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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 30, 1775
Two letters from General Washington, 19 [18] and 21 December, enclosed a copy of a letter to general Howe, and accompanied with a number of intercepted letters, being received and read,2
[Note 2: 2 These letters are in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, I, folios 351--367. The first is printed in Writings of George Washington (Ford), III, 285.]
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Resolved, That they be referred to a committee of five.
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Lynch, Mr. [William] Hooper, Mr. [George] Wythe, Mr. Silas Deane, and Mr. S[ameul] Adams.
A letter from General Schuyler 21 December, being received, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 366.]
A letter from General Washington, dated 14th December, being delivered by two strangers, was read.
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Secret Committee, who are directed to confer with the bearers, and pursue such measures as they may think proper for the interest of the United Colonies.2
[Note 2: 2 The two strangers were Penet and Pliarne, from France, who were desirous of obtaining arms and ammunition for the Continent. The vouchers for the expenses of their journey from the camp at Cambridge to Philadelphia are in the Library of Congress.]
Resolved, That Major Preston have leave to go to Amboy to visit his uncle who lives there, and to remain in that place one week, and then return to Philadelphia, and wait the orders of Congress.
The Committee appointed to enquire into the grounds of the information, respecting a quantity of arms and ammunition being to be procured, report, that they have examined into the same, and have received intelligence that a quantity of arms and ammunition, and other articles are concealed in Tryon county, in which also there are several tories armed and inlisted in the enemy's service: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the said committee be directed to communicate the said intelligence to General Schuyler, and in the name of the Congress, desire him to take the most speedy and effectual measures for securing the said arms
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and military stores, and disarming the said tories, and apprehending their chiefs.1
[Note 1: 1 Against these two paragraphs in the "Corrected Journal" is written the word "Secret.".]
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favour of the said committee, for the sum of 40 dollars, for expediting the said business.
Ordered, That the delegates of Pennsylvania do immediately count the silver and gold in the treasury, and forward the same, with all convenient speed, under a guard of five men, to General Schuyler; and that the persons sent by the above committee, accompany said guard.
Resolved, That the treasurers be empowered to employ a broker to collect gold and silver, for paper bills of credit.
Resolved, That the contents of the intercepted letters this day read, and the steps which Congress may take in consequence of the said intelligence thereby given, be kept secret until further orders, excepting only that the delegates of Virginia and [South] Carolina have leave to send to their conventions, extracts of such parts of the letters, as they may think necessary for the welfare of their colonies.
The Committee on Captain Selliek's petition, brought in their report, which was read.
The Committee on the petition of sundry merchants in Philadelphia, also brought in their report, which was read.
∥Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday next.∥
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