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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 --TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1775
The Committee of claims reported to the Congress as follows:
That the account of Frederick Bicking for 56 Reams of paper for the continental currency, amounting to 388 8/10 dollars, is reasonable.
That the account of Samuel Baughman, for the entertainment of Capt. Ross's company, amounting to 14 1/10 dollars, is reasonable.
That two accounts of the committee of Trenton for waggonage and sundry expresses, amounting together to the sum of 103 8/10 dollars are reasonable.
That two accounts delivered in by Caspar Weitzell, for expences for diet and provisions for Capt. Lowden's company of Riffiemen, amounting, together, to the sum of 44 6/10 dollars, are reasonable.
That two accounts delivered in by Miles and Wister, for necessaries furnished by John Harris, jun. and Elias Younkman, to Capt. Lowden's company of Rifflemen, amounting together to 96 dollars, ought to be paid and charged to the said company.
Ordered, That the above accounts be paid, and that the president draw orders for the same.
The Committee of Claims farther informed the Congress that there are a number of Charabines and pistols
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provided for the Hussar Company, which the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania are willing to take at the first cost.
Resolved, That the said Carabines and pistols be delivered to the order of the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, they paying the first cost.1
[Note 1: 1 In the margin of the Corrected Journal is found the following entry: "As the Com. of Safety have not taken the arms &c--whether this ought to be published."]
The Committee of claims reported an accot of Frederick Blankenberg and Leonard Stein, retained as hussars, on which they desired to know the determination of Congress.
Ordered, That the above named [Frederick Blankenberg and Leonard Stein] be allowed to retain the cloaths made for them, and that, over and above, they be paid 16 dollars each for the time they were retained in service.
On motion made, Resolved, That the Commissary general contract for such quantities of beef and pork as may be thought proper by the General, and have the same salted up in convenient houses near the camp, according to his scheme recommended by the General to the consideration of the Congress.
Resolved, That the sum of three hundred thousand dollars be immediately sent to the Paymaster general, for the use of the army in the Massachusetts bay.
That the committee who are appointed to repair to the camp, be requested to take the charge of the above sum, or as much of it as they conveniently can.
Resolved, That the expences of the Committee be paid out of the Continental Treasury.
Resolved, that General Washington may, if he thinks proper, for the encouragement of an Attack on Boston, promise, in case of success, a month's pay to the army
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and to the representatives of such of our brave countrymen as may chance to fall, and in case success should not attend the attempt, a month's pay to the representatives of the deceased.
One of the Delegates for Rhode Island laid before the Congress a part of the Instructions given them by the House of Magistrates, Aug.26,1775, in these words, viz:--
Whereas notwithstanding the humble and dutiful petition of the last Congress to the King, and other wise and pacific measures taken for obtaining a happy reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies, the ministry lost to every sentiment of justice, liberty and humanity continue to send troops and ships of war into America, which destroy our trade, plunder and burn our towns and murder the good people of these colonies. Resolved, That this Colony most ardently wishes to see the former friendship, harmony and intercourse between Britain and these Colonies restored, and a happy and lasting connection established between both countries upon terms of just and equal liberty and will concur with the other colonies in all proper measures for obtaining those desirable blessings; and as every principle divine and human requires us to obey that great and fundamental law of nature, self preservation, until peace shall be restored upon constitutional principles; this colony will most heartily exert the whole power of government in conjunction with the other colonies for carrying on this just and necessary war, and bringing the same to a happy issue, and amongst other measures for obtaining this most desirable purpose, this Assembly is persunded, that the building and equipping an American fleet, as soon as possible, would greatly and essentially conduce to the preservation of the lives, liberty and property of the good people of these Colonies and therefore instruct their delegates to use their whole influence at the ensuing congress for building at the Continental expence a fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these colonies, and for employing them in such manner and places as will most effectually annoy our enemies, and contribute to the common defence of these colonies, and they are also instructed to use all their influence for carrying on the war in the most vigorous manner, until peace, liberty and safety are restored and secured to these Colonies upon an equitable and permanent basis.
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Upon motion, Resolved, That the Congress will on Friday next take the above into consideration.1
[Note 1: 1 These words in the "corrected Journal" are in the writing of Samuel Adams.]
Resolved, That this Congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of trade of these Colonies.
Resolved, That the Committee appointed to repair to the camp, do confer with Mr. [David] Rittenhouse, and enquire of him whether he apprehends he could be of service to the Continent as an Engineer, and, if so, to engage him, and desire he would, with all convenient speed, repair to the Camp.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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