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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 --FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1775
Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the state of the trade of the united Colonies, and after some time spent thereon, the president
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resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, from the committee, that they had taken the matter referred to them into consideration, but not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.1
[Note 1: 1 See John Adams's Notes of Debates in this volume.]
∥Whereupon the order was renewed.∥
In the Committee of the Whole.2
[Note 2: 2 This is a manuscript in the writing of Charles Thomson, found in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 3. I place it under the first date on the paper, although the Journals do not show that any resolutions were reported from the committee on that day. On the reverse are two sets of lines, one headed by n and the other by a, six noes and three ayes, but to which paragraph the vote applied cannot be determined.]
That whatever resolutions the Congress come into relative to the non importation and non exportation agreement should be conclusive during this session of Congress.
Oct. 13.3 That it is the opinion of this committee that New York, the lower counties on Delaware, No. Carolina and Georgia ought not to avail themselves of the benefit allowed to them by the last restraining Act and therefore that no persons should apply at the Custom houses in those colonies for clearances or other documents, which other colonies are deprived of by said restraining act for securing the navigation of vessels with cargoes from their ports.4
[Note 3: 3 These figures are in the margin.]
[Note 4: 4 This paragraph is printed in the Journals, 1 November, 1775, post.]
263 That is be recommended the several provincial Assemblies, Conventions or councils of safety of the united colonies to expert to the foreign West Indies on account and risque of their respective Colony us much provision or any other produce except horned cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry, as they may deem necessary for the importation of arms, ammunition, sulphur and salt petre.5
[Note 5: 5 On the margin is the word "Reported." The paragraph is printed in the Journals, 26 October, 1775, post.]
313 That no Rice be exported under the exception contained in the 4th Article of the Association from any of the United Colonies to Great Britain Ireland or the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey Sark Alderney or Man or any other European Island or Settlement within the British Dominions6.
[Note 6: 6 These paragraphs are printed in the Journals, 1 November, 1775.]
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That no live stock (necessary sea stores at the discretion of the Committees, and horses excepted) be exported from these colonies, or water borne except in rivers, bays or sounds.1
[Note 1: 1 See page 269 ante.]
That as the Manufactury of Woolens in these Colonies tho' rapidly advancing may not furnish an immediate supply of clothing, it would be for the interest of the Inhabitants to go into the practice of wearing leathern waistcoats and breeches as far as may be consistent with the convenience and necessities of Individuals and that the Members of this Congress should set the example. And that it be earnestly recommended to all dealers in skins to sell them at the usual price and not take advantage of any additional demand for that article which may happen.1
A letter from Genl Washington, dated 5th of Octr, with sundry enclosed papers being recd. was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, I, 181, and is printed in Writings of George Washington (Ford), III, 162. The original bears an endorsement in Thomson's writing: "That part of this letter wh. relates to the capture of a vessel in N. Hampshire referred to the committee appointed to bring in regulations for navy."]
The Congress, taking into consideration the report of the Committee appointed to prepare a plan, for intercepting vessels coming out with stores and ammunition, and after some debate,
Resolved, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruize of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.
That a Committee of three be appointed to superintend the fitting the said vessel to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel.
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Resolved, That another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence.
The ballots being taken and examined the following members were chosen, viz: Mr. [Silas] Deane, Mr. [John] Langdon, and Mr. [Christopher] Gadsden.
Resolved, That the remainder of the report be referred for farther consideration to Monday next.
On motion made, the Congress, taking into consideration the memorials from sundry merchants of New York and Philada, respecting a quantity of tea imported before the first of March last and
Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to take the above Memorials into consideration, enquire into a state of the facts, and report to the Congress.
The ballots being taken and examined the following members were chosen, viz. Mr. J[ohn] Rutledge, Mr. S[amuel] Adams, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [Samuel] Ward, and Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee.
The several matters referred to this day, were postponed till to Morrow.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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