S. Hopkins, Esq
8.
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the several states, as soon as may be, to confiscate and make sale of all the real and personal estate therein, of such of their inhabitants and other persons who have forfeited the same, and the right to the protection of their respective states, and to invest the money arising from the sales in continental loan office certificates, to be appropriated in such manner as the respective states shall hereafter direct.
∥Congress resumed the consideration of the reports and resolutions respecting the new Board of War and Colonel Harrison's letter; Whereupon,∥
Resolved
, That the wish of Colonel Harrison be complied with, and that he be excused from serving as a member of the Board of War, ∥and that another be elected in his stead. ∥
Congress proceeded to the election of three additional members to the Board of War; and the ballots being taken,
Major General Gates, Joseph Trumbull, Esq
Resolved
, That Major General Gates be appointed president of the Board of War.
Resolved
, That Mr. President be desired to inform Major General Gates of his being appointed president of the newly constituted Board of War, expressing the high sense Congress entertain of the general's abilities and peculiar fitness to discharge the duties of that important office, upon the right execution of which the success of the American cause does eminently depend; that he inform General Gates that it is the intention of Congress
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 7th, from Thomas M'Kean to Colonel Jos. Reed, was laid before Congress and read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War, with orders to take such measures as they may judge proper in consequence of the intelligence contained therein.
Resolved
, unanimously, That a committee of three be appointed forthwith to repair to the army, and, in a private confidential consultation with General Washington, to consider of the best and most practicable means for carrying on a winter's campaign with vigour and success, an object which Congress have much at heart, and on such consultation, with the concurrence of General Washington, to direct every measure which circumstances may require for promoting the public service:
The members chosen, Mr. R[obert] Morris, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and Mr. [Joseph] Jones.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 495.
Ordered
, That the following warrants issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
One in favour of James Paxton, assistant commissary of issues, for 2,000 dollars, which sum was advanced him by Mr. Smith, the 19 September last; Charles Stewart, Esq
One in favour of Michael Hillegas, Esq
One in favour of Blair M'Clenaghan, for 16,400 dollars, to discharge the continental navy board their order of the 3d September last, on William Alricks, their cashier, for the payment of two ships purchased of the said M'Clenaghan; the said navy board to be accountable:
One in favour of John Gibson, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Ordered
, That warrants issue on John Gibson. Esq
One, in favour of the Board of War, for 6,000 dollars, advanced by him to the said Board, the 28 September last, for the use of the Virginia militia, then on their march to join General Washington; the said Board to be accountable.
One, in favour of Major William Roberts, for 810 dollars, advanced the 1 October, by the auditor, for the use of the Culpepper militia, from the State of Virginia, then on their march to join General Washington; the said Major Roberts to be accountable.
One, in favour of Charles Thomson, Esq
One, in favour of Joseph Nourse, deputy secretary to the Board of War, for his salary from the 10th May, to the 10th November, 1777, for 390 dollars.
One, in favour of William Govett, assistant auditor, for sundry expences with two waggons and the hire of one to York Town, with the treasury books, papers, money, &c. from Philadelphia to Bristol, and round by Reading to Lancaster, with his expences from Lancaster to Reading, and from thence to York Town, by order of Congress, with the waggons that had the public papers, and his expences from Philadelphia to Bristol, by order of the Board, for money, and for sundry contingent expences at Baltimore last winter, &c., for 161 70/90 dollars.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel William Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, for 13,333 ⅓ dollars, for all advance made by the treasurer to Colonel John Patten, deputy commissary of purchases at Reading the 25 September last.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 186, I, folio 497.
Ordered
, That there be advanced to Brigadier General de Roche Fermoy, 375 dollars for three months' pay; he to be accountable.
Ordered
, That there be paid to Captain Peter Babb, or his order, in full of his pay roll of a company of militia
Ordered
, That a warrant issue in favour of the Board of War, for 300,000 dollars, to be by them transmitted to William Palfrey, Esq
Resolved
, That the salary of William Govett, assistant auditor general, be augmented, and that henceforth he be allowed the same pay as a commissioner for auditing accounts.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 499.
Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner to the Court of France in the room of S. Deane, Esq
Resolved
, That William Carmichael, Esq
Resolved
, That an enquiry be made into the causes of the evacuation of Fort Mercer, on the river Delaware, and into the conduct of the principal officers commanding that garrison; and that a committee be appointed to report the mode of conducting the enquiry.
Resolved
, That an immediate enquiry be made into the causes of the failure of the late expedition against Rhode Island, and into the conduct of the principal officers conducting such expedition; and that a committee be appointed to report the mode of conducting such enquiry.
Resolved
, That an enquiry be made into the loss of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, in the State of New York; and of Fort Mifflin, on the river Delaware, in the State of Pensylvania, and into the conduct of the principal
Resolved
, That whenever any expedition which may be undertaken either by sea or land, by order, or at the expence of the United States, shall fail in the execution; or whenever any important post, fort, or fortress, garrisoned and defended at the expence of the United States, shall be evacuated, or taken by the enemy, it be an established rule in Congress to institute an enquiry into the causes of the failure of such expedition, or into the loss of such post, fort, or fortress, and into the conduct of the principal officer or officers conducting the expedition so failing, or commanding the post, fort, or fortress so evacuated or taken by the enemy; the enquiry so instituted, to be conducted in such manner as Congress shall deem best adapted for the investigation of truth in the respective cases.
Resolved
, That the committee for conducting the enquiry into the causes of the evacuation of Fort Mercer, and the failure of the expedition against Rhode Island, consist of three members.
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee.
The committee appointed to devise ways and means for providing a sufficient supply of provisions for the army, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That a committee be appointed to repair forthwith to Lancaster, to confer with the general assembly of the State of Pensylvania on the best means of providing immediate supplies, and establishing sufficient magazines of flour and pork for the army in this department; that they represent to the assembly the necessity of obtaining
Resolved
, That a copy of the resolution of Congress of the 22d October and 3d of November, relative to the commissary's department, be transmitted to his excellency the governor and council of safety of the State of Connecticut, who are requested to order the salt to be sent from the eastern to the middle district agreeable to the resolution first mentioned, to such parts of the North River, and to the care of such officer or person there as they shall judge expedient, and inform Congress or the commissary general of purchases thereof; and the governor and council aforesaid are further requested to take effectual measures for sending immediate supplies of cattle to the army in the middle district, and to the prisoners quartered near Boston; and to this purpose they are fully authorized to superintend the deputy commissary general of purchases and issues, and their respective deputies or assistants in the eastern and northern districts, and to remove and appoint others in the room of such as shall refuse or neglect to comply with their directions.
Resolved
, That General Heath be directed to take effectual care that fresh provisions be issued to the prisoners in the eastern district, and that the salt provisions be reserved for the army of the United States for the next campaign.
Resolved
, That General Washington be directed to apply to General Howe for passports to convey provisions and wood to the British and German troops, quartered, agreeable to the convention of Saratoga, in the neighbourhood of Boston, and that he send such passports by express to General Heath.
Resolved
, That the commissary general of issues be directed to preserve the flour barrels of the army, and
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, 191. Thomson has noted upon it the vote on the committee to Lancaster: Roberdeau, 9; Dyer, 4; Penn, 1; Harvie, 4; Lovell, 1; and Harnett, 6.
Resolved
, That that the committee to repair to Lancaster consist of three; the members chosen, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, and Mr. [John] Penn.
The Committee of Commerce, to whom were referred the proposals of Alexander Gillon, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folio 77.
That they have conferred with Mr. Gillon on the subject, and are of opinion, that a sum of money not exceed 250,000 dollars should be advanced to the said Alexander Gillon, Esq
That the said Alexander Gillon, Esq. or his attorneys, shall purchase all the remittances they make,
to Europe, on the best terms in their power that
and charter or purchase ships suitable for transporting the same to Europe, on the best and most frugal terms in their power, and under such orders, restrictions, and limitations, as they may, from time to time, receive from the committee or board that superintend the continental commerce, who
That the said Alexander Gillon shall forthwith repair to Europe, and purchase, at proper places, such cloathing, arms, ammunition, and other articles, as may, from time to time, be directed by the said committee, or board of commerce, to the amount of the net proceeds of all the remittances he or his attorneys in Europe shall there receive from his attorneys in America, such articles, to be bought on the best terms, and shipped for these United States, in such ships, or by such conveyances, as may be most likely to arrive safe; the said Alexander Gillon to conform himself in the transaction of this business to the instructions he may receive, from time to time, from the committee or board of commerce, to which he is to give regular advice of all his proceedings:
That the customary mercantile commissions be allowed for purchasing and making the remittances, and on the sale thereof in Europe, and a commission of five per cent. on the purchase and exportation of all the articles ordered from Europe, the said commissions to be the only compensation or benefit the said Alexander Gillon, or his attorneys, are to receive or derive to themselves from this business, being deemed fully equivalent to the services they are hereby required to perform; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the above report be accepted, and that the committee of commerce be authorized and directed to enter into a contract on behalf of the United States, with the said Alexander Gillon, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 175. It is endorsed “Postponed 25th to the 26th Nov.” The vote is in the writing of Charles Thomson.
The yeas and nays being required,
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 16th, from General Gates, with sundry papers enclosed; also a letter of the 27, from J. Armstrong, aid de camp to General Gates, who brought the foregoing despatches to Reading, and was there detained by sickness; also
A letter, of the 24, from W. Shippen, director general, at Bethlehem, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 163.
Ordered
, That a copy of General Gates's letter be sent to General Washington.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to procure a translation to be made of the articles of Confederation into the French language, and to report an address to the inhabitants of Canada, inviting them to accede to the union of these states; that the said committee be further directed to report a plan for facilitating the distribution of the said articles and address, and for conciliating the affections of the Canadians towards these United States.
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [James] Lovell, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee.
Resolved
, That General Washington regulate the rank of Major General Arnold and Brigadiers General Woodford and Scott, agreeable to the resolution of Congress of the 12th of Nov
Resolved
, That the committee appointed to repair to the camp be instructed to intimate to General Washington that Congress are not willing to accept the resignation of Colonel Spotswood.
Ordered
, That Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom have leave of absence for a few days, for the recovery of his health.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That the following warrants issue on John Gibson, Esq
One in favour of Colonel David Kennedy, for 2,016 76/90 dollars, the amount of sundry provisions, wood, forage, &c. furnished the guards to the British prisoners
One in favour of Colonel George Morgan, for one thousand dollars, to be advanced him for the boat department at Fort Pitt.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 501.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
A letter, of the 26th November, from General Washington, enclosing a copy of a letter from General Howe to him, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 223. It is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 222.
Congress having received information that General Howe, or General Burgoyne, by his direction, means to apply for leave to embark the troops (surrendered by the convention of Saratoga) at Rhode Island or some part of the sound, which application, if made and complied with, may be attended with consequences highly injurious to the interest of these United States:
Resolved
, That Mr. President inform General Gates, the council of Massachusetts bay, and Major General Heath, that it is the resolution of Congress, if any such application as before mentioned is made, that it be utterly rejected, and that the said troops, when they do embark, must be shipped from the port stipulated by the convention of Saratoga and no other.
Resolved
, That General Washington be informed, it is highly agreeable to Congress that the Marquis de la
Resolved
, That the Committee of Commerce be directed to ship, with all despatch, four thousand hogsheads of tobacco to the commissioners of the United States at the court of France, to enable them to comply with the contract they mention in their letter of the 12 March last, to have entered into with the farmers general of France.
Ordered
, That the letter of the 23, and that of the 26 of November, from General Washington, and the letter of the 16 November, from General Gates, with the papers severally enclosed, be referred to the Board of War.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hospitals, for fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department, the said director general to be accountable:
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of William Buchanan, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Colonel Benjamin Flower, commissary general of military stores, for ten thousand dollars, for the use of his department, he to be accountable.
Resolved
, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq., Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office for the State of Pennsylvania in favour of Paul Zantzinger for 12,000 Dollars for the Payment of Cloathing purchased for the use of the Army, the said Zantzinger to be accountable.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Ordered
, That the following warrants issue in favour of Major General Mifflin, quarter master general, amounting to four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department, for which he is to be accountable, viz.
One on Thomas Smith, Esq
One on Derk Ten Broek, Esq
One on Joseph Borden, Esq
One on Michael Hillegas, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 504.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 28 November, from the council of safety of Pensylvania, at Lancaster, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 441.
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A motion being made for recommending to the states to call in all the paper money emitted in the respective states, under the authority of the king of Great Britain; after debate,
Resolved
, That the same be committed to a committee of four.
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [James] Duane.
The committee appointed to procure a translation of the articles of confederation, to report an address to the inhabitants of Canada, and a plan for facilitating the distribution, &c. brought in a partial report, which was read:
The committee to whom it was referred to procure a translation to be made of the Articles of Confederation into the French Language, and to report an address to the Inhabitants of Canada inviting them to accede to the Union of these States; that the said Committee be further directed to report a Plan for facilitating the Distribution of
That a strong Citadel should be immediately built either on Sugar Hill, or on some other Eminence near Lake Champlain which on reconnoitring the Grounds shall be thought best adapted for such Purpose, capable of containing a Garrison of about seven hundred Men, and of sustaining a vigorous Siege, and that a proper Engineer be forthwith sent into the Northern Department to consult General Gates on this Subject, and to superintend the Construction of said Citadel.
That a sufficient Quantity of Provisions should be transported thither during the Winter for subsisting 1,200 Men for the space of twelve Months, and also a proper store of Cannon, Mortars, and Ammunition for the Defence of said Citadel.
That a Regiment should be immediately established, to be composed of such Canadians as are now Prisoners, and are willing to inlist, and such other Canadians or French as may be engaged for the Service of these States. The said Battalion to be officered
by the best French officers as can be secured for such Purpose
in the manner hereinafter specified, and the Command of it conferred on an Officer equally versed in the Arts of Policy as well as that of War.
That the stile of said Battalion be the French Legion—and that those who may inlist in it be entitled to the same Pay, Bounties and Emoluments which are allowed to other Soldiers in the Continental Service.
That any Person enlisting in said Battalion and finding himself in either of the Articles undermentioned shall be allowed for the same at the following rates:
a good Musquet a Blanket a good Bayonet and Scabbard a good Cartouch Box
And in order to complete with greater Facility and Expedition the Recruiting the said Battalion,
That any reputable Inhabitant of Canada who shall recruit and deliver at the Citadel above mentioned 30 able bodied Recruits, who shall pass Muster, shall be entitled to the Rank and Pay of a Second Lieutenant in the Battalion in which the said Recruits shall be incorporated, and the other Emoluments to such Commission annexed.
That any reputable Inhabitant of Canada, who shall in like Manner, recruit and deliver 15 able bodied Recruits who shall pass Muster, shall be entitled to the Rank Pay and Emoluments of an Ensign in the Battalion in which the said Recruits shall be incorporated.
That any Canadian who shall procure five Men to enlist in the said Battalion shall be entitled to the Rank, Pay, and Emoluments of a Serjeant, exclusive of the same Bounty of
That any Canadian who shall procure three Men to enlist in the said Battalion shall be entitled to the Rank, Pay, and Emoluments of Corporal, exclusive of the Bounty of
That the Commanding Officer of said Battalion be authorized to recommend for Appointment as a Chaplain to said Battalion, any Canadian Priest, Minister or Deacon of Good Character, who shall assist him in completing the said Battalion, and in promoting the Accession of Canada to the Union of these States.
That the said officer be instructed by Means of Emissaries and Papers dispersed in Canada to conciliate the Minds of the Canadians towards these States, and to prepare them for Effecting a Revolution, whenever the United States shall deem such a Measure Expedient.
That the Board of War be directed to recommend to Congress the other Officers necessary for Commanding said Battalion, and to forward the raising it with all possible Expedition.
That General Gates or the Commanding Officer of the Continental Forces on the East Side of Hudson's River be directed to order one of the Regiments belonging to the State of New York to take Post at such place as shall be determined on by the Engineer to be sent to Ticonderoga, with Instructions to the said Officer to exert himself in constructing such Parts of the Works as can be carried on during the Winter, and that the General or other Comd'g. Officer be farther directed to furnish the said Officer with such Aid from the Militia of the State of New York, and the Eastern States as he may think proper, and to order such quantities of Provision, Tools, Cannon, Mortars, and other military Stores to be procured and forwarded with all Despatch as shall be necessary for carrying into Execution the Design of Congress.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 47.
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next.
Resolved
, That a commission be made out for Mr. J. Adams similar to that heretofore granted to the commissioners at the Court of France.
A motion being made ∥for obtaining a loan of money:∥
Resolved
, That it be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom, Mr. [James] Duane, and Mr. [Francis] Dana.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 1 November, from Joseph Trumbull, at Providence, and one, of the 6, from Major General Spencer, at Providence, with a copy of a letter written by him to Joseph Trumbull, Esq
Ordered
, That the letter from Mr. Trumbull, and such parts of General Spencer's letter as relate to money, and the correspondence between him and Mr. Trumbull, together with the letters that passed between them, be referred to the Board of Treasury:
That such part of General Spencer's letter as relates to the expedition to Rhode Island, together with the copy of the letter to Governor Cooke, be referred to the committee appointed to report the mode of conducting an enquiry into the cause of the failure of that expedition.
The committee to whom were referred a motion made yesterday, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration:
Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolutions:
The quantity of paper money issued to defray the necessary expences of the war, having at length become so considerable as to endanger its credit, and Congress apprehending that the slow operation of taxes may not be adequate to the prevention of an evil so pernicious in its consequences, and as experience proves that the method of paying the interest by bills on France does not fill the loan offices so fast as the urgent calls of war demand:
Resolved
, That the commissioners at the Courts of France and Spain, be directed to exert their utmost endeavours to obtain by means most effectual to the end, a loan of two millions sterling, on the faith of the thirteen United States, for a term not less than ten years, with permission, if practicable, to pay the same sooner, if it shall be agreeable to these states, giving twelve months' previous notice to the lender of such intention to return the money.
That if the money borrowed cannot be obtained at a less interest than six per centum, the commissioners be permitted to engage for that rate of interest and that they stipulate for the payment of the interest at periods not less than annual.
That the commissioners be instructed to consider the money hereby directed to be borrowed as a fund to be applied (unless Congress direct otherwise) solely to the purpose of answering such draughts as Congress shall make for the purpose of lessening the sum of paper money in circulation.
That in order more effectually to answer the good purposes intended by this plan, the commissioners be also instructed to keep secret, as the nature of the thing will permit, whatever loan they shall be able to obtain for this purpose on account of the United States.
And that the commissioners be desired to give Congress the most early and repeated information of their success in this application.
Whereas, it is the uniform practice of our enemies to pursue every measure which may tend to distract, divide and delude the inhabitants of these states; to effect which purposes, they have, amongst other arts, promoted associations for supporting the credit of the public money, struck under the authority and sanction of the king of Great Britain, which associations are evidently calculated to sap the confidence of the public in the continental bills of credit, and in those issued by the authority of the respective states, and to furnish a medium for carrying on a pernicious and traitorous commerce between the enemy and the citizens of these states:
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the legislative authorities of the respective states, forthwith to enact laws requiring all persons within their respective states, who may be possessed of any bills of credit struck under the sanction and authority of the king of Great Britain, or on or before the 19th of April, 1775, forthwith to deliver in the same to a commissioner or commissioners for that purpose to be appointed in each county of the respective states; authorizing such commissioner or commissioners to give in exchange for any sum so paid in, continental money or bills of credit of their respective states; and to declare in the laws so to be enacted, that all bills of credit, under the description above mentioned, which shall not be so delivered in within such reasonable time as the respective states shall for such purpose limit, shall thenceforth become utterly irredeemable.
A representation from Captain ∥W.∥ Peery, of Lewis-town, to the Board of War, was laid before Congress and read; Whereupon,
Congress came to the following resolution:
Whereas the situation of the enemy's ships and forces, and the arts and number of the malignants in the county of Sussex, in the State of Delaware, have rendered the operation of the civil authority there utterly ineffectual, whereby it has become not only essential to the preservation of the independency of that State, but likewise to the general welfare of these United States, that the most vigorous measures should be forthwith pursued for repressing the arts and violence of the open and secret enemies of these states;
Resolved
, That the Board of War be authorized to pursue such measures for supporting the friends of America in the county of Sussex, in the State of Delaware, and for curbing the spirit and checking the evil designs of the disaffected, as they shall deem most effectual.
Whereas, the Baron de St. Ouary, a gallant gentleman from France, engaged as a volunteer in the service of the United States, was lately, by the fortune of war, made prisoner by the British troops;
Resolved
, That General Washington be directed to propose to General Howe, that the Baron de St. Ouary be permitted to return from his captivity, agreeably to the practice of Europe respecting volunteers: that if General Howe shall refuse this, it be proposed to take the baron's parole for his enlargement, Congress engaging, when an exchange takes place, to return a British officer for the Baron de St. Ouary: and that General Howe be informed, if neither of these propositions be accepted, that it is expected the gentleman be treated as a prisoner of war, having respect to his merit and rank in the French army.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 505.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the commissioner of the continental loan office, for the State of South Carolina, in favour of Colonel Thomas Polk, or his order, for ten thousand pounds, South Carolina currency, equal to six thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, borrowed from Colonel Polk by Brigadier General Moore, represented by the said brigadier to have been lodged in the hands of Commissary William Kennon, for the use of the troops in the southern department, as appears by a letter from the said brigadier to Congress, dated the 9th February last, and a bill drawn by him on the continental treasurer in favour of Colonel Polk, for the said sum, which is to bear interest to be computed from
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Resolved
, That one million of dollars be emitted under the direction of the Treasury Board, and on the faith of the United States: that the bills shall, excepting the numbers, be of the same tenor and date as the emission directed on the 7th November last, be numbered from the last number of each respective denomination of that emission progressively, and consist of the following denominations: viz.
15,384 bills of 3 dollars
15,384 do. of 4 ditto
15,384 do. of 5 ditto
15,384 do. of 6 ditto
15,384 bills of 7 dollars
15,385 do. of 30 ditto
15,385 do. of 2 ditto
15,385 do. of 8 ditto
That all power and duties of Michael Hillegas, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folios 507 and 509.
Resolved
, That three members be added to the Board of Treasury.
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [Benjamin] Rumsey, and Mr. [Joseph] Jones.
Resolved
, That Mr. [Francis] Dana be excused from attending the Board of War, in order that he may attend the duties of the Treasury Board.
Ordered
, That Mr. [Richard] Law, Mr. [William] Williams, and Mr. [James] Duane have leave of absence.
The committee for Indian affairs, to whom were referred a letter from the president of South Carolina, and sundry other papers, having taken the same into consideration, reported a speech to the Six Nations and instructions to the commissioners for Indian affairs in the northern department, which were taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:
Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six Nations
!
The great council of the United States call now for your attention. Open your ears, that you may hear, and your hearts, that you may understand,
Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six Nations
!
When the people on the other side of the great water, without any cause, sought our destruction, and sent over their ships and their warriors to fight against us, and to take away our possessions, you might reasonably have expected us to ask for your assistance. If we are enslaved, you cannot be free. For our strength is greater than yours. If they would not spare their own brothers, of the same flesh and blood, would they spare you? If they burn our houses and ravage our lands, could yours be secure?
But, brothers, we acted on very different principles. Far from desiring you to hazard your lives in our quarrel, we advised you to sit still in ease and peace. We even entreated you to remain neuter; and, under the shade of your trees, and by the side of your streams, to smoke your pipe in safety and contentment. Though pressed by our enemies, and when their ships obstructed our supplies of arms and powder, and cloathing, we were not unmindful of your wants. Of what was necessary for our own use, we cheerfully spared you a part. More we should have done, had it been in our power.
Brothers, Cayugas, Senecas, Tascaroras, and Mohawks
!
Open your ears and hear our complaints. Why have you listened to the voice of our enemies? why have you suffered Sir John Johnson and Butler to mislead you? why have you assisted General St. Leger and his warriors from the other side of the great water, by giving them a free passage through your country to annoy us; which both you and we solemnly promised should not be defiled with blood? why have you suffered so many of your nations to join them in their cruel purposes? Is this a suitable return for our love and kindness? or did you suspect, that we were too weak or too cowardly to defend our country; and join our enemies, that you might come in for a share of the plunder? what has been gained by this unprovoked treachery? what but shame and disgrace! your foolish warriors and their new allies have been defeated and driven back in every quarter; and many of them justly paid the price of their rashness with their lives. Sorry are we to find that our ancient chain of union, heretofore so strong and bright, should be broken by such poor and weak instruments as Sir John Johnson and Butler, who dare not show their faces among their countrymen, and by St. Leger, a stranger, whom you never knew! what are become of the spirit, the wisdom, and the justice of your nations?, is it possible that you should barter away your ancient glory, and break through the most solemn treaties for a few blankets or a little rum or powder? that trifles such as these should prove any temptation to you to cut down that strong tree of friendship, by our common ancestors planted in the deep bowels of the earth at Onondaga, your central council fire; that tree which has been watered and nourished by their children until the branches had almost reached the skies! as well might we have expected, that the mole should overturn the vast mountains of the Allegany, or that the birds of the air should drink up the waters of Ontario!
Brothers, Cayugas, Senecas, Tuscaroras, Mohawks
!
Look into your hearts, and be attentive. Much are you to blame, and greatly have you wronged us. Be wise in time. Be sorry for and amend your faults. The great council, though the blood of our friends, who fell by your tomhawks at the German Flats, cries aloud against you, will yet be patient. We do not desire to destroy you. Long have we been at peace; and it is still our wish to bury the hatchet, and wipe away the blood which some of you have so unjustly shed. Till time shall be no more, we wish to smoke with you the calumet of
Brothers: Believe us who never deceive. If, after all our good counsel, and all our care to prevent it, we must take up the hatchet, the blood to be shed will lie heavy on your heads. The hand of the thirteen United States is not short. It will reach to the farthest extent of the country of the Six Nations; and while we have right on our side, the good spirit whom we serve, will enable us to punish you, and put it out of your power to do us farther mischief.
Brothers, Oneidas and Onondagas
!
Hearken to what we have to say to you in particular: It rejoices our hearts, that we have no reason to reproach you in common with the rest of the Six Nations. We have experienced your love, strong as the oak, and your fidelity, unchangeable as truth. You have kept fast hold of the ancient covenant-chain, and preserved it free from rust and decay, and bright as silver. Like brave men, for glory you despised danger; you stood forth, in the cause of your friends, and ventured your lives in our battles. While the sun and moon continue to give light to the world, we shall love and respect you. As our trusty friends, we shall protect you; and shall at all times consider your welfare as our own.
Brothers, of the Six Nations
!
Open your ears and listen attentively. It is long ago that we explained to you our quarrel with the people on the other side of the great water. Remember that our cause is just; you and your fore fathers have long seen us allied to those people in friendship. By our labour and industry they flourished like the trees of the forest, and became exceeding rich and proud. At length, nothing would satisfy them, unless, like slaves, we would give them the power over our whole substance. Because we would not yield to such a shameful bondage, they took up the hatchet. You have seen them covering our
Brothers: Believe us that they feel their own weakness, and that they are unable to subdue the thirteen United States. Else why have they not left our Indian brethren in peace, as they first promised, and we wished to have done? Why have they endeavoured by cunning speeches, by falsehood and misrepresentation, by strong drink and presents, to embitter the minds and darken the understandings of all our Indian friends on this great continent, from the north to the south, and to engage them to take up the hatchet against us without any provocation?. The Cherokees, like some of you, were prevailed upon to strike our people. We carried the war into their country and fought them. They saw their error, they repented, and we forgave them. The United States are kind and merciful, and wish for peace with all the world. We have, therefore, renewed our ancient covenant-chain with that nation.
Brothers: The Shawanese and the Delawares give us daily proofs of their good disposition and their attachment to us; and are ready to assist us against all our enemies. The Chickasaws are among the number of our faithful friends. And the Choctaws, though remote from us, have refused to listen to the persuasions of our enemies, rejected all their offers of corruption, and continue peaceable. The Creeks are also our steady friends. Oboylaco, their great chief, and the rest of the sachems and warriors, as the strongest mark of their sincere friendship, have presented the great council with an eagle's tail and rattle trap. They have desired that these tokens might be shewn to the Six Nations and their allies, to convince them that the Creeks are at peace with the United States. We, therefore, have directed our commissioners to deliver them into your hands. Let them be seen by all the nations in your alliance, and preserved in your central council-house at Onondaga.
Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six Nations
!
Hearken to our counsel. Let us, who are born on the same great continent, love one another. Our interest is the same, and we ought
If any of our people injure you, acquaint us of it, and you may depend upon full satisfaction. If any of yours hurt us, be you ready to repair the wrong or punish the aggressor. Above all, shut your ears against liars and deceivers, who, like false meteors, strive to lead you astray, and to set us at variance. Believe no evil of us, till you have taken pains to discover the truth. Our council-fire always burns clear and bright in Pennsylvania. Our commissioners and agents are near your country. We shall not be blinded by false reports or false appearances.
Brothers: What may be farther necessary at this time for our common good, you will learn from our commissioners, who sit round our council-fire at Albany. Hear what they say, and treasure it up in your hearts. Farewell.
From our great council-fire in Pennsylvania, the 3 day of December, 1777.
By order of Congress.
Instructions to the commissioners for Indian affairs in the northern department.
The glorious successes of our arms in the north, and the severe chastisement which the unfriendly Indians have received, will dispose the Six Nations to dread our resentment, and to value our protection. While they are under these impressions, will be the proper season to urge them to some decisive enterprize, which will effectually tie them to our cause and promote the public service.
Congress have therefore sent them a speech, which is to be communicated to the different nations, and their feelings upon it attentively watched; and every possible advantage derived to the states from favorable circumstances.
Congress have at present two great objects in view from their assistance,&c.&c.
1. As the Ottawas, Chippawas, Wiandots and Mingoes at Pluggy's town are now actually carrying on a predatory war against the inhabitants of the western frontiers of Virginia and Pensylvania, the Six Nations are to be prevailed upon to oblige them immediately to desist; in case of refusal, to declare war against them and surprize and destroy their towns. If the latter plan should be agreed to, they will be aided by General Hand, should that be convenient.
2. They are to be induced to surprize Niagara, which will be practicable, if the Senecas heartily embrace the measure and it is conducted with prudence and secresy.
These are capital objects, in the execution of which, great circumspection is necessary; and especially in broaching them to the Indians. And they therefore will demand the utmost attention of the Commissioners.
Resolved
, That Mr. [James] Duane be requested to confer with the commissioners for Indian affairs in the northern department and to give them every aid and assistance in his power, in their deliberations, conferences and treaties with the Indians.
Congress proceeded to the election of two commissioners for auditing claims at the Board of Treasury and the ballots being taken,
James Milligan and William Turnbull were elected.
Whereas
The Committee to whom it was referred to consider of a proposition for surprizing and destroying the enemies shipping at S
I. That the
Hon
ble. Ja
s. Duane Esq. be authorized and directed in a personal Conference to communicate the Enterprize to Brigadier General Starke, who is appointed to the Command: and to consider with him of the best and most practicable means for its accomplishment.
II. That Brigadier General Starke be authorized with the utmost Secrecy to Select or Raise a competent number of Volunteers for this Service; and to receive from the commanding officer of the Northern Department a sufficient Quantity of Military Stores, Carriages and provisions: or if more convenient to hire Carriages and to purchase provisions: and that the sum of
Five thousand dollars for these and other contingent expences shall be advanced out of the Military Chest, in the said Department to him or his order for the Expenditure whereof he is to be accountable.
III. That if the Enterprize should prove successful the sum of
Twenty thousand dollars shall be paid to the said General Starke and his officers and men, to be divided among them in proportion as the pay of Continental Officers and Privates bears to each other as a Reward for their services and in full satisfaction of all Wages and Claims:
or in such proportions, more advantageous to the privates as the general and his ojficers shall ascertain. But if stipulated wages should be preferred to the Chance of such Reward, the general shall be at Liberty to retain the officers and men at double continental pay and Rations during the Expedition, in Consideration of the inclemency of the season
and the importance of the service.
IV. That General Starke be ingaged to keep secret the said Enterprize, and not to communicate it untill the nature of the operations shall render it necessary.
V. That a Warrant in the Words following, subscribed by the President, shall be transmitted to General Starke; viz:
“In Congress York Town
“
the 3
d. day of Dec
r. 1777.
“Whereas Brig
Five thousand dollars: and such Carriages, Military Stores and Provisions as he may require, taking his vouchers for the same and for which he is to be accountable.
“By order of Congress.
“To the Commanding officer, Pay Master General, Quarter Master General and Commissaries of Stores and Provisions, in the Northern Department.”
VI. That if from any unforeseen accident General Starke should be unable or unwilling to engage in the said Enterprize: The Commanding officer in the Northern Department be in such case directed and authorized to appoint some other brave and diligent officer to the said Command and that the officer so Commanding shall have the same powers and with the other officers and Men the same Rewards or Pay as are before proposed.
VII. That all officers in the Service of the United States be required, and all civil officers and others requested, to give every aid and assistance in their power for forwarding and securing the success of the said Enterprize.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 171. The words in italics were inserted by Henry Laurens. The paper is endorsed: “Secret, Passed in Congress December 3, 1777. Not to be entered on the Journal for some time.”
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
A letter of the 30th November, from Joseph Reed, wherein he declines to accept the office of commissioner to the western frontiers, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIX, folio 169.
Resolved
, That he be excused.
A letter, of the 1st, from General Washington, and one, of the same date, from Brigadier General Varnum, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 229. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 229. That of Varnurn is in No. 78, XXIII, folio 73.
Ordered
, That they be referred to a committee of five. The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [James] Duane, and Mr. [John] Harvie.
Resolved
, That the report of the Board of Treasury, on the regulations for the payment of the army, be referred to the new Board of War.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
Whereas, experience hath evidenced that the laws which have been enacted in the State of Pensylvania, permitting the furnishing of substitutes to perform militia duty, have not only tended to impede the march of the militia on critical occasions, but likewise to impede the recruiting service, and to encourage desertions from the continental army:
Resolved
, That it be submitted to the consideration of the legislature of the commonwealth of Pensylvania, forthwith to repeal the clause in the said laws which permits the hiring of substitutes to perform militia duty; and, in lieu thereof, to impose and lay such fines on those persons who neglect, or refuse to march when called forth on duty, as the said legislature shall deem adequate to personal service; the fines so levied to be appropriated as a fund for granting such additional bounties to continental recruits as the legislature may deem expedient, in order to complete the deficiencies in their quota of continental troops.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 399. The members of the Board present were, Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, Joseph Jones, and John Harvie.
Resolved
, That the commissioners for Indian affairs in the northern department be authorised to offer the Indians, whom they may engage to undertake the reduction of the fort and garrison of Niagara, such reward, whether of money or goods, as they may think adequate to the purpose, having in contemplation as well the
Resolved
, That if the commissioners of Indian affairs in the northern department cannot engage the Indians to undertake the enterprize against Niagara, unless a promise is previously made, that the fort, if taken shall be entirely dismantled, in such case, they be authorised to make this Convention.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 63, folio 93.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 511.
A memorial from John Connolly, a prisoner in York Town gaol, was read:
Ordered
, That it be dismissed.
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the legislatures of the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, and New York, to take effectual measures for the preservation of all pine timber growing within their respective territories, which may be suitable and useful for masts or other purposes of navigation, and for preventing any waste and destruction of that valuable kind of timber.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Mr. Francis Lewis, a delegate from New York, attended and took his seat.
A letter, of the 25 November, from General Gates at Albany, with sundry papers enclosed relative to the enemy's retreat from Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, ∥was read:∥
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, I, folio 300.
Ordered
, That the said letter, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
A letter, from Captain John Barry, Bordentown, 26 November, enclosing the proceedings of a court martial, held on board the ship
Lyon
November 25, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 78, II, folios 303 and 307.
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Marine Committee.
Some intercepted letters from Owen Jones to sunday persons at Lancaster were laid before Congress, and thereupon
A motion on being made,
and for some time debated,
Ordered
, That the same be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [John] Harvie.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of James Mease, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Captain William Peery, for 2,400 dollars, for recruiting and paying an independent company to be stationed at Lewistown, agreeable to the determination of the Board of War; Captain Peery to be accountable.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Nathaniel Appleton, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on Joseph Clarke, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Martin Breneisy, one of the messengers of Congress, ∥door-keeper,∥ for 84 48/90 dollars, for his attendance from 4th October to I December, and for cleaning the rooms, &c.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Robert Towers, for 1,094 dollars, for his services acting as commissary of military stores and continental armourer, from 19 November, 1775, to the 19 May, 1777, agreeable to a resolution of Congress, passed the 18 September last.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 513.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A memorial from Baron de Fry was read:
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was read, and, after debate,
At a Board of War
5
th
Dec
r
1777
Present: Mr. Lee, Mr. Duer, Mr. Harvey and Mr. Smith.
The Board beg leave to report that they have taken into Consideration the Letters which have passed betwixt General Washington and General Howe from the 4
That General Washington be informed that General Howe's answer to his Letters of the 14
That General Washington be directed to require of General Howe a speedy and explicit explanation of
the following
passages in his Letter, in answer to those of General Washington of the 14
“As every Man in my opinion
who comes fairly under the description era Prisoner of War, without only aggravating Circumstance on his part, is undoubtedly entitled to good Treatment, and every Indulgence which can in prudence be granted:
but that Indulgence can only be regulated by the situation of the place, in which Prisoners happen to reside.
“If ever any Officer or Commissary under my Command has deviated from the Civility, Care and Attention,
due to Prisoners of War, under the above Description, it is not consistent with my knowledge, and is contrary to my Directions and intention
.
“The Provision issued to the Prisoners which are or have been in my hands, has been uniformly the same, and is agreeable to a Regulation, which has long been established for victualling British Troops, when they are on board Men of War or Transports; they surely must receive that allowance, as a Field Officer visits them every morning, who has orders to hear their Complaints, and to report to me.
You cannot suppose there could be an intention of deviating from this Rule, in the case of Joseph Cloyed and William Dewes
.”
As there are several passages in the above cited Paragraphs which strongly imply General Howe's intention of making a distinction in treatment between Persons taken in Arms and the faithful and leige Citizens of these States, who by chance or the fortune of War may fall into his power; an intention utterly irreconcileable, not only with the principle of humanity but with the Spirit of General Howe's former Sentiments on this subject, as expressed in the following paragraph of his Letter to General Washington, dated Staten Island, August 1
“Wishing sincerely
to give Relief to the Distresses of
ALL
Prisoners
, I shall readily consent to the mode of exchange you are pleased toCitizen for Citizen
, the choice to be made by the respective Commanders for their own officers and Men.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 407. The members present were Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, John Harvie, and Jonathan Bayard Smith. It is endorsed by Henry Laurens: “One motion confirmed as an amendment. Resolution offered 8 December. Postponed to 15th.”
Ordered
, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
A letter, of the 6, from General Stephen, was read:
A letter from the Chevalier de Failly, with a letter in his favour from General Gates, was read.
And a petition from Michael Welsh, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 162, folio 235; that of Failly, in No. 78, IX, folio 145; that of Welsh, in No. 59, III, folio 193.
Ordered
, That the letter from the Chevalier de Failly and the petition of Michael Welsh be referred to the Board of War.
Sundry intercepted letters from Owen Jones, Jun
Ordered
, That they be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [John] Harvie.
Whereas, it is of the greatest importance that Congress should, at this critical conjuncture, be well informed of the state of affairs in Europe; and whereas, Congress have resolved that the Hon. Silas Deane, Esq
Ordered
, That the committee for foreign affairs write to the Hon
Congress resumed the consideration of the report from the Board of War; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That General Washington be informed that General Howe's answer to his letters of the 14 and 23d November, remonstrating against the inhuman treatment of the American prisoners, is, in the opinion of Congress, by no means explicit and satisfactory; since it does not invalidate the truth of the depositions of Joseph Cloyd and William Dewees, citizens of the commonwealth of Pensylvania, and strongly implies General Howe's intentions of making a distinction in treatment between persons taken in arms and the faithful and liege citizens of these states, who, by stratagem or the fortune of war, may fall into his power; an intention not only subversive of the principles of humanity, but inconsistent with the spirit of General Howe's former sentiments on this subject, as expressed in his letter dated Staten Island, August 1, 1776, viz. “Wishing sincerely to give relief to the distresses of all prisoners, I shall readily consent to the mode of exchange you are pleased to propose, viz. officers for those of equal rank; soldier for soldier; CITIZEN
for
CITIZEN; the choice to be made by the respective commanders for their own officers and men.”
It was then moved, “That General Washington be directed to demand of General Howe a speedy and explicit explanation of the line of conduct which he hath adopted, and means to observe in future to such persons, whether officers, soldiers, or citizens of these states, as may be subjected to his power:”
It was then moved, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next; and the yeas and nays being required:
So it was resolved that the consideration of the motion be accordingly postponed.
The committee appointed to repair to Lancaster to confer with the general assembly of the State of Pensylvania, report,
That they have executed the business committed to them, and beg leave to refer to the resolves of the said assembly, of the 3d and 6th instant, accompanying this report.
The committee farther report that they have despatched an express to Governor Clinton, to be informed whether the salt ordered to be sent to the North river is arrived there, in order to regulate the movement of the waggons to bring it forward.
Resolved
, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the state of those counties in the states of Pensylvania, Jersey, and Delaware, which border on the enemy, or are in the neighbourhood of General
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee, and Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer.
A letter from the Viscount de Mauroy, at Boston, and one of the 6th, from the committee at camp, were read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 279. That of the committee at camp, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in No. 137,
Appendix, folio 193.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
An application from Mrs. Duggan, for a supply of money, was read. Also a bill of exchange drawn at Boston, June 17, 1777, by Abraham Livingston, for himself and William Turnbull, in favour of Captain Pierre de Campe, was laid before Congress:
Ordered
, That the application of Mrs. Duggan and the bill be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of War laid before Congress a correspondence that passed between them and the supreme executive council of Pensylvania, relative to supplying the hospital and army with blankets and cloathing; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the legislature of the commonwealth of Pensylvania be informed, that, in the opinion of Congress, the means which have been pursued in consequence of the ordinance of the council of safety, November 8, 1777,
That the situation of the army and of the hospitals, for want of blankets and other cloathing, is really deplorable, and, if not speedily remedied, must be attended with the most prejudicial consequences not only to this State but to the general interest:
That Congress, therefore, submit it to the assembly of the State of Pensylvania, whether under these critical, distressing circumstances, it would not be advisable to vest the continental Board of War, or such persons as the said Board may, for that purpose, appoint, with full powers to collect cloathing, and blankets, &c. agreeable to the restrictions in the ordinance of council of the 8 November, 1777.
Ordered
, That the Board of War transmit the foregoing resolution to the legislature aforesaid.
A motion being made to recommend it to sundry states to offer pardons and give encouragement to such of the members of their respective states as they judge proper, who having joined the enemy, are willing to return to their allegiance:
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of four:
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer.
The committee to whom were referred the intercepted letters from Owen Jones, Jun
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the letters from Owen Jones, Jun
Ordered
, That the committee have leave to sit again:
Resolved
, That the president write letters to the several states of Connecticut, New York, Pensylvania, Maryland and South Carolina, representing to them the great and important matters to be transacted in Congress during the winter, and the few members now attending, and that he request them to send forward, without delay, an additional number of members.
That he also write in pressing terms to the states of New Jersey and Delaware, who are unrepresented, to send delegates immediately to Congress.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A petition from Christopher, Jun
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee to whom it was referred to take into consideration the state of those counties in the states of Pensylvania, Jersey and Delaware, which border on the enemy, &c. brought in a report, which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:
Resolved
, That General Washington be informed, that Congress have observed, with deep concern, that the principal supplies for the army under his command have,
That Congress, firmly persuaded of General Washington's zeal and attachment to the interest of these states, can only impute his forbearance in exercising the powers vested in him by Congress, by their resolutions of the 17 September and 14 November, to a delicacy in exerting military authority on the citizens of these states; a delicacy, which though highly laudable in general, may, on critical exigencies, prove destructive to the army and prejudicial to the general liberties of America:
That from these considerations, it is the desire and expectation of Congress, that General Washington should, for the future, endeavour as much as possible to subsist his army from such parts of the country as are in its vicinity, and especially from such quarters as he shall deem most likely to be subjected to the power or depredations of the enemy: and that he issue orders for such purpose to the commissaries and quarter masters belonging to the army:
That General Washington be directed to order every kind of stock and provisions in the country above-mentioned, which may be beneficial to the army or serviceable to the enemy, to be taken from all persons without distinction, leaving such quantities only as he shall judge necessary for the maintenance of their families; the stock and provisions so taken to be removed to places of security under the care of proper persons to be appointed for that
That General Washington be directed to cause all provisions, stock, forage, waggons and teams, which may be, at any time, in the route of the enemy, and which cannot be seasonably removed, to be destroyed.
Whereas, it is essentially necessary, that magazines should be seasonably provided in the interior part of the country, and many inhabitants, through motives of avarice or disaffection, refuse to thresh out their grain.
Resolved
, That it be earnestly recommended to the legislature of the commonwealth of Pensylvania, forthwith to enact a law, requiring all persons within
the county of York
their State, at the distance of seventy miles and upwards, from General Washington's head quarters, and below the Blue Mountains, to thresh out their wheat and other grain, within as short a period of time as the said legislature shall deem sufficient for that purpose; and, in case of failure, to subject the same to seizure by the commissaries and quarter masters of the American army, to be paid for at the price of straw only, excepting from such penalty, such families only, who, from the absence of the master, sons or servants, in the service of their country, can give good proof that their compliance with the said law was not practicable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 17.
Resolved
, That a member be added to the Committee on Appeals:
The member chosen, Mr. [Benjamin] Rumsey.
Resolved
, That two members be added to the Medical Committee:
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Lewis and Mr. [John] Penn.
Congress having received information that the inoculation of recruits in the hospital in the State of Virginia has of late been attended with much ill success;
Resolved
, That the Medical Committee make strict enquiry into the truth of this information, and report to Congress, with all possible despatch.
Ordered
, That to morrow morning, Congress proceed to the election of a commissioner to proceed to the western frontiers in the room of Colonel J. Reed.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasury in favour of Mons
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Captain Martin Pfifer, for 1,000 dollars, for the use of his own, Captain Ashe and Captain Medici's troops North Carolina light-horse; the said Captain Pfifer to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of the delegates, of the State of Georgia, for 2,000 dollars; 1,500 dollars of the said sum being advanced on the application of Mr. [Joseph] Wood, and 500 on the application of Mr. [Edward] Langworthy, two of the delegates of the said State, which sum is to be considered as a part of the 300,000 appropriated for the use of the said State:
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
That a warrant issue on the treasury in favour of John Brown, for 1,844 dollars, in discharge of John Ashe's four drafts, dated in the State of North Carolina, the 15 March, 1777, in favour of John Fragneau; one for 410, one for 442, one for 500, and the other for 510 dollars; the said State to be accountable, and to be considered as a part of the 500,000 dollars heretofore ordered for the use of that State.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 515.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Mr. A[braham] Clark, a delegate from New Jersey, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read as follows:
At a joint meeting of the legislative council and general assembly of the state of New Jersey, held at Princeton, on the 20th day of November, 1777: The joint meeting proceeded to the election of five delegates, to represent the state in the general Congress of the United States, and, the ballots being taken, the honorable John Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder, and Elias Bondinot, esqrs. were duly elected.
Resolved
, therefore, That the said John Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder, and Elias Bondinet, or any one or more of them, be empowered to represent and vote in behalf of this state, in the general Congress of the United States of North America, until the first day of December, which will be in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, unless a new
By order of the joint meeting,
John Stevens
,
Chairman
.
Charles Pettit
,
Secretary
.
Attest.
According to the order of the day, Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner to go to Fort Pitt, in the room of Colonel Reed, who is excused, and, the ballots being taken, George Clymer, Esq
The Board of War report,
“That, in their opinion, the public interest will be promoted by erecting in the town of York, temporary barracks or sheds sufficient for containing 600 men, for the purpose of accommodating such recruits, and other troops, as may be, from time to time, stationed or detained at the said place, either as guards, or for the purpose of equipment and discipline:” Whereupon,
Resolved
, That the Board of War be directed to cause the said barracks or sheds to be erected, with all possible despatch, and in the most reasonable manner they can devise.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favour of Lt. Col. Failly, for four hundred Dollars advanced to him on his pay, he to be accountable.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of William Hurrie, for 84 dollars, for his attendance as door keeper to Congress, from first August to 19 September, for nursing wounded soldiers, &c.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 517.
The committee appointed to report a mode of conducting an enquiry into the causes of the failure of the expedition against Rhode Island, and into the conduct of the
That five commissioners be appointed, and that they or any three of them be empowered to conduct the enquiry; that they meet for that purpose on the first Monday in February next, at Providence, in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; that they summon before them the commanding officer and all the general officers concerned in the conduct of the said expedition, and all such other officers and persons as they may think proper:
That the mode of their enquiry be by question and answer:
That they enquire what number of troops were assembled for the expedition; what number of continental troops, of fifteen months' men, of militia, of volunteers, of artillerists or train, and what was the quantity and species of ordnance and ordnance stores; whether any extra militia were called forth, when, why, for what time; and what number of them did appear at the posts in arms, and when they were dismissed; how long before the time fixed for their rendezvous, the commander in chief had knowledge of the number of troops to be employed in the expedition; whether the necessary preparations were made for a descent on Rhode Island previous to the time of rendezvous, or at any time afterwards; and what those preparations were; when they were in readiness for an attack; and if, at any time, they were ready, why the attack was postponed from day to day, until the time expired for which the militia were ordered out; and the particular reasons why it was each day postponed; what was the force of the enemy on Rhode Island during the time the expedition aforesaid was on foot?
That they enquire whether any councils of war were held during the said time, and whether their proceedings and determinations were committed to writing, and if they were, that they require the commanding officer to lay the same before them?
That they enquire what was the quantity of provisions expended during the time the troops were assembled for carrying on the expedition; what proportion of the provisions was salted, and from what magazines supplied; and if any and what quantity of fresh provisions might have been obtained for the use of the army under the command of General Spencer?
That they ask all such further questions, and make such further enquiries, by correspondence or otherwise, as they may think will tend to discover the causes of the failure of the said expedition; and that they report to Congress the questions asked, and the answers made, and also a copy of the proceedings and determinations of any and all councils of war that were held during the time aforesaid, together with the opinions of each member of such council upon matters proposed and debated, if practicable to be obtained, and of all other papers that may be laid before them, or which they may otherwise procure respecting the said expedition?
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 265. On the reverse Thomson has recorded the vote for the commissioners, vizt: Whipple, 9; Paine, 9; Marchant, 7; Ellsworth, 8; Benson, 9; Wilson, 3.
The said report being read, was agreed to.
Congress proceeded to the election of commissioners, and, the ballots being taken, General ∥William∥ Whipple, of New Hampshire, R. T. Paine, Esq
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to take under consideration the case of the officers, whether of continental forces, flying camp, or militia, taken prisoners by the enemy, and released on parole, and report, whether any and what allowance of pay and rations ought to be allowed to them:
The members chosen, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. [William] Ellery.
post. The balloting for this committee is given by Thomson in the
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 268, as follows:
The delegates of New Hampshire laid before Congress an account of the expences incurred by their State for prisoners brought into the same; also, a state of the exchange of prisoners:
Ordered
, That the account of expences be referred to the Board of Treasury, and the state of the exchange to the Board of War.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
A letter of the 27 November, from Joseph Trumbull, late commissary general; one, of the 1 December, from Governor Trumbull.
A letter of the 19, one of the 27, and one of the 30 November, and one of the 1 December, from General Heath, enclosing copies of letters that passed between him and General Burgoyne; and a letter from S. Clap, of New Hampshire, and two petitions from prisoners of war in that State.
Also, a letter of 26, and one of the 29 November, from S. A. Otis, deputy cloathier general at Boston, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXII, folio 537; those of Heath are in No. 57, folio 41, and No. 157, folios 25, 33, 37; those of Otis, in No. 78, XVII, folios 270, 275.
Ordered
, That the letter from Governor Trumbull be referred to the Board of Treasury:
That the letters from General Heath, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Board of War:
That so much of Mr. Otis's letter as relates to money, be referred to the Board of Treasury, and that the other parts of the said letters be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee.
A letter, of this day, from Mr. President H. Laurens, was read, informing, that “The malady under which he labours has made such a progress as to convince him, by reflecting upon former attacks, that he will not be able to move out of the house, nor to attend his duty in Congress, for some weeks to come; and informing that there is much business upon his table, which it is not in his power to give dispatch to; that every day will accumulate the heap, business will be impeded, and some branches run into confusion; and therefore, humbly moving Congress to proceed to the choice of a president, as an act of propriety and necessity:”
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 185.
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
A letter from Mr. Colt, and one from Mr. Champion to William Buchanan, commissary general ∥of purchases;∥ were laid before Congress and read.
Ordered
, That they be referred to the committee on the letters from Mr. Otis, and that they also take into consideration
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow. ∥
A letter, of the 10, from General Washington, at White Marsh, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 233. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 237.
Mr. [William] Smith, a member of the Committee of Commerce, informed Congress that, in pursuance of the orders of Congress, the committee have entered into an agreement with Mr. Gillon, and that he is desirous of having a draught on the loan office for the State of South Carolina, for the first year's advance; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of South Carolina, in favour of Alexander Gillon, Esq. for the sum of 125,000 dollars, to enable him to execute the contract entered into with the Committee of Commerce; and that the said sum be charged to the account of the said committee, which is to be accountable:
Resolved
, That three members be added to the Committee of Commerce:
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Lewis, Mr. [William] Ellery, and Mr. [Cornelius] Harnett.
The Board of War, to whom were referred the letters from Brigadier General Conway, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, As the opinion of this Congress, that it is essential to the promotion of discipline in the American army, and to the reformation of the various abuses which prevail in the different departments, that an appointment
Resolved
, That this appointment be conferred on experienced and vigilant general officers, who are acquainted with whatever relates to the general œconomy, manœuvres and discipline of a well regulated army.
Resolved
, That the duty of these officers be as follows:
To review, from time to time, the troops, and to see that every officer and soldier be instructed in the exercise and manœuvres which may be established by the Board of War: that the rules of discipline are strictly observed, and that the officers command their soldiers properly, and do them justice.
Resolved
, That the inspectors general, respectively, shall give notice to the commanders of regiments, of the time which shall be fixed on for such reviews, who are to prepare the following returns, models of which are previously to be furnished by the inspector general, viz.
A return of cloathing;
A return of arms and accoutrements;
A return of recruits, with an account of the money laid out for that purpose;
A return of the number and names of the wounded men, distinguishing such as are fit for the corps of invalids, and such as are totally unfit for service;
A return of the loss sustained in the regiment by death, desertion, or otherwise;
A return of the pay and rations drawn by each regiment;
A return of all the officers of each regiment, with observations upon the behaviour, capacity and assiduity of every individual:
All the returns, when signed by the field officers of each regiment, are to be carefully scrutinized by the inspector
Resolved
, That the inspectors general shall make these reviews in the beginning and at the latter end of every campaign, and at such other times as the commander in chief shall direct, or as they themselves shall severally judge proper, or shall receive orders for that purpose from the Board of War, first giving notice thereof to the commander in chief, and obtaining his leave for reviewing the said troops.
Resolved
, That the inspectors general, respectively, shall make this review minutely, man by man, attending to the complaints and representations of both soldier and officer, and transmitting to Congress what petitions and grievances he shall think worthy of notice: that not depending solely upon the accounts and characters of officers as given him by the colonels of regiments, the inspectors general shall examine the said officers in person, direct them to command different manœuvres, and take such measures as shall enable him to give an exact account to Congress.
Resolved
, That these reviews, when closed, be transmitted to Congress by the inspector general making the review, who is to furnish the major of the respective regiments with a copy of the same, and to keep another for his own government and assistance in proceeding to the next reviews.
Resolved
, That the inspectors general shall examine, from time to time, the pay-books of the respective regiments, which are to be kept in an uniform manner, agreeable to such regulations as may be established for that purpose, giving immediate notice to Congress of any malversation or mismanagement which he may discover.
Resolved
, That it be referred to the commissioners of the war office to report such further regulations for this
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 413. The members of the Board present were: Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duet, Jonathan Bayard Smith, and John Harvie. The original report contemplated only one inspector general.
Resolved
, That two inspectors general be now appointed:
Congress proceeded to the election, and, the ballots being taken, Brigadier General Conway was
unaminously
elected.
Resolved
, That the election of the other inspector general be postponed to Monday next.
Resolved
, That
General Conway be promoted to the
another major general be appointed in the army of the United States.
The ballots being taken, Brigadier General Conway was elected.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
A letter, of the 5, from B. Harrison, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 125.
Ordered
, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The secretary informed Congress that Mr. Clymer accepted the appointment of commissioner, and would proceed to Fort Pitt as soon as he could get ready:
Ordered
, That the States of Pensylvania and Virginia be informed of Mr. Clymer's appointment and acceptance.
The Board of Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of the delegates of the State of Georgia, for 6,807 dollars, to enable them to discharge the demands on them from the said State for that sum, which is to be considered as a part of the money appropriated for the use of the said State, which State is to be accountable.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 519.
The Board of Treasury laid before Congress a letter of the 24 November, directed to them, from General Heath, which was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 157, folio 29.
Ordered
, That the said letter be referred to a committee of five, and that they be directed to enquire into the rise of the expedition against Rhode Island.
The members chosen, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [James] Lovell, and Mr. [John] Harvie.
Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, a delegate from Pensylvania, laid before Congress credentials of the appointment of delegates from that State, which were read as follows:
(L. S.) In the name and by the authority of the freemen of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania: the supreme executive
Tho. Wharton, President.
Attest,
T. Matlack
,
Secretary
.
Congress having received information that large quantities of cattle have been driven down upon the marshes of the county of Kent, in the State of Delaware, and into other parts of the said county, which are exposed to the depredations of the enemy; and the present situation of the State of Delaware, with respect to its internal and open enemies, rendering it impracticable that any measures, which may be devised by the government of the said State, for securing the said stock, can be executed with secrecy and despatch:
Resolved
, That the Board of War be authorized and directed to give such orders for securing the said stock as they shall deem most effectual:
That the owners of the stock so removed be paid for the same at reasonable rates.
Congress took into consideration a report of the Board of War, and. after debate ∥after some time spent thereon,∥
Resolved
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
James Smith, of York town, a delegate from Pensylvania, attended, and took his seat in Congress.
A letter from Edward Kennedy, an inhabitant of Providence, one of the Bahama Islands, dated at Boston, the
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the delegates of South Carolina and Georgia.
A memorial from Ephraim Marsh, of Elizabeth town, with an account enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved
, That Colonel Rawlins be desired to attend Congress to morrow morning, at eleven o'Clock, in order to give such information, as has come to his knowledge, respecting the treatment our prisoners in the hands of the enemy receive from them.
The committee appointed to repair to the camp, having returned, made a report, which was read:
The Committee appointed to repair to the army and confer with General Washington on the best and most practicable means of carrying on a Winter's Campaign with vigor and success, and with his concurrence to direct every measure which circumstances might require for promoting the public service, have attended that business, and beg leave to report:
That your committee arrived on the 3
That your Committee suggested to the General the necessity of resuming the consideration of a Winter's Campaign, and of calling in large reinforcements of the Militia, to render it vigorous and successful; which induced the General again to require the Opinions of his
That it appears to your Committee from a perusal of the said Letters, that the General Officers considered an attack upon the Enemy's Lines and Redoubts as an enterprize too dangerous, and not to be hazarded but in case of absolute necessity.
That the numbers of the Enemy nearly equalled that of the continental Army, which should be double to attempt to force lines defended by veteran Troops.
That an attack on the City over the Schuylkill, when frosen, supported by a large Body of Militia, was liable to the same objections, as it was probable the Enemy would be informed of the design, and form a line of redoubts round the City as soon as they knew such an attack was meditated.
That the season was too far advanced to call in large Bodies of Militia in time from the distant States to cooperate with the continental Army, and sufficient force could not be collected from the adjoining States. That if a sufficient aid of Militia could be collected in time, it was doubtful whether they could be furnished with provisions and Forage, and brought to act in concert with the regular Army.
That the Officers and Soldiers were badly cloathed, the former in general discontented with the service, and averse to a Winter's Campaign.
That it would be most advisable to retire to Winter Quarters, to afford time for reforming the army, refreshing and disciplining the Troops, that they might take the Field early in the spring in health and vigor, and thereby prove more essentially useful to the American cause than by being exposed to a Winter's Campaign at the risque of a certain evil for an uncertain good.
Your Committee after deliberating upon these Reasons, hearing the sentiments of the General upon the subject, and considering the want of necessary Cloathing and Blankets to enable the Troops to endure the hardships of a Winter's Campaign, the uneasiness that on many accounts prevailed among the Officers, their indifference to the Service, and universal aversion to continue in the Field during the Winter, the shortness of time for calling forth a Body of Militia properly equiped to aid the continental Army, the want of military apparatus to invest and make regular approaches to the city, and the evil consequences that would result from raising the expectations of the continent
That an attempt on Philadelphia with the present Force under Gen.
That the Season is so far advanced as to render very precarious large reinforcements of Militia from the distant States to cooperate with the regular Army in any attempt across the Schuylkill upon the Ice, and it is apprehended sufficient reinforcements cannot be obtained from the neighbouring States.
That there being time for Congress to determine on the properest mode of reinforcing the Army before the intended enterprise can be carryed into execution, It is expedient for the Committee to adopt measures for that purpose.
That untill sufficient reinforcements can be obtained, such a post should be taken by the Army as will be most likely to overawe the Enemy, afford supplies of provision, wood, Water, and Forage, be secure from surprise, and best calculated for covering the Country from the ravages of the Enemy, as well as provide comfortable Quarters for the Officers and Soldiers.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 33, folio 87. The letter of the Committee to Washington, dated December 16, is in the
Washington Papers, vol. 91, folio 108.
Ordered
, To lie on the table.
Resolved
, That Congress meet twice a-day:
That at one o'Clock, Congress be adjourned of course, to three, at which time Congress shall meet in the afternoon.
A petition from Colonel [John] Green was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 199.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The committee, to whom the letters from Mr. Otis, &c. were referred, brought in a report:
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Dr. [John] Witherspoon, a delegate from New Jersey, attended, and took his seat.
A letter, of the 14 and 15, from General Washington, near the Gulph, with a copy of a letter to him from Lieutenant General Burgoyne, dated Cambridge, November 25.
Also a letter, of 10, [16] from William Livingston, governor of New Jersey. And one, of the 9, from Charles Alexander, late captain of the ∥frigate∥
Delaware
, directed to the Marine Committee, were laid before Congress, and read:
Letters of Washington, Series A, III, folio 141. It is printed in
Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 242. The letter of Livingston is in the
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 301.
Ordered
, That the letter from Governor Livingston be referred to the Board of War; and that the letter from Captain Alexander be returned to the Marine Committee.
Resolved
, That General Washington be directed to inform General Burgoyne, the Congress will not receive nor consider any proposition for indulgence or altering the terms of the convention of Saratoga, unless immediately directed to their own body.
According to the order of the day, Colonel Rawlins attended, and having informed Congress of the treatment our prisoners in the hands of the enemy receive from them, withdrew.
Adjourned to 3 o'Clock.
Three o'Clock, p. m.
Met.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letter from Mr. S. A. Otis, and, after making some progress therein,
Resolved
, That it be re-committed, and the committee be instructed to prepare a circular letter to the states, to accompany the resolutions of Congress.
Resolved
, That Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry be added to the committee.
Resolved
, That the governor and council of safety of Connecticut be authorized and requested to use their utmost endeavours to lay up all the supplies of salted provisions they are able, and employ proper persons therefor, and co-operate with Mr. Colt therein.
Robert Lawson, a colonel of one of the batallions of Virginia forces, having sent in his commission [to Congress,] and requested leave to resign the same; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That his resignation be accepted.
A remonstrance from the council and general assembly of Pensylvania, was read:
Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, VI, 104.
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
∥
Three o'Clock p. m.
∥
Mr. Jonathan B[ayard] Smith, a delegate from Pennsylvania, attended and took his seat [in Congress.]
A letter, of the 3d, from General Gates, enclosing a letter to him from General Burgoyne, dated Cambridge, November 14, together with a list of the British and German troops, that surrendered by the convention of Saratoga; also, a letter of the 12, and one, of the 28 November, from R. Varick, Esq
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 57, folio 63; that of Burgoyne is on folio 31; that of Varick, in 78, XXIII, folios 65, 69.
Ordered
, That the letter from General Gates, with the papers enclosed, be referred to a committee of five.
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee, and Mr. J[onathan] B[ayard] Smith.
Resolved
, That Mr. [John] Harris be added to the Marine Committee, in the room of Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, who is absent.
Congress took into consideration the report from the committee sent to confer with General Washington, and the remonstrance from the executive council and assembly of Pensylvania, and, after some time spent thereon,
Resolved
, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
A letter, of the 7, from General Heath, at Boston was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 157, folio 53.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Ordered
, That the letters from R. Varick, ∥read yesterday,∥ with the muster rolls enclosed, be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 15, from Monsieur de la Balme, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VII, folio 145.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee sent to confer with General Washington, and the remonstrance from the council and assembly of Pensylvania:
Mention being made in the report, of letters containing the opinions of the general officers, on different subjects, which were laid before the committees by the General, and on which they had founded their opinion: the committee were asked whether they had those letters?
The committee replied that they had brought the letters with them, but that the General, when he delivered them the letters, mentioned that they might keep them to satisfy themselves and form their judgment, and return them to him when they had done with them. And therefore, they considered themselves obliged to return them to the General.
Ordered
, That the committee lay the said letters on the table for the perusal of the members.
The letters were accordingly brought and laid on the table.
Adjourned to 3 o'Clock.
Three o'Clock, p. m.
A certificate from Major General Gates, certifying that he has promoted Dennis John de Bouchet, to the rank of major, was laid before Congress:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report from the committee sent to confer with General Washington, and the remonstrance from the executive council and assembly of Pensylvania; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That a copy of the remonstrance be transmitted by express to General Washington, and that he be desired to inform Congress whether he has come to a fixed resolution to canton the army; and if he has, what line of cantonment he has proposed; in particular, what measures are agreed on for the protection of that part of Pensylvania which lies on the easterly side of Schuylkill, and of the State of New Jersey:
That General Washington be farther informed, that, in the opinion of Congress, the State of New Jersey demands, in a peculiar degree, the protection of the armies of the United States, so far as the same can possibly be extended, consistent with the safety of the army and the general welfare; as that State lies open to attacks from so many quarters, and the struggles which have been made by the brave and virtuous inhabitants of that State, in defence of the common cause, cannot fail of exposing them to the particular resentment of a merciless enemy.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War of the 12, and thereupon, came to the following resolution:
Whereas, Sir William Howe, commander in chief of his Britannic majesty's forces, has required that provisions should be sent in for the subsistence of the American prisoners in his possession, and for the purchase of such necessaries as they may stand in need of, and has prohibited the circulation of the money struck by the authority of these states, within such parts of the country as are at present subjected to his power; whereby great difficulties have occurred in relieving the distresses of the American
Resolved
, That the accounts of all provisions and other necessaries which already have been, or which hereafter may be supplied by the public to prisoners in the power of these states, shall be discharged by either receiving from the British commissary of prisoners or any of his agents, provisions or other necessaries, equal in quality and kind to what have been supplied, or the amount thereof in gold and silver, at the rate of four shillings and six pence sterling for every dollar of the currency of these states: and that all these accounts be liquidated and discharged, previous to the release of any prisoners to whom provisions or other necessaries shall have been supplied.
The Board taking into Consideration the Letter from General Heath of the 1st Instant with the Petition and Papers enclosed from the Canadian Prisoners, beg leave to report as their opinion, that Congress take into their immediate Consideration a report of a Committee of Congress respecting the establishment of a French Legion, as the most eligible mode of providing for the said Prisoners.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 417. The members of the Board present were: Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, John Harvie, and Jonathan Bayard Smith.
Ordered
, That Monday next be assigned for taking into consideration the report of the committee, respecting the establishment of a French legion.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of John Gibson, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of the Honorable Henry Laurens, Esq
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Isaac Wikoff, for 600 dollars, to discharge John Ashe his draft, dated State of North Carolina, 5th of March last, in favour of William Dry, expressed to be for the payment and support of continental troops; the said State to be accountable, and to be considered as a part of the 500,000 dollars, appropriated for the use of that State.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
Whereas, it is represented to Congress, that a considerable number of the nine first regiments of Virginia forces, in the continental service, whose times of inlistment are near expiring, are willing to re-inlist, and many of them have re-inlisted for three years or during the war, upon condition of receiving the continental bounty of 20 dollars, the suit of cloaths allowed by Congress, and a farther bounty of 20 dollars; and whereas, the State of Virginia have engaged to pay the additional bounty, but the cloathier general has not a sufficiency of cloathing to
Resolved
, That the Board of Treasury be directed to settle the accounts of the said men, and to pay or order them to be paid for the articles of cloathing, with which they cannot be supplied by the cloathier general, agreeable to the estimate fixed by Congress.
The Medical Committee, to whom it was referred to enquire into the conduct of the director of the hospitals at Alexandria, reported, “That from the information of several officers in the Virginia and North Carolina regiments, which are annexed, it appears obvious to the committee that Dr. Rickman, director of the said hospitals, has been guilty of great neglect in not giving proper attendance to the officers and soldiers under inoculation at Alexandria:” The said report and the informations being read,
Resolved
, That Dr. Rickman be immediately suspended, and that he attend the Medical Committee, to answer the several complaints exhibited against him.
Ordered
, That the Medical Committee transmit to Dr. Rickman a copy of the complaints against him, and direct his attendance:
That the said committee write to Dr. Shippen, director general, and direct him to send immediately a skilful physician to take care of the sick and superintend the inoculation of the soldiers at Alexandria.
Application being made by Robert Yancey, to be reimbursed a sum of public money entrusted to him as pay master of Colonel Bland's regiment, and which he lost;
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury
Resolved
, That Mr. [George] Frost be added to the Marine Committee, in the room of Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom, who being engaged at the treasury, desires to be excused.
A letter, of the 2, from Brigadier Parsons, with a copy of a letter from him to Major General Tryon, and General Tryon's answer, ∥were read.∥
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 161, folio 327.
Ordered
, That Brigadier General Parsons be directed to send to Congress an authentic account of the treatment which John and Philip Vantassel and their families received from the enemy.
A letter, of the 14, from the navy board at Bordentown, in New Jersey, directed to the Marine Committee, was laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered
, That it be returned to the Marine Committee, and that they be directed to prepare proper resolutions for supporting the authority of the navy board, and report the same to Congress.
A letter from Flobergue de la Rocatelle, with a memoir annexed, was laid before Congress, ∥and read:∥
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Patrick M'Closkey, for 68 dollars, the price of a horse which belonged to him, and was sent with an express to the eastward in February last, and not returned, as appears by the certificate of Mr. [John] Hancock, and Mr. Abeel, assistant quarter master general:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Mr. A. Clark, for the amount of the expences of himself and others, with the public papers, &c. at Bristol, for 39 65/90 dollars.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of William Buchanan, Esq
That a warrant issue on John Lawrence, Esq
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
That another warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
That the following warrants issue in favour of John Morton, Esq
One on Thomas Smith, Esq
One on the treasurer, to be paid to Elias Boudinot, Esq
The said committee having represented to Congress, that the warrant drawn in favour of William Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, on the 16 September last, by the president of Congress, on John Lawrence, Esq
Resolved
, That the said warrant be cancelled, and proper entries made accordingly in the public books at the treasury office.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 521.
The committee to whom was re-committed the report of the committee on the letters from S. A. Otis, brought
Resolved, 1. That it be most earnestly recommended to the respective legislatures of the United States, forthwith to enact laws, appointing suitable persons to seize and take, for the use of the continental army of the said states, all woollen cloths, blankets, linens, shoes, stockings, hats, and other necessary articles of cloathing, suitable for the army, which may be in the possession of any persons inhabitants of, or residents within, their respective states, for the purpose of sale and not for their own private use or family consumption, giving them certificates or receipts for the same, expressing the quantity and quality of the goods; provided, that such laws do not extend to any goods, wares, or merchandise which are, or shall be,
bona fide, imported into the respective states on account of any persons not citizens of any of these United States, so long as the same shall continue their property, and no longer: and that they inflict such penalties as may be deemed proper on such persons possessed of any of the above enumerated goods, wares, and merchandise, or other articles of cloathing suitable for the army, who, to evade the good intention of the said laws, shall falsely affirm or declare the same to be the property of persons not citizens of any of the said United States.
2. That it be further recommended to make provision in the said laws to empower the commissary general of purchases, or any of his deputies, or such other persons as the respective legislatures may deem expedient, to seize all stock and every kind of provision necessary for the army, which may have been purchased up or engrossed by any person with a view of selling the same, giving to the person, from whom such stock or provisions have been taken, certificates as aforesaid.
3. That the value of all such goods, wares, and merchandise as are above enumerated, or other articles of cloathing, stock, or provisions necessary for the army, which shall be so seized and taken, be ascertained at the rate at which the said articles shall be stated by the convention of the committees of the several states, to be held agreeable to the recommendation of Congress of the 92 day of November last: the articles of cloathing to be paid for by draughts made by the respective states upon the cloathier general; and the stock or provisions by the purchasing commissaries receiving them.
4. And it is further recommended to the respective states, to cause to be made up so much of the cloathing aforesaid as they can complete within a reasonable time, and to send the whole of the cloathing so taken or seized, as well that part which may be made up, as that which may remain unmade, excepting so much as may be necessary for cloathing the recruits inlisted in the states for their respective batallions in the continental service, to the cloathier general, to be distributed in the first instance to the supply of the troops belonging to the State furnishing such cloathing, and the residue in such manner as the commissioners of the war office or the cloathier general shall, from time to time, direct: provided, that this resolution shall not repeal or affect any part of the seventh proposition recommended to the legislatures of the respective states, the 22d November last, relative to the additional cloathing to be furnished by the several states to their respective batallions. And it is further resolved, that the cloathier general transmit, from time to time, to the respective states, an account of the cloathing furnished to their batallions out of the stock by them collected and sent forward, in order that each State may be satisfactorily informed that their troops receive immediate advantage from its exertions in the common cause.
5. And whereas, great waste of cloathing has arisen from the want of fidelity or skill in the persons employed to make up the same:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective states to appoint one or more suitable persons to superintend and direct the tradesmen employed to make up the cloaths to be collected as aforesaid, who shall conform themselves to the instructions of the Board of War relative to the form thereof, provided that no delays be suffered to take place from the want of such instructions.
6. And whereas, the comfortable support of the army of these states may hereafter greatly depend on the supplies which they may be able to draw from their own internal resources; it is therefore most earnestly recommended to the said states, to employ a sufficient number of manufacturers and tradesmen to supply the cloathing wanted for their respective batallions, exempting them, under proper regulations, from military duty; and authorizing suitable persons to collect and supply, at the stipulated prices, cotton, wool, flax, leather, and other articles for carrying on the said manufactures.
7. And whereas, certain persons, devoid of, and in repugnance to every principle of public virtue and humanity, instigated by the lust of avarice, are, in each State, assiduously endeavouring, by every
8. And whereas, there is good reason to apprehend that many of the emissaries and abettors of General Howe are dispersed through the United States, under various pretences of amusement or business, whereby they are enabled to spread disaffection, intimidate the people by false news, depreciate the currency of the United States, and avoid serving in the militia, or paying their fines; to prevent these mischiefs it is most earnestly recommended to the supreme executive power of each State, to take the most effectual measures to cause all persons whose character and business is not well known and approved of, to be apprehended, and if they cannot give a good and satisfactory account of themselves, that they be obliged immediately to return to their own states, or be confined in gaol.
The committee having prepared a circular letter to accompany the foregoing resolutions, submitted it to Congress, and the same being read, and approved, is as follows:
Sir
: I am directed by Congress to transmit to your honorable body the enclosed resolutions, which the pressing wants of the army, and the arts and avarice of engrossers and extortioners have rendered indispensably necessary to the general welfare.
It is with deep concern that Congress, after having for some time contemplated, in painful silence, the mischiefs which threatened this extended Continent from the growing avarice of the times, feel themselves constrained to recommend measures which the virtue of all classes of men rendered not long since unnecessary, and which a scrupulous regard for security of property to every citizen of these states has hitherto restrained from adopting. But, unhappy the case of America! laws unworthy the character of infant republics are become necessary to supply the defect of public virtue, and to correct the vices of some of her sons; and she is called upon by the grand principle of self preservation, to guard against the parricide of those whom she has fostered in her own bosom.
To minds whose reflections are employed on the importance of the cause in which we are engaged, and which feel for every circumstance which may affect the honour and safety of these states, it must give the most painful sensations to consider that, at a time when the late signal successes we have been blest with, the reduced numbers of the enemy, the difficulties they meet with in procuring foreign levies, and the political complexion of affairs in Europe, have deprived Britain of many of those resources on which she so much depended; when the numbers and improving discipline of our army, the prodigious augmentation of our military stores, the quantity of provisions with which this country abounds, and the large supplies of cloathing which have of late been imported by private persons, afford not only the opportunity but the means, under Divine Providence, of establishing our liberties by a few exertions; this bright prospect should be clouded over, and this great and glorious event endangered by the languor of too many, and by the arts and avarice of designing individuals, who, like the British nabobs of the east, are corrupting the manners of a whole nation, and building vast fortunes on the destruction of the liberties of the western world.
It is to be hoped, however, that the wise and spirited laws of the different states, aided by the influence and exertions of the real patriots,
Congress flatter themselves that the resolutions herewith transmitted will tend to accomplish some of these valuable purposes, and they therefore esteem it their duty to recommend them to the serious consideration of your honorable house, and hope they will be carried into execution as secretly and expeditiously as possible.
By order of Congress.
At a Board of War
,
20
th
December, 1777
.
Present, Mr. Lee, Mr. Duer, Mr. Harvey and Mr. Jones.
The Board taking into Consideration the Petitions of Colonels Green and Sumner, and other Officers in the Army who have lost their Horses in actual service,
Beg leave to report to Congress,
That every Officer in the Army of the United States whose Duty requires his being on Horseback in time of Action, be allowed the sum of
That in the opinion of the Board the expences incurred by Colonel John Green for keeping two Horses during the time his wounds rendered his removal last Campaign out of the Jersies necessary, be allowed him and that the same be referred to the Treasury Board for Settlement.
That the part of General Heath's letter of the 19
That Elias Boudinot, Esq., Commissary General of Prisoners be empowered to contract with a proper person or persons for erecting in such part of the State of Connecticut as Governor Trambull shall think proper, Barracks sufficient for the accommodation of fifteen
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 421. The members present were Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, John Harvie, and Joseph Jones.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.∥
A letter of the 11, and one of the 22, from Thomas Mullens, brigade major, to General Conway, with a certificate in his favour from Lord Sterling and General Sullivan; one from the Brigadier de Roche Fermoy; and one from Mens. de Kermovan; two from the Chevalier de Boucher; and one from the Viscount de Laumagne, were read:
Ordered
, That they be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 29 November, from General R. Howe, at Charleston, South Carolina, was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
[r. [Nathaniel] Folsom, a member from New Hampshire, laid before Congress a paragraph of a letter from an officer of the troops from that State, in the army under General Washington, representing the distresses of the said troops for want of cloathing:
Ordered
, That the said paragraph, together with the remonstrance lately received from the council and assembly of Pensylvania, be referred to the Board of War.
A letter of [November 25] from Colonel David Mason, at Williamsburg, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 287.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved
, That all such gold and silver as shall be received in consequence of the resolution of Congress of the 19, for provisions or other necessaries supplied by the public to prisoners in the power of the United States of America, shall be forthwith paid into the continental treasury, subject to the future order of Congress.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Lieutenant Colonel Failly for 300 dollars, to be advanced him on his pay, he to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Major James Armstrong Wilson, for 500 dollars, for recruiting two independent companies to be under his command, ordered to be stationed at Carlisle; the said Major Wilson to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Captain John Fr. Mercer, for 1,834 ⅔ dollars, being the balance of bounty, cloathing, and blankets due to 53 noncommissioned officers and privates of the third Virginia regiment, now under the command of the said Captain Mercer, who is to be accountable for this sum.
Ordered, That the said sums be paid
.
Ordered
, That the report of the committee, respecting the establishment of a French legion, be postponed.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 8th, and one, of the 11, from General Gates; one, of the 12, from Governor Trumbull, with a copy of a letter from R. Pigot to General J. Burgoyne, enclosed; one, of the 3, from Colonel Gansevoort, were read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 57, folios 71 and 75; that of Trumbull, in No. 66, I, folio 355; that of Pigot, in No. 57, folio 79.
Ordered
, That the letter of Governor Trumbull, with the letter enclosed, be referred to the committee on General Heath's letter.
That the letter from Colonel Gansevoort, be referred to the Board of War.
A letter of 29 November from Eb. Hancock, with a monthly return. One of the 15 instant from Colonel Mason at Williamsburg. One of the 17 October, 1777, from John Kendrick, at Nantes, were read.
Ordered
, That the two former be referred to the Board of Treasury, and the latter to the Committee of Commerce.
The delegates from Virginia laid before Congress an account of the expences incurred by the State of Virginia for prisoners:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A memorial from Lieutenant Colonel Barton, who took General Prescot prisoner, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 148.
Resolved
, That Lieutenant Colonel William Barton, on account of his enterprizing spirit, and his merit in taking Major General Prescot prisoner, be promoted to the rank and pay of a colonel in the service of the United States; and that he be recommended to General Washington, to be employed in such services as he may deem best adapted to his genius.
The delegates of Virginia having applied for an advance of 150,000 dollars to their State, to pay for goods collected and seized for the continental army, in consequence of a recommendation of Congress:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A motion being made by the delegates of New Jersey, for an advance of 120,000 dollars to that State:
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Application being made by the delegates of New Hampshire for 150,000 dollars for that State:
∥
Ordered
, That these several applications be referred to the Board of Treasury.∥
The Board of Treasury brought ∥in a report:∥ Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of the delegates of Maryland, for 600 dollars, upon the application of Mr. [Benjamin] Rumsey, one of the said delegates; the State to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of isaac Melchior, Esq
Resolved
, That all the forces under the command of General Gates, or the commanding officer in the northern department, shall be paid by Jonathan Trumbull, Jun
A letter from the president of the council of Pensylvania, to the delegates of that State in Congress, was laid before Congress, and read:
Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, VI, 116.
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of four.
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Harvie, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer.
A petition from Samuel Mifflin, by his proctor, William Lewis, relative to the brig
Sally
, captured by Samuel Champlin, commander of the privateer
American Revenue
, condemned in the court of admiralty in the State of North Carolina, which condemnation it is alleged was wrongfully obtained by a tortious and fraudulent act of Captain Champlin, and praying to be allowed the privilege of an appeal, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 59. An earlier petition, dated May 8, 1777, is on folio 67. With the first petition is the following, in the writing of Francis Dana: “Resolved, That the Petitioner have leave to withdraw his petition, the subject matter thereof being, in the opinion of Congress, proper for the Enquiry of the Legislative Authority of the State of North Carolina, who if they see fit will grant a new Trial to the Petitioner.”
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
A memorial from Israel Pemberton, &c., to the Congress and executive council of Pensylvania, was laid before Congress.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VIII, folio 42. It is printed in
Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, VI, 111.
The committee appointed to consider what pay and allowance ought to be made to continental flying camp or militia officers, captured by the enemy, and held as prisoners or admitted to return home on parole, brought in a report:
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the wants of the army, and the
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. J[onathan] B[ayard] Smith, and Mr. [John] Witherspoon.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Friday next.
The president attended.
A letter, of the 28 November last, from General Schuyler, at Saratoga, was read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, III, folio 256.
Resolved
, That three members be added to the committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, and into the conduct of the general officers in that department ∥at the time of the evacution:∥
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, and Mr. [William] Ellery.
Resolved
, That a committee of three be appointed to devise effectual means to prevent persons disaffected to the interest of the United States from being employed in any of the important offices thereof:
The members chosen, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. [William] Ellery.
A letter, of the 20, from William Lux, enclosing two bills of exchange drawn on the cloathier general by Raymond Demere; one, in favour of John Wright Stanley, Esq
Ordered
, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee to whom were referred the letters that passed between General Heath, and General Burgoyne, relative to the resolution of Congress of the 8 November, and the letter from General Burgoyne to General Gates, of the 14 November, 1777, brought in a report, which was read:
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of the whole.
Resolved
, That Congress this afternoon, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the foregoing report.
A letter, of the 22, and one, of the 23, from General Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, were read:
Ordered
, That they be referred to a committee of three:
∥The members chosen,∥ Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [John] Witherspoon and Mr. [John] Harvie.
Adjourned to 3 o'Clock.
Three o'Clock, p. m.
According to the order of the day, Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee, to whom were referred the letters that passed between General Heath, and General Burgoyne, relative to the resolution of Congress of the 8th November, and the letter of General Burgoyne to General Gates, 14 November, 1777; and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee reported, that the committee have had under consideration the report
Resolved
, That Congress will to morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the foregoing report.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter, of the 22, from Brigadier General Enoch Poor, recommending the Rev. Israel Evans as chaplain to his brigade; ∥was read:∥
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 159.
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed to the afternoon.
A memorial from Brigadiers General Poor and Patterson was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 163, folio 514.
Ordered
, That it be referred to the committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the evacuation of Ticonderoga, &c.
A memorial from Mons. de la Balme, was read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 150.
Ordered
, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
A letter, of 6th December, from Thomas Cushing, Esq
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
A petition
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, I, folio 153.
Whereupon, it was moved, that he be allowed to go to his farm, giving his parole to hold no correspondence with the enemies of the United States, nor to do any thing whatever to the prejudice of the American cause, there to remain till further orders;
On the question,
So it passed in the negative.
It was then moved and
Resolved
, That, in the opinion of Congress, the Rev. Mr. Batwell should be discharged out of confinement, on
immediately taken, as with out, the army must disperse as mentioned in my last. My situation is extremely delicate on this occasion; the ruin of our Army, or the interference with the police of the State, I apprehend will be the alternative set before me; under these circumstances I should be glad of advice and assistance. The House of Burgesses, in Virginia, have unanimously consented to the confederation, as handed to them with orders to their Delegates, to confirm it on the 10th March.”
Daniel Roberdeau to George Bryan, York Town, December 29, 1777.
Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, VI, 144.
Adjourned to 3 o'Clock.
Three o'Clock, p. m.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of General Conway, for four hundred dollars, to be advanced on his pay, to be delivered to Major Mullen; the general to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the Rev. John Hurt, chaplain of Brigadier General Weedon's
That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the Board of War, for fifty thousand dollars to be by them transmitted to Benjamin Harrison, Jun
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mons
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 525. There is no report on the grants to Conway and Hurt.
Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the report of the committee to whom were referred the letters that passed between General Heath and General Burgoyne, relative to the resolution
Ordered
, That they be now received:
The report and resolutions are as follows:
The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the letters which have just past betwixt General Heath and General Burgoyne, relative to the resolution of Congress, of the 8 November, and the letter from General Burgoyne to General Gates, of the 14th November, 1777, beg leave to report:
That they have considered with mature attention the Convention entered into at Saratoga, betwixt General Gates and Lieutenant General Burgoyne, in October last, and the manner in which the same has been complied with, and are clearly of opinion; That the cartouch boxes and every other species of military accoutrements annexed to the persons of the non commissioned officers and soldiers in General Burgoyne's army, ought, agreeably to the spirit of the Convention, and the technical interpretation of the word
arms
in similar eases, to have been delivered up. That this opinion is sanctified by the judgment of the most distinguished writers on the law of nations, and by former precedents, particularly by that of the capitulation of St Johns to General Montgomery, on the 2 November, 1775, by virtue of which, though the surrender of
arms
only is specified, and the private baggage and effects of the garrison are secured from plunder, yet the cartouch boxes and other military accoutrements belonging to the non commissioned officers and privates were without hesitation delivered to the commissaries of the American Army. That, in the opinion of this committee the delivery of the colours belonging to the respective regiments in General Burgoyne's army is likewise comprehended in the said Convention. But as Lieutenant General Burgoyne has declared on his honor to General Gates, that they were left in Canada, your committee are disposed to believe that what a person of such
Their duty, however, obliges them to suggest that this is not to be easily reconciled with that air of triumph and confidence of success, in which that commander invaded these States, or with the following passage in General Burgoyne's journal, extracted from the London Gazette extraordinary, said to be published by authority, and reprinted in the Boston Gazette, November 24, 1777, No. 1212. “July 6. Soon after day light an officer arrived, express, on board the
royal George
, where in the night I took quarters, as the most centrical situation, with information from Brigadier Frazier, that the enemy were retiring, and that he was advancing with his piquets, leaving orders for his brigade to follow as soon as they could accoutre. This movement was very soon discernable,
as were the British colours which the Brigadier had fixed upon the Fort of Ticonderoga
.” That, in the opinion of this committee, if a proper inquiry were made into the execution of the Convention of Saratoga, it would appear in other instances, that it has not been strictly complied with on the part of General Burgoyne, agreeable to its true spirit and the intention of the contracting parties; but as it is evident, that the cartouch boxes and other military accoutrements have not been delivered up, and as an infringement of any one article, would justify these States in considering the whole treaty a nullity, if their love of substantial justice and their determination of avoiding even the suspicion of want of good faith on their part, did not prevent them from availing themselves of this advantage, your committee deem it unnecessary to enter at present into a farther investigation of this matter.
Your committee beg leave further to report that they have carefully considered the resolution of Congress of the 8 November, directing General Heath to cause to be taken down the name and rank of every commissioned officer, and the name, former place of abode, occupation, size, age, and description of every non commissioned officer and private soldier, and all other persons comprehended in the Convention of Saratoga, and are of opinion: That it cannot be considered as imposing any new condition in the articles of Convention, entered into betwixt Lieutenant General Burgoyne and Major General Gates, but as a measure naturally resulting from the articles of Convention, which the conquering party has a right to avail itself of for its own security, and that this measure would have been strictly justifiablebare parole
of not serving against the King, until they were exchanged, and that they have since had no other dependance than that of public faith that those men have not been indiscriminately in arms;” since from the original list of the prisoners released from Canada in the possession of Elias Boudinot, Esq
Your committee beg leave further to report, that the apprehensions of General Burgoyne's future intentions, which result naturally from the circumstances above mentioned, are confirmed by his express declaration in his letter to General Gates, of the 14 November, wherein he declares the public faith plighted in the Convention of Saratoga, to have been broken on the part of these States, alledging, as the cause of this declaration, that the officers and men included in that treaty have not since their arrival at Boston been accommodated with quarters, agreeable to their respective ranks, and to the stipulations made in the seventh article of the Convention.
Your committee beg leave to observe, that the number of persons in continental service quartered in the town of Boston, and the great concourse of strangers to the capital of that State, render it extremely difficult to procure at a short notice, quarters strictly suitable to the rank of the General and other officers, included in the Convention of Saratoga; and therefore, that it is to be supposed that their situation since their arrival could not have been so agreeable as their own desires, and the intention of the public, could wish it to have been; yet, when they admit this circumstance, they beg leave to suggest that General Burgoyne's painting of the sufferings of himself andas far as circumstances would admit
.
Your committee forbear to lay any stress on the attempt of the enemy to alter the place of embarkation from the port of Boston to that of Rhode island, so contiguous to the port of New York at present in their possession, on the seemingly inadequate number of transports and other vessels properly victualled for a winter's voyage to Europe, for an army consisting of 5,642 men including officers and followers of the army (being only 26 in number, as it appears in a letter from General Pigot to Lieutenant General Burgoyne, dated 5 December;) or on the probability there is of the ability of the enemy, who, from authentic accounts, have been deficient in the article of flour, to victual such an army for a voyage of such length on so short a notice; the intelligence of the surrender of General Burgoyne's army having been communicated to General Howe on the
These facts and opinions your committee, in a matter of such high moment to the honour and safety of these States, esteem it their duty to report specially to Congress: And considering that it is evident that General Burgoyne has not in every particular complied with the Convention of Saratoga, agreeable to its true spirit; that he has expressly and without foundation, charged these States with a breach of public faith; that in consequence of this declaration whilst in our power, he may deem himself and the army under him absolved from their compact when released; that from the distance betwixt America
Resolved
, That the charge made by Lieutenant General Burgoyne in his letter to Major General Gates, of the 14 November, of a breach of public faith on the part of these States is not warranted by
the just construction
any article of the Convention of Saratoga; That it
betrays a disposition of availing himself of such declaration
in order to disengage himself and the army under him of the obligations they are under to these United States, and that the security which these States have
hitherto
had in his personal honor is hereby destroyed.
2.
Resolved, That Lieutenant General Burgoyne in not having ordered the cartouch boxes and several other articles of military accoutrements annexed to the persons of the non commissioned officers and privates in his army to be delivered up has not complied with the articles of Convention entered into betwixt him and General Gates on 16 October.
3.
Resolved, That there is just ground of suspicion notwithstanding the declaration of Lieutenant General Burgoyne that all the standards and colours belonging to his army were not left in Canada previous to the march of the army from that province.
4.
Resolved, Nevertheless, that the Congress of these United States will not avail themselves of any noncompliance with the articles of the Convention of Saratoga, which may hitherto have happened on the part of Lieutenant General Burgoyne, but that they will solemnly ratify the same and cause the prisoners surrendered by virtue of it to be released, whenever the King of Great Britain shall on his part cause his ratification of the said agreement to be properly notified to these States without availing himself of the unwarrantable charge of the breach of public faith, which has been alledged against these States by Lieutenant General Burgoyne.
In Committee of the whole,
Resolved
, as the opinion of the whole,
That the charge &c. as in the foregoing report,
Resolved
, therefore, that the embarkation of
himself
and troops
shall
be suspended till a distinct and explicit ratification of the Convention shall be properly notified
to these States
by the court of Great Britain.
Resolved
, That the consideration of the foregoing report be postponed to Monday.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
A letter, of the 3, and two, of the 4th November, from General R. Howe at Charleston, South Carolina, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 160, folios 400 and 404.
Ordered
, That they be referred to the Board of War.
The delegates from Virginia laid before Congress a resolution of the two houses of general assembly of that commonwealth, which was read as follows:
Virginia, In House of Delegates
,
December 12, 1777
.
Although it is the wish of the general assembly that the representation of this commonwealth in Congress should consist of three members at least, yet as it may sometimes happen from unforseen accidents that three may not be present and the State thereby unrepresented,
Resolved
, therefore, that from this time until the end of two months after the expiration of this session of general Assembly, any two of the delegates from this commonwealth be empowered to give the vote of this State on any question in Congress, whenever there shall happen to be none other of the said delegates attending.
John Tazewell
,
C. H. D
.
December 13th, 1777.
Agreed to by the Senate.
John Beckley
,
C. S
.
Resolved
, That the committee to whom were referred the letters of the 22 and 23 from General Washington, be discharged; and that the said letters be referred to the Board of War, and that for this purpose Mr. [Cornelius] Harnett, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Abraham] Clark, be added, and that the said committee be fully empowered to take the necessary measures for supplying the army with provisions and other necessaries.
A letter from Major Dennis John du Bouchet, was read, wherein he represents, that his bad state of health obliges him to quit the service and return to France, and praying for a certificate of his past services and the reason of his return; and intimating some embarrassment with regard to his finances.
Ordered
, That a certificate be granted to him, and that his letter be referred to the Board of Treasury.
post.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Richard Ross, express rider, for 300 dollars, to be advanced in part of his demand to the 16 October; he to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Monsieur Rouilhac, for 30 44/90 dollars, being so much short charged by him in the interest on Livingston and Turnbull's bill of 17 June, in favour of Captain Pierre de Campe, which interest amounts to £440 6 2 instead of £428 17 9, as reported the 27 instant; the same to be charged to the cloathier general:
That a warrant issue on John Lawrence, commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Connecticut, in favour of James Stevenson, one of the commissioners
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Martin Nicholas, for 30 dollars, a gratuity for his riding express with intelligence to Congress.
Resolved
, That the several commissioners of the continental loan offices of the United States, be directed to pay the annual interest arising on certificates, that are or may be issued from their respective offices, taking receipts therefor and making returns agreeable to the directions of the Board of Treasury.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 527.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
The Marine Committee, to whom was referred a letter from the navy board at Bordentown, dated the 11 instant, complaining of the disrespect and ill treatment one of the said board lately received from John Barry, Esq
Effingham
, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That Captain John Barry be required immediately to attend Congress, to answer to the complaint exhibited against him, and that he be furnished with an extract from the letter of the navy board, as far as it relates to the said complaint.
Whereas, it is essentially necessary to the marine service, that the officers of the navy of the United States of America should pay obedience to such orders as the navy boards in the respective departments may at any time find necessary to give them, for promoting the public
Resolved
, That the navy boards be, and they are hereby empowered to suspend any officer of the navy within their respective districts, who shall refuse to pay obedience to such orders as they may think necessary to issue, or who shall treat them with indecency and disrespect: and the said navy boards are hereby required to give immediate notice to the Marine Committee of any such suspension, with the reasons thereof.
The Marine Committee farther reported, that they have taken into consideration the proceeding and sentence of a court martial, held on board the ship
Lion
, at Bordentown, in New Jersey, for the trial of John Stewart, master's mate of the ship
Repulse
, and James Ledlie, master at arms of the said ship, and John Pemberton, armourer, John Campbell, quarter master, and Michael Tarney, a boy, all belonging to the said ship
Repulse
; and it appearing that the criminals, previous to the offences for which they are under condemnation, had behaved themselves as became their stations, and no positive proof appearing that they intended to desert to the enemy; and they being recommended as proper subjects of mercy, it is their opinion that they be pardoned, on condition they will inlist to serve as privates in the navy during the war:
Resolved
, That Congress concur with the committee.
Adjourned to 3 o'Clock.
Three o'Clock, p. m.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That General Washington be directed to inform the brave officers and soldiers of the continental army, now in camp, that, as the situation of the enemy
That, after the 1st day of January next, the commissary general of purchases be directed, from time to time, to compute the cost of each part of a ration, agreeable to the prime cost of the several articles composing the same; and that he send a certificate thereof to the Board of Treasury, and also to the commissary general of issues, who is thereupon directed to publish the same to the issuing commissaries, to be by them observed, in lieu of the estimate made in the 38 article of the commissary's regulation, passed by Congress the 10th June last:
That General Washington be directed to recommend to the officers of the army to draw such a part of their rations only as may be necessary for their respective subsistence, and to receive the residue in money, at the estimated cost aforesaid, until the difficulties arising' from the present deficiency in the commissary's department shall be removed.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 425.
Resolved
, That the powers vested in General Washington by the resolutions of the 17 September and 8th of October last, and of the 10th inst. be extended from the last day of the present month to the 10th day of April next, unless sooner revoked by Congress.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 400. The limit first named was “to the first day of April for and during the term of three months.”
Resolved
, That all persons, inhabitants of any of these United States, who have voluntarily inlisted, or shall so inlist with or join the enemy of the said states, and have been or shall be taken in arms, be confined in close gaols, subject to be delivered up to the respective states to which they belong, to be dealt with agreeable to the laws thereof, and that the commissary general of prisoners and his deputies be directed, from time to time, to transmit to the respective states the names of such of their citizens who have been made prisoners.
A letter from Brigadier de Roche Fermoy was read, desiring to be promoted to the rank of major general; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That Brigadier de Roche Fermoy be informed that Congress do not think it expedient to promote him to the rank he solicits.
Resolved
, That to morrow be assigned for appointing an adjutant general in the room of Colonel Pickering, who is called to the Board of War.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
A letter of the 22, and one of the 25, from Governor Livingston, were read:
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folios 305 and 309.
Application being made by the delegates of Virginia, for five field pieces for the use of their State,
Ordered
, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Adjourned to 3 o'Clock.
Three o'Clock, p. m.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of the delegates of Virginia, for 100,000 dollars, to be advanced to the said State for the purpose of paying for goods collected and seized for the continental army, in consequence of a recommendation of Congress; the said state to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on William Armistead, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Virginia, in favour of the delegates of the said State, for 50,000 dollars, for the purpose of paying for goods collected and seized for the continental army, in consequence of a recommendation of Congress; the said State to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of the Board of War for 20,000 dollars, to be transmitted by the said Board to John Smith, Esq
That a warrant issue on Joseph Borden, Esq
That a warrant issue on the treasurer for 5,898 dollars in favour of Captain Williams, of the North Carolina
Resolved
, That the said Captain Williams be directed forthwith to pay off the said recruits, according to the muster rolls attested by General Conway, and to produce receipts from each of the officers and soldiers receiving the advance aforesaid, specifying the regiment or corps to which they belong, to be transmitted by the auditor general to the pay master general, who is to be accountable for the said sums.
Ordered
, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of William Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, for 300,000 dollars, for the use of the middle department; the said commissary general to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on Nathaniel Appleton, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Massachusetts bay for 200,000 dollars, in favour of James Mease, Esq
Resolved
, That the said cloathier general be directed to authorize Samuel Allen Otis, Esq
Whereas, Samuel Allen Otis, Esq
Resolved
, That Mr. Otis be directed to pay only for such of the said cloathing as he may have actually received,
Resolved
, That it be most earnestly recommended to the legislative authority of the said State of Massachusetts bay, immediately to take and seize the residue of the cloathing which the holders thereof have refused to deliver to the said Samuel Allen Otis, until paid for the same, agreeable to the resolutions of Congress of the 20 inst., which cloathing shall be paid for in manner and at the rate mentioned therein and not otherwise.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 531.
Ordered
, That the president write to the president of the council of Massachusetts bay, in the terms following:
It is with inexpressible concern that Congress learn the extortionate views and demands of the proprietors of cloathing lately purchased or attempted to be purchased within your State by Mr. S. Allen Otis, deputy cloathier general, for the use of the continental troops, now exposed in the field to the severities of the season; and that those individuals should even add to the crime of extortion a greater, if possible, that of refusing to deliver the goods upon the credit of the thirteen United States, whereby they not only wound the public
This irrefragable evidence of the depravity of morals, in so many of the citizens of these states, is a most alarming circumstance; and if the several governments do not speedily exert their authority to effectually suppress such unheard of extortion, it will unquestionably issue, and at no very distant period, too, in the destruction of the liberties of this Continent. Congress feel themselves obliged to sound the alarm, however distressing it may be, to the several legislatures of these states, that their revenues cannot support such astonishing extravagance. Shall we then tamely see ourselves compelled, by the wicked conduct of some of the citizens of these states, to the cruel necessity of submitting to the mercy of an enraged tyrant?
This must, however, inevitably be our fate should we delay applying a remedy to so dangerous an evil. Congress have judged it indispensably necessary to come into the resolutions enclosed herein, and those lately transmitted on a like subject, which you are desired immediately to lay before the general assembly for their consideration, who are requested to keep these resolutions, and their proceedings thereon, secret till carried into execution.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved
, That as it is expedient to promote a speedy reformation in the army, as well for the purpose of discipline as œconomy; and the number of officers being already out of all proportion to that of the privates, to avoid further embarrassments in this respect, it be recommended to the governments of the several states, to suspend filling up any vacancies in their respective regiments, until they shall hear further from Congress on the subject.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 429. The members of the Board present were Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duet, and John Harvie.
A motion being made and debated, ∥for sending a committee to camp :∥
Ordered
, That it be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Duer and Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer.
Resolved
, That the appointment of an adjutant general be farther postponed.
A letter, of this day, from Brigadier de Roche Fermoy;
One, of the 8 November, from Nicholas Cooke, president of the council of war for the State of Rhode Island;
One, of the 17 inst. from Jeremiah Powell, president of the council of Massachusetts bay, were read.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 149. That of President Cooke is in No. 78, V, folio 115. That of President Powell is in No. 65, I, folio 284.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
30 January, 1777.
James Wilson
Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant
William Ellery
Samuel Chase
Roger Sherman
12 March, 1777.
John Adams
George Read
Thomas Burke
8 May, 1777. Old committee discharged as too numerous. New committee:
James Wilson
James Duane
John Adams
Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant
Thomas Burke
13 October, 1777. A new committee appointed, because of absences
John Adams
Joseph Jones
Richard Law
Henry Marchant
Henry Laurens
17 November, 1777.
John Harvie in place of Laurens
Francis Dana “ Adams
William Ellery “ Marchant
10 December 1777.
Benjamin Rumsey
5 July, 1777.
Robert Morris
Philip Livingston
William Smith
Thomas Heyward
Elbridge Gerry
19 August, 1777.
Henry Laurens in place of Heyward
26 May, 1777.
Thomas Heyward
James Lovell
19 March, 1777.
James LoveIl
Thomas Heyward
Daniel Roberdeau
12 May, 1777.
Charles Carroll
5 February, 1777.
Mann Page, Jr
James Lovell
Thomas Burke
30 June, 1777.
George Walton
James Duane
6 October, 1777. A new committee:
James Duane
George Walton
Thomas Burke
Joseph Jones
Richard Law
17 January, 1777.
Thomas Heyward
Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant
9 June, 1777.
William Duer
2 January, 1777.
Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant
Oliver Wolcott
19 March, 1777.
Abraham Clark in place of Sergeant
29 April, 1777.
Philip Livingston
William Smith
5 June, 1777.
Roger Sherman
Henry Marchant
Nicholas Vandyke
24 June, 1777.
George Frost in place of Whipple
30 June, 1777.
Richard Law “ Sherman
17 November, 1777.
Francis Dana
William Ellery
Joseph Wood
18 December, 1777.
John Harvie in place of Richard H. Lee
3 January, 1777.
Nathan Brownson
Jonathan Elmer
27 March, 1777.
Abraham Clark
William Ellery
10 December, 1777.
Francis Lewis
John Penn
6 February, 1777.
Mann Page, Jr
Jonathan Elmer
22 February, 1777.
William Smith
22 March, 1777.
Jonathan Bayard Smith
Lewis Morris
8 May, 1777.
George Clymer excused
George Walton
3 December, 1777.
Francis Dana
Benjamin Rumsey
Joseph Jones
18 January, 1777.
Samuel Adams
26 March, 1777.
George Clymer
8 May, 1777.
Charles Carroll
2 July, 1777.
William Duer
17 October, 1777.
John Harvie
John Witherspoon
William Williams
Joseph Jones
17 November, 1777.
Francis Dana [excused, December 3]
Jonathan Bayard Smith
January 14.
State Bills of Credit and Continental Loan Offices.
146. In Congress / Baltimore, January 14, 1777. /.../ Baltimore: Printed by M. K. Goddard.
Contains the resolution of Congress, and a letter from William Govett, A. Audit.-Gen., dated Treasury office, Baltimore, January 30, 1777. A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 30 × 19 cms.
January 16.
Address of the New York Convention.
147. An / Address / of the / Convention / of the / Representives / of the / State / of / New York / to their / Constituents. / Philadelphia: / Printed by John Dunlap. / M, DCC, LXXVII.
12°. pp. 12.
A copy, is in the Library Company of Philadelphia. The address in manuscript is in the
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, I, folio 372.
148. Zuschrift / aus der / Versammlung / der Repräsentanten / des / Staates von New York / an die, / welche sie dazu bestellt haben. /Aus dem Englischen übersetzt. / Philadelphia: / Gedrückt bey Steiner und Cist, in der Zweyten- / strasse, nahe bey der Archstrasse, 1777. 8°. pp. 21.
“
Resolved, That Congress have received the address of the said convention to the people of that State,...and that the same be translated into the German language, and printed at the expence of the Continent.”
Journals.
One thousand copies of the German edition were printed. The translation was made by Lewis Weiss.
January 25.
Proclamation by General Washington.
149. By his Excellency George Washington, Esq; / General and Commander in Chief of all the forces of the / United States of America. / Proclamation. /.../ Baltimore: Printed by John. Dunlap.
On oath to the United States by those who had taken oath to the King under the proclamation of General Howe, November 30, 1776. A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 26½ × 21 cms.
February 15.
Committees from four New England States.
150. [Proceedings in part.]
“That such parts of the proceedings of the committees from the four New England States as relate to the price of labour and other things, be published and transmitted to the other States, together with these resolutions.”
Journals.
February 17.
Advertisement for seamen.
151. [Advertisement of the Continental Navy Board for Seamen. Philadelphia: Robert Aitken. 1777.]
Title from Hildeburn's
Issues of the Press in Pennsylvania, No. 3536, taken from Aitken's ledger. 300 copies were printed.
Mr. Clarence S. Brigham, Librarian of the Rhode Island Historical Society, calls my attention to a broadside in his collections: “Naval Pay List. /.../ Extract from the minutes. / Charles Thomson, Secretary,” based upon the resolutions concerning pay of November 28, December 9 and 13, 1775. It measures 15 × 17 cms. As the rates of pay were not altered in 1776, this may be one of the issues of the Continental Navy Board.
February 25.
Resolutions on desertions.
152. [Congress took into consideration the report of the Committee on Deserters, and thereupon came to the following resolutions...]
Ordered, That the foregoing resolve, and the first, second, and third articles of the Articles of War be published in the several papers, ... and, also that 300 copies be printed in handbills and sent to camp.”
Journals.
February 26.
Letters and Orders for Continental Ships.
153. [Letters and Orders for Continental Vessels, printed for the Continental Navy Board. Philadelphia: Robert Aitken. 1777.]
Title from Hildeburn's
Issues of the Press in Pennsylvania, No. 3536, taken from Aitken's ledger. 250 copies printed.
February 26.
Rate of Interest.
154. In Congress. /Baltimore, February 26th, 1777./.../ Baltimore: Printed by M. K. Goddard.
F
March 25.
Returns of Loan Offices.
155. In Congress, / March 25, 1777. [Philadelphia: 1777.]
F
April 1.
Resolution of Navy Board.
156. [Resolve of the Marine Committee. Philadelphia: Printed by Robert Aitken. 1777.]
Title from Hildeburn's
Issues of the Press of Pennsylvania, No. 3536, taken from Aitken's ledger. 150 copies printed.
April 1.
Resolution for Paying Troops.
157. In Congress, / April 1, 1777. /.../ Printed by John Dunlap.
F
Contains the resolutions of April 1, 2, 9, and 10. A copy is in the Library of Congress, Letters to Washington. Vol. 90, folio 109. It measures 34 × 20 cms.
April 4.
Resolution on Commissary General of Musters.
158. in Congress, / April 4, 1777. /.../ Printed by John Dunlap.
F
Contains resolutions of April 4 and 10. A copy is in the Library of Congress, Letters to Washington. Vol. 90, folio 146. It measures 34 × 20 cms.
April 7.
Resolution on Continental Hospitals.
159. In Congress, / April 7, 1777. /.../ Printed by John Dunlap. F
Contains resolutions of April 1 and 12. A copy is in the Library of Congress, Letters to Washington. Vol. 90, folio 145. It measures 38 × 25 cms.
160. In Congress, / April 7, 1777. /.../ Printed by Hall and Sellers. 1779.F
April 11.
Resolutions concerning monopoly.
161. In Congress, / April 11, 1777. /.../ Printed by John Dunlap. F
April 12.
Rules of Navy Board.
162. [Rules and Regulations of Continental Navy Board. Philadelphia: Printed by Robert Aitken. 1777.]
Title from Hildeburn's
Issues of the Press of Pennsylvania, No. 3536, taken from Aitken's ledger. 150 copies printed.
April 14.
Resolution on Recruiting.
163. In Congress, / April 14, 1777. Philadelphia: Printed by John Dunlap. [1777.] F
Contains the resolution of April 14, to enquire into the conduct of recruiting officers, and that of April 29, on settlement of recruiting accounts. A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 39½ x 24½ cms. See under No. 169.
April 14.
Resolution for Committee of Conference.
164. In Congress, / April 14, 1777. /.../ John Dunlap.
F
Contains the resolution of April 14, providing for the Committee [Samuel Adams, William Duer, and Richard Henry Lee] and that of the 15, embodying the report. A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 81 × 20½ cms.
April 14.
Revision of Rules and Articles of War.
165. In Congress, April 14, 1777. /.../ Philadelphia: Printed by John Dunlap. F
A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 33½× 20 cms.
166. In Congress, April 14, 1777. [Philadelphia: 1777.]
8°. pp. 2.
“Probably printed to add to the already printed editions of the Rules. Thomas Heyward, F. L. Lee, and Abraham Clark were the revising members.”
Paul Leicester Ford.
167. [Rules and Articles...Philadelphia? 1777].
8°. pp. 31, 2.
“The copy seen lacked the title-page. I have also seen a copy of what was apparently a New Jersey edition, pp. 30 and more, in the same condition.”
Paul Leicester Ford.
168, Rules / and / Articles / for the better / Government / of the / Troops / Raised, or to be raised and kept in pay by / and at the expence of the United / States of / America. / Boston, New-England: / Printed by Benjamin Edes, in Queen Street. / M, DCC, LXXVII.
April 29.
Resolution on Accounts.
169. In Congress, April 29, 1777. /.../ Philadelphia, Printed by John Dunlap. F
A copy is in the Library of Congress, Letters to Washington. Vol. 90, folio 170. It measures 34 × 19 cms. See under No. 163.
May 14.
Resolutions on Quartermaster's Department.
170. In Congress, / May 14, 1777. /.../ Philadelphia, Printed by John Dunlap. F
Five hundred copies were printed. A copy is in the Library of Congress, Letters to Washington. Vol. 90, folio 199. It measures 42 × 22 cms.
171. In Congress, / May 14, 1777. /.../ Fish-kill: Printed by Samuel Loudon [1777]. F
A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 32 × 19 cms.
June 10.
Resolutions on Commissary Department.
172. In Congress, June 10, 1777. /.../ Philadelphia: Printed by John Dunlap in Market-Street. F
Contains also resolutions dated June 11 and 16. A copy is in the Library of Congress, Letters to Washington. Vol. 90, folio 209. It measures 34 × 22 cms.
173. [Fish-kill. ?]
An imperfect copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 41 × 26 cms.
June 20.
Forms for paying Army.
174. [Blank forms for pay accounts.]
“
Ordered, That it [report of Board of Treasury] lie for consideration till Tuesday next, and that, in the meantime, the Board of Treasury prepare printed copies of the form mentioned in the said report.”
Journals, June 20, 1777.
July 19.
Conduct of the Enemy.
175. [Report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the enemy, with affidavits.]
“4,000 copies in English and 2,000 copies in German were ordered 'published in a pamphlet' by the Congress, but it is questionable if it ever was done, as no copy is now known to exist.”—
Paul Leicester Ford.
The following is taken from Franklin's correspondence:
“You may have heard that Accounts upon Oath have been taken in America by Order of Congress, of the British Barbarities committed there. It is expected of me to make a School Book of them, and to have 35 Prints designed here by good artists and engraved each expressing one or more of the different horrid facts, to be inserted in the Book, in order to impress the minds of Children and Posterity with a deep sense of your blood y and insatiable Malice and Wickedness. Every kindness I hear of done by an Englishman to an American Prisoner, makes me resolve not to proceed in the Work, hoping a Reconciliation may yet take place. But every fresh Instance of your Devilism weakens that resolution, and makes me abominate the Thought of a Reunion with such a People.”
Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 February, 1780.
August 11.
Advertisement of Navy Board.
176. [Advertisement for the encouragement of the Navy in the River, by the Continental Navy Board.]
Title from Hildeburn's
Issues of the Press of Pennsylvania, No. 3536, taken from Aitken's ledger. 100 copies printed.
August 22.
Burgoyne's orders to Baum and Stark's victory.
177. Philadelphia, August 22, 1777. / By an express arrived last evening from General Schuyler to Congress, we have the following important intelligence. [Philadelphia:] Printed by John Dunlap.
F
A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 31 × 21 cms.
“Philadelphia, 2d Septr. 1776.
”Sir:
“We have the honor to send your Excellency herewith a number of hand bills published by order of Congress, in that form, for the more easy dispersion thro the army, that the troops may be made acquainted with and emulate the conduct of their brave northern and eastern brethren.”
Committee of Intelligence to Washington.
September 6.
Report of Treasury Committee.
178. In Congress, September 6, 1777. /.../ Philadelphia: Printed by John Dunlap. F
September 12.
Information from Army.
179. Chad's Ford, Sept. 11. 1777. 5 o'clock, a.m. / Philadelphia: Printed by John Dunlap. F
Contains a letter to John Hancock, reporting the progress of the battle of the Brandywine; dated: Chad's Ford, September 11, 1777. 5 o'clock, p.m. Followed by a letter from Gen. Washington, announcing the loss of the battle; dated: Chester, September 11, 1777. Twelve o'clock at night.
A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 33 × 20 cms.
October 8.
180. Intercourse with the Enemy.
“I have ordered one Thousand copies of the Resolves relative to putting a Stop to any Intercourse between the Enemy in Philadelphia and the disaffected among us, to be printed at Lancaster, and to be forwarded thence to you for the Use of the Army.” John Hancock to Washington, October 14, 1777.
Letters to Washington, 91, 82.
November 15.
Articles of Confederation.
181. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of New-Hampshire, Masssachusetts-Bay, Rhode- / Island and Providence Plantation, Con- / necticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsyl- / vania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, / North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Geor- / gia. / Lancaster: / Printed by Francis Bailey. / M, DCC, LXXVII. F
A copy, containing the signature of Henry Laurens, as President, is in the Library of Congress.
182. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of / New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, / Rhode-Island and Providence Planta- / tions, Connecticut, New York, New- / Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ma- / ryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, / South-Carolina, and Georgia. / Annapolis: / Printed by Frederick Green [1777]. 8
183. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of / New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island / and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New- / York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary- / land, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, / and Georgia. / Lancaster, (Pennsylvania,) Printed: / Boston, Re-printed by John Gill, / Printer to the General Assembly. / M, DCC, LXXVII. F
A copy is in the Library of Congress.
184. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of / New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode- / Island and Providence Plantations, Con- / necticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsy-/lvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,/North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. / Exeter, New Hampshire, / Printed by Zechariah Fowle. / M, DCC, LXXVII. F
185. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of / New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-/ island and Providence Plantations, Connec- / ticut, New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylva- / nia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North- / Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia. / New-London: Printed by Timothy Green, Printer to / the State of Connecticut. / M, DCC, LXXVII.
F
A copy is in the Library of Congress.
186. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of / New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode- / Island and Providence Plantations, Con- / necticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsyl-/ vania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, / North Carolina, South Carolina and Geor- / gia. / Williamsburg: / Printed by J. Dixon & W. Hunter. / M, DCC, LXXVIII. 4
A copy is in the Library of Congress.
187. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of / New-Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, / Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, / Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. / Williamsburg: / Printed by Alexander Purdie.
A copy is in the Library of Congress. It measures 33 × 21 cms.
188. The / Articles / of Confederation; / the Declaration of / Rights; / the Constitution of this Commonwealth / and the/Articles of the Definitive Treaty / between / Great-Britain and the United / States of America. /Published by Order of the General Assembly. / Richmond: / Printed by Dixon and Holt. [1784.] 12°. pp. 35.
189. Articles / of / Confederation / and / Perpetual Union / between the / States / of/ New-Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Provi- / dence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New-Jersey, / Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Ca-rolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia. / Lancaster, Printed, / Newbern: Re-printed by James Davis, / MDCCLXXVII. F
190. Articles de Confédération & d'Union perpétuelles entre les États de Nouvel Hampshire, Baei de Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Nouvelle York, Nouvelle Jersey, Pennsylvanie, les Comtés de New Castle, Kent et Sussex, sur la rivière Delaware, maryland, Virginie, Caroline Septentrionale, Caroline Méridionale, Georgie, etc. [Philadelphis?] MDCCLXXVII. 8°. pp. 16.
December.
Convention at Saratoga.
192.
“Inclosed is a Hand Bill printed by order of Congress relative to the late Convention at Saratoga; this only came to Congress three days ago—as we have had no press here until within these few days and no Gazette as yet published.”
Cornelius Harnett to William Wilkinson, York, December 8, 1777. In
North Carolina Colonial Records, XI, 818.
Resolutions on trade, &c.
193. Resolves of Congress / concerning / Trade. / Together with the Act for establishing a / Naval-Office / In the State of Massachusetts Bay. / Also, / The Forms established by the General / Court to be used by the Naval-Officers in / said State. / Printed by Order of said Court. / Boston: N. E. / Printed by J. Gill, M, DCC, LXXVII.
8°. pp. 28.
Journals.
194. Journals / of / Congress, / Containing / the / Proceedings / From January 1st, 1777, to January 1st, 1778. / Published by order of Congress. / Volume III./ Philadelphia. / Printed by John Dunlap.
8°. pp. 603, XXII.
“As originally issued this volume contained 6 additional leaves, being the index to Volume 1, but as these have generally been removed and placed in that volume, I have not included them in the above collation.” Paul Leicester Ford.
Abeel,—, 1040.
Accomac county, Va., 109, 196.
Accounts, auditors of, 14; militia, 59, 297, 298; northern army, 61, 281, 312, 341, 350; states, 112; commissioners, 175, 202, 249; recruiting, 309; payment, 326; money, 331; broadside, 1084.
Ackerly, Lemuel, 703.
Adams, John,
a delegate from the Massachusetts Bay. Credentials, 25; attends, 85; leave of absence, 880; motion on pardons, 381
n; motion on Bedford, 460
n; commissioner to France, 947
n, 975, 988.
Committees: Franklin, 9; Southouse, 89; New England committee, 94; Washington's proclamation, 95, 166
n; post office, 127; appeals, 172, 337, 936; Lancaster, 203; hospital, 219; enemy's advance, 247; enemy's vessels, 266; Pennsylvania, 314; neutrality, 318; Billingsport, 414; Allison, 536; Du Coudray, 554; Ticonderoga, 596, 688; North, 599; frontiers, 648; Sullivan, 689; Trumbull, 720; resolve, 733; intercourse, 783; McIntosh, 788; appeals, 800; Gates, 859; Saratoga convention, 871.
War Board, 473
n, 474
n, 477
n, 485
n, 492
n, 495
n, 518
n, 550
n, 554
n, 557
n, 560
n, 566
n, 567
n, 571
n, 581
n, 585, 591
n, 592
n, 594
n, 595, 614
n, 639, 656
n, 657
n, 670, 677
n, 681
n, 696
n, 699
n, 711
n, 772
n, 792
n, 799
n, 824
n.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 880.
Mentioned, 109
n, 159
n, 259, 430, 431
n, 451
n, 644
n, 740
n, 827
n.
Adams, Samuel,
a delegate from the Massachusetts Bay. Credentials, 25; leave of absence, 880.
Committees: Morgan, 15; impressment, 30; Board of War, 32; Allan, 34; Pennsylvania, 55; Somerset county, 79, 83; Warren memorial, 80; post office, 127; conference with Gates, 189; health of army, 193; applications, 240; supplies at Philadelphia, 254; defence of Pennsylvania, 264; motion, 272; toryisn, 275; reinforcements, 294; Wooster, 369; Hall, 507; Georgia, 579; Deane, 596; Du Coudray, 630; Thanksgiving, 851, 855.
War Board, 474
n, 477
n, 485
n, 492
n, 495
n, 518
n, 550
n, 554
n, 557
n, 560
n, 566
n, 567
n, 581
n, 591
n, 592
n, 594
n, 595, 614
n, 639, 643
n, 656
n, 670, 677
n, 681
n, 696
n, 698
n, 699
n, 772
n, 792
n, 799
n, 824
n.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880.
Mentioned, 94
n, 431
n, 451
n, 715.
Adams, William, 139.
Address to people, 314, 397.
Adjutant generals, 136, 171, 204, 1069, 1074; northern deputy, 391.
Admiral, rear, 541.
Admiralty courts, appeals, 75.
Aids de camp, pay, 197.
Aitken, James, 560.
Aitken, Robert, 101, 468, 502.
Albany, N. Y., 375.
Alexander, Charles, captain, 1032.
Alexander, Francis, 703.
Alexander, Samuel, lieut., 244.
Alexander, Mark, 19.
Alexander, Morgan, captain, 321.
Alexander, William, captain, 360.
Alfred, 588.
Allan, John, instructions, 38; pay, 39; money, 313; mentioned, 34, 295, 331.
Allegiance, oath of, Washington's proclamation, 95, 165; from loyalists and others, 431.
Allen, Ethan, exchange, 12.
Allen, Heman, 497, 509.
Allen, John, lieut., 1003.
Allen, Thomas, 43.
Allen, William, lieut., 652.
Allison, Francis, 536, 733.
Allison, P., 756.
Alricks, William, 973.
Alsop, Mary, 297.
America, sloop, 603.
American Revolution, privateer, 1052.
Amphitrite, 335, 346, 406.
Anderson, James, lieut., 244.
Anderson, John, 161, 165, 344.
Anderson, Patrick, captain, 533.
Anderson, Robert, 531, 706.
Andrew Doria, 32, 89, 292.
Annapolis, Md., powder, 219.
Anstruther, P., captain, 302.
Antignac, Lewis John Baptist Chambaron d', 615, 673, 681, 702.
Antill, Charlotte, 948.
Antill, Edward, lieut. col., memorial, 10, 60
n; letter, 207; mentioned, 41, 113, 228, 230, 671, 948.
Apothecary general, 161, 199, 232.
Appeals, committee, members, 40, 75, 172, 337, 800, 936, 1015; reduced, 336; register for, 348; court of, 607.
Appleton, Nathaniel,
Massachusetts loan office, 330, 334, 363, 836, 894, 1005, 1071.
Appleton, Samuel, 303.
Applications, committee on, 240, 273.
Applications, committee on foreign, 184, 347, 713.
Apprentices, enlistment, 262.
Arendt, Baron de, 170, 185, 226, 227, 267, 575.
Armand de Rouerie, 346.
Armistead, William, 1070.
Armitage, James, 573, 574.
Armitage, Shewbart, 673.
Armour, public, 55, 431; regimental, N.C., 540.
Arms, delivery of, 59, 672; continental, 74, 85, 119, 151, 197, 211; for new levies, 74; deserters, 116; borrowed of states, 119, 152; from France, 476, 825, 883; report on, 602; returns, 613; disaffected in Philadelphia, 679; from New Jersey, 696; repair of, 698.
Armstrong, Francis, 429.
Armstrong, John, brigadier general, 50, 79, 91, 94, 119; resigns, 220, 228, 280, 427, 453, 754, 980.
Armstrong, William, captain, 362.
Army, continental, committees to, 14, 546, 577, 972, 1073; report, 608, 690; committee on wants, 1053; supplies, 26, 134, 248, 580, 780, 741, 755, 799, 962, 976, 1043; money, 44, 134, 190, 332, 388, 533, 610, 617, 672, 798, 975; profanity in, 157; health and discipline, 193, 259, 274; inoculation, 110, 292; new, 119, 576; recruits, 262, 608, 805; pay, 214; bounties, 576; auditor, 580, 609; size, 608; clothing, 581, 809; apportionment, 611; winter quarters, 770; necessaries, 701; pay regulations, 1002; subsisting, 1011, 1013; cantonment, 1036, 1067; extra pay, 1068; to be reformed, 1073.
Army, northern, 32, 33, 312; accounts, 61, 281; supplies, 186; chest, 231, 418, 790, 809; command, 604.
Arnell, John, 461.
Arnold, Benedict, major general, horse for, 372; charges against, 382; ordered to Trenton, 432; to command at Bristol, 467; commission, 624; thanked, 861; rank, 981.
Letters, 371, 432, 460, 480, 549, 551, 699, 700.
Mentioned, 323, 409, 428, 461, 540, 545, 553, 567
n, 863.
Arthur, George, 738.
Articles of war, revision committee, 13, 250, 264, 1084.
Artificers, officers, 753.
Artillery, officers, 753; strengthening regiments, 822.
Ash, Samuel, captain, 627, 1016.
Ashe, John, 714, 737, 761, 791, 803, 860, 1017, 1038.
Atlee, Samuel John, 184.
Auditors, Treasury, 999.
Avery, Elisha, deputy commissary general of issues, 477, 601.
Avery, John, 26, 170, 316, 527, 617.
Avout, —, 593.
Ayes and noes, 676, 687, 688, 689.
Aylett, William, deputy commissary general of purchases, 477.
Mentioned, 43, 46, 73, 92, 121, 203, 208, 209, 298, 303, 305, 368, 373, 386, 425, 501, 515, 532, 545, 563, 898.
Babb, Peter, captain, 974.
Babcock, —, 110.
Bache, Richard, 51, 296
n, 601, 618, 828, 856, 860.
Bachenstore, Andrew, 80, 847.
Bailey, Francis, 907.
Baker, Henry, 125, 543.
Bakers, superintendent, 323, 574, 638.
Balding [Baldwin?], —, Capt., 159.
Baldwin, John, captain, 213, 480.
Ball, George, lieut., 275.
Ballantine, Hamilton, 56, 73.
Ballard, Robert, 841.
Ballet, du, 765, 877.
Baltimore, committee of inspection, 8; prisoners, 17, 39; paymaster, 39, 43, 48; hospital, 51; powder house, 64, 219; town battalion, 88; treasury at, 665; rendezvous, 667.
Bank, Joseph, 847.
Barbarities of British, committee on, 43, 49, 124, 276; to be published, 565, 1085.
Mentioned, 703.
Barber, Nathaniel, Jr., 179.
Barker, John, 82.
Barnard, William, 182, 204.
Barney, John, 108.
Barracks, 50; in Massachusetts, 173, 191; Lancaster, 184, 190; Virginia, 773, 811, 1070; York, 1018; Connecticut, 1047.
Barret, John, 607.
Barrington, William, major, 580.
Barry, Daniel, 547.
Barry, John, 573, 577, 1004, 1066.
Barry, Lavellin, 873.
Bartlett, John, Dr., 254.
Bartlett, Josiah,
a delegate from New Hampshire. Credentials, 71; mention, 657
n.
Bartlett, William, 629.
Barton, Kimber, 479.
Barton, William, lieut. col., 565, 580, 1050.
Bate, —, 523.
Batell, T., 275.
Batson, George, 573, 574.
Battalions, equality of, 270.
Batwell, Daniel, 759, 1055.
Bauer, Jacob, captain, 248.
Baum, Friedrich, lieut. col., 674, 1086.
Baury, de, 189.
Bausman, William, 110.
Bay, John, 174
n, 185.
Bayard, Stephen, major, 897.
Baylor, George, colonel, 7, 58, 681.
Bayly, Mountjoy, 23.
Bayly, William, 66.
Baynton, John, 545, 553, 826.
Beackley, Christian, 891.
Beall, William, captain, 553.
Beatty, William, colonel, 872.
Becker, lieut. col., 897.
Beckley, John, 1064.
Bedaulx, Frederick de, 745.
Bedford, Gunning, 331, 458, 459, 461, 466.
Bedlow, William, 901.
Beef, for army, 27; committee on, 280, 293.
Beekman, Gerard William, 547.
Begard, —, lieut., 606, 705, 877.
Bell, David, captain, 899.
Bells, in Philadelphia, 741.
Belton, Joseph, 324, 361, 542, 566.
Benezet, Daniel, 89
n.
Benezet, John, 257, 453.
Benezet, Samuel, major, 664, 897.
Bennington, N. H., battle of, 771, 861.
Benson, Egbert, 1020.
Berlin, Abraham, 461,689.
Berlin, commissioner to, 8, 318, 343, 518.
Bernard, John, 59.
Bethlehem, Pa., stores at, 748, 751.
Betton, James, 105.
Bette, Robert, 584.
Beyer, —, lieut. col., 360.
Bibles, printing of, 733.
Bicking, Frederick, 240, 534.
Biddle, John, 22, 301.
Biddle, Nicholas, captain, 761.
Biddle, Owen, 296
n.
Billingsport, works at, 414, 451, 541; defense, 538, 550; plan, 553, 557.
Bills of credit, support of, 28, 35, 107, 136, 167
n, 454, 954; signers, 68, 79, 83, 86, 107, 108, 111, 113, 128,131,287, 332, 378, 396; New England proposition, 124; State, 125; circular, 1081; paper, 240; counterfeit, 328; under confederation, 889, 900, 924; depreciation, 1045; issue (5,000,000), 137; issue (5,000,000), 161; issue (5,000,000), 373, 377; issue (1,000,000), 597, 631, 646; issue (1,000,000), 869
n, 873; issue (1,000,000), 993.
Bills of exchange on France, 454, 724, 730, 743, 777, 811.
Bingham, William, 66, 148, 506, 820.
Bird, Mark, colonel, 495, 496
n.
Bird, William, lieut., 338.
Biscuit, 574.
Blackburn, John, 43.
Blackwell, William, captain, 54.
Blaine, Ephraim, 213, 228, 231, 317, 617, 710, 727.
Bland, Theodorick, 29, 34.
Bland, Theodorick, colonel, 72, 388, 608, 1039.
Blankets, 31, 39, 172, 475, 537, 550, 742, 748, 883, 1011.
Blicker, James, 617.
Blount, Jacob, 517, 547, 568, 637.
Blount, William, 517, 547, 568, 637.
Boards, Executive, corn. members, 26; report, 193.
Bolehard, —, 877. [Bouchard?]
Bois, Pierre François de, major, 679, 681, 692.
Bonds, commisssaries, 432.
Borden, Joseph, 250, 320, 448, 868, 984, 1070.
Bordes, de, 187, 189, 258.
Bordley, William, 665
n.
Boreman, John, 161, 936.
Borré, Prudhomme de, 217, 244, 256, 740, 742, 757, 760, 763, 773, 774, 792.
Bouchard,—, lieut., 606, 705.
Bouchet, Dennis John de, 1035, 1048, 1065.
Boudinot, Elias,
a delegate from New Jersey. Credentials, 1017; commissary of prisoners, 239, 328, 422, 491, 627, 1041, 1042, 1047, 1049.
Boulton, Thomas, 395.
Boundaries, State, under confederation, 841, 916, 925, 926, 927.
Bounties, new levies, 28, 576; land, 171
n; Ohio garrison, 231; to crew
Andrew Doria, 292; clothing, 716; Virginia troops, 1038.
Bourneuf, —, 189.
Bowdoin, James, 170.
Bowdoin, Preeson, 958.
Bowen, Elijah, lieut., 90.
Bowen, William [Boyce], 187.
Bower, Jacob, captain, 710.
Bowley, Lux and, 533.
Bowman, Abraham, colonel, 237.
Bowyer, Michael, captain, 372.
Boyce, William, 187
n.
Boyd, Adam, 540.
Bradford, Henry, 160.
Bradford, John, 59, 179, 525, 778, 809, 893, 929.
Bradford, William, 754.
Bradford, William, Jr., 252.
Bradley, Richard, 590, 618.
Bramall, Thomas, 578.
Branding of cattle, 767.
Brandywine, battle of, 735, 738.
Brannon, Benjamin, 14.
Brattan, James, lieut., 337.
Braxton, Carter, 208, 563.
Breneisy, Martin, 1006.
Brick, John, 338.
Brigade majors, pay, 256.
Brigham, Clarence S., 1082.
Bright and Pechin, 302.
Bringhurst, John, 370.
Brisben, John, captain, 674, 704.
Bristol militia, 410, 712.
Brodhead, Daniel, colonel, 568, 897.
Brook, Clement, 111.
Brookfield, Mass., magazine, 266.
Brown, Alexander, 711.
Brown, Jesse, 825.
Brown, John, lieut. col., 170, 181.
Brown, —, captain, 715.
Brown, John, 371, 382.
Brown, John, 472.
Brown, John, marine committee, 886, 1003, 1017.
Brown, John, alias John Lee, 374, 382.
Brown, John, 937.
Brown, Nicholas, 480.
Brown, Robert, 186.
Brown, William, 525.
Brownson, Nathan,
a delegate from Georgia. Credentials, 931; leave of absence, 321.
Committees: Medical, 13; marine, 26; bills of credit, 107; journals, 212; Schuyler, 280; Gwinnett, 758.
Votes, 669, 675, 683, 730, 735, 750, 762, 765, 780
bis. 781, 782, 787.
Bryan, Andrew, lieut., 471.
Bryan, George, 707, 928, 938, 941, 942, 1057.
Bryson, James, 860.
Buchanan, Andrew, brigadier, 688.
Buchanan, James, 100.
Buchanan, William, commissary general of purchases, 134, 477, 536, 607, 617, 724, 1022; money, 637, 672, 728, 748, 806, 852, 859, 868, 894, 974, 983, 1041, 1042, 1058, 1071.
Letters, 598, 634, 760, 766, 802, 805, 838, 883, 899, 948, 960.
Buchanan, Andrew, colonel, 96.
Bucklin, Daniel, 493, 602.
Budden, James, 192.
Bull, John, colonel, 482.
Bullitt, Thomas, colonel, 141.
Bunting, William, 673.
Burgoyne, John, lieutenant general, 674, 770, 901; surrender of, 825, 851, 856, 861, 939, 947, 948, 982, 1058.
Letters, 741, 1021, 1032, 1034, 1050, 1054, 1058. Orders to Bantu, 1086.
Burke, Edward, captain, 362.
Burke, Bartholomew, 56, 73, 87, 229.
Burke, Thomas,
a delegate from North Carolina. Credentials, 85, 411; amendments to Confederation, 328; annotations on address, 397; report on New Hampshire, 513.
Committees: Medical, 87; marine, 87; Indians, 92; bills of credit, 107; salt peter, 107; North Carolina prisoners, 128; appeals, 172, 337; hospital, 219, 237
n; recruiting, 257, 263
n; pay rolls, 266, 283
n; Schuyler, 280; beef, 281; address, 314; teams, 395; commissary bonds, 433; Indians, 776.
Votes: 624, 636, 641, 675, 682, 684, 750, 801, 804.
Notes of debates: 99
n, 103
n, 106
n, 112
n, 121
n, 132
n, 135
n, 140
n, 150
n, 155
n, 158
n, 262
n, 292, 754.
Mentioned: 94
n, 109
n, 195, 259.
Burkhard, Andrew, 361
n.
Burlington County, N.J., 250.
Burnel, Jonathan, 259.
Burnet, William, 254.
Burns, Pierce. 704.
Burns, Robert, captain, 244.
Bush, Lewis, major, 325.
Butler, Amon, 622.
Butler, Anthony, 557, 637, 727.
Butler, Jeremiah, 467.
Butler, John, colonel, 995.
Butler, Richard, 897.
Butler, Thomas, 55, 188, 431, 566, 664, 992.
Butler, Walter, 863.
Butler, William, lieut. col., 897.
Button moulds, 471.
Buysson, Chevalier de, 743, 744, 769, 770.
Byers, James, 552.
Byrn, John, 429.
Cabell, William, 72.
Cables, 387.
Cadwalader, John, brigadier general, 141, 238; declines, 176; rank, 142.
Cadwallader, Lambert, colonel, 623, 897.
Caghnawaga Indians, 670, 715.
Caldwell, Andrew, 723, 891, 1055.
Caldwell, James, Rev., 93, 182, 266, 393.
Caldwell, James, 1055.
Caldwell, Samuel, 320, 429, 655.
Caldwell & Company, 538.
Calhoun, James, 100, 167, 290
n, 332.
Calmes, Marquis, 768.
Cameron, Allen, 692.
Camp, committee to,
see Army, committee.
Camp, west side Delaware, 251.
Campaign, committee on, 972, 1029, 1034, 1035, 1036.
Campbell, Archibald, lt. col., 16, 571; treatment, 135, 179, 412, 421, 621, 653.
Campbell, Donald, colonel, 29. 45, 68, 114, 132, 239.
Campbell, James, 49.
Campbell, John, 216.
Campbell, John, 1067.
Campbell, Peter, 427, 472, 473.
Campbell, Richard, major, 52, 351, 376.
Campbell, Robert, lieut., 244.
Campe, Pierre de, 1011, 1058, 1065.
Canaan, Conn., 315.
Canada, officers, 170; British advance, 273; under confederation, 880, 924; invitation to join, 981. 982.
Canadians, regiment, 671, 986, 1037.
Canyjette, —,877.
Candon, —, 743, 744.
Cannon, Sterling Wade, 204.
Cannon, contracts, 15, 119, 193, 381, 572, 772; price of, 111; foundry at Springfield, 139, 561; in Pennsylvania, 495; purchase, 171, 228, 272; imported, 602; loan from Pennsylvania, 677; ball, 828.
Cantonment of army, 1036.
Cape May, 367.
Carleton, Guy, Sir, 1062.
Carlisle, John, captain, 244.
Carlisle, Penn., powder, 219; stores, 774, 824; gaol, 840.
Carman, Charles, 83.
Carmichael, William, 975.
Carnaghan, John, ensign, 55.
Carpenter, Richard, 32.
Carrington, Edward, lieut. col., 655, 675.
Carroll, Charles, of Carrollton,
a delegate from Maryland. Credentials, 131.
Committees: Board of War, 337; foreign applications, 347; Charlestown, 354; Indians, 384.
War Board, 473
n, 474
n, 477
n, 485
n, 492
n, 518
n, 554
n, 560
n, 772
n, 792
n, 799
n.
Votes, 762, 765, 771, 780
bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810.
Mentioned, 334, 382, 430, 451
n, 958.
Carroll, Daniel, 131.
Carson, Samuel, 66.
Carswell, John, 294.
Cartel, prisoners, 197, 421.
Carter, John, 327, 341, 705, 744.
Carter, Robert, 832.
Cary, John, 372.
Caswell, Richard, 411, 450, 515, 532, 861, 965.
Cattle, purchase of, 316, 438, 1028; price, 504; allowance for purchase, 523; branding, 767.
Cavalry, composition of regiment and pay, 178; rank, 869, 872.
Celeron, Lewis, 66, 68, 210.
Chambers, Benjamin, captain, 244.
Chambers, James, colonel, 585, 897.
Chamfer, Daniel, 290.
Champion, Henry, 1022.
Champlin, Samuel, 351, 1052.
Chaplains, regimental, pay, 256; brigade, 390, 609; returns, 421; North Carolina, 557
n; hospitals, 754; Congress, 756.
Charleston, S.C., convention on prices, 125.
Charlestown, Mass., 354, 365.
Chase, Samuel,
a delegate from Maryland. Credentials, 131; attends, 131, 568.
Committees: Franklin's commission, 9; Kennon, 11; barbarities, 43; provisions, 45; Bingham, 66; appeals, 75; impressment, 78; Southouse, 89; New England committee, 94; bills of credit, 107; desertions, 108; internal enemies, 128; arms,Motions
, 164
n
, 168
n
, 644
n
, 763
n
.
Votes
, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 730, 735, 750, 762, 765, 771, 780 bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810.
Mentioned
, 23, 145
n
, 157
n
, 745, 770
n
.
Chase, Thomas, 478, 481.
Checkley, Samuel, lieut., 451.
Cheeseborough, John, 605.
Chester, Pa., 667.
Chew, Benjamin, 633, 634, 641, 695.
Chittenden, Thomas, 497, 509.
Christman, Matthias, 370.
Church, Benjamin, 626, 758.
Cilley, Joseph, colonel, 535.
Cist, Charles, and Melchior Steiner, 325.
Claims, commissioners of, 175, 249, 257, 832.
Clairborne, Bullet, captain, 98.
Clajon, William, 23, 351.
Clap, S., 1021.
Clapham, Josias, colonel, 759, 839.
Clark, Abraham,
a delegate, from New Jersey
. Credentials, 1017; leave of absence, 267; attends, 1017.
Committees
: Articles of war, 13; barbarities, 43; Georgia, 67; Caldwell, 93; commissaries, 177, 501
n
; marine, 186; health of army, 193; hospitals, 206; enemy's advance, 247; supplies at Philadelphia, 254; Trumbull, 395; shoes, &c., 414; Putnam, 724; officer prisoners, 1021; Pennsylvania, 1052; loyalists in office, 1053; Washington, 1065.
Reports
: 58
n
, 78
n
, 95, 165, 200
n
, 267
n
.
Votes
, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 1056.
Mentioned
, 109
n
, 470
n
, 524
n
, 692, 708
n
, 869, 1041.
Clark, Elijah, 476.
Clark, —, 744.
Clarke, Joseph,
Rhode Island loan office
, 330, 340, 836, 937, 1005.
Clarke, Thomas, colonel, 590.
Clarkson, G., Dr., 287.
Clarkson, Levinus, 394, 542.
Clay, Joseph, 616, 632, 646.
Clay, Slator, 220.
Clerk, hospital, 233.
Clingan, William,
a delegate from Pennsylvania
. Credentials, 746, 1027; attends, 854.
Votes
, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980.
Clinton, George, brigadier general to command Highlands, 203; letters, 386, 825, 882; mentioned, 867, 936, 1010.
Clinton, tort, loss of, 975.
Clothes and clothing, for army, 41, 120, 126, 152, 220, 426, 535, 611, 614, 690, 716, 809, 893, 905, 906, 929, 957, 969, 1011, 1044; deserters, 117; from Harts mills, 333; intercepted by States, 478; imported, 602, 905, 968; officers, 672; secrecy, 761; for sick, 941; extortion, 1072.
Clothier general, 609, 690; pay of assistants, 697; committee on, 966.
Clothing, commissary of, 41.
Clotz, Jacob, colonel, 633.
Clough, Alexander, major, 58.
Clowes, John, 507
n
.
Cloyd, Joseph, 1007, 1009.
Clymer, Daniel, 828.
Clymer, George,
a delegate from Pennsylvania
. Credentials, 169; leave of absence, 367; attends, 427; superceded, 746; excused from Treasury, 337; commissioner to west, 1018, 1026.
Committees
: Williamson, 186; Board of War, 204; enemy's advance, 247;
Sherburne
, 260; Schuyler, 280; army, 546.
War Board
, 473
n
, 474
n
, 477
n
, 518
n
, 560
n
, 567
n
, 585, 591
n
, 595, 643
n
, 657
n
, 670, 681
n
, 699
n
, 711
n
.
Votes
, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 682, 684, 725, 726.
Letter
, 11.
Mentioned
, 33, 216, 380
n
, 413, 451
n
, 587, 718.
Coale, Samuel Stringer, 79.
Coats, John, 534.
Cobbs, Samuel, lieut., 371.
Cochran, John, physician general, 161, 254.
Cockayne, Thomas, 643.
Cockran, John, 187.
Coffin, Alexander, 188.
Coffin, Charles, 271.
Coffin, —, 33.
Coins, value of gold and silver, 59; power of Congress, 841, 919.
Colhoon, Andrew, 824.
Colonnes, Chevalier de, 189.
Colt, Peter, 627, 724, 766, 790, 793, 1022, 1033, 1041.
Colvin, Patrick, 319.
Combs, 473.
Commanders, navy, allowance, 581.
Commerce, committee of, 533, 632, 749, 761, 972, 1023.
Commerce, treaty of, 520.
Commissaries, committee on conduct of, 177, 279, 281,384; proceedings, 177, 266, 292, 301, 354, 366, 384, 386, 394, 405, 406, 409, 410, 414, 427, 433; report, 434; bonds, 432; complaints against, 546, 608; elective officers, 599, 603; regulations, 766, 831, 962, 1085.
Commissaries of issues, 441, 608, 765; appointment, 477, 610, 858; wages, 524, 621; districts, 871; western department, 884, 890.
Commissaries of purchases, 434; regulations, 434, 620; account books, 435; settlements of accounts, 440; compensation, 448, 469; appointments, 448, 477, 620, 858; location, 452; commission, 491, 524; western frontiers, 805, 838, 884, 890, 948.
Commissary for western frontiers, 22; of hides,
see Hides.
Commissary of military stores, 63, 84, 248; officers commission, 753, 890; commissary of musters, 1083. Commissary of prisoners, 41, 289, 422, 777.
Commissioners to France, 10, 825, 947.
Commissioners to Vienna, &c., 8, 318; commission, 346, 368.
Commissions to foreign officers. 177.
Commissions, continental, 821.
Committees, standing, 1077.
Con, Hughes, 429, 453.
Confederation, articles of, considered, 240, 287, 300, 328, 351, 490, 492, 497, 501, 525, 648, 704, 760, 872, 879; Burke's amendment, 328; voting, 776, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782; taxation, 785, 788, 793, 797, 800, 801; art. iv, 826; art. v, 826; art. vi, 826, 827, 833; art. vii, 833; arts. viii, ix, x, xi, 834; art. xiv, 803, 805, 806, 834, 835, 837, 839, 840, 841, 844, 845, 846, 848, 915; art. xv, 879; additional articles, 885, 887, 893, 895, 899; bills of credit, 889, 900; committee on arrangement, 900, 902; printing, 907, 928, 1087; police, internal, 908; rights of citizens, 908; fugitives from justice, 909; delegates, 909; vote in Congress, 910; foreign relations, 911; imposts and duties, 911; army and navy, 912; war powers, 912; expenses, 913; boundaries, 916; powers of Congress, 919; committee of States, 919, 923; journals, 923; Canada, 924; approval of, 925; letter of transmittal, 932; date of signing, 934; translation into French, 981, 985.
Congress's own regiment, 270.
Confiscation of loyalist property, 971.
Congress, unfinished business, 51, 58; representation of States, 61, 98
n, 498
n, 559, 1013; privilege of members, 17, 459, 460, 887, 894, 910, 922; adjournment to Philadelphia, 103
n, 127, 157, 164, 168; money appropriated generally, 190, 193; proceedings printed daily, 474
n; power of, 509; dignity of, 537; entries in journal, 599, 689; standing rule on reports, 642; ayes and noes, 676; doors of lobby, 720; to meet at Lancaster, 742, 754; at York, 755; chaplains, 756; time of meeting, 756, 940, 1031; supplies for, 760; under confederation, 803, 805, 806, 834, 835, 837, 915; president's allowance, 806; papers to be addressed to, 820; thanks to president, 853; distribution of letters, 906; time of meeting, 909; contingent expenses, 940.
Congress, president of, insulted, 17.
Congress, privateer, 188.
Connecticut, credentials of delegates, 11; money for, 46, 70, 143, 226, 321, 508, 858,1041; frigates built, 58; light house, 98; Wooster memorial, 472; arms for, 518; militia, 600; commissaries, 858; salted provisions, 1033.
Conner, John, 868.
Connolly, John, 227, 229, 800, 1004.
Conspiracy against United States, 745.
Convention, troops of, embarkation, 982.
Conway, Thomas, brigadier general, 347, 349, 420, 468, 570, 755, 762, 838, 958, 1023, 1048, 1057, 1071; inspector general, 1026.
Cooke, William, colonel, 897.
Cooke, Nicholas, governor, 59, 134, 409, 988, 1074.
Cooke, Noah, 754.
Coor, James, 317.
Copper, to be coined, 138; from Pennsylvania, 707.
Corn, Indian, 92; stalks, sugar, and spirits, 929.
Cornwallis, Charles, Earl, 468.
Council of State, 848.
See States, committee of.
Council of War, Washington not bound, 196.
Court of Appeals, 607.
Courts martial, sentences, 265; in Georgia, 783; authorized, 784.
Cowan, Edward, lieut., 80, 668.
Cowperthwaite, Joseph, 302.
Cox, Daniel Powell, lieut., 337.
Cox, James, captain, 156.
Cox, John, 673.
Coyete, —, lieut., 606, 705.
Craig, Charles, capt., 348, 353, 677.
Craig, John, 13.
Craig, Robert, lieut., 244.
Craig, Thomas, 897.
Cravath, Lemuel, 28.
Crawford, James, major, 897.
Crawford, William, colonel, 128, 229, 230, 344, 944.
Creek Indians, 224.
Creery, Hans, 108.
Crenis, Chevalier de, 837, 930, 948.
Cresap, Thomas, 70, 114.
Criminals, extradition of, 887, 895, 899, 909.
Criswell, Robert, 362.
Crocket, Benjamin, 113.
Crocket, Vanbibber and, 298.
Crohon, Margaret, 673.
Croix, Monsieur, 67.
Crook, Charles, 362.
Cruise, Walter, 32.
Culbertson, Samuel, 547.
Cumberland, Fort, N. S., 20.
Cumberland county, Pa., supplies, 213.
Cummings, David, 225.
Cummings, Robert, 95, 280, 352.
Cummings, Thomas, 92, 110.
Cunningham, James, colonel, 393.
Curle, Wilson, 71.
Curren, Isaac, 891.
Currency, Continental.
See Bills of credit.
Currie, William, Dr., 255, 275.
Curtis, Frederick, 416.
Cushing, Thomas, 59, 211, 1055.
Cuthbert, James, 238.
Cuthbert, Seth John, major, 567, 676.
Cutter, Ammi Ruhamah, 254.
Cuyler, Jacob, deputy commissary general of purchases, 477, 894, 1041.
Dagworthy, John, brigadier general, 595, 604.
Dallam, Richard, 190, 249, 258, 320, 429.
Damages, compensation, 366, 390.
Dana, Francis,
a delegate from the Massachusetts Bay. Credentials, 25; attends, 931.
Committees: Marine, 935; appeals, 936; Board of War, 936, 994; Burgoyne, 939; Fort Mercer and Rhode Island, 976; royal money, 985; loan, 988; treasury, 994; Washington-Varnum, 1001; Jones, 1005; army, 1011; pardons, 1012; Otis, 1022; Rhode Island, 1027; Gates, 1034; Ticonderoga, 1053; camp, 1074.
War Board, 960
n, 967
n. Nominated to France, 947
n.
Votes, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 1021
n, 1052
n.
Danbury, march upon, 314, 319.
Dandridge, Alexander Sportswood, lieut., 31.
Dandridge, Spottswood, captain, 98.
Darrell, John, 79.
Davenport, Franklin, 503.
Davidson, John, captain, 376.
Davies or Davis, —, 534, 565.
Davis, Nicholas, 534.
Davitt, Charles M., 776.
Dayton, Elias, colonel, 878.
Dean, Richard, colonel, 407.
Deane, Barnabas, 330, 757, 758.
Deane, Benjamin, 302.
Deane, James, 73, 350.
Deane, Joseph, 296
n.
Deane, Silas, letters, 148, 186, 412, 508, 595, 601, 607; committee on letters, 596; recall, 605
n, 946; authority to engage officers 721; mentioned, 256, 336, 347, 525, 539, 548
n, 553, 558, 559, 588, 760, 875, 902, 975, 1008.
Deane, —, captain, 625.
Dearborn, Henry, capt., 81.
Dearing, Anthony, 100.
Debts, soldiers, 262; under confederation, 889, 900; action for, 895.
De Goy, —, 877.
De Haas, John Philip, brigadier general, 141, 468.
Delaware, representation short, 61, 183; money, 180, 275; to guard Lewestown, 203; credentials, 219; militia, 273, 299, 805, 843, 369, 390, 432, 470, 493, 582, 592, 667; loyalists. 529, 644, 678, 991; Indians, 943; live stock, 1028.
Delaware river, camp on west side, 251; defence of, 464, 538, 629, 630, 739; fire ships, 584, 616; live stock, 588; British fleet, 726.
See Billingsport.
Delaware, frigate, 1032.
Demere, Raymond, 1053.
Dennis, William, 603.
Dennison, Nathan, colonel, 255.
Department, Northern, report on, 84, 375; committee, 599; reports, 600, 614; militia for, 614; committee, 648, 649, 659.
Department, executive, 26, 193, 259, 424.
Derby, Richard, jr., 428.
Derby, Conn., 315.
Derby, Pa., 712.
Derford, Chevalier.
See Du Portail.
Des Epiniers, —, 663, 877, 902, 903.
Deserters, 154, 594, 813, 837, 965; pay due, 283; from British, 340, 348, 353, 417.
Desertions, committee, 108, 115; circular, 1082.
Deshon, John, 331.
Destruction of property by British, 277.
Detroit, 942.
Devermond, —, 189.
Dewees, William, 1007, 1009.
De Witt, Thomas, 392.
Dickinson, John,
a delegate from Delaware, retired, 220.
Dickinson, Philemon, major general, 736, 740, 744, 747, 750, 893.
Dill, Robert, 10.
Discipline of army, 193, 259, 274.
Distilleries, 656.
Donaldson, Joseph, 487.
Donnel, Nathaniel, 87, 325.
Dorland, George, 503.
Dorset, Chevalier, 804, 845, 885, 902, 930, 931, 932.
Dorsey, Caleb, 53.
Dorsey, Daniel, captain, 407.
Dorsey, John, 28, 361.
Dorsey, Larkin, 18.
Dorsey, Richard, 18.
Dorsey, Robert, 19.
Dorsey, Thomas, captain, 572, 614, 677.
Dorsius, John, 394, 542, 548, 759, 761.
Doughty, John, 17.
Douglass, William, 704.
Dowdell, Gamal [Gamaliel], 188.
Downe, Samuel, 14, 15, 632.
Downingtown, Pa., 667.
Doyle, John, captain, 321.
Draughts, from militia for army, 263; for stock, 282.
Driesbach, Jost, captain, 729.
Drinker, Henry, 694, 695, 714, 718.
Drummers, 670.
Drummond, Walter, 270, 308.
Dry, William, 737, 791, 1038.
Duane, James,
a delegate from New York. Credentials, 396; leave of absence, 994; to confer with the Indians, 999.
Committees: Commissaries, 281; appeals, 337; Indians, 384; Hall, 507; Indians, 508; North, 599; Du Coudray, 630; Putnam, 724; New England committee, 731; Indians, 776; McIntosh, 788; President's allowances, 806; Saratoga convention, 871; additional articles of confederation, 885; French officers, 886; articles of confederation, 900; royal money, 985; loan, 988; Washington-Varnum, 1001.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 669, 725, 734, 762, 765, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801,804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 970, 980.
Mentioned, 345
n, 376
n, 392
n, 410
n, 453
n, 457
n, 476
n, 478
n, 557
n, 587
n, 614
n, 646
n, 672
n, 693
n, 728
n, 765
n, 775
n, 786
n, 790, 803
n, 806
n, 840
n, 847
n, 852
n, 878
n, 887
n, 888
n, 889
n, 890
n, 906, 907
n, 918
n, 925
n, 958
n.
Dubois, Lewis, Colonel, 360, 710.
Du Bois, Martin, 743.
Duché, Jacob, 822.
Du Coudray, Philippe Charles John Baptist Tronson, 410, 452, 469, 497, 507, 525, 528, 537, 544, 545, 546, 548, 549
n, 552, 553, 554, 557, 558, 559, 563, 569, 571, 583, 595,602, 606, 615, 675, 705, 719, 738, 739, 740, 796, 799, 875, 885, 902, 932; drowned, 751, 845.
Dudley, John, 365.
Dudley,
see Thomas Nichols.
Duer, William,
a delegate from New York. Credentials, 230, 396.
Committees: Supplies at Philadelphia, 254;
Sherburne, 260; defense of Philadelphia, 264, 264
n; a motion, 272; army discipline, 274; toryism, 275, 286
n, 291; Schuyler, 280; reinforcements, 294, 296
n, 300; Danbury, 314; address, 314; Pennsylvania, 314; expenses, 1777, 362; teams, 395; Billingsport, 414; intelligence, 428; A. Morris, 468; war, 525; Franklin, 607; frontiers, 648; Sullivan, 689; army, 701, 1011; Trumbull, 720; recruiting. 805; Gates, 863; Burgoyne, 939; Buchanan, 948; clothier general, 966; Fort Mercer and Rhode Island, 976; Canada, 981; royal money, 985; Washington-Varnum, 1001; Jones, 1005, 1008; pardons, 1012; Otis, 1022; Gates, 1034; Pennsylvania, 1052; Washington, 1054; camp, 1074.
War Board, 541
n, 550
n, 557
n, 560
n, 567
n, 571
n, 581
n, 592
n, 594
n, 614
n, 643
n, 657
n, 698
n, 699
n, 711
n, 772
n, 792
n, 799
n, 824
n, 871
n, 883
n, 960
n, 966
n, 967
n, 1002
n, 1006, 1008
n, 1026
n, 1037
n, 1047, 1048
n, 1073
n.
Reports, 308
n, 352
n, 459
n, 513
n, 549
n, 831.
Votes, 624, 636, 641,669, 675, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801,804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 950, 951,970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 410, 687, 695
n, 751
n, 770
n, 901
n, 906, 926
n, 927
n, 960
n, 969
n, 987
n, 1015
n, 1020
n, 1021
n.
Duff, Henry, lieut., 337.
Duffield, George, Rev., 756, 822, 882.
Duffield, Samuel,
a delegate from Pennsylvania. Credentials, 746.
Dugan, Cumberland, 829, 833.
Dugan, Jeremiah, colonel, 105,107, 713, 728, 826.
Duggan, Mrs., 1011.
Dull, Christian, 308.
Dumfries, Va., 37, 39.
Duncan, James, lieut., 244.
Duncan, Matthew, captain, 227.
Duncan, Seth, 430.
Dunham, Azariah, 504.
Dunlap, John, 376.
Du Plessis, Mauduit. chevalier, 269, 272, 885, 967.
Duportail, Lewis Le Bègue, chevalier Derford, 532, 539, 558, 559, 571, 574,637, 639, 760, 798, 900, 932, 937; inspector general of ordnance, 630.
Duties on imports, state, 826, 833.
Duvall, Gabriel, 131.
Dwight, Timothy, 777.
Dyer, Eliphalet,
a delegate from Connecticut. Credentials, 11; attended, 496.Committees
: Trumbull, 517; Ticonderoga, 596; treasury, 631; New England committee, 731; army provision, 962; clothier general, 966; Lancaster, 978; army, 1011; pardons, 1012; officer prisoners, 1021; Rhode Island, 1027; Pennsylvania, 1052; camp, 1074.
Votes
, 624, 686, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 885, 848, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880, 896, 904, 934, 935, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Eagle
, schooner, 86.
Easton, Pa. Indian meeting, 62,166, 461; prisoners, 302.
Edgar, Thomas, 158.
Edmeston, William, 570.
Edwards, David, 540.
Edwards, Simon, 346.
Effingham
, frigate, 1066.
Eichelberger, Adam, captain, 416, 567, 775.
Elaboratory at Springfield, 139, 266, 618.
Elder, Andrew, 320.
Elder, Joshua, 534.
Ellery, William,
a delegate from Rhode Island
. Credentials, 408; attends, 931.
Committees
: Appeals, 13, 75, 936; unfinished business, 51; bills of credit, 107; hospitals, 208; applications, 240; Schuyler, 280; marine, 935; Jones, 1008; army, 1011; officers prisoners, 1021; commerce, 1023; Rhode Island, 1027; Ticonderoga, 1053; loyalists in office, 1053.
Reports
, 59
n
, 202
n
, 1020
n
.
Votes
, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned
, 259, 352, 719
n
, 1050
n
.
Ellis, John, lieut., 308.
Ellis, Richard, 532.
Ellsworth, Oliver, 1020.
Elmer, Jonathan,
a delegate from New Jersey
. Credentials, 1017; leave of absence, 122.
Committees
. Medical, 13; treasury, 94; saltpeter, 107; Schuyler, 280.
Votes
. 624, 686, 665, 675, 682, 750, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881,896, 904, 934, 935.
Mentioned
, 94
n
, 254, 637,869, 937.
Elmore, Samuel, colonel, 181, 308.
Emerson, George, 711.
Enemies, internal, 58, 128, 140.
Enemy, conduct of.
See
Barbarities. Intercourse with, 783, 784; emissaries of, 1045.
Engineer, for Maryland, 692; engrossing of supplies, 1043; enquiries on losses of ports, 976.
Erkelen, Gosuinus, 276.
Erskine, Robert, 580.
Erskine, William, lieut., 244.
Erving, Thomas, 118.
Erwin, Robert, 174, 246, 325, 385, 463.
Erwing, John, 890.
Etting, Elijah, 886.
Eustace, John, major, 875.
Evans, David, 640.
Evans, Evan, colonel, 308.
Evans, Israel, 1055.
Evans, John,
a delegate from Delaware
, retired, 220.
Eveleigh, Nicholas, 575.
Everson, George, 729, 892.
Ewell, Jesse, colonel, 898.
Ewing, Alexander, 139.
Ewing, George, 607, 656, 739, 789, 796.
Ewing, John, 536.
Ewing, Samuel, 341.
Expenses for year, committee, 362; report, 453, 480.
Exports of produce, 457, 542.
Extortion, 1071.
Extradition of criminals, 887, 895, 899, 909.
Eyre, Benjamin, 385.
Fabricy, Michael, 384.
Failly, Chevalier de, 607, 618, 638, 663, 672, 679, 1008, 1018, 1049.
Fairlamb, Samuel, 387.
Faneuil, Mens., 170, 177, 184, 189, 196.
Fanning, John, 573, 574.
Fantz, Jacob, captain, 411, 560.
Farrer, Christian, 479.
Farry [Furrer, Michael?], captain, 871.
Fauquier county, Va., militia, 82.
Fay, Jonas, 497, 507, 508, 509, 511.
Fayolle, Chevalier de, 743, 744.
Febiger, Christian, lieut. col., 250.
Feebucker [Febiger, Christian?], colonel, 680.
Fells Point, shipwright, 89.
Feltman, William, lieut., 80, 847.
Fermoy, Mathieu Alexis Roche de, 65, 201, 596, 602, 681, 700, 958, 974, 1048, 1069, 1074.
Fernee, John, 22.
Ferriage, regulated, 146.
Ferries, Hudson's river, 273.
Fields, William, 432, 484.
Fifers, 670.
Finnie, William, 229, 501, 515, 570, 586, 1026.
Fire ships, 554, 584,701; rewards, 616, 662, 701; Rhode Island, 661.
Fisher, Henry, 184, 224, 260, 304, 369, 425, 507
n, 591.
Fisher, James, 694.
Fisher, Joshua, 694.
Fisher, Samuel, 694.
Fisher, Samuel R., 714, 719.
Fisher, Thomas, 694, 714, 718.
Fitzsimons, Thomas, 257, 832. Flag, continental, 464.
Fleet, British, 578, 588, 591; at Rhode Island, 661; Chesapeake bay, 665, 668, 701; Delaware river, 726.
Fleming, Charles, captain, 405.
Fleming, John, 139.
Fleury, Louis, 380, 606, 739, 885, 904, 967.
Flints, 884.
Flour, purchase of, 208, 316, 563, 898; for eastern states, 373; biscuit, 574; for army, middle district, 960.
Flower, Benjamin, colonel, 196, 225, 256, 753, 890; money, 228, 452, 532, 556, 590, 693, 984.
Flowers, David, 415, 463.
Floyd, William, thanked, 397.
Folger, George, 188.
Folger, Timothy, 105, 372, 383.
Folsom, Nathaniel,
a delegate from New Hampshire. Credentials, 365; attends, 568; on confederation, 947
n; leave of absence, 981.
Committees: Ticonderoga, 596; treasury, 631; officers' rations, 710; marine, 802, 1040; loan, 988.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880, 896, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 963, 1048.
Fonfrede, —, lieut., 606, 705, 877.
Forage, commissary of, 355.
Ford, Paul Leicester, 1084, 1085, 1089.
Foreign Affairs, committee of, 274, 417; secretary, 274; members, 276, 385.
Foreigners, discouraged, 174.
Forgue, Francis, Dr., 254.
Forman, David, brigadier general, 394, 570, 578, 733.
Forman, —, colonel, 726.
Forrest, Uriah, major, 334.
Forster, Isaac, 254.
Forster, Nathaniel, 367.
Fort Pitt Indian treaty, 478, 493; magazine, 494.
Fortune, sloop, 231.
Foster, Robert, 297, 348.
Fountaine, Charles Adrian, 268.
Fouquet, —, 765, 877, 882.
Fouquet, —, Jr., 765, 877, 882.
Fowkes, Yelverton, 472, 486.
Fragneau, John, 1017.
France, supplies from, 92, 211, 336; volunteers, 131; loan, 454, 989; commissioners to, 10, 825, 947; tobacco for, 983.
Franklin, Benjamin,
a delegate from Pennsylvania. Credentials, 169, 1027. Commissioner to Spain, 8. Commission, 9, 10, 521
n; on barbarities of enemy, 1085.
Letters, 184, 412, 601, 607, 648, 687.
Mentioned, 525, 539, 559, 760.
Franklin, James, 107.
Franklin, William, 291, 583, 828
n.
Franval, Chevalier de, 697, 743.
Frazer, Alexander. 210.
Frazer, Persifer, lieut. col., 897.
Frazer, Simon, brigadier, 741, 1060.
Frederick county, Md., 65.
Frederick town, Md., prisoners at, 152; powder, 219; rendezvous, 667.
Freedom of speech in Congress, 887, 893, 910, 922.
Freeman, Samuel, 26.
French, Robert, 573, 574.
French, Samuel, 892.
Frict, Henry, 362.
Frigates, continental, construction, 58; manning of, 125; scuttling, 863.
Frolock [Froelich], Christian, lieut., 324.
Frontiers, western, defence, 114, 252; committee, 648, 649, 659; supplies, 805, 838, 884, 890.
Frost, George,
a delegate from New Hampshire. Credentials, 365; leave of absence, 753.
Committees: Salt, 413; marine, 496, 1040.
Votes, 636, 641, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 1056.
Fry, Baron de, 1006.
Fry, —, 59.
Frye, Peter Pickman, 410, 428, 483.
Fulford, —, capt., 58, 90.
Fullerton, Humphrey, 835.
Furloughs, 118.
Furnace, Mary Ann, 828.
Furrer, Michael, captain 371.
Gadsden, Christopher, brigadier general, 757.
Gaither, Joseph, 86.
Galbraith, William, captain, 107, 159, 168.
Galbreath, Robert, 537.
Galloway, Peter, 22, 159.
Galphin, George, 223, 224.
Gamble, Thomas, capt., 344.
Gamble, William, 573, 574.
Ganot, — de, 606, 681, 877, 903.
Gansevoort, Peter, colonel, 699, 709, 710, 771, 1050.
Gaol, Carlisle, 840.
Garde, Coppin de la, 385.
Garland, Edward, captain, 449.
Garnett, William, 186.
Garret, Nicholas, lieut., 647, 664.
Garvin, Elizabeth, 17.
Gassaway, John, 100.
Gater, Edward, 28.
Gates, Horatio, major general, on Campbell trial, 45; to remain adjutant general, 136; committee of conference, 175, 191, 218; ordered to Ticonderoga, 202; relations with Schuyler, 364; ordered to headquarters, 540; to command northern army, 604; message on Burgoyne's surrender, 856; and militia, 616; operations, 859, 863, 864; thanked, 861; proposed com
Letters, 170, 171, 187, 198, 304, 306, 329, 344, 375, 417, 670, 699, 700, 715, 741, 755, 756, 757, 798, 820, 851, 882, 936, 939, 980, 1004, 1008, 1034, 1050.
Mentioned, 10, 29, 32, 62, 172, 185, 210, 211, 217, 227, 273, 281, 282, 351, 391, 410, 475, 503, 615, 621, 766, 770, 774, 776, 840, 873, 884, 897, 982, 986, 1035, 1051, 1054.
Gay, de, captain, 705.
Gehr, — colonel, 486.
General Washington's Life Guard, 270.
Geographer, 580.
Georgetown, Md., 667.
Georgia, recommendation to, 8; magazines of provisions, 19, 26; money, 28, 39, 156, 275, 385, 567, 568, 645, 699, 702, 749, 786, 973, 1027; state of, 67, 87, 96, 579, 590, 596; artillery companies, 97; votes with Connecticut, 123, 151 commissioners, 394, 821; committee, 660; accounts, 598, 761, 820; clothing, 697, light horse, 791; 4th battalion, 792; Indian war, 823.
Germain, George, Lord, 8.
German battalion, 185, 664; chaplain, 284.
Germantown, Pa., printing presses, 754; battle of, 785.
Gerrish, Cabot, captain, 748.
Gerry, Elbridge,
a delegate from the Massachusetts Bay. Credentials, 25.
Committees: provisions, 45; unfinished business, 51; Pennsylvania, 55; internal enemies, 128; army contract, 134; hosposital, 219; applications, 240; army discipline, 274; commissaries, 281; Danbury, 314; commissary bonds, 433;Reports
, 50
n
, 103
n
, 175
n
, 181
n
, 195
n
, 249
n
, 299
n
, 332
n
, 458
n
, 610
n
, 613
n
, 620
n
, 816, 827
n
, 831
n
, 839
n
, 859
n
, 909
n
, 953
n
, 963
n
, 978.
Votes
, 624, 636, 641, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880, 896, 904, 934, 935, 970, 980, 1056.
Mentioned
, 94
n
, 310
n
, 311
n
, 436
n
, 441
n
, 447
n
, 637, 715, 795
n
.
Gezeau, —, 18.
Gibson, George, colonel, 114, 593, 736, 755.
Gibson, James, 891.
Gibson, John, auditor general, 115, 143, 181, 190, 225, 238, 240, 299
n
, 333, 386, 424, 425, 448, 449, 493, 505, 532, 568, 583, 701, 826, 839, 968, 972, 973, 981, 983, 992, 1003, 1038, 1058.
Gibson, John, lieut., 244.
Gibson, William, 19, 107.
Giddens, John, 588.
Giddens, Mary, 588.
Gilbert, George, 407.
Gilbert, Michael, lieut., 244.
Gilchrist, Anthony, 395.
Gillingham, James, 338.
Gillon, Alexander, 944, 978, 1023.
Gilman, Andrew, 23.
Gilman, Nicholas,
New Hampshire loan office
, 330.
Girardeau, John Bohun, 616.
Gist, Mordecai, colonel, 517, 667, 736, 755.
Gist, Nathaniel, 50, 81, 89, 126, 860.
Glasgow, James, 411.
Glasgow
, 588.
Glentworth, George, 321.
Glover, John, brigadier general, 141.
Glover, John, 367.
Glover, Jonathan, 629.
Goddard, William, 28, 385.
Godet, Henricus, 89.
Godfrey, William E., 891.
Gold coins, value, 59.
Good, Adam, 729.
Gore, Simeon, 480.
Gornell, Richard, 567.
Gostelow, Jonathan, 891.
Gotwalt, Jacob, 872.
Gouvion, Obry, major, 525, 539, 574, 637, 639, 932.
Govett, William, 393, 425, 974, 975, 1081.
Graeff, George, 393.
Graham, William, 297.
Grain, distilling, 165.
Granaries, 168
n
.
Grannis, John, 202
n
.
Grant, Daniel, 115.
Graverod, & Visgar, 167.
Gray, Neigal, lieut. col., 897.
Gray, Samuel, 617.
Gray, William, captain, 680.
Graydon, Mrs., 367.
Grayson, William, colonel, 51, 185, 471, 832.
Great Britain, treaty with commissioners, 951.
Green, Timothy, captain, 652.
Green, James, jr., 86.
Green, John, colonel, 617, 647, 862, 1031, 1047.
Greene, Jacob, 171
n
, 427, 467.
Greene, Nathanael, major general, conference, 189, 191, 196, 218, 221.
Letters
, 386, 531, 535, 537, 575.
Mentioned
, 187.
Greene, William, 527.
Greenholm, Lawrence, 653.
Greenway, Joseph, 573, 574.
Gridley, Richard, colonel, 119.
Grier, David, lieut. col., 375, 897.
Grier, James, captain, 503.
Griffin, Seth, 543.
Griffin, —, colonel, 503.
Griffith, Dennis, 102.
Griffith, Charles Greenberry, colonel, 204
n
.
Griffith, Samuel, captain, 325.
Griffiths, John, 51, 70, 115, 165, 338.
Groh, John, 479.
Gross, Jacob, 208.
Guion, Isaac, 589, 632.
Gurney, Francis, lieut. col., 897.
Gwinnett, Ann, 757.
Gwinnett, Britton, 96.
Gun, repeating, 324.
Gunby, John, colonel, 381, 517.
Hains, Thomas, 968.
Haite, Nicholas, 622.
Hale, Nathan, colonel, 535, 757, 758.
Hall, David, colonel, 325, 452, 507, 528.
Hall, John,
a delegate from Maryland.
Committees: unfinished business, 51; brig
Joseph, 86; Caldwell, 93.
Hall, Josias Carvill, colonel, 331, 337, 407, 462, 474, 517, 534, 861.
Hall, Lyman,
a delegate from Georgia. Credentials, 931.
Hall, William, 503.
Hall and Horner, 874.
Haller, Henry, colonel, 291, 302, 320, 325, 476, 502, 652.
Hallet, James, 757.
Hamel, Samuel, 680.
Hamilton, Alexander, colonel, 754.
Hamilton, Henry, 942.
Hammond, Thomas, 19.
Hammond, William, 111.
Hancock, Ebenezer, 28, 65, 373, 388, 561, 893, 898, 938, 1050.
Hancock, John,
a delegate from the Massachusetts Bay. Credentials, 25; drafts, 12; on adjournment, 157
n; accounts, 839; leaves Congress, 846; speech, 852; thanks, 853.
Mentioned, 83
n, 110
n, 169, 176
n, 190
n, 192
n, 299
n, 313
n, 392
n, 431
n, 451
n, 565
n, 591
n, 694
n, 715, 769
n, 770
n, 771
n, 772, 794
n, 873
n, 893, 1040.
Hancock, Simon, captain, 839.
Hancock & Adams, 59.
Hand, Edward, colonel, 164; brigadier general, 213, 220, 252, 256, 270, 272, 308, 623, 648, 649, 689, 723, 831, 872, 886, 936, 943, 944, 958, 999.
Hand, Elihu, 540.
Hand, —, captain, 398.
Handy, George, 429.
Hannah, schooner, 295.
Hanover, brigantine, 182, 317.
Hanson, Thomas, capt., 338.
Harbeson, Benjamin, 240.
Harbors to be fortified, 59.
Hardy, John, lieutenant, 647.
Hardy, William, 730.
Harford town, Md., 667.
Harmar, Josiah, major, 897.
Harnett, Cornelius,
a delegate from North Carolina. Credentials, 411; attends, 570.
Committees: treasury, 631; South Carolina and Georgia, 660; Gwinnett, 758; Indians, 928; commerce, 1023; Washington, 1065.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 735, 762. 765, 771, 780
bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 86, 869, 978, 1021
n.
Harris, John, 19.
Harrison, Benjamin,
a delegate from Virginia. Credentials, 628; attends, 628.
Comittees: bills of credit, 107; Georgia, 579.
War Board, 473
n, 474
n, 518
n, 541
n, 550
n, 566
n, 567
n, 594
n.
Votes, 636, 641, 665, 669, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 735, 750, 762, 765, 780 bis, 781, 782, 787.
Mentioned, 40, 149, 481, 497, 507, 508, 526, 544, 545, 548, 552, 570, 586, 623, 648, 652, 654, 681, 696, 697, 702, 706, 709, 712.
Harrison, Benjamin, jr., 75, 205, 514, 532, 533
n, 657, 671, 826, 938, 1026, 1058.
Harrison, Charles, colonel, 396, 514, 561, 655.
Harrison, Charles, 427, 472, 473.
Harrison, Robert, 540.
Harrison, Robert Hanson, 719, 731, 735.
War Board, 874; declines, 945, 971.
Harrison, William, 394.
Hart, John, 333.
Hart, John, Rev., 625.
Hart, —, colonel, 632.
Hartley, Thomas, colonel, 94, 204, 210, 324, 350, 361, 567.
Harvie, John,
a delegate from Virginia. Credentials, 628; attends, 804.
Committees: war, 813; Indians, 928; appeals, 936; army provision, 962; clothier general, 966; Washington-Varnum, 1001; Jones, 1005, 1008; Rhode Island, 1027; Marine, 1034; Pennsylvania, 1052; Washington, 1054.
War Board, 824, 87
n, 883
n, 960
n, 966
n, 1002
n, 1006
n, 1008
n. 1026
n, 1037
n, 1047, 1048
n, 1073
n.
Votes, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 978
n, 1021
n.
Hastings, Jonathan, 184.
Hats, committee, 414, 487.
Hausegger, Nicholas, colonel, 107, 185, 302, 503.
Hawk, George, 426.
Hay, Samuel, captain, 326, 362, 897.
Hay, Udney, lieut. col., 23.
Haymaker, Jacob, 152.
Haynes, Eaton, 586.
Hays, James, 761.
Haywood, William, 176, 181, 195, 213, 811.
Hazard, David, lieut., 304.
Hazard, Ebenezer, 346, 347, 811.
Hazard, John, 304.
Hazard, —, captain, 430.
Hazelwood, John, commodore, 813, 841, 862.
Hazen, Moses, colonel, 41, 60, 61, 113, 208, 228, 243, 531, 589, 595, 596, 663, 671, 678.
Health of army, 193.
Heath, William, major general, 149, 484, 881, 950, 977, 982.
Letters, 330, 410, 871, 893, 1021, 1027, 1034, 1037, 1047, 1054, 1058.
Hedrick, Philip, captain, 371.
Helms, R. J., 724.
Henderson, Alexander, 892.
Henderson, William, 449.
Hendrey, Thomas, Dr., 338.
Hendricks, James, colonel, 1058.
Hendricks, William, captain, 294.
Hendrickson, Jacob, 343, 498.
Henegan, Thomas, 184.
Henry, James, captain, 564.
Henry, Patrick, governor, 547, 643, 671 937, 1070.
Letters, 123, 170, 239, 468, 501, 514, 515, 551, 570, 593, 595, 643, 650, 655, 719.
Henry, Robert, 1056.
Henry, William, 803, 937, 963.
Herbach, Yost, captain, 487.
Herkimer, Nicholas, brigadier general, 709, 770.
Heron, James, captain, 244.
Hessian officers. Exchange, 10, 12, 16, 621; sent to Virginia, 37, 39, 102, 108; confined, 135, 412; paymaster, 73; prisoners, 175, 248; paroled, 653.
Herrick, see
Hedrick.
Hewes, Joseph,
a delegate from North Carolina. Credentials, 85.
Hewes, Josiah, 480.
Heydshaw, Catharine, 159.
Heyward, Thomas, jr.,
a delegate from South Carolina. Credentials, 129; leave of absence, 824.
Committees: Articles of war, 13; executive boards, 26; barbarities, 43; intelligence, 44; Warren memorial, 80; Washington's proclamation, 95; post office, 127, 154; applications, 185; Williamson, 186;
Sherburne, 260; Schuyler, 280; Charlestown, 354; Wooster, 369; foreign affairs, 385; commerce, 534, 632; Du Coudray, 554, 569, 630; Washington medal, 785.
Votes, 636, 641, 665, 669, 683, 684, 725, 726, 730, 735, 762, 765, 771, 780
bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854.
Mentioned, 159
n, 276, 461
n, 796.
Hides, 447, 487, 489, 607, 656, 794.
Hier, Jacob, 48.
Higgins, Robert, captain, 494.
Highlands, defense of, 149, 202.
Hill, Thomas, 673.
Hill, Whitmill, 586.
Hillegas, Michael, 143,176, 238, 240, 287, 328, 354, 425, 538, 540, 578, 627, 647, 680, 687, 718, 874, 973, 984, 993, 1003.
Hillegas, Samuel, 143, 354.
Hillery, Regnal, ensign, 478.
Hiltzheimer, Jacob, 860, 993.
Hindman, John, Dr., 81.
Hinkle, Jacob, 664.
Hite, Jacob, 892.
Hite, Thomas, 892.
Hockhocking, 2,1.
Hockley, Thomas, colonel, 407.
Hodge, Andrew, 496.
Hodge, Hugh, 623.
Hoffman, Valentine, 891.
Holliday, Clement, 382, 540.
Hollingsworth, Henry, colonel, 29, 95, 110, 670, 675.
Hollingsworth, Levi, 302, 674.
Holmes, Abraham, 652.
Holmes, David, 824.
Holmes, James, captain, 506.
Holmes, Joseph, 811.
Holmes, Margaret, 410.
Holt, James, 72.
Holtzendorf, Lewis Casimir de, baron, 559, 588, 674, 679.
Hooper, Robert Lettis, 541, 543.
Hooper, Stephen, 291.
Hooper, William,
a delegate from North Carolina. Credentials, 85; excused, 87.
Hoops, Robert, 517, 617.
Hopkins, David, captain, 703.
Hopkins, Esek, commodore, 202, 204, 210, 352, 588.
Hopkins, Gerard, 14, 34,100, 126, 225, 940.
Hopkins, James, 655.
Hopkins, Richard, 14, 34, 126.
Hopkins, Stephen, 650, 781, 841,899, 953, 968, 971.
Horn, James, 105
n, 126.
Hornby, William, 785.
Horner, Hall and, 874.
Horse, commander of, 711, 745.
Horses, continental, 46, 47, 363; purchase of, 565; allowance, 587, 656, 1047.
Horses, impressing, committee, 30, 56, 75, 144.
Hospital, returns of furnishings, 25, 237; report on, 161, 197, 206, 219, 225, 227; adopted, 231, 244; supplies by commissaries, 162, 613, 699; director general, 232; commissary, 233; election of officers, 247, 253; places, 289; inspection, 300; bedding, &c., 533; difficulties, 609; establishment, 754; South Carolina, 823; stoves, 941; broadside, 1083.
Hostler, hospital, 233.
Hotham, William, commodore, 257.
House, John, 231.
Houston, Thomas, lieut., 338.
Houston, William, captain, 370.
Houston, William Churchill, 202, 775, 874, 974.
Howard, John Eager, colonel, 534, 668.
Howe, Richard, Lord, 54, 95, 173, 291, 450, 563.
Howe, Robert, major general, 130, 476, 575, 597, 616; allowance, 269; major general, 823.
Letters, 196, 471,570, 757, 759, 823, 1048, 1064.
Howe, Sir William, provisions for prisoners, 12, 1036; exchange of prisoners, 571, 582; proclamation, 773; retreat, 825.
Letters, 308, 468, 970, 982, 1006, 1009.
Mentioned, 13, 16, 18, 41, 54, 95, 124, 135, 150, 291, 374, 395, 417, 421, 449, 623, 687, 692
n, 703, 938, 939, 991, 1045.
Howell, David, 171
n.
Howsome, Richard, 173.
Hubley, Adam, lieut. col, 25, 370, 897.
Hubley, Lowman and, 228.
Hudson, Jonathan, 44, 48, 58, 89, 112, 133, 155, 165, 167, 238, 328, 368, 514, 631, 700, 703, 709.
Hudsons River, defense of, 42, 659, 742, 774, 863, 865; ferries, 273; gallies, 383; army marched to, 663, 666.
Hugg, Joseph, 283.
Hughes, Daniel and Samuel, 381,663, 756, 772.
Hughes, John, lieut., 244.
Hughes, Samuel and Daniel, 381, 663, 756, 772.
Hughes, Timothy, captain, 249.
Hume, Robert, 573, 574.
Humpton, Richard, colonel, 568, 897.
Hunter, James, 173, 345, 376, 706.
Hunter, John, captain, 314, 425.
Huntington, Jedidiah, brigadier general, 347.
Huntington, Samuel,
a delegate from Connecticut. Credentials, 11.
Huntington, —, 46.
Hurrie, William, 338, 604, 625, 1018.
Hurt, John, 1057.
Hussey, Paul, captain, 471, 486.
Hutchinson, Joseph, 430.
Imbert, Jean Louis, 258.
Imlay, William, 722.
Imposts, State, 826.
Impressment, wagons and horses, 30, 56, 75, 144, 774; carriers, 396; supplies, 752, 905, 1014.
Independence, Declaration of, authenticated copies, 48.
Indians, Nova Scotia, 30, 34, 38; missionaries, 59; Pennsylvania, 62, 384, 392, 928; incursions, 69, 230, 942; committee, 92, 508, 770, 776; Floridas, 96; southern, 96; chiefs' expenses, 100; Penobscot, 101; Virginia frontier, 166, 201; presents, 127, 542, 550; treaties, 130, 166, 461; Creek, 224, 997; Oneidas, 308; middle department, 391; Fort Pitt treaty, 478, 493, 648; South Carolina, 823; Georgia, 823; Stockbridge, 757, 770, 840; confederation on, 844, 919; six nations, 62, 127, 166, 994; Shawanese, 943, 997; Delawares, 943, 977; employment of, 943, 1002; Chickasaws, 997; Choctaws, 997; instructions to northern commissioners, 998.
Indigo, green, 1029.
Industry, 271.
Ingraham, Winslow and, 963.
Innes, James, lieut. col., 51.
Inoculation of army, 110, 292, 317; in Virginia, 1016, 1039.
Inspector general, 162, 1023.
Intelligence, committee of, members, 44, 428; false, 784.
Intercourse with enemy, 783, 784, 1086.
Interest on loans, 102, 138, 158, 724, 730, 777; bills of credit, 124; bills of exchange, 457; circular, 1082.
Invalids, corps of, 288, 485, 554, 585, 690; money, 587; paymaster, 690.
Irish, Nathaniel, 891.
Ironhill, 709.
Irvine, William, colonel, 326, 897.
Irving, Thomas, 9.
Irwin, Matthew, captain, deputy commissary general of issues, 347,429, 464, 477, 498, 504, 505, 506, 517, 553, 651,702, 886.
Izard, Ralph,
commissioner to Tuscany, 334, 502, 507, 519, 520.
Jack, William, lieut., 55.
Jackson, David, 490, 491.
Jackson, Henry, colonel, 490.
Jackson, James, 325.
Jacobs, John, 169.
Jamaica, 73.
James, Abel, 694, 695.
James, John, 694.
James, Thomas, 622.
Jameson, David, Dr., 759.
Jamison, John, captain, 29.
Jarvis, John, 341.
Jarvis, Leonard, 59.
Jauncey, James, jr., 52.
Jay, John, 397, 624.
Jefferson, Thomas. 71.
Jenkins, Seth, 188.
Jenkins, William, captain, 532.
Jewell, Robert, 23, 115, 231,337, 407, 479, 487, 587, 680, 692, 844.
Johns, Richard, 19.
Johnson, Henry, captain, 90.
Johnson, Horatio, 113.
Johnson, John, Sir, 462, 995.
Johnson, Rinaldo, 79.
Johnson, Thomas, jun., governor, 205, 219, 301, 312, 318, 368, 374, 429, 474, 622, 668, 738, 793.
Johnston, Francis, colonel, 200, 255, 568, 897.
Johnstown, treaty of, 462.
Jolly, John, 209.
Jones, Charles, 108, 110.
Jones, Gabriel, 945.
Jones, Isaac, 598, 602, 603.
Jones, John Paul, 183, 465.
Jones, Jonathan, lieut. col., 640.
Jones, Joseph,
a delegate from Virginia. Credentials, 628; attends, 628.
Committees: New England committee, 650; Pennsylvania militia, 666; resolve, 733; Indian, 776; appeals, 800; war, 813; Saratoga convention, 871; campaign, 972, 1031
n; treasury, 994.
War Board, 824
n, 871
n, 883
n, 960
n, 966
n, 967
n, 1002
n, 1047, 1048
n.
Votes: 636, 641, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 735, 750, 762, 765, 771, 780
bis, 781,782, 787, 801, 804, 807,808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879,881, 896, 904, 970, 980.
Jones, Lewellyn, Captain, 31, 133.
Jones, Nathaniel, 680.
Jones, Owen, Jr., 708
n, 719
n, 1005, 1008, 1012.
Jones, Reuben, 497, 509.
Jones, Walter, 258, 490, 518.
Jones, Wyllie, 586.
Jones, captain, 173.
Jones, —, Dr. (chaplain), 569.
Jordan, John, 395, 891.
Jordan, Thomas, 462.
Joseph, brig, 86.
Journals, committee on, 101,212; to note time of attendance, 118; motion on entries, 164
n, 599; distribution of, 412; daily printing, 474
n; cost, 502; expunged, 674; ayes and noes, 676, 687, 688, 689; printed, 1089.
Joy, Daniel, 86, 639, 649.
Joynes, Levin, 148.
Judge Advocate, pay, 256; northern deputy, 391; rank of deputies, 421.
Justice, administration of, 956.
Kachlein, Peter, colonel, 422.
Kalb, Henri Jules Alexandre von Robaii, Baron de, services declined, 185, 721: thanked, 638; major general, 746, 769; expenses, 733, 743, 744, 937.
Letters, 596, 687, 755, 756, 762.
Kearsley, John, 840.
Kearsly, Samuel, captain, 260, 464, 651.
Keeppenhover, Simon, 872.
Kelhopper, Frederick, 332.
Kemp, Peter, 125.
Kendrick, John, 1050.
Kennedy, captain, 387.
Kennedy, David, colonel, 981.
Kennedy, Edward, 1028.
Kennedy, William, colonel, 1070.
Kennon, William, colonel, 11, 19, 415, 464, 471, 932, 958, 992.
Kent, Nicholas, 546, 550.
Kermovan, Jean de, 65, 1048.
Kern, captain, 422.
Kerr, David, 320.
Kerr, James, 829.
Kirkbride, colonel, 338, 341, 360.
Kirkland, Moses, 240.
Kirkland, Samuel, 72.
Kittanning, Pa., 55, 260.
Klein, Heinrich, 615.
Klein, Leonard, 351.
Klose, Gotlieb, 89.
Klyne, M., 382.
Knight, John, 376.
Knight, Peter, 617, 647.
Knox, Henry, brigadier general, 386, 490, 516, 548
n, 569, 847.
Letters: 427, 531, 585, 537.
Krumrun,—, captain, 407.
Kuntz, Elizabeth, 302.
La Balme, Mottin de, lieut. col., 385,468, 539, 551, 568, 572, 797, 864, 878, 1035, 1055.
La Colombe, Chevalier de, 728, 930, 931, 963.
Ladeveze, Chevalier de, 579.
Ladich [Ladig], Jacob, captain, 486.
La Falconer, Panatière de, 761.
Lafayette, Marie Jean Paul Joseph Roche Yves Gilbert du Metier, Marquis de, 592, 634, 673, 738, 747, 769, 804
n, 930, 947
n, 983.
Lake Champlain, pay of officers, 672, 674.
Lake George, N. Y., boats for, 33, 307.
Lamar, Marion, major, 897.
Lancaster, Pa., prisoners, 8, 46, 592, 665; barracks, 184, 190; committee, 203, 208; rendezvous, 667; Congress to meet, 742, 752; committee to, 978, 1010.
Land, bounty, 171
n.
Lands, disputed, by States, 890, 900.
Lang, James, captain, 344, 370.
Langdon, John, 71, 225, 330, 336, 465.
Langdon, Jonathan, 481.
Langworthy, Edward,
a delegate from Georgia. Credentials, 931. Votes, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Lansdale, Thomas, 534.
Lansing, John, jr., 317
n, 359
n, 435
n.
La Playne, —, de, captain, 821.
Laporte, Bajieu, 333, 342.
La Radière, Bailleul, lieut. col., 525, 539, 574, 579, 637, 639, 932.
Lardner, John, 376.
La Rocatelli, Flobergue, 1040.
Latour, John Conrad, 305.
Laumagne, Viscount de, 1048.
Laumoy, —, de, 525, 639, 760, 932.
Laurance, John, judge advocate general, 381, 395.
Laurens, Henry,
a delegate from South Carolina. Credentials, 129; attends, 570; president, 854, 1053; illness, 1022.
Committees: Georgia, 579, Deane, 596; Ticonderoga, 596, 686, 688; north, 599; treasury, 631; commerce, 632; New England committee, 650; South Carolina and Georgia, 660; Gwinnett, 758; Washington medal, 785; appeals, 800, 936; marine, 802; President's allowance, 806.
Votes, 636, 641,665, 669, 675, 683, 684, 725, 726, 730, 735, 750, 762, 765, 771, 780
bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 823
n, 870
n, 882
n, 884
n, 888
n, 906
n, 941
n, 947
n, 954
n, 968
n, 1001
n, 1038, 1055.
Lavien, Peter, & Co., 1054.
Law, Richard,
a delegate from Connecticut. Credentials, 11, 628; attends, 496; leave of absence, 994.
Committees: Marine, 508; north, 599; Indian, 776; provisions, 794; appeals, 800; Morgan, 831; additional articles of confederation, 885, 887
n, 888
n, 889
n; corn stalks, 929. Votes, 636, 641, 665, 669, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801, 803, 897, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980.
Mentioned, 968.
Lawrence, John, colonel, 393, 560.
Lawrence, John,
Connecticut loan office, 176, 330, 599, 632, 758, 1041, 1042, 1065.
Lawrence, Thomas, 301, 992.
Lawrie, John, 343, 498.
Laws, State, 291.
Lawson, Robert, lieut. col., 556, 1033.
Lead, Pittsburgh, 247; mine, 622, 884; spouts, in Philadelphia, 677; New York mines, 847.
Leakage, allowance, 610.
Leard, James, 429.
Learned, Ebenezer, brigadier general, 218.
Leather, purchase of, 939; in North Carolina, 965.
Lebanon, Pa., 231, 405.
Le Blanc, lieut., 606, 705, 877.
Lebrun, Augustin, captain, 705, 877.
Lebrun, Charles Louis, captain, 606, 705, 751
n, 759, 778, 796, 845, 875, 877, 879, 882, 902, 903.
Ledlie, James, 1067.
Lee, Arthur, commissioner to Spain, 318, 409, 420, 514, 522
n.
Lee, Charles, major general, treatment of, 16, 197, 411, 621; exchange, 10, 12, 582; converse with enemy, 140, 207.
Letters, 105, 114, 134, 207.
Mentioned, 8, 18, 19, 52, 135, 227, 269, 302, 875.
Lee, Francis Lightfoot,
a delegate from Virginia. Credentials: 628; attends, 628.
Committees: Articles of war, 13; Fort Mercer and Rhode Island, 976; Canada, 981; army, 1011; Otis, 1022; Gates, 1034.
War Board, 473
n, 474
n, 477
n, 495
n, 554
n, 557
n, 560
n, 566
n, 581
n, 594
n, 595, 614
n, 639, 656
n, 670, 677
n,n
, 696
n
, 699
n
, 711
n
, 772
n
, 792
n
, 799
n
, 824
n
, 871
n
, 883
n
, 960
n
, 966
n
, 967
n
, 1002
n
, 1006, 1008
n
, 1026
n
, 1037
n
, 1047, 1048
n
, 1073
n
.
Votes
, 636, 641, 669, 675, 682, 684, 735, 762, 765, 780
bis
, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned
, 80, 87, 93, 122
n
, 159
n
, 304, 306, 417, 420, 1054, 1058.
Lee, Henry, jr., captain, 24, 388.
Lee, Isaac, captain, 748.
Lee, James, captain, 238, 426, 516.
Lee, John (alias John Brown), 374.
Lee, Richard Henry,
a delegate from Virginia
. Credentials, 628; attends, 631; leave of absence, 420, 928; nominated to France, 947
n
.
Committees
: Morgan, 15; impressment, 30; Bingham, 66; Georgia, 67; Somerset County, 79; New England committee, 94; Washington's proclamation, 95; deserters, 109; post office, 127, 347
n
; enemy's advance, 247: recruiting, 257;
Sherburne
, 260; defense of Philadelphia, 264; a motion, 272; beef, 281,294
n
; reinforcements, 294; neutrality, 318; Trumbull, 395, 720; frontiers, 648; South Carolina and Georgia, 660; Ticonderoga, 688; Sullivan, 689; officers' rations, 710; intercourse, 783; recruiting, 805; Morgan, 831; Thanksgiving, 851; Gates, 859; Saratoga convention, 871; additional articles of confederation, 885; French officers, 886, 930; articles of confederation, 900; Burgoyne, 939; royal money, 985; Washingotn-Vannum,,1001; marine, 1034.
Motion
, 343
n
.
Votes
, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 750, 762, 765, 771, 780 bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980.
Mentioned
, 122
n
, 123
n
, 186
n
, 159
n
, 289
n
, 729, 755, 762, 768
n
, 773
n
, 817
n
, 827
n
, 888
n
, 937, 941, 948.
Lee, William, commissioner to Berlin and Vienna, 343, 502, 507, 518; letters, 824.
Lee, William, colonel, 204.
Leche, John, captain, 187.
Lees, Joseph, captain, 542.
Leesburg, Va., 32, 39.
Lefferty, Bryan, 589, 595, 605.
Legion, French, 986, 1037, 1049.
Leiper, Thomas, 376.
Le Maire, James, 563, 622.
L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 765, 877, 903.
Lennox, David, captain, 705.
Lennox, William, 380.
Leonard, Thomas, major, 504.
Lesser, Chevalier de, 651, 743, 744.
Letters of marque issued by South Carolina, 224; Rhode island, 226; sent to France, 317; revision of regulations, 318, 339: commissions, 792; under confederation, 913.
Letters, dead, 817.
Levant, —, colonel, 360.
Levely [or Lavely] William, 108, 125.
Levers, Robert, 257, 496.
Levies, new, bounties, 28.
Lewes town, Del., 203, 224, 253, 275, 304, 369, 426.
Lewis, Andrew, brigadier general, 43, 109, 133, 213, 633; resigns, 270.
Lewis, Francis,
a delegate from New York
. Attends, 1004; thanked, 397.
Committees
: barbarities, 42; medical, 1016; commerce, 1023.
Votes
, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned
, 42, 66, 100, 295, 382, 906.
Lewis, Warner, 72.
Lewis, William, captain, 1058.
Lewis William, 1052.
Lexington
, brig, 9, 17, 58, 90, 128, 173, 838; bounty, 127; duffels, 133; medicines, 274.
Light horse, 386, 391, 393, 407.
Lightfoot, Thomas, 643.
Lignet, J. F. C., 17.
Lilly, Robert, 192.
Lincoln, Benjamin, major general, 133; thanked, 861.
Letters
, 170, 649, 656, 674.
Lindenberger, George, 102.
Lindenmuth, Michael, colonel, 486.
Linn, John, 833.
Lion, sloop, 206; ship, 1004, 1067.
Lisle, Henry, 694.
Lisle, Romand de, 258.
Livingston, Abraham, 220, 291, 363, 619, 1011, 1058, 1065.
Livingston, Henry Brockholst, 643, 665, 769.
Livingston, James, colonel, 249, 392, 475, 710, 967.
Livingston, Philip,
a delegate from New York. Credentials, 396, 906.
Committees: marine, 313; commerce, 534; army, 546, 577.
Votes, 624.
Mentioned, 337.
Livingston, Robert, foundry, 111.
Livingston, Robert R., 225, 397.
Livingston, Walter, 349.
Livingston, William, governor, 696, 729, 738.
Letters, 101, 184, 207, 335, 406, 428, 460
n, 493, 712, 719, 747, 750, 798, 945, 1032, 1069.
Livingston and Turnbull, 609.
Loan office, advantage of, 956; returns, 1082.
Loan office certificates, 36, 40, 143, 225; paper for, 69; printing, 578; interest on, 103, 724, 730, 777, 1066; accounts, 201; bills of exchange, 456.
Loans, interest on, 102, 138, 158, 724, 730, 777; recommended, 137, 143; in France, 454, 989; motion on, 988; report, 988; in Spain, 989.
Long, James, 167.
Long, Robert, 290.
Long Island, N.Y., tories on, 109.
Loring, Joshua, 758.
Loring, Jotham, lieut. col., 586.
Lotbinier, Louis, 69, 176, 430, 543, 633, 740, 1016.
Lothrop, Isaac, 212.
Lott, Zephaniah, captain, 360.
Lottery tickets sent to States, 119, 214; interest on, 158; money appropriated, 172, 588; managers, 188,192, 506; manner of drawing, 192, 224; prizes, 353; South Carolina, 543; postponed drawings, 619, 775.
Lovell, James,
a delegate from the Massachusetts Bay. Credentials, 25; attends, 85.
Committees: Indians, 92; journals, 101; conference with Gates, 175; applications, 185, 349; Schuyler, 280; foreign affairs, 385; Du Coudray, 554; articles of confederation, 900; Canada, 981; Rhode Island, 1027.
Reports, 380
n, 384
n, 526
n, 539
n, 571
n, 605
n, 638
n, 722
n.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 835, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 109
n, 190
n, 276, 559, 978
n.
Lowman and Hubley, 228.
Lowry, Thomas, 250, 712
n.
Loyalists, Maryland, 82, 87, 97, 275, 284, 528, 905; committee on, 212, 291; Delaware, 85, 275, 284, 643, 678, 905, 991; crown officers, Penn., 591,678; Virginia and Pennsy. frontiers, 944; confiscation of property, 971; employment of, 1053.
Loyeauté, —, captain, 606, 705, 877.
Luce, Guillaume de, 9, 10
n, 44, 189.
Ludwig, Christopher, 175, 248, 323, 505, 575, 578, 602, 638.
Lukens, Charles, 892.
Lunn, Robert, 655.
Lutes, Samson, 462.
Lutterloh, Henry Emanuel, colonel, 776, 895.
Lutz, Nicholas, lieut. col., 291, 451.
Lux, Darby, 131, 622.
Lux, William, 167, 168, 1053.
Lux, —, 99, 533.
Lydia, 480.
Lyndon, J., 724.
Lyne, George, major, 345, 372.
Lyon, James, 295.
Lyon, William, 19.
McArthur, Nell, 205.
McArthur, Thomas, 534, 565.
McAustan, Alexander, 171.
McCallister, James, 680.
McCandles, George, 114, 360.
McCann, Robert, 680.
McCann, Thomas, 476.
McCastle, Murdock, 100.
McClenaghan, Blair, 973.
McCloskey, Patrick, 1040.
McClure, James, captain, 503.
McComb, John, 615.
McConnel, Matthew, captain, 244.
McCroskey, Samuel Allen, 824.
Maccubbin, Zachariah, 99.
McClenaghan, Alexander, colonel, 110.
McConnel, James, captain, 486.
McCoy, Thomas, 630, 652.
McCreigh, William, 567.
McCulloch, James, 543.
McCurdy, John, 824.
McDonald, Alexander, 182, 408, 451, 463, 706, 839.
McDonald, Allen, 182, 250, 408, 410, 451, 463, 570, 605, 625, 660, 706, 797, 839.
McDonald, Allen, jr., 182, 408, 463, 625, 706, 839.
McDonald, Angus, 53.
McDonald, Archibald, 182, 408, 410, 425, 463, 706, 797, 839.
McDonald, Frederick, 984.
McDonald, James, 485.
McDonald, Rennel [Ronald], 182, 408, 410, 463, 706, 797, 839.
McDougall, Alexander, major general, 226, 314, 315, 375, 383, 386. 823.
McDowell, John, captain, 461.
Macfarlane, Andrew, lieut., 55.
McGaw, Robert, colonel, 623.
McGee, Robert, 139.
McGuire, Matthew, 583.
McHenry, James, 623, 758.
McIntire, Thomas, 705.
McIntosh, George, 9, 764, 765, 787, 788, 789.
McIntosh, Lachlan, brigadier general, 597. 616.
McKay, Æneas, colonel, 15, 46.
McKay, Alexander, 205.
McKean, Thomas, 905, 972.
Mackenzie, John, capt., 24, 728.
McKennan, William, lieut., 337.
McKesson, John, 230, 397.
Mackinzie, Samuel, Dr., 70, 81, 139, 143.
McKinly, John, president, 60, 275, 343
n, 344, 369, 390, 643, 654.
Letters, 253, 301, 333, 372, 493, 556, 582, 585, 593, 599, 681.
McKinzie, John, 48.
McKnight, Robert, 503.
McLeod, Alexander, 100.
McLeod, Daniel, 100.
McMichael, William, lieut., 244.
McMurdie, Robert, 393, 633.
McNair, Andrew, 640.
McNutt, Susannah, 430.
McPherson, John, captain, 344.
Madison, Rowland, 505.
Maess, Jacob, lieut., 533.
Magaw, Robert, colonel, 664, 897.
Magazines, of Provisions, 15, 45, 395, 445, 1015; director of, 120; inspection, 280.
Magruder, Alexander Howard, colonel, 53.
Majority, 849.
Mallet, Daniel, 671, 791.
Mallet, Peter, 671.
Malmedy, François, 288, 346.
Mancke, Christian, lieut., 324.
Marbury, James, captain, 517.
Marchant, Henry,
a delegate from Rhode Island. Credentials, 408; leave of absence, 932; commissioner, 1020.
Committees: salt, 413; marine, 420; commissary bonds, 433; New England committee, 731; appeals, 800, 936; French officers, 886; post office, 898.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781,782, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880, 896, 904, 934, 935; mentioned; 662
n, 884.
Marine committee, members, 10, 87, 186, 312, 420, 496, 508, 802, 935, 1034, 1040; board of assistants, 281, 327; accounts, 423; money, 701, 715, 786, 789, 886, 898.
Marks, Levy, 188.
Marlet, —, major, 174.
Marquisie, Bernard Moissac de la, 51.
Marsh, Ephraim, 1029.
Marshall, Benjamin, 361.
Marshall, Charles, 321, 1013.
Marshall, Christopher, Jr., 321, 1013.
Marshall, Thomas, colonel, 331.
Marshall, William, 536.
Marsteller, Philip, 479.
Martin, Alexander, 372.
Martin, Ephraim, colonel, 506.
Martin, Hudson, lieut., 148.
Martin, Luther, 79.
Martin, Robert, 573, 574.
Martinique, French regiment, 342.
Mary, 387, 622.
Mary Ann Furnace, 828.
Maryland, council of safety, 17, 65, 86, 97, 114; provisions, 26; money, 28, 164, 301, 323, 653, 078, 737, 1051; militia, 44, 53, 255, 273, 370, 474, 530, 592, 666; continental stores, 49; to appoint officers, 53, 375; cloth for troops, 81; rations, 92; insurrection, 104, 105; Eastern shore, 128; assembly, 139; cannon, 663; arms, 679, 763; damaged by Georgia troops, 792; artillerists, 822.
Mason, David, colonel, 51, 424, 471, 574, 712, 822, 825, 958, 1048, 1050.
Mason, George, 628.
Mason, Littlebury, 424.
Mason, Stevens Thomson, 846.
Massachusetts Bay, credentials of delegates, 25, 169; Nova Scotia expedition, 20, 313, 348; assembly, 59; money, 75; prices, 112; barracks, 173, 191; arms, 211; Roach, 464; militia, 600; officers, 897.
Letters, 25, 65, 134, 229, 579, 601, 719, 871.
Massey, Margaret, 479.
Massey, William, 823.
Masts, timber for, 1004.
Mathiot, —, 877.
Matigny, Charles Melchior Gaude de, lieut., 606, 705, 877, 903.
Matlack, Timothy, 483, 633, 1028.
Matron, hospital, 233.
Matthewman, Luke, 573, 574, 578, 584.
Matthews, Sampson, 899.
Matthews, Thomas, captain, 556.
Matthie [
or Matthis], —, lieut., 606, 705.
Mauroy, Viscomte de, 628, 637, 638, 721, 733, 743, 744, 1011.
Maxwell, William, brigadier general, 692, 706.
May, George, captain, 652.
Meeting, Michael, 479.
Mears, Sampson, 298.
Mease, James, clothier general, 221; money, 240, 325, 474, 514, 697, 899, 1005, 1016, 1071.
Letters, 229, 851, 420, 472, 514, 689.
Mentioned, 172, 180, 190, 249, 251, 255, 257, 269, 287, 290, 320, 341, 363, 429, 619, 655, 1058.
Mease, William, 40.
Medal for Washington, 785; Gates, 862.
Medical Committee, members, 13, 87, 1016; to visit hospitals, 237.
Medici, Cosmo, captain, 627, 1016.
Medicines, for northern army, 34; purchase of, 91; for inoculation, 140.
Mehs, Jacob,
see Maess.
Meigs, Return Jonathan, lieut. col., 565, 579.
Melchior [Melcher], Isaac, 759, 968, 1051.
Melton, Philip, 345.
Meng, Wollory, 891.
Mentges, Francis, major, 897.
Mercer, Hugh, brigadier-general, 79, 84, 242, 258, 692.
Mercer, John Francis, 1049.
Mercer, Fort, evacuation, 975, 976.
Merckle, Charles, lieut., 143.
Mercury, 211.
Merlet, Hardouin, 204.
Messes, officers', 732.
Meyer, Lawrence, lieut., 248.
Meyer, William, 560.
Michael, Everhart, 664.
Middleton, Arthur,
a delegate from South Carolina, credentials, 129.
Committees: bills of credit, 107; teams, 395; Billingsport, 414.
Votes, 636, 641, 665, 669, 725, 735, 762, 765, 780
bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810.
Mentioned, 53, 94
n.
Mifflin, Samuel, 1052.
Mifflin, Thomas, major-general, 133; money, 192, 299, 359, 460, 812, 984; pay, 359; to join Washington, 415; resigns, 874, 882; War Board, 874, 936, 960
n.
Letters, 184, 250, 415, 631, 792, 825, 941.Mentioned
, 68, 70, 106, 191, 276, 287, 294, 296, 305, 452, 476, 478, 481, 557, 637, 720, 727, 775, 776, 808, 948, 993.
Mifflin, Fort, 862, 975.
Militia, accounts of, 59, 297, 298; pay of officers, 74; proportion of officers, 191; abuse of privilege, 343; paymasters, 470; State quotas, 616; motion, 696; regulation, 698; supplies to be imported, 708; under confederation, 912; substitutes, 1002.
Milligan, James, 341, 705, 715; auditor, 999.
Milligan, William, 345.
Miller, Conrad, 673.
Miller, Henry, major, 897.
Miller, Henry, chaplain, 284.
Miller, Jacob, 453.
Mills, flour, 961.
Minerva
, brig, 297.
Minis, Philip, 630.
Minnis, Francis, 1058.
Mint, to be established, 138.
Minyer, Edmund, 208, 230.
Missionaries, Indian, 59.
Mitchell, James, 680.
Mitchell, Joseph, captain, 301.
Mitchell, Nathaniel, captain, 471.
Mobile, 566.
Moeballe, Nicholas George, 423.
Molasses, 610, 929.
Molesworth, James, 210, 219, 361
n
.
Molliston, William, 631.
Money, paper, issued under King, 985, 990.
Monopoly, broadside, 1083.
Montgomery, —, colonel, 320, 362.
Montgomery, John, 100, 790.
Montgomery, Michael, lieut., 244.
Montgomery, Richard, brigadier-general, 81
n
, 349,1059.
Montgomery, William, 824.
Montgomery
, sloop, 297, 493.
Montgomery, fort, 774, 975.
Monthieu, —,876.
Moody, Thomas, 276.
Moon, Jacob, 389.
Moore, James, brigadier general, 90, 130, 535, 992.
Moore, Robert, 48.
Moore, Thomas, 946.
More, John, 822, 828.
Morehead, Samuel, capt., 55, 260.
Morgan, —, captain, 125.
Morgan, Daniel, colonel, 188, 294, 295, 303, 608, 650, 865.
Morgan, George, colonel, 22; commission, 202; West Florida, 566; enquiry, 831, 944; money, 502, 503, 679, 982, 992.
Letters
, 14, 20, 148, 161, 184, 201, 229, 230, 288, 303, 460, 478, 508, 523, 647, 659, 670, 719, 723, 755, 801, 936, 948.
Mentioned
, 165, 167, 228, 247, 256, 301, 344, 494, 539, 805, 811, 839, 893, 899, 942.
Morgan, John, Dr., dismissed, 24; papers from, 44; supplies, 91; letters, 593; report on, 623, 626; money, 728.
Morris, Appolos, major, 428, 450, 468, 489.
Morris, Israel, 283.
Morris, Gouverneur,
a delegate from New York
. Credentials, 397; mentioned, 375, 383, 624, 906.
Morris, Jacob, 227.
Morris, James, 838.
Morris, John, Jun., 482, 746.
Morris, Lewis,
a delegate from New York
.
Committees
: conference with Gates, 175; commissaries, 177; treasury, 192; beef, 281.
Mentioned
, 179, 397.
Morris, Lewis, Jr., 406.
Morris, Robert,
a delegate from Pennsylvania
. Credentials, 169, 1027; leave of absence, 806.
Committees
: expenses, 1777, 362; commissary, 384; A. Morris, 468, 489
n
; commerce, 534; Du Coudray 558; army, 701; New England committee, 731; president's allowance, 808; campaign, 972.
Votes
, 624, 636, 641, 675, 682, 725, 726, 730, 750, 781, 782, 801, 804, 807, 808, 835, 867, 868, 879, 980.
Mentioned
, 11, 33, 89
n
, 147
n
, 208, 210, 216, 257, 291, 363, 394, 428, 495
n
, 533, 619, 816, 860, 979
n
, 1058.
Mortars, to be cast, 847.
Morton, John, 1042.
Mosely, Emperor, 86.
Moson, James, 422.
Mount Michael, 343, 498.
Mountford, count de, 189.
Mount Hope, 686.
Mount Independence, evacuation, 569, 585,596, 653, 659,669, 674, 681; committee, 688, 787, 901, 1053; evacuation by British, 1004.
Mourgues [Mourgens], Jean Baptiste, lieut., 673, 967.
Mourren, Viscount, 595.
Moylan, Stephen, colonel, 158, 168, 238, 365, 374, 382, 406, 449, 567, 593, 608.
Mucer, John, 351.
Muhlenberg, Peter, colonel, 52,238; brigadier general, 141; letter, 579.
Mullen, —, captain, 624.
Mullens, Thomas, 1048, 1057.
Mumford, William Green, deputy commissary general of issues, 477.
Murdock, John, colonel, 44.
Murray, John, 463, 464.
Muskets, imported, 602.
Musters, commissary general of, regulation, 221, 247, 308, 322, 619; rank, 252; election, 252, 253; difficulties, 609; pay, 619.
Myers, Jacob, 115.
Nagle, George, 897.
Nail rods, for northern army, 33.
Nash, Abner, 737.
Nash, Clement, 702.
Nash, Francis, brigadier general, 90, 141, 538, 549, 551, 608; monument, 861.
Navy board, continental, money, 592, 749, 869; letters, 615, 739; rules, 1083.
Navy, commissioners, eastern department, 281, 327, 331, 833, 836; petition of lieutenants, 361; salary of clerk, 837; middle department, 1040.
Navy, continental, commanders' allowance, 581; lieutenants' conduct, 573, 574, 578, 584; Lake Champlain, 672; suspension of officers, 833; recognition of civil authorities, 1066.
Neal, Ludwick, 43.
Neff, Jacob, 503.
Neil, William, 28.
Neilson, James, 394.
Nelson, John, 578.
Nelson, Thomas,
a delegate from Virginia. Leave of absence, 335.
Committee: Danbury, 314.
Mentioned, 18, 28, 32, 35, 40, 61.
Nelson, John, captain, 200.
Neptune, 748.
Nesbit, David, 714.
Neutrality, laws of, 318.
Navelling, John, 295.
Neville, John, lieut. col., 458.
Newcomb, Silas, brigadier-general, 503, 664.
New England States, committee, 65, 66, 80, 87, 93, 97, 111, 118, 121; approved, 88, 124; proceedings, 650, 731,841,953, 968, 971.
New Hampshire, credentials, 71, 365; committee of safety, 134; money, 50, 255, 474, 736, 746, 1051; grants, 239, 491, 497, 507, 508; bills of credit, 579; militia, 600; instructions to Stark, 656; expenses of prisoner, 1021; clothing for troops, 1048.
New Jersey, money for, 46, 164, 184, 505, 1051, 1070; militia, 244, 300, 452, 470, 550, 592, 600, 659, 676, 712, 750; sulphur, 249; college of, 558, 566; blankets, 742; ammunition for, 747; credentials, 1017; protection, 1036.
Newman, Wingate, 723.
New Orleans, 566.
New York, credentials of delegates, 230, 396; letters of convention, 31, 42, 202, 230, 244, 296, 381; address to people, 42, 94, 210, 1081; money, 84; resolutions, 348; gallies, 383; committee of safety, 130, 230, 583, 937; salt, 465; New Hampshire grants, 491, 497, 507, 508; passes into city, 563; militia, 600; lead mines, 847.
Niagara, surprise of, 999, 1002.
Nicholas, Martin, 1066.
Nichols, Francis, captain, 341.
Nichols, Samuel, 624.
Nichols, Thomas, alias Dudley, 99.
Nicholson, George Chardin, 210, 475.
Nicholson, James, captain, 312, 318, 665.
Nicholson, Thomas, 89.
Nicola, Lewis, colonel, 429, 485, 552, 554, 556, 587, 640, 655, 880, 706, 710, 757, 799, 868, 968, 985.
Nimham, Abraham, 757, 770, 840.
Niveau, —, lieut., 705.
Nivard, —, 765, 877.
Nixon, John, 615.
Noarth, George, 102, 253.
Noel, —, 705
Norman, John, 40.
Norris, Aquila, 128.
Norris, George, 891.
Norris, James, 364.
North, Caleb, major, 897.
North, John, 209.
North, William, 209.
Northampton county, Va., 109, 461.
North Carolina, credentials of delegates, 85, 411; beef, 26; money, 51, 92, 176, 394, 538, 712, 714, 791, 869, 1003, 1038; brigadier-general, 90; militia, 90, 223; arms, 292; troops, 317; commissions, 394; memorial, 415; battalions, 450, 475; artillery company, 544, 567; chaplains, 557; naval stores, 660; State of, 688; light horse, 696, 720; leather, 965. Prisoners: petition, 24, 89,142, 432, 477; committee, 128, 152; references, 107, 115, 168, 195, 205.
Northward, expedition to, 50.
Nourse, Joseph, 48, 248
n, 361,473,974.
Nova Scotia, expedition against, 18, 20, 313; situation, 73, 313, 348; Indian agent, 30, 34, 38; petition, 297, 348.
Nure, Francis, lieut., 860.
Nurse, hospital, 163, 233.
Oath of allegiance. Maryland loyalists,83.
Oath of fidelity, 43, 431; secretary's office, 193; board of war, 242; commissioners of claims, 258; clerk committee of foreign affairs, 274; inspectors of press, 378; commissaries, 448, 603.
Officers, elections, 98, 131, 132
n, 133, 138, 141, 213, 218, 323, 324, 347, 746; redress for injuries, 265; vacancies, 561; absent, 595; complaints, 609; rations, 710, 711, 732; Washington's powers, 752; under confederation, 846, 913; rewards, 965; opinions, 1035; number of, 1073.
Foreign: commissions refused, 174, 177; French, 185, 759, 799, 876, 885, 902; certificates, 189; by
Amphitrite, 336; commissions, 406, 451; list, 557; employment, 562, 740; Deane's authority, 721; British, prisoners, 267.
Hessian: exchange, 10, 12; to Virginia, 102, 412; Canadian, 170; paroles, 653.
Pay, Virginia and Maryland, 109; militia, 74, 190, 218; lists appointed by States, 217; on parole, 623, 651; power to suspend, 642; behavior towards States, 656; navy, Lake Champlain, 672.
Rank, Virginia and Maryland, 109, 217, 375, 413, 415, 562.
O'Hara, James, captain, 872.
Ohio, forts on, 231.
Oil, curry, 488.
Olive Branch, brig, 66.
Ommensetter, John, 407.
Oneidas, 308.
Ord, John, 192.
Orth, Adam, 479.
Oswald, Eleazar, lieut. col., 449.
Oswegatchie, 308.
Otis, Samuel Alleyne, 893, 1022, 1031, 1033, 1042, 1071.
Ottendorff, Nicholas Dietrich, major, 11, 29, 119, 143, 159, 186, 260, 305, 345, 710.
Oury, Wendel, 697.
Owings, Nathaniel, 622.
Oxen, continental, at Philadelphia, 47.
Paca, William,
a delegate from Maryland. Credentials, 131.
Committees: appeals, 40; Hall, 507.
Votes, 636, 641.
Mentioned, 48, 462, 478, 665
n, 815
n.
Page, John, 170.
Page, Mann, jr.,
a delegate from Virginia. Credentials, 71.
Committees: Warren memorial, 80; Indians, 92; Caldwell, 93; treasury, 94; saltpetre, 107; Schuyler,Mentioned
, 71, 122
n
, 125.
Paine, Robert Treat,
a delegate from the Massachusetts Bay
. Credentials, 25.
Mentioned
, 13, 40
n
, 119, 225, 1020.
Paine, Thomas, elected clerk, 274.
Painter, Elisha, 28, 47, 48, 288, 298.
Palfrey, William, 14, 52, 102, 148, 192, 205, 229, 239, 314, 320, 425, 547, 617, 900, 901, 940, 941, 975, 1038, 1041, 1042.
Pancoast, David, 891.
Paper, for loan office certificates, 69; bills of credit, 115.
Papers, public, removal of, 744, 974.
Pardon, power of, 381
n
, 390, 477; on return to allegiance, 1012.
Parisy, —, lieut., 606, 705, 877.
Parks, —, 892.
Parrison, —, captain, 705, 877.
Parsons, Beersheba, 673.
Parsons, Elizabeth, 674.
Parsons, Samuel Holden, 777, 1040.
Paschal, Stephen, 479.
Passengers on continental vessels, 582.
Patapsco River, 665.
Paterson, John, brigadier general, 141, 596, 1055.
Patten, Robert, 139.
Patterson, Christopher, 370.
Patterson, Ezra, 632.
Patterson, George, 33.
Patterson, Robert, 711.
Patterson, Samuel, col., 10.
Patterson, William, 97.
Patton, George, 186.
Patton, John, colonel, 362, 974.
Patton, John, captain, 423.
Patton, Robert, 205, 422, 739.
Paxton, James, 973.
Pay, of staff, 50, 121; officer, 74; unpaid troops, 171; militia officers, 190; army, 214, 489; post-office, 154; hospital corps, 163, 245; cavalry, 178; assistant paymasters, 216, 458, 657; regulations, 218, 282, 1002; prisoners of war, 215, 289; commissary of musters, 222; discharged regiments, 252; rolls, committee, 266, 282, 311; deceased officers and soldiers, 282; regimental surgeons, 289; withholding pay, 342; quartermasters, 359; stoppages, 369; by abstract, 391; General's secretary, 475; commissaries, 603; muster commissaries, 610; deputy paymasters, 693; assistant clothiers, 697; paroled prisoners, 1052.
Payenneville, James, 737.
Paymasters, regimental, 33, 209, 309, 426, 470, 730; Hessian, 73; northern department, 84, 392; pay of assistants, 216, 458, 657, 693; regulation, 248, 552, 576; pay and rank, 458, 526; difficulties, 609; invalids, 690.
Peace commissioners, British, 400.
Peale, Saint George, 83, 84.
Pearl
, frigate, 173.
Pearson, Jonathan, 673.
Pechin, Bright and, 302.
Peck, William, 561.
Peekskill, Rhode Island battalion at, 742.
Peery, William, captain, 304, 425, 507, 654, 990, 992, 1005.
Pelissier, Christopher, 60.
Pemberton, Israel, 694, 714, 718, 719
n
, 798, 1052.
Pemberton, James, 694, 714, 718.
Pemberton, John, 694, 714, 718.
Pemberton, John, 1067.
Pemberton, Joseph, 694.
Penn, John,
a delegate from North Carolina
. Credentials, 411; attends, 490.
Committees
: marine, 802; Lancaster, 978; medical, 1016.
Votes
: 636, 641, 669, 675, 682, 730, 750, 762, 765, 771, 780 bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1056.
Penn, John, governor, 633, 634, 641, 695.
Pennel, Joseph, 15, 504, 813.
Pennsylvania, credentials, 169, 746, 1027; council letters, 31, 54, 62, 108, 171, 658, 753, 863, 985, 1033, 1048, 1052; money, 113, 164, 184, 240, 314, 475, 483, 557, 592, 741; accounts, 229; defense, 246, 263, 268; navy board, 250; authority, 263, 268; militia, 273, 370, 414, 470, 550, 583, 584, 592, 600, 649, 658, 666, 711; boardn
; cannon, 677; address to people, 774; memorial of officers, 882; rank of field officers, 896; militia substitutes, 1002.
Penobscot Indians, 23.
Penrose, —, colonel, 503.
Pensacola, 566.
Percy, Lord, 150
n
.
Peters, Thomas, 376.
Peters, Richard, secretary war board. 14, 42
n
, 46
n
, 110
n
, 121
n
, 186
n
, 209
n
, 217
n
, 248
n
, 289
n
, 382
n
, 383
n
, 396
n
, 506
n
, 639
n
, 649, 653
n
, 770
n
, 772
n
, 778, 796
n
, 869
n
, 883
n
, 897
n
, 940, 1078
n
; continued in office, 959; war office, 971.
Petitions to King and Parliament, 341.
Pettit, Charles, 1018.
Phelps, Othniel, 541.
Phifer, Martin, captain, 627, 1016.
Philadelphia, removal of stores, 66, 254, 271, 747; defense of, 246, 250, 263, 410; militia, 296, 736; light horse, 376; guards, 552: public bells, 741; supplies in, 751; printing presses, 754.
Committee of Congress at
: 11, 14, 18, 25, 31, 32, 46, 49, 50, 54, 60, 64, 68, 88, 101, 126, 130, 134, 148, 168; orders to, 32, 33, 66, 86; money, 102, 216; accounts, 259.
Philbrick, Joseph, 577.
Phile, Frederick, Dr., 139, 322.
Philips, Peter, 489, 585, 607.
Phillips, William, 629, 836.
Philpot, Brian, 28.
Philpot, John, 19.
Phœnix, brig, 30, 79, 427, 467.
Physician & surgeon general, 162, 234, 257.
Picard,—, captain, 705.
Pickering, Timothy, colonel, war board, 874, 945, 1069.
Pierce, Job, 30, 79, 427, 467.
Pierce, John, jr., 327.
Pierpont, John, 101.
Pierre, —, captain, 606, 877.
Piey, Thomas, lieut., 244.
Pigot, R., 1050, 1062.
Pigot, William, 105.
Pillier, —, 60
n
.
Pilots, reward, 219, 361
n
.
Pinckney, Charles,
a delegate from South Carolina
. Credentials, 130.
Pinkham, John, 182.
Pitt, fort, provisions, 21, 161, 247, 256, 502, 539; powder, 256; carpenters, 301; supplies, 872; commissioners to, 943, 944, 1018; troops, 975.
Pittsburg, 69, 247, 270.
Platt, Ebenezer S., 676.
Pleasants, Samuel, 694, 714, 719.
Pluggy's town, 166, 201, 999.
Plundering by troops, 793.
Plunket, David, captain, 169.
Plunket, Thomas, 338.
Poe, David, 939.
Polhoos, Thomas, 302.
Polk, Thomas, colonel, 992.
Polke, Robert, 213.
Pollard, William, 503.
Polly
, sloop, 171, 617, 647.
Pomeroy, R., 573, 574.
Pommereuil, —, lieut., 606, 705, 877.
Pond, Charles, captain, 385.
Pool, William, 429.
Poor, Enoch, brigadier general, 141, 417, 596, 1055.
Popham, William, captain, 244.
Pork for army, 27, 961.
Porter, Stephen, captain, 341.
Porter, —, colonel, 429.
Porter, —, captain, 624.
Porterfield, Charles, captain, 303.
Portugal, King of, against American ships, 318.
Postlethwaite, Samuel, captain, 774.
Postmasters and postriders, disaffected, 29; exempt from militia, 347.
Post office, delay in organizing, 30; committee on, 127, 153, 258; report, 816; obstructions, 898.
Potatoes for army, 439.
Potter, James, brigadier general, 423, 680.
Potts, Jonathan, 34, 254, 527, 870.
Powder, Baltimore, 37, 64; for Schuyler, 64; for
Lion, 206; from France, 211; at Annapolis, 219; Fort Pitt, 256; house rent, 534; from states, 584; imported, 860.
Powell, Jeremiah, 410, 758, 1074.
Powell, Lawrence, 292.
Powell, Levin, lieut. col., 832.
Power, Alexander, 892.
Prahl, Lewis, 174, 185, 202.
Prentis, Joseph, 71.
Prescott, Richard, major general, 564, 571, 580, 582, 621, 1050.
President of Congress, allowance, 806.
Press, superintendents, 332, 378; printing, for army, 581, 609, 613; in Philadelphia and Germantown, 754; in Yorktown, 817.
Pressman, George, 156.
Preston, William, 891.
Price, George, captain, 650.
Price, Henry Yelverton, 493.
Price, James, 178, 181,195,213, 811, 1058.
Price, Thomas, colonel, 422
n.
Prices, conventions, 112
n, 124, 956; labor, &c., 124; Middle States, 267; in New Jersey, 499.
See New England convention.
Prime, Leonard, 674.
Princeton, battle of, order of no quarter, 278.
Priscilla, 472, 486.
Prisoners, sent to Lancaster, 8, 46, 592, 665; to Lexington, 9, 10; provisions, 12, 494, 977; at Baltimore, 17; North Carolina,
see under that title; Leesburg, 32; commissary, 41,289, 422, 777; treatment, 42, 49, 430, 431, 449, 627, 939, 1006, 1008, 1029, 1036; barracks, 191, 773; exchange of, 197, 253, 421, 571, 621, 970; lists, 209; pay, 215, 363, 371, 623, 651; Reading, 302; Easton, 302; York, 325, 592, 665; enlistment of British, 348, 353; dismissed from parole, 350
n; motion, 423; delivered by states, 492; Cadada, 502, 986, 1037; expenses of states, 643, 1050; wages of seamen, 776; used as laborers, 797; money for support, 846; at Sharpsburg, 946; officers on parole, 1021, 1052; in New Hampshire, 1021; enlisted in British army, 1069.
Privateers, commissions, 792.
Prizes, condemnation of, 802, 804.
Proctor, Thomas, colonel, 482, 551, 552, 564, 583, 608.
Profanity in army, 157.
Property, destruction of, by British, 277; public, 777.
Providence, sloop, 284.
Provisions for American prisoners, 12, 1036; magazines, 15, 45, 395, 405, 504; safety of, 46, 315; for enemy's ships, 105; commissary general, 120; purchases, 280, 305; for army, 794, 829, 976.
Pugh, —, colonel, 482.
Pulaski, Casimir, count, 631, 673, 687, 698, 711, 745.
Purcell, Henry, 575.
Purveyors, hospital, 162, 198.
Purviance, Robert, 37, 167, 295, 533.
Purviance, Samuel, 99, 156, 167, 295, 533.
Putnam, Israel, major general, 564, 608, 720, 736, 858, 865; allowance, 704.
Letters, 14, 25, 64, 89, 187, 229, 246, 253, 260, 365, 527, 703, 724, 754, 766, 773, 793, 805, 824, 899, 900.
Pyot, William, 653.
Quakers, 688
n, 693, 707, 713, 718, 720, 722.
Quartermaster's department. Mifflin's plan, 191, 273, 292, 355, 941; money, 192; pay of, 255, 359; regimental, 566; accounts and officers, 728; regulation, 831, 962, 1085.
Quotas, States, of tax, 137.
See Confederation, articles of, art. 9, 848, 955.
Quick, Mary, 673.
Quorum, defined, 840.
Racehorse, 292.
Rae, James, 616.
Raimbeaux, Recules de Basmeireen, 623.
Raleigh, brig, 607.
Ralston, Robert, 791.
Ramsay, John, 193.
Ramsay, J., Dr., 254.
Ramsay, —, lieut. col., 376.
Ramsey, Nathaniel, captain, 294.
Randolph, Benjamin, 376, 387, 640.
Randolph, 761.
Randolph, Fort, 21.
Rank, Virginia and Maryland, 109; brigadiers general, 141; officers, 217, 413, 418, 451; disputes, 383; difficulties of, 609; cavalry, 869, 872; Pennsylvania field officers, 896.
Ranger, 464, 465.
Rathbun, John, captain, 284.
Rations, returns of, 222, 672; extra in Canada, 413; allowance for, 446, 884; regulation, 629, 710, 711, 732, 829, 1068.
Rawlins, Moses, colonel, 54, 1029, 1032, 1038.
Read, George,
a delegate from Delaware.
Committees: appeals, 172; Delaware militia, 300.
Votes, 725, 726, 730, 735, 750.
Mentioned, 220.
Reading, Pa., prisoners, 302.
Recruiting, committee on, 257, 261, 805, 813; accounts, 309; advances, 552, 576; arrangements, 593; Washington on, 837; broadside, 1084.
Recruits, States to report success, 25; subsistence allowance, 55.
Red Bank, defense, 862.
Redick, David, 782.
Reed, Joseph,
a delegate from Pennsylvania. Credentials, 746, 1027; brigadier general, 347: declines, 428; commissioner, 945, 1001, 1016, 1018; nominated to France, 947
n.
Mentioned, 14, 59, 972.
Register, committee on appeals, 348.
Reid, John Rodolph, captain. 244.
Reiley, William, lieut., 331.
Reinforcing Washington's army, committee, 294, 296, 299.
Reiss, John, lieut. col., 371.
Repulse, 1067.
Retaliation, 135, 430, 449.
Retaliation, sloop, 598.
Revenge, 602.
Rewards, destruction of British ships, 266; deserters from British, 340, 417.
Reynolds, —, lieut., 883.
Rhoades, Abiathar, 396, 418.
Rhode Island, credentials, 408, 724; defense of, 124, 272; accounts, 171; money, 172, 329, 533; letters of marque, 226; attempt against British fleet, 662; British forces withdrawn, 742; expedition, 975, 976, 988, 1018, 1027.
Ricault, —, 572.
Richards, John, 874.
Richardson, Holt, major, 405.
Richardson, William, colonel, 81, 319, 323, 382, 530, 536, 540, 564, 643, 706.
Richmond, Christopher, 132.
Richmond, brig, 13.
Rickman, William, 570, 626, 1039.
Ridgely, R., 131.
Riflemen, 649.
Riorden, John, 563.
Ripper, William, captain, 326, 345.
Ritchie, Robert, 192, 257, 506, 832.
Rittenhouse, David, 296
n.
Rivaud, —, lieut., 606, 877.
Roach, John, captain, 464, 465.
Roberdeau, Daniel,
a delegate from Pennsylvania. Credentials, 169, 1027; leave of absence, 343; attends, 1027.
Committees: conference with Gates, 175; applications, 185; health of army, 193; enemy's vessels, 266; pay rolls, 266; commissaries, 277; Delaware militia, 300; Trumbull, 517; Allison, 536; Ticonderoga, 596; Pennsylvania militia, 666; provisions, 794; Morgan, 831; thanksgiving, 851; post office, 898; Indians, 923; corn stalks, 929; Buchanan, 948; army provisions, 962; clothier general, 966; Lancaster, 978; pardons, 1012; loyalists in office, 1053.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 735, 750, 762, 765, 771, 780
bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010, 1056.
Mentioned, 206, 1023, 1057
n.
Roberts, William, major, 974.
Robinson, Burton, 644.
Robinson, Cornelius, 604.
Robinson, Peter, 644.
Robinson, Thomas, major, 897.
Robsamen, Jacob, 113.
Roche, —, 184.
Rock Hall, 665.
Rodeg, John, 615.
Rodgers, John, 673.
Rodney, Caesar, brigadier general, 337, 591.
Rodney, Thomas, captain, 337.
Roe, Jesse, 891.
Roebuck, 257.
Rogers, Nicholas, captain, 606, 751.
Romanet,—, 765, 877, 903.
Rosanna, 472.
Rose, Amos, 703.
Ross, Alexander, 542, 548.
Ross, George,
a delegate from Pennsylvania.
Committees: barbarities, 43; Campbell, 45; unfinished business, 51.
Mentioned, 41, 48, 68, 828.
Ross, James, lieut. col., 897.
Ross, John, 192.
Ross, Richard, 1065.
Rouerie, Armand de la, 543.
Rouilhac, —,1058, 1065.
Roussi, Regnier de, lieut. col., 142, 156.
Rowan, Stephen, 195.
Rudolph & Co., 738.
Rum, 738.
Rumsey, Benjamin,
a delegate from Maryland. Credentials, 131; leave of absence, 329.
Committees: North Carolina prisoners, 128;
Sherburne, 260; pay rolls, 266; toryism, 275; beef, 281; Pennsylvania, 314; treasury, 994; appeals, 1015.
Votes: 867, 868, 879, 881,896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980, 1010.
Mentioned, 1021
n, 1051.
Rumsey, Nathaniel, 80.
Rush, Benjamin,
a delegate from Pennsylvania.
Committee: Warren memorial, 80, 243. Surgeon general, 254; physician general, 518.
Mentioned, 156, 164
n, 394, 525.
Rush, Jacob, 176
n, 872, 875.
Rusk, Nicholas, 674.
Russell, William, colonel, 543, 544.
Rutherford, Thomas, 142, 482, 477.
Rutledge, John, governor, 9, 224, 415, 464, 471, 758, 823, 932, 958.
Rutter, Thomas, 108.
Ruttenburgh, Thomas, 297.
Sacket, Nathaniel, 547.
Sailors, maimed and incurable, 164; advance money, 207.
St. Aubin, St. Pierre Auguste de, 37.
St. Clair, Arthur, major general, 133; ordered to Ticonderoga, 217, 307; leave of absence, 280, 901; ordered to headquarters, 590; command, 727
n. Letters, 346, 531, 546, 569, 600, 672, 700.
St. Leger, Barry, colonel, 995.
Saint Domingo, French regiment, 342.
St. Johns, Indians, 38; attack planned, 999.
St. Ouary, Baron de, 991.
Salisbury, Conn., furnace, 111, 847; provisions, 315.
Sally, brig, 1052.
Salt, 316, 446, 560, 562, 610, 961;
for North Carolina, 27; for
Fort Pitt, 272, 478; committee, 413, 458, 461; New York, 465; importation, 829; transportation, 830, 977, 1010.
Salt Springs, 109, 244, 733.
Saltonstall, Gurdon, 536.
Saltpetre, committee, 107, 113.
Sappenfield, Matthias, 432, 484.
Saratoga, convention of, 851, 871, 880, 881; stores under, 949, 1059; not to be altered, 1032; list, 1034; broadside, 1089.
Sargent, Winthrop, 836.
Sassafras, Md., 667.
Scammell, Alexander, colonel, 535.
Schennectady, N.Y., 84.
School, military, 485.
Schuyler, Philip,
a delegate from New York. Credentials, 397; attends. 230; leave of absence, 901; to use salt springs, 109; reprimanded, 180; conduct of, 279; to send troops, 289, 300; accounts, 326, 349; memorial, 333, 334, 336; motion, 347; ordered to north, 364, 375; to headquarters, 596; militia assembling, 659; succeeded by Gates, 604;Letters
, 31, 49, 51, 65, 66, 101, 126, 170, 186, 203, 385, 468, 490, 492, 527, 546, 569, 582, 600, 621, 628, 647, 649, 659, 663, 670, 674, 785, 1053.
Mentioned
, 15, 29, 32, 33, 62, 64, 73, 84, 242, 251, 255, 259, 271, 273, 279, 294, 297, 298, 311, 317, 344, 362, 374, 376, 391, 436
n
, 437
n
, 447
n
, 462, 475, 549, 550, 561, 562, 769.
Schuyler
, sloop, 385.
Schuyler, fort, 771.
Scott, Charles, brigadier general, 213, 623,981.
Scott, James, captain, 82, 479.
Scott, John Morin, 381.
Scott, Joseph, captain, 98.
Scott, Thomas, 702.
Scudder, Nathaniel,
a delegate from New Jersey
. Credentials, 1017.
Seal, public, 59.
Seamen, 16, 776; advertisement, 1082. Search, Thomas, 361.
Secrecy, Secretary's office, 194; board of war, 242.
Secret committee, to report, 45; money for, 216, 590, 728; accounts, 423; members, 533.
Secret correspondence, committee, money for, 98; clerk, 274; name altered, 274; correspondence with Deane, 596.
Secretary, office organization, 193; deputy, 195, 202, 874; to brigadier, 475.
Seely, —, colonel, 338.
Seitz, Charles, 260, 710.
Selin [or Selim], Antoine, 119, 324.
Semple, William, 240.
Seneca Indians, 22.
Sergeant, Jonathan Dickinson,
a delegate from New Jersey
. Leave of absence, 156, 219; Bedford incident, 458, 459, 461, 466.
Committees
: Marine, 10, 186; appeal, 13; intelligence, 44; appeals, 75, 337; brig
Joseph
, 86; Washington's proclamation, 95; deserters, 109; Delaware militia, 300; Trumbull, 517; Jay, 624.
Votes
, 624, 636, 641, 669, 675, 682, 684.
Mentioned
, 94, 95, 259, 524
n
.
Sergeant, Samuel, 892.
Servants, enlistment, 262, 369, 391; soldiers, 670.
Sever, William, 211, 601, 618.
Severs, Frederick, 968.
Seydett, —, captain, 486.
Shaeffer, Conrad, lieut. col., 422.
Shaler, Timothy, 188, 206.
Shallus, J., 739, 746.
Shappel [Shable, Jacob], captain, 486.
Sharon, Conn., 315.
Sharpsburg, 946.
Shaw, Nathaniel, 177.
Shaw, William, 411.
Shawanese Indians, 943.
Sheaff, Henry, captain, 115.
Shee, Walter, 351.
Sheldon, Elisha, colonel, 70, 178, 608, 861, 869.
Shelly, Daniel, 828.
Sheppard, Abraham, colonel, 450, 475.
Sherburne
, 259, 384.
Sherer, Henry, 673.
Sherman, Roger,
a delegate from Connecticut
. Credentials, 11; leave of absence, 508.
Committees
: Kennon, 11; executive boards, 26; impressment, 30, 78; provisions, 45; appeals, 75; Southouse, 89; New England committee, 94; Washington's proclamation, 95; bills of credit, 107, 138; army contract, 134; conference with Gates, 175; Lancaster, 203; beef, 281; reinforcements, 294; shoes, &c., 414, 489
n
; marine, 420, 508; A. Morris, 468.
War Board
, 473
n
, 474
n
, 477
n
, 485
n
, 492
n
, 495
n
, 518
n
, 541
n
, 554
n
.
Mentioned
, 23, 77
n
, 78
n
, 101, 159
n
, 246
n
, 259, 359
n
, 430, 431
n
, 435
n
, 451
n
, 928
n
, 941
n
.
Ship carpenters, 186.
Shippen, William, Jr., 161, 193, 219, 371, 490, 1039; director general hospital, 253; money, 257, 517, 547, 560, 618, 739, 838, 894, 983.
Letters
, 670, 727, 821, 980.
Shipwrights, petition, 89.
Shirts, committee, 414, 487.
Shitz, Henry, 295, 362.
Shoes, committee, 414, 487.
Shoffner, George, lieut., 324.
Short, John Paul, captain, 324, 325.
Shrop, John, lieut., 186.
Sick, commissary of the, 198, 290.
Sigismund, Ernst, baron, 305.
Silver coins, value, 59.
Simms, Charles, major, 543, 544.
Simon, Joseph, 886.
Simons, Abraham, 43.
Simons, Joseph, 302.
Simpers, John, 966.
Simpers, Thomas, 966.
Simpson, Joseph, 386.
Simpson, Southy, 104, 105,109.
Singleton, Anthony, captain, 98.
Six Nations, 62, 127, 166, 994.
Skinner, Cortlandt, colonel, 504.
Skinner, John, 255.
Smallpox inoculation, 110.
Smallwood, William, brigadier general, 39, 83, 96, 100, 105, 132, 667, 736.
Smith, Belcher P., 692, 704, 710, 836
n, 868.
Smith, Brazilla, 86.
Smith, Calvin, 586.
Smith, Daniel, 625.
Smith, Isaac, 628, 836.
Smith, James,
a delegate from Pennsylvania. Credentials, 1027; attends, 1028; vote, 1056.
Smith, John, 484.
Smith, John, 729.
Smith, John, lieut., 798, 1070.
Smith, Johnson, 892.
Smith, Jonathan Bayard,
a delegate from Pennsylvania. Credentials, 169, 1027; resigns, 746; attends, 1034.
Committees: Commissaries, 177; Williamson, 186; treasury, 192; journals, 212; conference with Gates, 218; provisions report, 294
n; reinforcements, 294; Charlestown, 354, 366
n; Trumbull, 395; salt, 413, 462; shoes, &c., 414; Allison, 536; rations, 629; War Board, 936; Gates, 1034; army, 1053.
War Board, 966
n, 1006, 1008
n, 1026
n, 1037
n.
Votes, 636, 641, 665.
Mentioned, 188, 240.
Smith, Joseph, captain, 860.
Smith, Matthew, major, 897.
Smith, Patrick, 776.
Smith, Reuben, 338.
Smith, Robert, 19, 586.
Smith, Robert, captain, 680.
Smith, Samuel, 862.
Smith, Stephen, 174
n, 185.
Smith, Thomas,
Pennsylvania loan office, 14, 69, 106, 190
n, 335, 460, 532, 886, 937, 968, 973, 983,1005, 1016, 1041, 1042, 1049, 1058.
Smith, Thomas, 416.
Smith, William,
a delegate from Maryland. Credentials, 131.
Committees: barbarities, 43; army contract, 134; treasury, 144; Schuyler, 280; commissaries, 281; marine, 313; commerce, 534; rations, 629; army provisions, 962.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 750, 765, 780
bis, 781, 782, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 881, 896, 904, 950, 951, 970, 980.
Mentioned, 1023.
Smith, William, continental druggist, 274, 538.
Smith, William, captain, 326.
Smith, William, copper plate printer, 578.
Smith, —, captain, 38.
Smythers, James, 225.
Snevely, Casper, captain, 479.
Snicker, Edward, 294.
Snowdon, Isaac, 711.
Soap, 473, 580, 609, 796.
Soldiers, maimed and incurable, 164, 390; as servants, 670.
Somerset County, Md., 79, 82, 87, 97, 110, 196, 275, 284, 528.
South Carolina, credentials of delegates, 129; magazines of provisions, 19, 27; money, 165, 227, 568; letters of marque, 223; committee, 660; hospital, 823.
Southouse, Edward, 89.
Spain, commissioners to, Franklin appointed, 8; commission, 521
n; Lee's commission, 522
n; loan, 989.
Spear, William, 157.
Specie, northern department, 84; to be coined, 138; from provisions, 1037, 1049.
Spencer, Elihu, 558
n, 822.
Spencer, Joseph, captain, 165.
Spencer, Joseph, major general, 497, 561, 564, 662, 988, 1020.
Spencer, Thomas, 73.
Spicer, John, 589.
Spingler, — captain, 486.
Spirits, manufacture from corn stalks, 929.
Spotswood, Alexander, colonel, 371, 482, 551, 676, 981.
Spring, — (widow), 534.
Springfield, Mass., elaboratory and cannon foundry, 139, 266, 561; arms from, 672.
Sproat, William, 192.
Sprogle, Ludowic, 666.
Stable, continental, 46.
Staff, pay of, 50.
Stanley, John Wright, 1053.
Stanton, Joseph, 351.
Stanwix, Fort, 375.
Stapleton, —, Dr., 344.
Stark, John, brigadier general, 656, 657, 665, 709, 770, 866, 999.
Staten Island, incursions from, 676;expedition against, 700, 808, 823.
States, to withdraw bills of credit, 36; policy in Congress, 106; accounts against the continent, 112; sovereignty, 122
n; quota of tax, 137, 955; laws of, 291; petitions to King, 341; representation in Congress, 498
n, 559; committee of, 848, 879, 919, 923.
See Confederation, articles of.
Stedman, James, lieut., 244.
Steel, Archibald, 936.
Steel, John, captain, 427, 464.
Steel for northern army, 33.
Steiner, Melchior, and Charles Cist, 325.
Stephen, Adam, major general, 133, 173, 1008.
Stephens, Robert, 351.
Stephenson, Hugh, captain, 351.
Sterret, William, 69.
Stevens, Ebenezer, captain, 391.
Stevens, Edward, colonel, 269.
Stevens, John, 1018.
Stevens, Richard, 269.
Stevenson, George, jr., 824.
Stevenson, James, 182, 386, 1065.
Steward, hospital, 233.
Stewart, Archibald, 617, 629.
Stewart, Charles, commissary general of issues, 477
n, 546, 598, 629, 763, 973.
Stewart, David, 167.
Stewart, John, 1067.
Stewart, Stephen, 590.
Stewart, Walter, colonel, 8, 533, 680, 897.
Stewart, William, lieut., 244.
Stewart, —, colonel; 110, 111, 170, 189.
Stiles, Joseph, 160.
Stirling, Lord, 64; major general, 133; no compensation for loss, 185.
Letters, 170, 1048.
Stock, live, removal of, 283, 667.
Stockbridge Indians, 757, 770, 840.
Stockton, Richard,
a delegate from New Jersey. Prisoner, 12.
Mentioned, 156, 380
n, 413, 558
n, 587.
Stockton, Richard W., 840.
Stone, John Hawkins, colonel, 96, 322, 426. 478.
Stone, Thomas, a delegate from Maryland. Credentials, 131.
Stoppages of pay, 369.
Storer, Ebenezer, 628, 836.
Stores, military, removal of, 711.
Stormont, Lord, 601, 607.
Stringer, Richard, 53.
Stringer, Samuel, Dr., 24, 34, 92, 180.
Subalterns, arms for, 670.
Subsistence. allowance, Navy, 581.
Substitutes in army, 262, 1002.
Success, 748.
Sugar Hill, 986.
Sullivan, James, 112.
Sullivan, John, major general, resigns, 528, 537; directions to march, 677; recall, 727
n, 742, 749; Staten Island, 808, 823.
Letters, 176, 191, 409, 415, 527, 551, 688, 700, 707, 789, 798, 825, 856, 938, 1047.
Mentioned, 385, 406, 693, 875, 967.
Sulman, John, 861.
Sulphur, sale, 249, 337; manufacture, 884.
Sumner, John, 946, 1047.
Surgeon general, 162, 234, 257.
Surgeons, regimental, 197, 289; naval, 554.
Surveyors of post office, 816, 817.
Sussex County, Del., loyalists, 83, 275, 284, 528, 644, 991.
Sweers, Cornelius, 590, 892.
Sweetser, Seth, 354.
Sweiney, James, 891.
Swope, Michael, colonel, 835.
Sword to, John Green, 862; Samuel Smith, 862; John Hazelwood, 862.
Sykes, James,
a delegate from Delaware Credentials, 219.
Committee: Schuyler, 280.
Taarling, Peter, 778.
Talbot, Jeremiah, captain, 326, 345.
Talbot, Robert, 160.
Talbot, Silas, captain, 787, 793, 794, 796.
Tallow, 447, 795.
Tar, at Wilmington, 660.
Tarney, Michael, 1067.
Taxation, States, 137, 731; motion on, 167
n; basis for voting, 781; under confederation, 785, 788, 793, 797, 800, 801, 947
n; committee on quota, 797.
Taylor, George, 63, 101, 130, 166.
Taylor, Gillam, 360.
Taylor, James, & Co., 874.
Taylor, John, 113.
Taylor, John, paymaster, 618.
Taylor, John, major, 60, 61.
Taylor, Reuben, lieut., 244.
Taylor, Robert., colonel, 387.
Taylor, Thomas, 873, 984.
Tazewell, Henry, 71.
Tazewell, John, 535, 628, 1064.
Teams, number, 395.
Teas, Alexander, lieut., 244.
Telfair, Alexander, 586.
Ten Broek, Abraham, 230, 497.
Ten Broek, Derk, 984.
Tender, lawful, 36.
Tenet, —, captain, 673.
Tennet, John, 704.
Tents, 352, 481.
Terrill, Abraham, 692.
Terry, Rebecca, 502.
Thanksgiving for Burgoyne's capture. 851, 854, 873.
Thomas, snow, 89.
Thompson, Eben, 71, 365.
Thompson, James, 243.
Thompson, John, captain, 244.
Thompson, William, brigadier general, 238, 332, 631.
Thomson, Charles, 85
n, 88
n, 167
n, 299
n, 359
n, 498
n, 531
n, 548
n, 591
n, 594
n, 605
n, 639
n, 640, 662
n, 695
n, 751
n, 769
n, 773
n, 782
n, 800
n, 802
n, 808
n, 840, 858
n, 869
n, 884
n, 907
n, 925
n, 969
n, 974, 979
n, 1003
n, 1068. Officiates as president, 846.
Thornburg, Joseph, 476, 993.
Thornton, Matthew,
a delegate from New Hampshire. Credentials, 71; leave of absence, 321.
Committees: Morgan, 15; Allan, 34; saltpeter, 107; Schuyler, 280.
Mentioned, 94
n.
Throop, Amos, 464.
Throop, Josiah, 73, 74.
Tibbs, Matthew, 573, 574.
Ticonderoga, 111, 375; cannon, 15, 119; return of garrison, 31, 181; Gates ordered to, 202; defense, 304, 306; evacuation, 569, 585, 596, 653, 659, 669, 674, 681; committee, 688, 758, 787, 900, 1053; reduction of, 866; fortifications, 987; evacuation by British, 1004.
Tillinghast, Daniel, 59, 330, 341, 618, 937.
Tilton, James, Dr., 254, 292.
Timothy, Peter, 130.
Tobacco for France, 983.
Tonyn, Patrick, governor. Intercepted letter, 8.
Tooker, Charles, 692.
Tories.
See Loyalists.
Tousard, Louis, captain, 606, 705, 877, 902, 963.
Towers, Robert, 303, 578, 754, 851, 1006.
Trade, resolves on, 1089.
Transports, reward for destroying British, 266.
Trapier, Paul, jr.,
a delegate from South Carolina. Credentials, 130.
Travis, Edward, 607.
Treason, 644.
Treasurer, continental, 40, 755.
Treasury, Board of, members, 94, 144, 192, 337, 631, 994.
Treasury, state of, 28; removed to Baltimore, 665.
Treat, Malachi, 254.
Treaty with Germany, 519; Tuscany, 521; State duties, 826, 833; reported, with Great Britain, 951.
Trenton, N. J., removal of stores, 748, 751, 753.
Trentlen, John Adam. 757, 764, 776, 790.
Trickett, William, 360, 503.
Triesback, Just, captain, 143.
Troup, Robert, major, 770.
Trumbull, Francis, 195.
Trumbull, John, 176, 185, 187, 281.
Trumbull, Jonathan, governor.
Letters, 31, 65, 66, 80, 87, 98, 134, 176, 187, 288, 347, 497, 518, 599, 719, 825, 856, 858, 1021, 1050.
Mentioned, 9, 46, 70, 111, 291, 369, 396
n, 418, 535, 847, 1047.
Trumbull, Jonathan, jr., money, 75, 240, 284, 492, 505, 618, 809; pay, 73, 940, 952.
Letters, 31, 758, 808, 837.
Mentioned, 327, 349, 382, 705, 894, 940, 1051.
Trumbull, Joseph, commissary general of purchases, 477; to remain in office, 620; on War Board, 971; money, 12, 181, 299, 323, 334, 367, 386, 505, 756, 886.
Letters, 65, 176, 335, 371, 395, 412, 432, 482, 508, 514, 517, 523, 527, 538, 541, 545, 546, 575, 585, 598, 610, 687, 755, 988, 1021.
Mentioned, 27, 70, 276, 279, 292, 305, 368, 380, 404, 429, 464, 491, 505, 543, 599, 634, 702.
Tryon, William, 1040.
Tucker, Samuel, captain, 183.
Turnbull, William, auditor, 220, 291, 363, 619, 999, 1011, 1058, 1065.
Turnbull, Livingston and, 809.
Turner, Philip, 254.
Turner, Robert, 803.
Tuscany, commissioner to, 318, 334, 519.
Two Brothers, schooner, 351.
United Provinces of Holland, commissioner, 523, 527, 531.
Valcourt, Chevalier de, 651.
Valfort, —, 628, 743, 744.
Vallenais, —, 539, 551, 568.
Vanbibber, Isaac, 298.
Vanbibber and Crocket, 298.
Van Cortland, Philip, colonel, 710.
Van Cortlandt, Pierre, 397, 490, 491, 497, 703.
Van Dyke, Nicholas,
a delegate from Delaware. Credentials, 219; attends, 409.
Committees: Marine, 420; Hall, 507; arms, 602.
Votes, 624, 636, 641.
Van Heer, Bartholomew, 186, 260.
Van Orden, Hezekiah, 936.
Vantassel, John, 1040.
Vantassel, Philip, 1040.
Varick, Richard, 31, 252, 557, 1034, 1035.
Vareigne, —, captain, 606, 705, 877.
Varnum, James Mitchel, brigadier general, 141, 1001.
Vaughan, Joseph, major, 430.
Vaughan, John, major general, 851.
Vaughan, Thomas, 573, 574, 577.
Vegetables, for army, 439, 609.
Vermilion, 84.
Vermont, 491.
Vernejous, Jean Louis de, 176, 191, 885.
Vernis, —de, 189.
Vernon, Frederick, captain, 655.
Vernon, William, 331.
Vessels, armed, of States, 93, 129; in Massachusetts, 182; South Carolina, 223; reward for destroying British, 266; cost of construction, 581; in Virginia, 964; purchase, 973; circular orders, 1082.
Viellon, James, 704.
Vienna, commissioners to, 8, 318, 343, 519.
Villefranche, —, captain, 765, 875.
Vinegar, 439, 609.
Virginia, credentials, 71, 628; light-horse, 15, 34; defense of frontiers, 21, 247; provisions, 26, 46, 516; 8th regiment, 52; arms for, 68, 173; cloth for troops, 80; 2d battalion, 97, 155; clothes for 7th, 345, 353; troops for Washington's army, 133, 973; Indian expedition, 166, 201; money, 231, 1051; warrants, 377; field pieces, 664; militia, 667; ships in, 964; recruiting regiments, 967, 1038; inoculation, 1016, 1039; expences for prisoners, 1050; representation in Congress, 1064; field pieces, 1069.
Virginia, frigate, 16, 312, 535.
Visgar, Graverod and, 167.
Visscher, John, 170.
Volunteers, foreign, 174.
Voting under confederation, 776, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 910.
Vrecourt, Chevalier de, 253, 258, 269.
Vrigny, —, de, 628, 651, 743, 744, 870.
Wadding, —, 59.
Wade, Francis, captain, 196, 343, 498, 869.
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, deputy commissary of purchases, 477, 617, 627.
Wagons, impressing committee, 30, 56, 75, 144.
Walker, Benjamin, 790.
Walker, Charles, 83.
Walker, Jacob, captain, 98.
Walker, James, 113.
Walton, George,
a delegate from Georgia, credentials, 931.
Committees: treasury, 337; Indian, 508, 776; Georgia, 579.
Votes, 624, 641, 669, 750, 765, 771, 780, 781, 782, 787.
Mentioned, 33, 63, 101, 130, 148, 166, 216, 598
n.
Walton, George (loyalist), 643.
War, Board of, members, 32, 204, 337, 525, 563, 571, 813, 936, 971, 994; order to, 91; money, 126, 207, 361, 572, 688, 778; organization, 241; resolves, 252
n, 474
n; on quartermaster, 941; war office 809, 819, 874, 959; procedure, 946, 953, 960.
Ward, Artemas, major-general, 134, 320, 389.
Letters, 148, 184, 246.
Ward, Henry, 409.
Ward, Joseph, 246, 252, 320.
Ward, Samuel, 841.
Wardmaster, hospital, 163.
Warner, Seth, colonel, 47, 230, 298, 510, 536.
Warrants for payments, 350, 377; southern department, 574.
Warren, James, speaker, 170, 373, 389.
Warren, James, paymaster, 212, 216, 388.
Warren, James, navy board, 331.
Warren, John, Dr., 729.
Warren, Joseph, major-general, 79, 242, 258.
Warren, 202
n.
Washington, George, prisoners, 12, 13, 571, 797; reinforcements for, 15, 149, 202, 294, 296, 299; proclamation on allegiance, 95, 165, 1081; rank of officers, 109; French officers, 131; Lee's request, 141; councils of war, 196; appointments, 251; removal of live stock, 283; retaliation, 449; defense of Philadelphia, 549; printing press, 581; on recall of brigadiers, 601; commissaries, 620; powers, 668, 752, 784, 1068; reinforcements from Putnam, 720, 736; intelligence, 726; impressing clothing, 752, 905, 1014; medal, 785; proclamation on deserters, 816; scuttling frigates, 863.
Letters, 11, 14, 31, 49, 51, 54, 64, 65, 68, 86, 101, 121, 130, 134, 170, 177,184, 187, 205, 210, 213, 217, 218, 226, 244, 253, 267, 270, 287, 288, 308, 314, 319, 329, 330, 347, 348, 352, 365, 367, 381, 386, 395, 406, 409, 417, 419
n, 421, 427, 428, 431, 468, 480, 490, 492, 498, 508, 514, 527, 536, 538, 545, 546, 551, 557, 558, 564, 469, 575, 577, 582, 583, 591, 593, 595, 601, 615, 621, 627, 628, 629, 631, 634, 647, 649, 653, 656, 659, 663, 664, 668, 670, 674, 675, 687, 695, 696, 697, 699, 703, 709, 714, 727, 735, 740, 747, 749, 755, 756, 773, 782, 798, 808, 822, 824, 837, 841, 870, 893, 896, 900, 906, 945, 970, 982, 1001, 1006, 1023, 1032, 1054, 1065.
Mentioned, 7, 15, 20, 32, 38, 41, 42, 44, 45, 50, 52, 53, 66, 68, 70, 74, 82, 87, 89, 90, 94, 97, 98, 107, 110, 114, 119, 124, 125, 133, 148, 160, 161, 168, 171
n, 177, 179, 181, 186, 190, 203, 204, 221, 229, 238, 251, 260, 272, 298, 300, 324, 333, 336, 344, 346, 351, 362, 364, 380, 385, 391, 395, 396, 416, 427, 430, 450, 453, 475, 537, 540, 547, 562, 567, 581, 594, 599, 600, 603, 604, 608, 624, 651, 667, 668, 683, 686, 696, 698, 701, 706, 710, 726, 738, 749, 751, 753, 762, 763, 770, 774, 785, 793, 828, 831, 836, 851, 873, 883, 929, 939, 944, 965, 966, 972, 976, 981, 991, 1009.
Washington, Samuel, 945.
Washington, Fort, 371.
Washington, 863.
Wasp, 480.
Wastage, allowance, 610.
Waterbury, David, brigadier-general, 102, 109.
Waters, Daniel, 183.
Watkins, Josiah, 891.
Watman, Michael, 115.
Watts, Frederick, colonel, 371, 393, 487.
Watts, Henry, 845.
Wayne, Anthony, brigadier general, 49, 134, 141, 882
n, 1017.
Letters, 180, 260, 386, 531.
Ways and Means, 648, 652, 654, 689, 696, 697, 702, 706, 709, 724.
Weare, Meshech, 49, 50.
Weaver, Jacob, captain, 80, 204, 482, 506, 554, 668, 768, 847.
Webb, Thomas, captain, 367.
Weedon, George, brigadier general, 141, 633, 711, 1057.
Weiss, Lewis, 325.
Wells, John, 341.
Welsh, Enoch, 556, 693.
Welsh, Michael, 1008.
Wentworth, John, governor, 187.
Wesley, John, lieut., 304.
West, Edward, 906.
West, William, jun., major, 52, 598, 604, 623.
West Augusta, Va., 21, 100.
Westcot, Richard, 476.
West Florida, expedition against, 566.
West Indies, supplies from, 466.
West Indies, French, corps to be raised, 177.
Westmoreland, Pa., 70, 100, 113, 229, 246, 255.
Weyman, Edward, 738.
Wharton, Carpenter, 14, 15, 27, 41, 70, 177, 180, 255, 268, 272, 280, 303, 499.
Wharton, John, 615.
Wharton, Thomas, jr., 227
n, 406, 469, 483, 623, 713, 714, 720, 740, 744.
Wharton, Thomas, sr., 694, 714, 718.
Wheat, to be laid up, 168
n; removed, 316; for flour, 769; to be threshed, 1015.
Wheeler, Samuel, 193, 228, 272, 361
n.
Whetstone, Jacob, captain, 486.
Whipple, William,
a delegate from New Hampshire. Credentials, 71.
Committees: Campbell, 45; conference with Gates, 175.
Mentioned, 255, 465, 496, 1020.
Whitcomb, Benjamin, captain, 561.
White, James, 41.
White, John, major, 568, 617, 647, 749, 783, 792, 984.
White, John, 541.
White, Joseph, 602.
White, Robert, 640, 700, 744.
White, Thomas, 860.
White, William, Rev., 756, 824.
White Eyes, Captain, 825.
Whitmore, Edward, 101.
Whittlesy, Charles, 541.
Widows, provision for soldiers', 177.
Wikoff, Isaac, 1038.
Wilcox, Mark, 302.
Wilkins, John, captain, 453.
Wilkinson, James, brigadier general, 851, 856, 870.
Willet, Marinus, lieut. col., 709, 772.
Willets, Amos, 540.
Williams, John, colonel, 1071.
Williams, Otho H., 553.
Williams, William,
a delegate from Connecticut. Credentials, 11; attended, 496; leave of absence, 994.
Committees: McIntosh, 788; war board, 813.
War Board, 824
n, 871
n, 883
n, 960
n, 966
n.
Votes, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 734, 750, 762, 765, 771, 779, 780, 781, 782, 787, 801, 803, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 853, 854, 867, 868, 879, 880, 896, 904, 934, 935, 950, 951, 970, 980.
Mentioned, 968.
Williams, William, major, 897.
Williams, —, captain, 1070.
Williamson, Hugh, Dr., 186, 371.
Willing and Morris, 210, 542, 548, 706, 816.
Wilmot, Simon, lieut., 424.
Wilson, James,
a delegate from Pennsylvania. Credentials, 169; leave of absence, 367; superseded, 746; nominated to France, 947
n.
Committees: Franklin's commission, 9; Bingham, 66; Campbell, 68; appeals, 75, 337; impressments, 78; Somerset County, 79; brig
Joseph, 86; New England committee, 94; Williamson, 186; conference with Gates, 189; Lancaster, 203; enemy's advance, 247; recruiting, 257; enemy's ships, 266; toryism, 275; reinforcements, 294; address, 314, 404
n; neutrality, 318; Trumbull, 381; Indians, 384; Hall, 507, 531
n; Du Coudray, 558, 630; Georgia, 579; Deane, 596; North, 599; pay, 624; rations, 629; frontiers, 648; South Carolina and Georgia, 660; Trumbull, 720.
Reports, 88, 208
n, 361
n, 511, 727
n.
War Board, 518
n, 550
n, 554
n, 557
n, 560
n, 566
n, 567
n, 571
n, 581
n, 585, 591
n, 592
n, 595, 614
n, 639, 656
n, 657
n, 670, 677
n, 681
n, 698
n, 699
n, 711
n.
Votes, 624, 636, 641, 665, 669, 675, 682, 684, 725, 726, 730, 735.
Mentioned, 123
n, 155
n, 159
n, 245
n, 259, 391
n, 591
n.
Wilson, James, captain, 360.
Wilson, James Armstrong, major, 630, 774, 790, 832, 1049.
Wilson, William, 228.
Wilson, —, 1020
n.
Wiltner, —, 302.
Winans, Jacob, captain, 393.
Winder, Lewis, capt., 23.
Winslow, John, captain, 238, 475.
Winslow and Ingraham, 963.
Winster, John, captain, 98.
Winters, Elisha, 174.
Winthrop, William, 212.
Wirtz, Christian, 407, 422.
Wisner, Henry, 337, 397.
Witherspoon, John,
a delegate from New Jersey. Credentials, 1017; leave of absence, 156; attends, 1032.
Committees: Baltimore prisoners, 17; barbarities, 42; journals, 101; post-office, 127; North Carolina prisoners, 128; Williamson, 186; conference with Gates, 189; health of army, 193; a motion, 272; expenses, 1777, 362; Franklin, 607; New England, 650; war, 813; Gates, 1034; army, 1053; Ticonderoga, 1053; Washington, 1054.
Votes, 665, 669, 725, 726, 730, 734, 780
bis, 781, 782, 787, 801, 804, 807, 808, 810, 835, 843, 849, 850, 1056.
Mentioned, 48, 159
n, 335, 558
n.
Wolcott, Oliver,
a delegate from Connecticut. Credentials, 11; leave of absence, 321.
Committees: Marine, 10; Allan, 34; Pennsylvania, 55; Georgia, 67; health of army, 193; Schuyler, 280. Report on Indians, 166.
Wood, James, colonel, 21, 207, 216, 301, 332, 481, 505.
Wood, James, jr., 931.
Wood, Joseph,
a delegate from Georgia. Credentials, 931.
Committee: Marine, 935.
Votes, 934, 935, 970, 1056.
Wood, Joseph, colonel, 251, 370, 753, 897, 1016.
Wood, Robert, 207, 458.
Woodford, William, brigadier-general, 141; question of rank, 142, 981.
Woodson, Samuel, captain, 148.
Woolford, Thomas, lieut. col., 323.
Woollens for army, 152; appraisal, 167.
Wooster, David, brigadier-general, 368, 472, 833.
Worcester County, Md., 79, 82, 87, 97, 110, 196, 275, 284.
Worcester County, Mass., barracks, 173, 191.
Wright, Anthony, 891.
Wylie, Thomas, 891.
Wyllys, George, 11.
Wynkoop, Henry, 424.
Wynkoop, J., 650.
Wythe, George, 13, 72.
Yancey, Robert, 1039.
Yates, Thomas, captain, 39, 139, 474.
Yates, Robert, 350.
Yates, William, 253.
Yauncey, —, captain, 160.
Yeates, Jasper, 100.
York, Pa., 105; convention on prices, 124; petition, 220; prisoners, 592, 665; treasury at, 755; Congress removes to, 755; printing press, 817; barracks, 1018.
York County, Pa., 325.
Young, Hugh, 28.
Young, James, 303.
Young, John, 388, 687, 698.
Young, Thomas, Dr., 87.
Young, Thomas, 491, 497, 510, 513.
Young, William, 33, 332.
Zantzinger, Paul, 946, 984, 1017.
Zedwitz, Herman, colonel, 287, 552, 566.
Zedwitz, Juliana, 673.
Zeigler, David, lieut., 585.