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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 --WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1775
On motion made, Resolved, That the Secret Committee appointed to contract for the importation of arms, ammunition, &c. be empowerd to export to the foreign West Indies, on account and risque of the Continent, as 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.
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to confer with Mr. [Samuel] Kirkland.
The Committee appointed, Mr. [Thomas] Cushing, Mr.[George] Wythe, and Mr. [Samuel Ward.
The Committee of Claims made the following report,
That there is due to Alexander Klinger, the sum of £9.10 for provisions furnished to Captain Hendrick's company; and to Resina Mourer, 9/2, for ferriage, and that the same ought to be paid to Henry Christ,=26.5 dollars.
That there is due to George Cungle, £4.16.10, for provisions furnished to Captain Ross's company,=12.9 dollars.
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That there is due to Henry Valentine, £3.18, for transcribing writings for the Congress,=10.4 dollars.
That there is due to Samuel Bear, for provisions furnished to several companies, the sum of £27.15.7 and that the same ought to be paid to Thomas Compton,=74 dollars.
That there is due on several certificates and accounts forwarded by Lewis Ogden, for necessaries furnished Captain Ross's company, and for a guard over a powder wagon, the sum of £42.0.2, New York currency, and that the same ought to be paid to George Kennedy,=105 dollars.
That there is due to Henry Dearing, the sum of £6.17, for necessaries furnished to Captain Ross's company, and that the same ought to be paid to John Biddle, junior,=18.3 dollars.
That there is due to John Jones, for ferriage of Captain Ross's company and for provisions for them, the sum of £2.0,=5.3 dollars.
That there is due on certificates produced by Matthias Slough, for provisions furnished several riffle companies, the sum of £22.3.2,=59 1/10 dollars.
That there is due on several certificates of provisions furnished Captain Ross's company, the sum of £23.15.5, New York currency, and that the same ought to be paid, per order, to -- =59.4 dollars.
Ordered, That the above accounts be paid.
The Congress taking into consideration the report of the Committee to whom were referred the letters from the convention of New York and the state of that colony,
Resolved, That a commander with the rank of a Colonel, be appointed to take the command of the fortifications or fortresses on the Highlands on Hudson's river.
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Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention of New York, to empower him the said commander to call together and command two hundred men of the militia of Duchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties, and one Company of artillery from the city of New York, who shall be stationed in the high lands until relieved by the company of Artillery, directed by this Congress to be raised in the city of New York, and such other continental troops as may hereafter be directed to take possession of the same.
Resolved, That the minute men or militia, while on service, be maintained and paid at the same rate, as the rest of the continental forces.
Resolved, That a number of the militia of the counties of Duchess, Orange, and Ulster, be formed into independent companies, under the direction of the commander of the said fortresses, and in case of alarm, be directed to repair to the several stations in the highlands, which, in order to prevent confusion, should be immediately assigned them.
Resolved, That the troops, which shall at any time hereafter be directed to garrison the fortresses in the highlands, be put under the direction of the commander of the fortresses, except when headed by a general officer.
Resolved, That the deputy Commissary general be directed to provide sufficient provision for 1,000 men for one month, and keep that quantity in stock.
Resolved, That the powder sent from this place to General Schuyler, be remanded, if it can be any ways spared, and left at the fortresses in the highlands.
Resolved, That the Committee of safety of this city, be requested to furnish the Colony of New York with 500 lbs. of powder, and to forward the same immediately to Dobb's ferry; that the Convention of New York give
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orders, to receive it there, and send it as soon as possible to the fortresses in the highlands.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention of New York, if they have not already sent forward a sufficient number of cannon for the defence of the fortresses erecting in the highlands, that they immediately send forward to those fortresses so many of the cannon at King's bridge of the best quality and largest bore, as they may think necessary for that purpose.
On motion made, Resolved, That the bills of sale, for the vessels ordered to be bought, be made to the continental treasurers, or those who succeed them in that office, in trust nevertheless for the use of the Continent, or their representatives, in Congress met.
Resolved, That the appointment of a commander of the fortresses at the highlands ∥on Hudson's river be deferred till∥ to Morrow morning.
Mr. Eliphalet] Dyer having, on account of his indisposition, excused himself from going to the northward, the Congress proceeded to the election of another when Mr. R[obert] R. Livingston was chosen.
The Congress then resumed the consideration of the instructions reported to the said Committee, which being debated by paragraphs, were agreed to as follows:
Instructions to R. R. Livingston, Robert Treat Paine, and John Langdon, Esquires.
Gentlemen,
The Congress expect that you repair, with as much despatch, as the necessary preparations for your journey will admit, to Ticonderoga, in order to consult with General Schuyler what number of forces will be necessary in Canada, and of the best and most efficacious method for procuring or continuing such forces in the northern department during the ensuing winter, of engaging the inhabitants of the colony of Canada to accede to the Association of the United Colonies, and of protecting them for the future against their and our enemies.
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If, upon such a conference, it shall be judged necessary, you are authorized to direct Mr. Livingston, the deputy commissary general, to furnish the necessary provisions for an Army of three thousand men for six months.
You are also authorized to offer two months' pay as a bounty to such officers and soldiers as shall re-inlist, to be paid upon their taking the fortress at St. John's and Montreal, and you are to make use of every argument, to induce them to re-inlist, or at least to stay until they can be relieved, and to assure them, that the Congress have taken care to supply them with proper cloathing.
You are to direct the fortresses at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to be put into such a posture of defence, as the state of our affairs may require.
You are to advise the general to purchase of such officers and soldiers, who have arms and are sick, their arms for the use of those who have none, or bad ones and are well.
Ammunition, it is hoped since the late capture, will not be wanting, if it should, Congress will send the first that shall arrive.
If there should be occasion of reinforcements, you are empowered, in concert with General Schuyler, to raise any number that can be procured in Canada, New York, or any of the New England Governments, in order to possess themselves of Montreal and Quebec.
The Congress desire you to exert your utmost endeavours to induce the Canadians to accede to a union with these colonies, and that they form from their several parishes, a provincial Convention, and send Delegates to this Congress. And as, in the present unsettled state of that country, a regular election can hardly be expected, the Congress will acquiesce in the choice of such parishes and districts, as are induced ∥willing∥ to join us.
You may, and are hereby empowered to assure them, that we shall hold their rights as dear as our own, and on their union with us, exert our utmost endeavours to obtain for them, and their posterity, the blessings of a free government, and that security to their persons and property, which is derived from the British Constitution.
And you may, and are hereby empowered further to declare, that we hold sacred the rights of conscience, and shall never molest them in the free enjoyment of their religion.
In case General Schuyler has not yet raised the regiment recommended to him to be raised in Canada, or in case he cannot proceed to
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Canada, you are to use all the means in your power to perfect the raising of a regiment of Canadians, to join the continental forces, and you are, for that purpose, to take with you blank commissions, which, taking the advice of the general Officers in that department, you are to fill up with the names of such persons as have the most merit and the best qualifications for the service.
Congress direct you to acquaint General Schuyler, that they approve of his appointment of captain Dimon, to be a Brigade Major, and have ordered him a commission accordingly.
The Congress moreover are desirous that you should take an accurate view of the state of our fortifications upon Hudson's river, and make a report of it as soon as it can conveniently be done.
It the circumstances of the Army should be such, that a ton of powder may be spared, you are to direct that quantity to be sent back to New York, and all such cannon and military stores as shall not be wanted in Canada, or in the fortifications on the lakes, to be sent to Albany, there to remain until the Congress give farther directions concerning them; and for this purpose, you are herewith furnished with a list of the ordnance and military stores, which were at those places when taken.
You are to inform the general that the pay of some of the officers is raised, and to take with you from the minutes, the additional establishment.
You are to direct all such officers and soldiers as shall re-inlist, to be paid all arrears that may be due to them, according to the rolls to be sent by governor Trumbull, who in the mean time will be requested by Congress to send the rolls to the General, ascertaining how long the men have been in service.
The disposition of the prisoners is approved of by the Congress, but the officers are not to be permitted to reside in or near any sea port.
You are authorized to assure Major Brown and Major Livingston, that Congress have a just sense of their important services, and will take the first proper opportunity to reward them.
You are also to acquaint the General, that General Montgomery's request, as to the pay of the company of artillery by him appointed. is complied with.
A Committee will be appointed to procure as much hard money as will be necessary to be transmitted to the deputy pay master general in the northern army, to be used in Canada.
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On motion made, Resolved, That the Committee appointed to make an estimate, &c. be authorized to contract for the making proper paper for a future emission of paper bills of credit.
On motion made, Resolved, That the president draw an Order on the Treasurers for the sum of 3,000 dollars, in favour of the committee of safety of this province, agreeable to the request of the honorable the Assembly, towards the expence of the battalion ordered to be raised in this province.
On motion made, Resolved, That all letters to and from the delegates of the United Colonies, during the sessions of Congress, pass, and be carried free of postage, the members having engaged upon their honour not to frank or enclose any letters but their own.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 10 November. 1775.]
Ordered, That this be published.
On motion made, Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers for the sum of 20,000 dollars in favour of Francis Lewis and Roger Sherman, Esqrs. to enable them to pay for the clothing ordered to be purchased by them.
The other matters to this day referred, being postponed, and the order of the day renewed.
Adjourned to ten o'Clock to Morrow.
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