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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, AUGUST 1, 1775
Met according to adjournment.
Resolved, That the sum of five hundred thousand dollars be immediately forwarded from the continental Treasury, to the paymaster general, to be applied to the use of the army in Massachusetts bay, in such manner, as General Washington, or the commander in chief for the time
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being, by his warrant, shall limit and appoint; and if the above sum shall be expended before the next meeting of the Congress, then that General Washington, or the commander in chief for the time being, be empowered to draw upon the continental Treasury, for the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, in favour of the paymaster general, to be applied for the use and in the manner above mentioned.
Ordered, That the delegates for Pensylvania be a committee to receive and count the above sum of 500,000 dollars, and forward the same, under the care of the delegates of Massachusetts bay, provided so much is now ready in the treasury: If that is not the case, then to receive, count, and forward, by the said delegates, what is ready, and the remainder by the first Opportunity in the safest and best manner.
Resolved, That a sum not exceeding one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars be paid to the provincial Convention of New York, to be applied towards the discharge of the monies advanced and the debts contracted for the public service, by the said provincial convention and the committee of Albany, in pursuance of the directions of this Congress; and that the said provincial convention account to this Congress, at their next meeting, for the application of the sd money.
Resolved, That the treasurers be, and they are hereby, ordered to pay to the delegates of the Colony of Connecticut, viz. Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, and Silas Deane, Esquires the sum of Fifty thousand dollars, to be by them paid unto the Governor and Company of the said colony, in part of the sums by them disbursed in the continental service: The said Governor and Company to account therefor.
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Resolved, That the sum of one hundred thousand dollars be immediately forwarded from the continental treasury, to the paymaster general, to be applied to the use of the Army in the New York department, in such manner as General Schuyler, by his warrant, shall limit and appoint; and that if the above sum shall be expended before the next meeting of this Congress, then that General Schuyler, or the commander in chief, for the time being, in that department, be empowered to draw upon the continental treasury, for a further sum, not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars, to be applied for the use and in the manner above mentioned.
Resolved, That the sum of sixteen thousand dollars be paid to the delegates of the colony of Pensylvania, in full for the like sum by them borrowed by order of the Congress, on June 3d. last, for the use of the Continent.
Resolved, That the sum of two hundred and ninety three dollars be paid to the delegates of South Carolina for the expence and freight of transporting a quantity of powder from South Carolina to this place by order of the Congress.
Resolved, That the sum of ten thousand dollars be placed in the hands of the delegates of Pensylvania, or any three of them, for contingent services, and that out of the same, be paid the expences incurred for raising and arming the riffle companies, and for expresses and other small charges, of which the Congress have not been able to procure exact Accounts; and that the said committee do lay before the Congress, at their next meeting, an account of their proceeding in that matter.1
[Note 1: 1 "Philadelphia, August 10. By Order of the Congress. The Delegates for this province will attend at Philadelphia, from the 28th instant to the 3d. of September inclusive, to settle the accounts of expences, incurred for raising and arming the Rifle Companies of Pennsylvania, for expresses, &c." In the Postscript to the Pennsylvania Packet, 14 August, 1775.]
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Resolved, that out of the powder belonging to the continent now in this city, five tons be sent to General Washington in the speediest and safest manner by the delegates of the colony of Pensylvania.
That out of the next that arrives, the delegates of New Jersey be allowed to purchase 1000 lb. for the use of the western parts of their colony, and that the delegates of the lower counties on Delaware be allowed to purchase 1000 lb. for the use of said counties.
That out of the same parcel the quantity of one ton be reserved for North Carolina, to be lodged in the Magazine of New York and delivered to the order of the speaker of the Assembly or president of the convention of North Carolina, provided the necessity of General Washington and General Schuyler will admit.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the petitions respecting the disputes between the people of Connecticut and Pensylvania, and after some debate,
Resolved, That the farther consideration of this matter be referred to the next meeting of this Congress.
The Congress having reconsidered a Resolve passed the 11 July, respecting the employing of fifty Hussars,
Resolved, That the delegates of this province be desired not to proceed in executing said resolve, and if any hussars are engaged or enlisted, to discharge the same; and that the said delegates settle and pay any expences already incurred in consequence of the former resolve and report their proceeding to the Congress at their next meeting.
Whereas, at a former Congress, it was resolved, that, if certain acts of parliament, in the continental Association enumerated and complained of, should not be repealed on or before the 10th. day of September, 1775, the inhabitants of these United Colonies would not, directly
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or indirectly, export any merchandize or commodity whatsoever, to Great Britain, Ireland, or the West Indies; and as some doubts have arisen with respect to the true spirit and construction of said resolve; to the end, that such doubts may be removed,
Resolved, That under the prohibition, in the said association contained, to export to, or import from, the Islands of Great Britain and Ireland, this Congress intends to comprize all exportation to, and importation from, the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, and Mann, and every European island and settlement within the British dominions; and that under the denomination of West Indies, this Congress means to comprehend all the West India islands, British and foreign, to whatever state, power, or prince belonging, or by whomsoever governed, and also the Summer islands, Bahama Islands, Berbicia and Surinam on the Main, and every island and settlement within the latitude of the southern line of Georgia and the Equator.1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 21 August, 1775.]
Adjourned to ∥Tuesday,∥ the 5 of Septr next.
∥The above is a copy of the journal of the proceedings of the Congress, from their meeting on the tenth of May, to this time, except that some resolutions, relative to military operations, carrying on, are omitted.
John Hancock, President.
Charles Thomson, Secretary.∥
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