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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 29, 1775
An express arriving with a letter from General Schuyler, containing an account of the continental troops, under [Brigadier] General Montgomery, having taken possession of Montreal on the 12th Inst., which was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter, dated November 18, is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, I, folio 294. The articles of capitulation were issued by Congress as a broadside.]
The Committee to whom was referred the petition of Downham Newton, of the Island of New Providence, setting forth the distress of the inhabitants of that island, and offering, if the Congress will permit him, to export 1,000 barrels of flour for the said distressed inhabitants, he will give any reasonable security to bring back such a quantity of muskets as can be procured for the money arising from the sale of the said cargo, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration, was agreed to as follows:
The Committee to whom the petition of Downham Newton was referred, have had the same under their consideration, and come to the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the said Downham Newton should be permitted to export on board his vessel, on the terms proposed in his petition, such provisions of flour and pork as he shall think proper.
Resolved, That the said Downham Newton should give bond with two sufficient sureties in a penalty equal to double the value of the cargo which shall be laden on
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board the said vessel, the condition of which bond shall be that the said Downham Newton shall on or before the 15th day of February next import into the port of Newbern in the province of N Carolina and then and there deliver to the commanding officer of the continental troops in that [province] good musquets and bayonets or gunpowder to the full amount of the proceeds of such cargo and that on giving such bond he shall receive from this Congress a permit to be signed by the president allowing him to export said cargo.
On Motion made, Resolved, That the executing the above business and taking the bond from Downham Newton be referred to the Committee who brought in the foregoing report
Information being given to Congress that there is a large quantity of powder in the Island of Providence,
Ordered, That the foregoing Committee take measures for securing and bring[ing] away the said powder and that it [be] an instruction to said Committee in case they can secure said powder to have it brought to the port of Philadelphia or to some other port as near Philadelphia as can with safety.1
[Note 1: 1 Against this paragraph in the "Corrected Journals" is written the word "Secret."]
On Motion made, Resolved, That Mr. R[obert] Morris be added to the foregoing Committee.
The Congress then took into consideration the report of the Committee on the state of the treasury, and came to the following resolutions thereon:
Resolved, That a quantity of bills of Credit be emitted by Congress amounting to 3,000,000 of Dollars.
Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee to consult with the printer, and report the number and denomination of the bills to be emitted, and that they contract for proper paper for this purpose.
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The Committee appointed to prepare a draught of a letter to the Agents, brought in the same, which was read and agreed to as follows:
Gentlemen,
The manner in which the last dutiful petition to his Majesty was received and the subsequent proclamation are considered by Congress as further proofs of those malignant councils, that surround the sovereign and distract the British Empire. It is however happy for mankind that ministers can form destructive plans with much more facility than they can execute them. The enclosed printed detail of the operations in Canada this campaign will sufficiently evince what little success is likely to attend ministerial exertions for bringing the Catholics of Canada and the savages of the wilderness to war on the defenceless women and children of unoffending America. The Canadians are much too liberal to be made instruments in the black design of enslaving their brethren and the Indians with their usual sagacity have by the firmest treaties accepted and pledged themselves to observe the neutrality which Congress desired.
Neither General Gage nor his successor has yet been able to penetrate into the Country. The British Men of War, indeed, that formerly with so much glory supported the interest and the honor of the nation, have with a wanton barbarity and inhumanity that would disgrace savages, have burned the flourishing but defenceless town of Falmouth in the Colony of Massachusetts bay and have frightened many of the weaker sex with their children from other places on the sea coast. It grieves us exceedingly to see the British arms employed in such a manner and for such purposes; but we hope the spirit and virtue of a sensible nation will soon be exerted to procure justice for the innocent oppressed colonies and to restore harmony and peace to the British Empire. There is nothing more ardently desired by North America than a lasting union with Great Britain on terms of just and equal liberty; but as men and as descendants of Britons the good people of these colonies will rely to the last on heaven, and their own virtuous efforts for security against the abusive system pressed by administration for the ruin of America and which if pursued must end in the destruction of a great Empire.
The intelligence now sent is, Gentlemen, to prevent the nation's being imposed upon by misrepresentations and to guard against mistakes that may probably arise from wanting a true state of facts. We
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cannot suppose that a brave and sensible people will be prevented by proclamation from furnishing North America with such advice and assistance as the laws permit and justice to an oppressed people demands.
N. B. This and the former letter to the agents in England are in Mr. Hancock's (the president's) letter Book.
Ordered, That a fair copy of the above be made, signed by the president and forwarded to the Agents.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed for the sole purpose of corresponding with our friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world, and that they lay their correspondence before Congress when directed.
Resolved, That this Congress will make provision to defray all such expences as may arise by carrying on such correspondence, and for the payment of such agents as the said Committee may send on this service.
The members chosen, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin, Mr. [Thomas] Johnson, Mr. [John] Dickinson, and Mr. [John] Jay.1
[Note 1: 1 Bancroft (History of the United States, IV, 361) speaks of a motion made by Samuel Chase to send envoys to France with conditional instructions. See John Adams's Writings, I, 199.]
The Committee appointed to take into their consideration the proclamations, which lately appeared in the papers, brought in their report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table for the perusal of the members.
The several matters to this day ∥referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to Morrow.∥
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