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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1775
Agreeable to order, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration the state of the trade of the 13 confederated Colonies, and, after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported from the committee, that they had not come to any conclusion, and desired leave to sit again.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to ∥morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the trade of the thirteen United Colonies.∥
Sundry letters recd. from London were laid before Congress.
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On motion,
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare a plan for intercepting two vessels, which are on their way to Canada, loaded with Arms and powder, ∥and that the committee proceed on this business immediately.∥1
[Note 1: 1 John Adams wrote in 1813: "As it lies in my mind, Captain John Manley applied to General Washington, in Cambridge, in 1775, informed him that British transports and merchant ships were frequently passing and repassing unarmed, and asked leave to put a few guns on board a vessel to cruise for them. Washington, either shrinking from the boldness of the enterprise, or doubting his authority, prudently transmitted the information to Congress in a letter. When the letter was read, many members seemed much surprised; but a motion was made, and seconded, to commit it to a special committee. Opposition was made to this motion, and a debate ensued; but the motion prevailed by a small majority. The committee appointed were John Langdon, Silas Deane and John Adams. We met, and at once agreed to report a resolution, authorizing General Washington to fit and arm one or more vessels for the purpose. A most animated opposition and debate arose upon this report, but the resolution was carried by a small majority." John Adams to John Langdon, 24 January, 1813. Langdon saw nothing in this statement requiring correction.]
The Comee of claims reported:
That an Accot of Mrs. Stille, of Trenton, of the Expence of Capt Ross, and others, ought to be paid and charged to the sd Ross, until he makes it appear to be just and reasonable, that the same be charged to the continent, amounting to £12.6.4 Pensy Curry,=[32 76/90 dollars.]
That an accot rendered by Charles Axford, for provisions for Capt Ross's company is reasonable and that the same ought to be paid, amounting to £3.0.3.=8 3/90 dollars.
That an accot rendered by Charity Britton, for provisions for the Capt. Ross's company is reasonable and ought to be paid, amounting to £3.13.0=9 66/90 dollars.
That an accot rendered by Joseph Clunn, for provisions for the same company, amounting to £2.19.8=7 86/90 dollars, is reasonable and ought to be paid.
That an account rendered by Wm and Thos Bradford, for printing, amounting to £67.0.10=[178 7/90] dollars, is reasonable and ought to be allowed.
Ordered, That the above accots be paid.
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Resolved, That Timothy Matlack, of this city, be employed as a store keeper, and that the implements provided for the hussars be put under his care, also the tents and linen, &c. purchased for the army some time since.
The comee appointed to prepare a plan ∥for intercepting the two vessels bound to Canada,∥ brought in their report, which being read,
Resolved, That a letter be sent by Express to Genl Washington, to inform him, that they [Congress] having recd certain intelligence of the sailing of two north country built Brigs, of no force, from England, on the 11 of August last, loaded with arms, powder, and other stores, for Quebec, without a convoy, which it being of importance to intercept, that he apply to the council of Massachusetts bay, for the two armed vessels in their service, and despatch the same, with a sufficient number of people, stores, &c. particularly a number of oars, in order, if possible, to intercept sd two Brigs and their cargoes, and secure the same for the use of the continent; Also, any other transports laden with ammunition, clothing, or other stores, for the use of the ministerial army or navy in America, and secure them in the most convenient places for the purpose abovementioned; that he give the commander or commanders such instructions as are necessary, as also proper encouragement to the marines and seamen, that shall be sent on this enterprize, which instructions, &c., are to be delivered to the commander or commanders sealed up, with orders not to open the same until out of sight of land, on account of secresy.
That a letter be wrote to sd honble council, to put sd vessels under the General's command and direction, and to furnish him instantly with every necessary in their power, at the expence of the Continent.
Also that the General be directed to employ sd vessels
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and others, if he judge necessary, to effect the purposes aforesd; informing the General that the Rhode Island and Connecticut vessels of force will be sent directly after them to their assistance.
That a letter be wrote to Govr Cooke, informing him of the above, and desiring him to despatch one or both the armed vessels of the colony of Rhode Island on the same service, and that he take the precautions abovementioned.
Also that a letter be wrote to Govr Trumbull, requesting of him the largest vessel in the service of the colony of Connecticut, to be sent on the enterprize aforesaid, acquainting him with the above particulars, and recommending the same precautions.
That the encouragement recommended by this Congress to be given shall be, on this occasion, that the master, officers and seamen, shall be intitled to one half of the value of the prizes by them taken, the wages they receive from the respective colonies notwithstanding.1
[Note 1: 1 On the margin of the "corrected Journal" the words "2. this particularly" were written against this paragraph.]
That the sd ships and vessels of war to be on the continental risque and pay, during their being so employed.2
[Note 2: 2 Two letters from Schuyler, dated September 25 and 28, were read this day. They are in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, folios 166 and 172.]
Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'Clock.
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