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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 --MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1775

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Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1775

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Information being given to Congress that Major Preston who was taken prisoner at St Johns is now in town,

Ordered, That Mr. [James] Duane call upon him and obtain a representation of facts how he came here and whether he and the other officers have any liberty granted him with regard to the place of their confinement.

Information being given to Congress that Major Stopford notwithstanding his parole is endeavouring to debauch the minds of the people,

Resolved, That the delegates of New Jersey be directed to write to the Committee of Trenton and desire them to enquire into the conduct and behaviour of Major Stopford and the officers there and report to Congress.

On application of the Committee to be discharged,

Resolved, That the Committee, to whom the accounts and application from the colony of Massachusetts for a sum of money, be upon their request discharged from farther service on that account.1

[Note 1: 1 The reason given was the want of proper vouchers, which prevented action.]

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Application being made in behalf of the Colony of New Hampshire for a sum of money, on account of their advances in behalf of the Continent,

Resolved, That the sum of 40,000 dollars be paid to the Colony of New Hampshire, they to be accountable for the same.

Resolved, That the sum of 443,3331/3 Dollars be paid to the Colony of Massachusetts, in part of their account, the said colony to be accountable for the same.

Resolved, That both the above sums be paid out of the emission last ordered.

The Committee appointed on the state of Virginia, to whom were referred the letters received on Saturday, brought in a report, which was read, on which the Congress came to the following resolutions:

Resolved, That three companies of the battalions raised in the colony of Pensylvania, immediately march under the command of lieutenant colonel Irvine, into Northampton county, in Virginia, for the protection of the Association in those parts, and for the defence thereof against the designs of the enemies of America.

Resolved, That it be and it is hereby recommended to the Inhabitants of the colony of Virginia, to resist to the utmost the arbitrary government intended to be established therein, by their Governor Lord Dunmore, as manifestly appears by the whole tenor of his Lordship's conduct for some months past.

Whereas Lord Dunmore, by his proclamation lately published, has declared his intention to execute martial law, thereby tearing up the foundations of civil authority and government within the said colony:

Resolved, Therefore, that if the convention of Virginia shall find it necessary to establish a form of government

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in that colony, it be recommended to that Convention to call a full and free representation of the people, and that the said representatives, if they think it necessary, establish such form of government as in their judgment will best produce the happiness of the people, and most effectually secure peace and good order in the colony, during the continuance of the present dispute between Great Britain and these colonies.

Resolved, That the Committee on the state of Virginia have leave, at their request, to sit again.

On motion, Resolved, unanimously, That in the present situation of affairs, it will be very dangerous to the liberties and welfare of America, if any Colony should separately petition the King or either house of Parliament.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to confer with the Assembly of New Jersey.

The members chosen, Mr. [John] Dickinson, Mr. [George] Wythe, and Mr. [John] Jay.

On motion made, Resolved, That Carlisle, ∥in the colony of Pennsylvania,∥ be assigned as well as the three towns of Reading, Lancaster and York, for the disposition of the prisoners taken at St. John's.

Resolved, That a letter be written to Mr. [Henry] Knox, ∥by the first express to Albany,∥ desiring him, in ease he be at Albany on the arrival of the express, and the service he is upon will admit, to repair to ∥the fortresses on Hudson's river, in∥ the highlands, and inspect the state of the works carrying on there, and the situation of the places adjacent, and transmit an account thereof to Congress.

The delegates of Massachusetts bay produced to Congress a resolution of the General court of that Colony, of the 10th and 11th of November last, extending the

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commission of their delegates to the last day of January; which was read.1

[Note 1: 1 In the House of Representatives, Nov. 10th, 1775.
Whereas the Honorable John Hancock, Thos Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robt Treat Paine Esqrs have been duly appointed to represent this Colony at the American Congress now held at Philadelphia, and by their Commission are appointed to represent this Colony in said Congress until the last day of December next.
And whereas the important Business of the Colony has hitherto prevented this Court from proceeding to a choice of Delegates to represent this Colony in the said American Congress after the last day of December. And whereas this Court is near adjourning for a short space,
Therefore, Resolved, that the Time limited in the said Commission of the present Delegates of this Colony, now attending the American Congress for their representing this Colony therein be further extended unto the last day of January next; and the said John Hancock, Thos Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine Esquires, are hereby fully impowered to Act for and represent this Colony in the said American Congress agreeable to their former Commissions, until the said last Day of January next.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren Spkr
In Council Novr. 11th, 1775
Read and Concurred
Perez Morton Dpy Secy
Consented to

a True Copy
Attest
Perez Morton Dpy Secy
Endorsed, Resolve to Extend the Comn of the Delegates at the American Congress to last of January--
Nov. 10th, 1775. Read December 4.]

∥The several, matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock to Morrow.∥

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