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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 20, 1775
The Comee appointed to prepare a letter to the Genl, to be sent by Captn. McPherson reported the same, which was read and agreed to.
Philada, 20 Octr, 1775
Sir: Captn John Macpherson having informed the Congress, that he had invented a method, by which with their leave, he would take or destroy every ministerial armed vessel in North America, they appointed Govr Hopkins, Mr Randolph and Mr J Rutledge to confer with him on the subject, for he would not consent to communicate the secret to any but a committee and you. These Gentlemen reported, that the scheme in theory appeared practicable, and that though its success could not be relied on without experiment, they thought it well worth attempting on the fleet in and about Boston harbour, their destruction being an object of the utmost consequence. The Congress have therefore directed Capt Macpherson to repair immediately to Cambridge. They recommend this Matter to your particular attention and request, that if you view it in the light, which the Committee did you will give him all the support and assistance in your power and furnish him with every thing which he may require for this service.
I am Sir, Your most Obedt Servt1
[Note 1: 1 From the Washington Papers, vol. 89, folio 72.]
On motion made, Resolved, that an order be drawn on the treasures in favour of Captn J. Macpherson for the sum of three hundred dollars.
∥Resolved, That three hundred dollars be paid to Captain John Macpherson, to defray the expences of his journey to the camp, he to be accountable.∥
Agreeable to the order of the day the congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into 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 that the commee.
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had taken into consideration the matter referred to them, but not having come to conclusion desired him to move for leave to sit again.1
[Note 1: 1 See John Adams's Notes of Debates, in this volume.]
Resolved, That this Congress will to Morrow again resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the state of the trade of the confederated Colonies.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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