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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
A letter, of the 13, from General Washington, at Germantown; two, of the same date, from General Dickinson, ∥were read.∥3
[Note 3: 3 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 55. It is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), VI, 71. The two letters of Dickenson, dated September 13 and 14, are in No. 78, VII, folios 119--123.]
The president informed Congress that, in consequence of the resolution of yesterday, Brigadier de Borré had waited on him, and offered to resign his commission:
Resolved, That his resignation be accepted.
A letter, of this day, from Thomas Wharton, Jun. Esqr. president of the council of Pensylvania, was read, requesting
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an advance of 200,000 dollars for public service;1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 417.]
Ordered, That 200,000 dollars be advanced to the State of Pensylvania, for public service, the said State to be accountable.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania, immediately to appoint proper and discreet persons to take into possession any linens, blankets and other woollens, shoes, spirits and other necessaries for the use of the army, which they may find in any stores or warehouses in the city of Philadelphia; giving a certificate expressing the quantity and value, and to cause the goods so taken to be conveyed to some secure place to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy.
A letter of the 3, from General Gates, enclosing copy of a letter of the 30th from General Burgoyne to him, and his answer; also a copy of 1st September from Brigadier Simon Frazer to General Gates and General Gates's, answer were read; also another letter of the 10 from General Gates inclosing General Burgoyne's reply to General Gates, &c., was read:2
[Note 2: 2 The letters of Gates are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, I, folios 250 and 256.]
Ordered, That these letters be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to order the Commissary general of military stores, to apply to the supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania, for an order to remove all public bells, in Philadelphia, to a place of security, upon a near approach of the enemy to the city.
Congress being informed that some of the towns in the
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western division of New Jersey are plentifully supplied with blankets, which the inhabitants can spare for the use of the army,
Resolved, That a letter be addressed by the president to the governor and council of New Jersey, requesting them to call on the inhabitants of the abovementioned places, for as many blankets as can be spared, to supply the soldiers of General Washington's army, many of whom have lost their blankets in the late action of the Brandywine, and cannot be supplied by the State of Pensylvania; and that the cost of the said blankets be defrayed by the United States.
Intelligence being received by Congress that the whole of the British force hath been withdrawn from the State of Rhode island, therefore
Resolved, That the Governor of Rhode island be requested, if the said intelligence be true, forthwith to forward one of the batallions of that State to Peekskil armed and equipped in the best manner they may be able, but as little incumbered with baggage; their necessary baggage, such as tents &c. to follow after.1
[Note 1: 1 In the margin is written "false intelligence," and the paragraph was not printed in theJournals.]
Resolved, That the Board of War give orders, and take proper measures, to have ten pieces of brass cannon brought, as speedily as possible, from Springfield, to the west side of Hudson's river.
Resolved, That General Sullivan be recalled from the army, until the enquiry, heretofore ordered into his conduct, shall be duly made.
Resolved, That if Congress shall be obliged to remove from Philadelphia, Lancaster shall be the place at which they shall meet.
A petition from the Chevalier de Preudhomme de Borré
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was read, praying to have his wagons till his arrival in Charlestown, and an order to have rations of forage for his horses, he engaging, on his arrival in Charlestown, to send the wagons back to the continental army:1
[Note 1: 1 This petition is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 253.]
Resolved, That the prayer of his petition be granted.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was read and considered; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the president draw bills of exchange on the commissioners of Congress at Paris, in favour of the several officers, and for the several sums hereafter mentioned, the said bills to be made payable at thirty days after sight, to express value received by and chargeable to Congress, viz.
A set in favour of Baron de Kalb for 6,000 livres tournois, 1,200 dollars; a set in favour of Viscount de Mauroy for 6,000 livres tournois, 1,200 dollars; a set in favour of Mons. de Leser for 7,613 livres tournois, 1,522 ⅗ dollars; a set in favour of Mons. de Valfort for 7,393 livres tournois, 1,478 ⅗ dollars; a set in favour of le Chevalier de Franval for 7,200 livres tournois, 1,440 dollars; a set in favour of Chevalier de Fayolle for 2,400 livres tournois, 480 dollars; a set in favour of Mons. de Vrigny for 3,200 livres tournois, 640 dollars; a set in favour of le Chevalier de Buysson for 4,712 livres tournois, 942 ⅖ dollars; a set in favour of Mons. du Bois Martin for 6,353 livres tournois, 1,270 ⅗ dollars; and a set in favour of Mons. Candon for 1,800 livres tournois.
Ordered, That there be paid to the following gentlemen, the several sums hereafter specified, to defray, with the sums above directed to be drawn in bills of exchange on the commissioners at Paris, in their favour, the expences of their coming from France and returning thither, viz.
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To Baron de Kalb 500 dollars; to Mons. de Leser 765 do. to Chevalier de Fayolle 300 do. to Chevalier de Buysson 200 do. to Viscount de Mauroy 500 do. to Mons. de Valfort 822 do. to Mons. Vrigny 410 do. to Mons. Candon 300 do.
Resolved, That the public papers be put under the care of Mr. Clark, and that he be empowered, upon the Congress removing to Lancaster, to procure wagons sufficient for conveying them thither, and apply to General Dickinson, or any other officer commanding troops in the service of the United States, who is hereby directed to furnish a guard to conduct the said papers safe to Lancaster.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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