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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 --SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1775
A letter from the Committee of Northampton, in Virginia, with sundry papers containing matters of importance being received was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, I, folios 13--19.]
On motion made, Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee appointed to take into consideration the state of Virginia.
As one of the members of that Committee is absent,2
[Note 2: 2 Thomas Johnson.]
Resolved, That another member be chosen, and added to the Committee in the room of the member absent.
The member chosen, Mr. [William] Paca.
Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out armed vessels be instructed and directed to confer with Captain Stone, and engage him and his vessel, on the most reasonable terms, in the service of the Continent, for the purpose of taking or destroying the cutters and armed vessels in Chesapeake Bay, under Lord Dunmore.
Resolved, That Colonel Harrison do immediately proceed to Maryland, and be empowered in conjunction with the delegates of that colony to this Congress, or any one or more of them, [to] take such measures, as appear to them most effectual to procure, with all possible despatch, on continental charge, two or three armed vessels to proceed immediately to cruize on, take or destroy as many of the armed vessels, cutters, and ships of war of the enemy as possible, that may be found in the bay of Chesapeake, or any of its dependencies, ∥or coasts of Virginia and Maryland.∥
Whereas, designs are formed by certain ministerial partizans in the counties of Norfolk and Princess Ann,
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and some other parts of Virginia, on Chesapeake bay, under the influence of Lord Dunmore, to contravene the non-exportation agreement, by exporting provisions and other produce of that Country to the West India Islands, and thereby injure the interest and weaken the efforts of the United Colonies, in opposing the present oppressive system of the British ministry.
Resolved, therefore, That the said armed vessels be authorised and directed to seize and detain, until the further order of this Congress, all such ships and vessels as they may find employed in such exportations from the places aforesaid.
Resolved, That the committee for fitting out armed vessels be directed to employ the armed sloop, commanded by Captain [Abraham] Whipple, of Rhode Island, now on a voyage to this port, and despatch her forthwith to aid the marine business to the southward.
Resolved, That the committee for fitting out armed vessels be directed to prepare a proper commission for the Captains or Commanders of the ships of war in the service of the United Colonies.
On motion made, Resolved, That orders issue to the Colonel of the Pensylvania Battalion, now in the Barracks at Philadelphia, to send a detachment of his regiment and keep a regular guard on the wharves of Messrs. Willing and Morris, and Mr. Cuthbert, to take care of the ships and stores belonging to the United Colonies.
The house of Assembly of New Jersey having, by a resolution of their house, passed the 22d of November last, accepted the resignation of two of their delegates, and confirmed the remaining three, and, by another resolution passed the 30th of said month, enlarged their power, the same were read as follows:
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New Jersey, House of Assembly.
November 22, 1775
The house took into consideration the request of James Kinsey and John De Hart,1 Esqrs. two of the delegates appointed by this house to attend the Continental Congress, for leave to resign their said appointment.
[Note 1: 1 "The Peculiar circumstances of my family bath Prevented me from attending the Congress for some time past, and the same yet continuing renders it uncertain when I shall be able to attend. This and other reasons needless to be mentioned induces me earnestly to desire and request that the Honorable House, will now be pleased to appoint Another to Attend the Continental Congress in my stead." John De Hart to the General Assembly of the Colony of New Jersey, 13 November, 1775.]
Resolved, That the reasons given by those gentlemen for their resignation, appear to this house to be satisfactory, and that their resignation therefore be accepted; thereupon,
Resolved, That the three remaining delegates, or any two of them, represent the Colony during the present continental Congress.
Thursday, November 30, 1775
The house, taking into consideration the inconvenience arising from requiring the Attendance of two of the delegates to represent the Colony in the Continental Congress,
Resolved, That any one of the three delegates appointed to attend the Congress be, and such delegate is hereby fully authorised to represent this colony during Congress.
A true copy from the votes,
Richard Smith, Clerk of Assembly.
The Committee appointed to prepare the form of a commission, &c. reported the same, which was read and agreed to.
Ordered, That 300 be immediately printed, ∥with proper blanks.∥
Application being made that Captain Jenkins be permitted to take a quantity of provisions for the internal consumption of the inhabitants of Nantucket, the reason
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to be set forth of this application from the papers produced and read.1
[Note 1: 1 In the printed Journals, this paragraph read: "and it being represented that he had applied to the assembly or general court of Massachusetts-Bay, and that the committee of Falmouth, to whom he was by them referred, not having it in their power to furnish the provisions wanted, had recommended him to Congress to be supplied with the same at some port in the middle or southern colonies."]
Ordered, That permission be granted to Captain Jenkins, to carry the provisions specified in the Certificate of the Committee of Falmouth, for the internal consumption of the Inhabitants of Nantucket, the Captain giving bond and taking oath to the committee of inspection of this city, to pursue their instructions in his voyage, and to use his utmost endeavour not to fall into the power of the cutters or armed vessels of the enemy.
The Committee on the treasury brought in their report;
Resolved, That the Number and denominations of the bills ordered to be emitted, be as follows:
Resolved, That the plates used in the late emission, be used for striking off and printing the above bills.
Resolved, That the gentlemen who superintended the press at the last emission, be empowered to superintend the printing these bills.
Resolved, That the Committee on the treasury, be directed to think of proper persons for signing and numbering said bills, and report to Congress.
The Congress then resumed the Consideration of the General's letters, and the report of the Committee of Conference, who went to Cambridge.
Resolved, That it be an instruction to the Committee appointed to contract for the supplying the prisoners, that
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Mr. D. Franks, of this city, be permitted to supply the troops, who are prisoners in this Colony, with provisions and other necessaries, at the expence of the crown, and to sell his bills for such sums of money as are necessary for that purpose, and that the committee confer with Mr. Franks, and know of him whether he will also undertake, on the same terms, to supply the prisoners in the other colonies.
Resolved, That the regiment of artillery consist of one Colonel, two lieutenant Colonels, two Majors and twelve companies.
That the president inform the General that two Gentlemen, viz: Thomas Crafts, jun. and George Trott, Esqrs. have been recommended to Congress as proper persons for field officers in said regiment, and that the General enquire into their characters and abilities; and if, upon enquiry, he shall judge them proper, and that the appointment of them will occasion no disturbance and disgust in the regiment, that he appoint them, and acquaint Congress thereof.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of conference; and thereupon came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Assembly, or general Court of Massachusetts bay, to use all the means in their power, that the army before Boston be supplied with wood and hay, on the most reasonable terms.
Resolved, That in the new establishment of the army, the general officers be not allowed regiments, nor the field officers companies.
Resolved, That all persons taken in arms on board any prize, be deemed prisoners at the disposal of the General, whether prizes be taken by vessels fitted out in the pay of the Continent or by others.
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Resolved, That such as are taken be treated as prisoners of war, but with humanity, and allowed the same rations as the troops in the service of the Continent; that the officers being in pay should supply themselves with cloaths, their bills to be taken therefor, that the soldiers be furnished as they now are.
Resolved, That as the number of men in the new army in Massachusetts bay is calculated to oppose the army at Boston, it is not expected that the General should detach any part of it to New York or elsewhere, unless it appears to him necessary so to do, for the common safety.
Resolved, That the troops in the new army be paid monthly.
Resolved, That an exchange of prisoners will be proper, citizens for citizens, officers for officers of equal rank, and soldier for soldier.
Resolved, That Ensign Moland be detained in the place where he now is, until exchanged.
Resolved, That this Congress approve the terms on which the artificers of different sorts have been employed in the Army; and that the General go on upon the present Agreement, as being the best that can probably be made.
Resolved, That the General be directed to pick out from each of the riffle companies, such as are not marksmen, and dismiss them in such manner as will be safest, with an allowance of pay to go home, if they do not chuse to enlist in other battalions, and, in the mean time, that all receive their pay.
Resolved, That what artillery of different kinds can be spared from New York and Crown Point, be procured and forwarded to the army before Boston.
Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence be directed to use their endeavours to find out and engage
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in the service of the united colonies skilful engineers not exceeding four, on the best terms they can, and that the said Committee be authorised to assure such able and skilful engineers as will engage in this service, that they shall receive such pay and appointments as shall be equal to what they have received in any former service.
Resolved, That the Indians of St. Francis, Penobscot, Stockbridge, and St. John's, and other tribes, may be called on in case of real necessity, and that the giving them presents is both suitable and proper.
Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee of three members to devise the best mode of having expresses (persons of character) posted along the roads at different distances, for the purpose of conveying early and frequent intelligence.
The members chosen, Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin, Mr. [Francis] Lewis, and Mr. [Silas] Deane.
Resolved, That as much lead as can be spared from the northern department, and is wanted at Cambridge, be sent down from Ticonderoga to Cambridge, and that other supplies of lead and flints be attended to.
Resolved, That the Congress approve the General's fitting out armed vessels to intercept the enemy's supplies.
Resolved, That when the army receives such supplies of powder as to be enabled to spare some to the country, that it be sold to them at a reasonable price.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to enquire what articles are necessary for the use of the army, and how they may be procured, and make report to Congress.
Ordered, That a certified copy of the resolutions passed on the General's letters, and on the report of the Committee of Conference, and such other resolutions as relate
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to the establishment of the new army, not already forwarded, be immediately sent by express to the General.
The Congress being informed that Mr. Ethan Allen, who was taken prisoner near Montreal, is confined in irons on board a vessel in the river St. Lawrence,
Ordered, That General Washington be directed to apply to General Howe on this matter, and desire he may be exchanged.
The several matters to this day referred being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'Clock on Monday next.
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