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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 --WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1776
A letter from Rachel Stille, with an account of expences for the subsistence of officers, was laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee appointed on the subsistence ∥conduct of officers.∥
Resolved, That the Commissioners for Indian affairs, in the northern department, be directed to pay to the Rev. Mr. Wheelock 500 dollars, agreeable to a resolution of Congress, passed the 12 day of July last.
The Committee appointed to devise ways and means for furnishing ∥facilitating the march of∥ the batallions destined for Canada, brought in their report, which was agreed to, and is as follows:
That before the batallion commanded by Colonel Bull can march for Canada, the following officers ought to be appointed, to wit: Three first lieutenants, eight second lieutenants, one ensign, and one quarter master, and the
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following articles provided: to wit 688 caps, 688 pair mittens, 688 pair stockings, 688 pair leggings, 688 pair shoes, 688 haversacks, 688 slings for fire locks, 1,200 shirts, 688 waistcoats, 500 pair of breeches, 300 blankets, 64 pitching axes, and 9 baggage waggons.
That before Colonel Maxwell's batallion will be fit to march to said province, the following articles ought to be provided, to wit: 688 haversacks, 688 cartouch boxes and cross belts, 688 Tomhawks, 64 pitching axes, and 9 baggage waggons.
That both batallions be paid up to the first day of February next.
That the batallions should march by companies, and that they should follow each other at the distance of one day's march; that the quarter masters and commissaries should precede their respective batallions a few days, in order to provide lodgings and provisions on the road, and that
The colonels be allowed six rations.
Lieutenant Colonels, five ditto.
Majors, four ditto.
Captains, three ditto, and the
Subaltern and staff officers, two ditto each, or money in lieu thereof.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety of Pensylvania, to supply the Pensylvania batallion with such of the above articles as they have not already furnished, agreeable to former resolutions of Con gress; and that all the articles furnished the men, more than those allowed in lieu of bounty, be deducted out of their pay.
Resolved, That Thomas Lowry be directed to provide the articles for the second New Jersey ∥colonel Maxwell's∥ batallion, and that all the articles furnished the men, more
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than those allowed in lieu of bounty, be deducted out of their pay.
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favour of Thomas Lowry, for the sum of 35,000 dollars, for the use of the batallions raised in New Jersey, he to be accountable for the same.
Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress proceeded to the election of two Brigadiers general, and the ballots being taken and examined, Joseph Try, Esqr. was elected brigadier general for the army in Massachusetts bay, Benedict Arnold, Esqr., brigadier general for the army in the northern department.
The Committee of safety ∥for Pennsylvania,∥ having recommended a number of persons for field officers for the sixth Pensylvania batallion ∥ordered to be raised in said colony,∥ the Congress proceeded to the election, and the ballots being taken ∥and examined,∥
William Irwine, [Irvine] was elected Colonel,
Thomas Hartley, lieutenant Colonel,
James Dunlap [Dunlop], Major.
Resolved, That another batallion be raised in the colony of New Jersey, on the same terms as the other two raised in said colony.
Resolved, That the pay of the troops serving in, and destined for, Canada, be the same as that of the army at Cambridge; and that this pay commence to the Pensylvania and New Jersey batallions, from the time they set out on their march to Canada.
The Congress considering the great distance from Colonel Heard to Colonel Waterbury, the difficulty of co-operating with each other in their expedition into Queen's county on Long island; thereupon,
Resolved, That Lord Stirling be desired to furnish Colonel Heard with three companies under his command, who
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are to join Colonel Heard with the minute men by him raised, and proceed, as soon as may be, on the expedition into Queen's county, for which Colonel Heard and Colonel Waterbury were appointed: and that Colonel Heard be desired immediately to send an express to Colonel Waterbury, with a copy of this resolution, and inform him that his service will not be required on this occasion.
Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the state of these colonies, and report as soon as possible what number of forces, ∥in their opinion,∥ will be necessary for the defence of the same.
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Thomas] Lynch, Mr. [William] Hooper, Mr. E[dward] Rutledge, and Mr. [James] Wilson.
Resolved, That the colony of North Carolina be supplied with one ton of powder by the Secret Committee.
The Committee of claims reported, that there is due, on account rendered by the committee of the upper district of Frederick county, in Maryland, the sum of £300.1.0=800 1/10 dollars, of which Captain Cressap's company ought to be charged £214.2.8 and Captain Price's company, £29, the remainder to be charged to the Continent, the money to be paid to Daniel Hester.
That there is due to Furman and Hunt, for provisions, &c. furnished to prisoners, &c. the sum of £66.16.8=178 2/10 dollars.
To William Shad, for his attendance as door keeper ∥messenger∥ to the 4th of December, 1775, the sum of £19.10=52 dollars.
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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