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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 23, 1775
A letter from Lord Stirling 19 December, being received, was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 162, folio 356.]
A petition from Seth Paddock, master of the sloop Mayflower, and Sylvanus Coffin, master of the schooner Dolly, of the island of Nantucket, being laid before Congress, was read:
Resolved, That the said petition be referred to a committee of three, and that it be an instruction to said committee, to enquire what quantity of provisions and fuel is
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necessary for the internal consumption of the inhabitants of said Island of Nantucket for one year, and what quantity has been exported to said island from different ports of the United Colonies, during the month of December.
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, and Mr. [Roger] Sherman.
Mr. Langdon, one of the committee appointed to repair to Ticonderoga, and confer with General Schuyler, being returned, laid before Congress a report of their proceedings, which was read.
Report of the Committee directed to repair to Ticonderoga and Confer with General Schuyler about Several Matters relative to the public Service, To take a Survey of, and Report the state of the Fortification in the high lands and to use their endeavours to procure an accession of the Canadians to a Union with these Colonies.
Your Committee beg leave to Report, that Agreeable to the directions of the Congress they repair'd to the fortress in the highlands on the 17th day of November; for the state in which they found it, and their observations there upon, they refer the Congress to their letter of the 22d day of the same month, but they cannot help,again recommending, with the utmost earnestness, the sending some persons well Acquainted with fortifications, to take a Survey not only of the works, but of the whole river, from Tellers point, to the North end of the highlands, as your Committee are perswaded that the fortress now erecting will by no means be sufficient to secure Hudson's River, if it should be attacked by any Considerable force. Your Committee beg leave farther to hint, at the propriety of Obstructing the Channel at least lessening the depth of water since they have been Credibly informed, that the River carries twenty five feet of water, to within Twelve Miles of Albany, and the if is out of their Department they cannot but wish to turn the Attention of Congress to such Obstructions in the Narrows, dureing the winter season when our enemies ships will be out of our ports, as will effectually secure the whole Province of New York; tho' they are by no means Satisfied of its practicability, yet they would Submit, it to the Congress, whether it may not be worth their enquiry. Your Committee farther Report,
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that they met with General Schuyler, on the 28th day of November at Ticonderoga, and spent some days with him, in Conferring on the Subjects, about which they were directed to enquire, that they learned from him the following facts, that General Montgomery in order to over come the Scruples of the Troops, and to induce them to follow him to Montreal, about which they hesitated, on Account of the Advanced season, was under a Necessaty of engageing, that after the Reduction of that place, those who chose it should be at liberty to return. That in Consequence of this promise, Colonel Warner with his green mountain Boys Returned, tho' the time of their enlistment did not expire, till the first of January, That about one Regiment of the York Troops have been and are still employed at Crown point, at Ticonderoga, at the different posts between that and New York, and as batteau-men on the lakes, that the remaining three Regiments, together with Capt, Lambs Compy of Artillery, did not at the beginning of the Campaign exceed Eighteen hundred men that their number had been considerably lessened, by death sickness Desertion and escorts for Prisoners, and that tho' few of the remainder had accepted of the permission to return, yet there were not left above one thousand men in Canada, who from the best information, your Committee could receive from the General, or otherwise, have for the most part Reinlisted; that of the Troops from the several New England Governments who went into Canada, all had Returned, before your Committee Arrived at Ticonderoga, except about two hundred who had reinlisted; Their departure before the expiration of their Term, was Occasioned, by their fear of being detain'd in Canada, by the Severity of the weather, and the reasonableness of allowing them to return to their respective homes, before they were discharged, That Colonel Arnold, had with him abt five hundred and fifty men, the rest of his party haveing left him on his way, into Canada, so that the whole number of Troops now in that Province, may be abt Seventeen hundred men, without makeing any deduction for non effectives; but of these facts, we are by no means fully Certified, as General Schuyler has no returns of the Numbers; we assert them as Reports, Collected from such Officers, who have returned, and we hope however, shortly to have a more Accurate Account, as the General has wrote for it to General Montgomery.
As absolute Necessity has obliged General Schuyler to direct the reinlistment of the Troops, in Canada before he received any other
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direction on this head than what was Contained in your general orders, your Committee found that work in a great measure Concluded, by General Montgomery the not in such a manner as to be strictly Conformable to the intentions of the Congress the Generals having Construed your Promise in your first letter on that Subject "that you would see the Troops furnished with Cloathing" in its literal Sense; procured Cloathing at Montreal, which they delivered as a bounty, without makeing any deduction for it from their wages, whether without this, they could have been reinlisted, your Committee have not been able to learn, but are Convinced, of the impossability of their Remaineing any longer in that Country in the Situation they then were, some of them being half nacked, and those of the New York Troops, who are best Clad, haveing only a Coat, nearly worn out, and linnen under Cloaths. Your Committee would also farther Submit it to the Congress, whether it would be quite equitable, that in a Country where the Soldiers require a Double quantity of Cloathing, they should be obliged to pay for it, especially when we Consider, that their duty has been and still is inconceiveably more Severe, than the rest of the Continental Army have experienced, your Committee have however endeavoured, as far as lay in their power to remedy this Mistake, tho' they fear their endeavours will prove ineffectual; they have directed General Montgomery, not to publish the resolution of the Congress relative to the two months pay, which was proposed as a Bounty to those Soldiers who reinlisted, but to apply the Same toward Cloathing the Troops. Your Committee are apprehensive, however, that their direction will come too late as General Schuyler had sent a Copy of that part of the instructions to general Montgomery some time before your Committee arrived. If this should unhappily be the case, your Committee are of Opinion that the promises made to the Troops by the General should be litterally complied with, with which Opinion they have taken the liberty to Acquaint General Montgomery, by a letter, the Copy of which is inclosed.1
[Note 1: 1 A copy of this letter, in the writing of John Laugdon, is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 166, folio 13.]
Your directions with respect to raiseing a Canadian Regiment had been Complied with before the Arrival of your Committee, and the Command given to Colonel James Livingston; it is however much doubted whether he will be able to compleat it early, as the bulk of the Canadians are farmers and tho' prompt at a short disultory war, yet have some reluctance to more permanent engagements.
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Your Committee have endeavoured to learn the inclination of those Troops who are employed upon the lakes, at Ticonderoga and fort George, with respect to their reinlistment. But from what they can learn of their Sentements Few of them will enter into the Army again. At least not immediately, and express a Disgust at the Service, which Arises chiefly from their haveing been employed rather as labourers than Soldiers. Your Committee cannot but Observe that a number of batteau men hired for that purpose, and Consisting of persons Acquainted with the Service, would have saved the Continent a Considerable sum of money and greatly expedite[d] business, and would Recommend, if our opperations in Canada continue another Year, the empowering the General or quarter master to hire so many as they may deem necessary.
Your Committee found that the directions of Congress with respect to provisions were already Complied with, and have the pleasure of Assureg them, that the quantity taken in Canada will be sufficient for the subsistance of our Troops there, till spring, after which they must be supplied from the Province of New York or the adjacent Colonies, with every article except bread, which may be procured in Canada.
Your Committee have directed the immediate Transportation of the Cannon from St Johns and Ticonderoga, which are not wanted for the defence of those places, and the boats on lake George are now employed in bringing over, those that lay at the landing, it being impracticable to move the rest till there is snow enough to admitt of their being Carried on Slays. Mr Knox is gone to Ticonderoga, to Chuse such Cannon as will be wanted at Cambridge, and your Committee have directed those that remain to be Transported to Albany as soon as the snow shall render it practicable. There are a number of Iron wheels for Carriages at Ticonderoga such as are not wanted there, your Committee have directed to be sent to Albany.
Tho' General Schuyler, had before he received the direction of Congress endeavoured to purchase the Arms, of such as quitted the Service, yet he has been able to procure but few. Those obtained of the New York forces are the property of that Province and must be Accounted for to them, such as are at Ticonderoga which may be between four and five hundred are ordered down to Albany in order to be refitted.
Your Committee beg leave to observe, that much would be saved to the Continent, by the Appointment of some person in each Army, who
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should have the inspection of the Arms, take a list of them when sent to Armorers and see that no more, was charged as done than what they really wanted; and have Accordingly Recommended the nomination of a Conductor of Artillery to the General till the pleasure of the Congress was known. Your Committee would further Observe, that their inspection of the Barracks, and the Complaints of the men have Convinced them, that they have suffered greatly for want of beding, the small blankets they have received, being insufficient to keep them warm in this Severe Climate. They have therefore recommended that the damaged Tents at Ticonderoga, should be out cut up and sacks made for the cribs in the barracks ous one for every two meu men, and would further propose to the Congress that all the rest of the Tents, which are nearly worn out (which is the case of most of those used at St. Johns, where the Soldiers were under a necessity of slitting and makeing fires in them) be immediately made up into Sacks for the different garrisons; and Canvas purchased in Canada for Replacing the Tents. Your Committee and the General see in a Strong point of view, the Necessity of a Barrack Master and Store keeper to each Garrison, and would Recommend their Appointment.
Your Committee Observe with Concern that infinite Mischief has Arisen from the want of Regimental paymasters, which has induced a necessity of Trusting large sums of money with Captains and other Officers, some of whom are incapible of keeping Accts, and some others, ought not perhaps to be trusted, and it frequently happens, that tho' the Colonies are in Advance to the Captains, yet they are greatly in Arrears to the men, who are from hence disgusted with the Service, and Clamorous against their Superior Officers, besides that it Confuses the Accounts, and imposes a Duty on the Captains for which no Allowance is made them, your Committee therefore Recommend the immediate appointment of a Gentleman properly quallified for this Office in every Regiment with a Salary which shall induce men of Character to undertake it.
Your Committee upon Confering with General Schuyler are inclined to believe, that the repairing of the fortification of Crown point, would be very expensive, and at the same time of very little use; they would therefore Recommend, that the whole labour, which can be afforded, be imployed on Ticonderoga, but imagine very little can be done this winter, unless a part of the new levies should be stationed there, in which Case they might prepare the wood, and have it ready against
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the Spring; but as the preservation of that post will depend more upon it's receiveing early Reinforcements, than on any Strength of it's own, and as Supplies by way of lake George, may be very easily intercepted, if the Army of the enemy is much Superiour to the Garrison, Your Committee would Recommend, that a Communication, be opened between Skeensborough and fort Ann, which last is distant from fort Edward abt Twelve miles, this we are informed may be done without any Considerable expence, by Clearing wood Creek, that empties itself into the lake at Skeensborough in which case the earliest Assistance, may be Received from New York, and the Adjacent Colonies, and that too in a way which the enimy cannot easely prevent; your Committee have given no directions on this head, as there is Sufficient time, to take the Sense of the Congress before any thing need be done.
General Schuyler is of opinion that four Companies are Necessary to Garrison the posts of Ticonderoga, and Fort George, and that not less than Three Thousand men be kept up in Canada dureing the Winter, as well in order to be prepaired for a Spring Campaign, as to erect such works, as may be Necessary for the defence of that Province in this Opinion Your Committee Concur, and would recommend, the immediate raiseing three regiments including four Companies for which Warrants are already granted, and sending them up in different Detachments, when they are properly equiped in order to be forwarded over the ice, as soon as the lake takes [some words omitted] which may be about the Beginning of February. Your Committee finding that all Matters relative to the Army in Canada had been settled before their Arrival, and Concluding from the hurry of Military Operations in that Province and the little Assistance they could receive from General Montgomery while he was imployed in a siege, that their Journey there, would be of little use to the publick, declined going into Canada, especially as at this Season they could not have proceeded without the greatest difficulty and hazard, they therefore concluded by a letter to General Montgomery to inform the Canadians of the Sentements of Congress, when he should find a proper Opportunity to Communicate them and to pave the way, for the Reception of any Committee, that the Congress might think proper to send, when the ice should render the Journey more practicable, and when it may probably be attended with Salutary effects. A Copy of which letter Marked No. 1 is annexed.
General Schuyler informs your Committee that he has made a
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Return to Congress of the Cannon and other stores at St. Johns, Crown point, Ticonderoga and Fort George they think it therefore unnecessary to Trouble the Congress with them.
Robt Treat Paine
John Langdon1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the writing of John Langdon. It is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 166, folio 1.]
The Committee of Claims reported that there is due,
To Ephraim Blaine, for expenses incurred by the Treaty with the Western Indians, and paid by him, the sum of £533.19.4½ -- dollars; that there is due to Ephraim Steel, for sundries furnished two riffle companies, the sum of £14.8.0= -- dollars, which ought to be paid to the said Blaine; and also 4s 8, due to John M'Kee, of which two last sums there ought to be charged to the continent, the sum of £5 [=13.3 dollars,] for the two cwt. of lead, and the remainder to the companies respectively, the whole being equal 1,462.9 dollars.
Ordered, That the above be paid.
The Committee to whom the application from the Convention of the colony of New York, for the loan of £45,000 was referred, brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to as follows:
The notwithstanding it appears to this committee that the credit of the colony of New York is unquestionable, and their application for the loan of £45,000 was suggested by disinterested principles, yet, that it would not be advisable, in the opinion of this Committee, for the Congress to make the loan proposed.
The Committee appointed to confer with the Indians, made report of their proceedings, which was read.
Whereas the colony of Connecticut has, by a certain act of their assembly, resolved that no further settlements be made on the lands disputed between them and Pensylvania, without license from the said assembly,
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Resolved, That it be recommended to the colony of Connecticut not to introduce any settlers on the said lands till the further order of this Congress, or until the said dispute shall be settled.1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 8 January, 1776.]
The Committee on the state of the treasury brought in a report, which being read, and in part debated,
The farther consideration thereof postponed.
The Committee appointed to consider what articles are necessary for the army, brought in their report, which was read.
The Committee appointed to enquire what Articles are necessary for the Army beg Leave to report that in their Opinion the following Goods and Stores are absolutely necessary and ought to be imported as soon as possible, vizt.
iron wire properly sorted for it ... 500
medicines, Surgeons Instruments, lint and bandages ... 2,000
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Your Comee having also taken into Consideration the best Ways and Means for supplying the continental Treasury with Silver and Gold beg Leave to report that the Sum of 160,000 Dollars be laid out in the Produce of these Colonies and exported agreeable to the Resolves of this Congress to proper Ports in Europe and the West Indies and there disposed of for Gold and Silver to be Imported into the Continental Treasury as soon as may be.1
[Note 1: 1 Endorsed: "Report of the comee. appointed to consider what articles are necessary for the army. Decr. 23, 1775, in part agreed to, the last paragraph postponed." The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, I, folio 1. See Journals, 3 January, 1776, post.]
The Committee appointed to examine the Journals, &c., brought in their report, which was read.
The Committee appointed to consider the petition of Peter Berton brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to, as follows:
That they have taken the petition into consideration, and after mature deliberation had thereon, they are of opinion that it is not advisable or proper for the Congress to grant the prayer of the said petition.
Ordered, That the delegates of Pensylvania call on the treasurers, and enquire what sum of hard money they have collected, and report thereon to Congress.
Resolved, That the Committee appointed to confer with the Indians conclude their conference with them with a friendly answer, and make them a small present.
∥The committee appointed to examine the journal, &c. laid before Congress a list of the several matters therein, which are yet unfinished.∥2
[Note 2: 2 As in the "Corrected Journal," but is a paraphrase of the section printed above.]
The Committee appointed to examine the journals and state what business is remains still before Congress unfinished, have agreed to the following report.
Report of the proposed Articles of Confederation (adjd from Augst last)
The Report of the Committee appointed to draw instructions for a Committee during Recess of Congress is on the table.
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The Committee was appointed to draw an answer to some ministerial proclamations have who reported an answer to one of them only. The Committee was appointed to drew instructions to Colo Irwin who have not yet reported.
Part of the report of the Committee appointed to take into their consideration the [state of the Co]lony of Virginia is on the table.
a report of the committee appointed to consider the information against persons refusing Continental currency is on the table.
a report from the same committee who were also instructed to consider an application from the Convention of N. York.
the Committee was appointed to consider a petition from sundry in for supplying the island of Grenada with lumber who have made no report.
part of a report from the Committee of the whole on the trade of the United colonies is still on the table and the Committee leave to sit again have not closed their report.
the report of a Committee appointed Nov. 23 to consider certain letters from General Schuyler is on the table
the Committee was appointed to consider the petition of Berton who have made no report have laid in their Report
the report of the Committee appointed to confer with the Indians now in this city have made no report is on the table
the report from a of the committee appointed Dec. 18 to consider certain other letters from General Schuyler is on the table
A report from the Committee appointed to prepare a plan for establishing expresses is on the table.1
[Note 1: 1 Postponed till Dr. F can make Enqy]
part of a report from the Committee appointed to confer with mr Kirkland is still on the table.
A Committee appointed Nov. 23 to enquire into certain frauds have not made a final report.
the report of the Committee appointed to consider Dow's letter and the Indian treaty, and the subject of Indi is still on the table.
two Brigadier-generals remain to be appointed
an Information against persons selling tea is yet to be considered.2
[Note 2: 2 To this point the report is in the writing of Thomas Jefferson. The five following paragraphs are in the writing of Charles Thomson.]
the report of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in Middle department is on the table
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the report of the Commissioners for Indian affairs in Southern department is on the table
the report of the Committee on Lord Sterlings letter is on the table
the report of the Committee on the vessel taken in New Hampshire is on the table
the report of the Committee appointed to repair to Ticonderoga and confer with gen Schuyler is on the table.
Report of the Secret Committee of [] of Articles Necessary for supplying The Army (lies on the table)
Committee for devising Ways and Means for Supplying the Indian Nations with Goods (Not yet Reported)
Committee for enquiring after Virgin Lead and Leaden Oar also of the Cheapest Method of Making Salt appointed before the Adjournment (not yet reported)
In Addition to the above there is the following Business unfinished
Report of the proposed Articles of Confederation--(Reported before the last adjournment)
Report of Secret Committee of Articles Necessary for supplying the Army--(lies on the Table)
Committee for devising Ways and Means for supplying the Indian Nations with Goods (not yet reported)
Committee for inquiring after Virgin Lead, and Leaden Oar also after the cheapest method of making Salt (appointed before the Adjournment not yet reported)
Ordered, That the several committees to whom any matters are referred, conclude their business with all convenient despatch, and report to Congress.
Ordered, That the 2d paragraph in General Schuyler's letter, of the 14 December, ∥relative to the measures taken by the ministerial agents, to engage the Indians in a war with these colonies,∥ be published.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Tuesday next.
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