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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, JULY 18, 1775
Met according to adjournment.
The Committee appointed to confer with Mr. [Samuel] Kirkland brought in their report which being taken into consideration,
Resolved, That there be and there is hereby allowed to the Revd. Mrr. Samuel Kirkland three hundred dollars to discharge the expences he has been at among the Indians of the Six Nations, and to defray the expences of his Journey from and to the Oneida Country and that he receive the same out of the Continental Treasury.
And it is hereby recommended to the Commissioners of the Northern Department to employ the Sd. Mr. Kirkland among the Indians of the Six Nations, in order to secure their friendship and to continue them in a state of Neutrality with respect to the present controversy between Great Britain and these Colonies.
The Congress resumed the report of the Committee for putting the Militia into a proper state of defence and after debating the same by paragraphs came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of all the united English Colonies in North America, that all
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able bodied effective men, between sixteen and fifty years of age in each colony, immediately form themselves into regular companies of Militia, to consist of one Captn, two lieutenants, one ensign, four serjeants, four corporals, one clerk, one drummer, one fifer, and about 68 privates.
That the officers of each company be chosen by the respective companies.
That each soldier be furnished with a good musket, that will carry an ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, worm, priming wire and brush fitted thereto, a cutting sword or tomhawk, a cartridge-box, that will contain 23 rounds of cartridges, twelve flints and a knapsack.
That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Battalions, officered with a Colonel, lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, an Adjutant, and Quarter Master.
That all officers above the Rank of a captain, be appointed by their respective provincial assemblies or conventions, or in their respective provincial assemblies or conventions, or in their recess, by the committees of safety appointed by sd. assemblies or conventions.
That all officers be commissioned by the provincial Assemblies or conventions, or in their recess by the committees of safety appointed by sd Assemblies or conventions.
That all the Militia take proper care to acquire military skill, and be well prepared for defence by being each man provided with one pound of good gun powder, and four pounds of ball, fitted to his gun.
That one fourth part of the Militia in every Colony, be selected for minute men, of such persons as are willing to enter into this necessary service, formed into companies and Battalions, and their officers chosen and commissioned as aforesaid, to be ready on the shortest notice, to march to any place where their assistance may be required, for the defence of their own or a neighbouring
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colony; And as these minute men may eventually be called to action before the whole body of the militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended that a more particular and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in military discipline.
That such of the minute men, as desire it, be relieved by new draughts as aforesaid, from the whole body of the Militia, once in four months.
As there are some people, who, from religious principles, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no violence to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it to them, to contribute liberally in this time of universal calamity, to the relief of their distressed brethren in the several colonies, and to do all other services to their oppressed Country, which they can consistently with their religious principles.
That it be recommended to the assemblies or Conventions in the respective colonies to provide, as soon as possible, sufficient stores of ammunition for their colonies; Also that they devise proper means for furnishing with Arms, such effective men as are poor and unable to furnish themselves.
That it be recommended to each Colony to appoint a committee of safety, to superintend and direct all matters necessary for the security and defence of their respective colonies, in the recess of their assemblies and conventions.
That each colony, at their own expence, make such provision by armed vessels or otherwise, as their respective assemblies, conventions, or committees of safety shall judge expedient and suitable to their circumstances and situations, for the protection of their harbours and navigation on their sea coasts, against all unlawful invasions, attacks, and depredations, from cutters and ships of war.
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That it be recommended to the makers of arms for the use of the Militia, that they make good substantial muskets, with barrels three feet and half in length, that will carry an ounce ball, and fitted with a good bayonet and steel ram-rod, and that the making such arms be encouraged in these United Colonies.
Where in any colony a militia is already formed under regulations approved of by the convention of such colony, or by such assemblies as are annually elective, we refer to the discretion of such convention or assembly, either to adopt the foregoing regulations in the whole or in part, or to continue their former, as they, on consideration of all circumstances, shall think best.1
[Note 1: 1 The resolutions of this day were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 24 July, 1775.]
Adjourned till to Morrow at 8 o'Clock.
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