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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, MAY 25, 1775

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1775

The Congress met according to adjournment and agreeable to the order of the day again resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the state of America, and after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported from the committee that they had come to certain resolutions respecting New York, which he was desired to report, but not having gone through the rest of the business referred to them, the committee desired him to move for leave to sit again. The resolutions being severally read and agreed to are as follows:

• 1. Resolved, that a post be immediately taken and fortifyed at or near King's bridge in the colony of New York, that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the communication between the city of New York and the country from being interrupted by land.

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• 2. Resolved, that a post be also taken in the highlands on each side of Hudson's River and batteries erected in such manner as will most effectually prevent any vessels passing that may be sent to harrass the inhabitants on the borders of said river; and that experienced persons be immediately sent to examine said river in order to discover where it will be most adviseable and proper to obstruct the navigation.
• 3. [Resolved,] That the militia of New York be armed and trained and in constant readiness to act at a moments warning; and that a number of men be immediately Embodied and Kept in that city and so disposed of as to give protection to the inhabitants in case any insult should be offered by the troops, that may land there, and to prevent any attempts that may be made to gain possession of the city and interrupt its intercourse with the country.
• 4. [Resolved,] That it be left to the provincial congress of New York to determine the number of men sufficient to occupy the several posts above mentioned, and also that already recommended to be taken at or near lake George, as well as to guard the City, provided the whole do not exceed the number of three thousand men, to be commanded by such officers as shall be thereunto appointed by said provincial congress; and to be governed by such rules and regulations as shall be thereunto appointed by said provincial congress; and to be governed by such rules and regulations as shall be established by sd Congress until farther order is taken by this Congress; Provided also that if the sd provincial congress should be of opinion that the number proposed will not be sufficient for the several services above recommended, that the sd congress report their sentiments upon this subject to this Congress as soon as may be.
• 5. [Resolved,] That it be recommended to the sd provincial congress that in raising those forces they allow

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  no bounties or cloathing, and that their pay shall not exceed the establishment of the New England colonies.

• 6. [Resolved,] That it be further recommended to the provincial Congress aforesd that the troops be enlisted to serve until the last day of December next, unless this Congress shall direct that they be sooner disbanded.

A motion being made for an addition to the foregoing Resolutions, a debate arose thereon and after some debate the same was referred till to Morrow, to which time Congress adjourned.¹

[Note 1: 1 The proceedings from May 19 to May 26 were thus summarized in the printed Journals: "and continued to do so, from day to day, till Wednesday the 24th, on which day the honorable Peyton Randolph, president, being under a necessity of returning home, and having set out this morning early, the chair was vacant, whereupon,
On motion, the honorable John Hancock, esq. was unanimously chosen president."]

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