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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, OCTOBER 12, 1775
The Congress taking into consideration the report of the Committee respecting the billeting of soldiers, &c.
Resolved, That each captain and other commission officer, while in the recruiting service of this Continent, or on their march to join the army, shall be allowed two dollars and two thirds [of a dollar] per week, for their subsistence, and that the men who enlist shall each of them, whilst in quarters, be allowed one dollar per week, and one dollar and one third of a dollar when on their march to join the army, for the same purpose.
That the president transmit to the Convention of New Jersey, blank commissions, to be filled up by the said Convention, to the captains and subaltern officers in the said two battalions ∥to be raised in that colony;∥ and that the appointment of the field officers be for the present suspended, until the Congress shall take order on that matter.
[The form of the enlistment to be in the following words, viz.
I -- have this day voluntarily enlisted myself as a soldier in the American Continental army for one year, unless sooner discharged, and do bind myself to conform in all instances to such rules and regulations as are or shall be established for the government of the said army.]1
[Note 1: 1 The form of enlistment was not entered upon the Journal, but was printed as part of the resolution in the Pennsylvania Packet, 30 October, 1775.]
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John Penn, Esqr. one of the delegates for North Carolina, appeared in Congress, and produced his credentials, which were read and approved, as follows:
NORTH CAROLINA.
North Carolina, Hillsborough. In Congress, 8th Sept. 1775.
Mr. Caswell informed the Congress, that as they had done him the honour to appoint him Treasurer of the Southern District of this Province, and one of the Signers of the Public Bills of credit, his attending those duties would render it entirely out of his power to attend the Continental Congress, as one of the Delegates of this Province; he therefore Requested this Congress would be pleased to appoint some other Gentleman in his Stead.
Whereupon, it is Resolved, that John Penn, Esqr. be, and he is hereby appointed a delegate in behalf of this Province, in Conjunction with William Hooper, and Joseph Hewes, Esqrs. and that he be invested with the same powers, and entitled to the like Allowance, that the said Richard Caswell would have been Vested with, and entitled to, under a former Resolution of this Congress.
By order, signed,
Samuel Johnston, President.
Andrew Knox, Secretary.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 76, folio 5.]
The Committee of Claims reported their opinion:
That two accounts rendered by Peter Cooper, one for several articles furnished to Captn. Cresap's company in Lancaster, (to be charged to said company) [amounting] to 2 ⅕ dollars; the other for 34 pair of boots, made by him for the Hussar company, amounting to 113 1/3 dollars, are reasonable and ought to be paid.
That Francis Wade's account of expences of himself and party of 18 men escorting Govr Skeene and Mr. Lundy to New York, amounting to 445 65/90 dollars, ought to be paid.
Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.
Ordered, That the president transmit to the Convention
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of New Jersey a certified copy of the resolutions for raising two battalions and for the subsistance of the officers and men.
On motion made, Resolved, That a similar recommendation issue to the Assembly or Committee of Safety of Pensylvania to raise one battalion on the same terms as those ordered to be raised in New Jersey, and to be officered in like manner.
Resolved, That the men enlisted be furnished ∥at the continental expence,∥ with a hunting shirt, not exceeding in value 1 1/3 dollar, and a blanket, provided these can be procured, but not to be made part of the terms of enlistment.1
[Note 1: 1 These resolutions were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 30 October, 1775.]
Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the trade of the confederated Colonies, and after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, from the Commee that not having come to any resolution, desired him to move for leave to sit again.22 See John Adam's Notes of Debates in this volume.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to Morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the state of the trade.
The other matters referred to this day, are further postponed till to Morrow.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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