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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, DECEMBER 15, 1775
Information being given to Congress, that Captain Motte, who was entrusted with conducting the prisoners to Reading, and other towns in Pensylvania, having performed that service, was returned to this city,
Resolved, That the committee appointed to distribute the prisoners, confer with Captain Motte, and report to Congress.
Resolved, That the committee of safety for the colony of Pensylvania, be requested to recommend proper persons for field officers of the four battalions to be raised in the said colony.
Resolved, That the said committee appoint proper persons for officers in the said battalions, under the rank of Majors.1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 25 December, 1775.]
Resolved, That similar orders be given ∥to the committee of safety of∥ the lower counties on Delaware, for recommending the field officers, and appointing inferior officers, of the battalion to be raised in that colony.
Resolved, That Messrs. George Meade and company, merchants, of the city of Philadelphia, be permitted to export from the colony of Virginia, so much of the produce of that country, as shall be equal in value to any quantity of salt, not exceeding six thousand bushels, which they shall carry and safely deliver there to the committee of safety or their order, who are empowered to regulate the prices of the said produce and salt; and that the said George Meade and company, having given to the delegates of the said colony, in this city, bond with sufficient surety, under a penalty of double the value of the said salt, that they will not carry any produce of the said colony, which they may receive in return for their
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salt, to the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, or Man, or to the West Indian islands, and producing to the committee of safety of the said colony a certificate thereof, signed by the said delegates here, shall have a permit under the hand of the chairman of the said committee of safety, to export the said produce, the said permit being to be endorsed on, or annexed to a manifest of the cargo exported.
The Committee appointed to prepare instructions for the Committee who are to sit during the recess of Congress, brought in their report, which was read.
The Committee appointed to consider and prepare instructions for a committee during who are to sit during the recess of Congress have agreed to the following Resolutions:
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee that the said Committee during the Recess of Congress should be authorised and instructed
To receive and open all letters directed to the Congress and to give such answers to the same as they shall be authorized to give.
To correspond with the several Conventions, Assemblies, or Committees of safety, with the Committee of Congress sent to Canada, the Commissioners for Indian affairs; and the Commanding officers of the Continental forces in the several departments.
To give counsel to the said commanding officers whenever applied to by them.
To supply the Continental forces by sea and land with all necessaries from time to time.
To expedite the striking monies ordered by the Congress to be struck.
To transmit to the several Commanding officers, Paymasters and Commissaries from time to time such sums of money as may be necessary for the pay and subsistence of the Continental forces, and to draw on order paiment by the Treasurers for such contracts as the said committee may make in pursuance of the authorities and instructions given them.
To take charge of all Military stores belonging to the United colonies, to procure such further quantities as may probably be wanted,
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and to order any part thereof wheresover it may be most requisite for the Common service.
To direct the safe keeping and comfortable accommodation of all Prisoners of war.
To contribute their counsel and authority towards raising recruits ordered by Congress.
To procure intelligence of the condition and designs of the enemy.
To direct military operations by sea and land; not changing any objects or expeditions determined on by Congress.
To attend to the defence and preservation of forts and strong posts and to prevent the enemy from acquiring new holds.
To apply to such officers in the several colonies as are entrusted with the executive powers of government for the aid of their occasional aid of Minute-men and militia whenever and wherever necessary.
In case of the death of any officer within the appointment of Congress, to employ a person to fulfil his duties, if until the meeting of Congress, if unless the office be of such a nature as to admit a delay of appointment until such meeting.
To examine public claims and accounts and report the same to the next Congress.
To publish and disperse authentic accounts of military operations.
To expedite the printing of the Journals of Congress as by them directed to be published.
To summon a meeting of Congress at an earlier day than that to which it may stand adjourned, if any great and unexpected emergence shall render it necessary for the safety or good of the United colonies.
To procure intelligence of the Condition and designs of the enemy.
And to lay before the Congress at their meeting all letters received by them with a report of their proceedings.
Resolved, that the said Committee be authorized to appoint their own clerk who shall take an oath of secrecy before he enters on the exercise of his office.
Resolved, that in case of the death of any member of the said Committee, they immediately apply to the his surviving delegates of the collegues to appoint some one of themselves to be a member of the said Committee.
Resolved, that the Treasurers be directed to pay out of the Continental Monies in their hands, all Draughts made on them by the said Committee.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 5. All but the last paragraph is in the writing of Thomas Jefferson.]
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The Committee of Claims reported,
That there is due to Robert Erwin, waggon master, for the carriage of cloathing to Dobb's ferry, the sum of 40 dollars.
That there is due to Philip Livingston, Esq. for printing, &c. the sum of £21.2=56.2 dollars.
That there is due for provisions, &c. furnished to the several companies of rifflemen, by sundry persons the sum of £84.16.9 New York currency=212 dollars, to be paid to Henry Wisner, Esq.
That there is due to the Committee of Observation at Princetown, for sundry expences, and for provisions furnished to several riffle companies, the sum of 74.3 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Thomas Higgins.
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The Committee to whom the second resolution, in the report on General Washington's letter ∥relative to transports,∥ was referred, brought in their report, which was read.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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