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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 --THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1776
∥Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the mode of regulating the price of salt; and, thereupon, came to the following resolution:∥
Whereas it hath been represented to Congress, that avaricious, ill designing men, have taken advantage of the resolve of Congress, passed the 30th of April, for withdrawing, from the committees of inspection, the power of regulating the price of goods, to extort from the people a most exorbitant price for salt:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the committees of observation and inspection in the United Colonies, so to regulate the price of salt, as to prevent unreasonable exactions on the part of the seller, having due regard to the difficulty and risque of importation; subject, however, to such regulations as have been, or shall hereafter be made, by the legislatures of the respective colonies.1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in thePennsylvania Gazette, 5 June, 1776.]
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The Committee, to whom the letter from Joseph Woodward, chairman of the committee of the New Hampshire grants, was referred, and who were directed to hear the persons mentioned in said letter, brought in their report, which was read.
The committee, to whom the petition address and remonstrance of the persons inhabiting that part of America,which is situate on the which is commonly called and known by the name of the New Hampshire grants, was referred, have examined the matter thereof, and come to the following resolution thereupon:
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that it be recommended to the petitioners, for the present, to submit to the government of New York, and contribute their assistance, with their countrymen, in the contest between Great Britain and the united colonies; but that such submission ought not to prejudice the right of them or others to the lands in controversy, or any part of them, nor be construed to affirm or admit the jurisdiction of New York in and over that country; andthat, whentranquillity shall be restored, the congress will resume the consideration of the subject matter of the said petition and proceed to do thereupon what may be proper1 the present Troubles are at an End the final Determination of their Right may be mutually referr'd to proper Judges.2
[Note 1: 1 To this point the report is in the writing of George Wythe. It is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 40, I, folio 1. It is endorsed "Read, 80 May, 1776. Ordered to lie on the table." There is no record of the appointment or membership of the committee to whom the petition of Allen (see under June 4, p 416,post) was referred; but it appears to have been referred to the same committee, and one or more members added. Only in this way can the writing of the report by Wythe be explained.]
[Note 2: 2 This last sentence is in the writing of John Hancock.]
The committee to whom it was referred to consider of an adequate reward for the person who brought the late intelligence from England, brought in their report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That he receive his pay, being a soldier in Captain Morgan's company of rifflemen, to be continued from the time of his captivity until the 15th day of June next, and a gratuity of one hundred dollars.
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A petition from Captain Herman Allen was presented to Congress, and read.
An extract of a letter from a gentleman in Bermuda, dated the 26th April, and continued to the 1 May, 1776, to a gentleman in Philadelphia, was presented to Congress, and read.
Resolved, That it be referred to the committee appointed to examine the most proper ports to be fortified.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter, unsigned, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 58, folio 353. The names of the committee are given under March 23, 1776,ante.]
Resolved, That six of the heaviest cannon at Newport, and fourteen of the heaviest cannon at New London, belonging to the continent, be transported to Philadelphia as soon as possible:
That a copy of the above resolution be transmitted to the governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut.
The Congress then took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major General Gates, and Brigadier General Mifflin; and, after some debate,
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of the whole Congress.
Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the report of the committee appointed to confer with the generals; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee have taken into consideration the matter to them referred, and have come to a resolution; but, not having time to go through [the whole], desire leave to sit again.
The resolution delivered in from the committee of the whole Congress being read, was agreed to as follows:
Resolved, That the General be authorized to direct the building as many fire rafts, row gallies, armed boats, and
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floating batteries as may be necessary, and suitable for the immediate defence of the port of New York, and Hudson's river.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the Committee of Conference.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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