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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, JANUARY 25, 1776
A letter, from the committee of Trenton, dated January 23;
A letter from Ibbetson Hamar, ditto
A letter from Richard Huddleston,
A letter from the committee of Lancaster, 22 January, enclosing an answer from the officers to the resolutions of Congress, were read,
Resolved, That the foregoing be referred to the committee of correspondence.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of the Trenton Committee is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 47. Those of Hamar and Huddleston are in No. 78, XI, folios 9, 13. That of the Lancaster Committee is in No. 78, XIX, folios 3, 9.]
The Committee to whom the Letter from the Committee of Trenton was referred, are of Opinion,
That the Receipt thereof be acknowledged, and the Thanks of the
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Congress express'd for the Readiness with which its Orders relating to Gen. Prescot and Capt. Chace had been executed.
The same Committee on considering Dr. Huddlestone's Letter, are of Opinion,
That he be immediately set at Liberty on the Terms he mentions. And that a verbal Proposition be sent by him to General Carleton, to enter into a Stipulation on both sides, not only to release all Physicians and Surgeons; but that if by the Fortune of War, the Hospital of either Army should fall into the Power of the other, the same Subsistence and Supplies should be afforded to the Sick and Wounded as if Friends; and that neither they nor the Attendants of the Hospital should be considered or detain'd as Prisoners. And it is farther the Opinion of the Committee, that if Govt. Carleton should not agree to the mutual Release of Surgeons, Dr. Huddlestone is to be on his Parole, to return immediately hither.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Benjamin Franklin, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 215. The following notes in the writing of Franklin are in No. 78, XIX, folio 7.
"Agreed to set Dr Huddlestone at Liberty on the Terms he mentions. And send by him a Proposition to Gen. Carleton, that it be Stipulated on both Sides, not only to release all Surgeons; but that if by the Fortune of War, the Hospital of either Army should fall into the Power of the other, the same Care should be taken of the Sick and Wounded as of Friends, and that neither they nor the Attendants of the Hospital should be considered as Prisoners. And if Govr Carleton should not agree to the mutual release of Surgeons, Dr. Huddleston is to be on his Parole to return immediately."OFFICERS ANSWER AT LANCASTER
- "1. To be left on the Footing it was plac'd on in our Letter of the 18th.
- "2. Resolve related merely to the Officers at Trenton, no Complaint having been received of those at Lancaster.
- "3. 2 Dollars per Week was the Allowance of Congress, the Officers may refuse it or add to it on their own Acct as they please.
- "4. Enquire the meaning--High Acts from Trenton
- "5. See the Resolution of Congress, express stronger than before what relates to Gen. Schuyler's Promise.
- "6. We shall be extreamly sorry to be reduc'd to the Necessity of confining them in Prison if they cancel their Parole.
- "7. Cloathing ordered by us. Their Cloathing ordered to be brought up.
- "8. Provided for in our former Letter.
- "9 and 10. It is not desired to remove any Officer to the Prejudice of his Health, Directions given in former Letter relating to the Women and Children.
"GEN. WASHINGTON'S LETTER
]- "All the Tent Cloths to be got, shall be forwarded.
- "Some arrived in Maryland.
- "No Arms to spare here. Write to the Assembly, &c. to strengthen G. Washington's Application."
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A letter from Colonel Maxwell, respecting the unprepared state of his batallion ∥being read∥1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 3.]
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of the committee of Trenton, for the sum of 4000 dollars, for the purchase of arms for Colonel Maxwell's batallion, the said committee to be accountable.
Resolved, That the president write to the said committee, and to Mr. Lowry, stimulating them to furnish Colonel Maxwell∥'s battalion∥ with the articles necessary for their march; and that the president write to Colonel Maxwell, and direct him to send forward to Albany, the first company that can be got ready, and that he cause the other companies to march with like expedition, ∥one at a time,∥ as fast as they can be got ready.
Resolved, That a committee of 3 be appointed to take the examination of General Prescot and Captain Chace, who are now arrived in Philadelphia, and report to Congress:
The members ∥chosen,∥ Mr. [Samuel] Adams, Mr. [Samuel] Ward, and Mr. [Roger] Sherman.
The committee appointed to consider of a proper method of paying a just tribute of gratitude to the memory of General Montgomery, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to as follows:
It being not only a tribute of gratitude justly due to the memory of those who have peculiarly distinguished themselves in the glorious cause of liberty, to perpetuate their names by the most durable monuments erected to their honour, but also greatly conducive to inspire posterity with an emulation of their illustrious actions:
Resolved, That, to express the veneration of the United Colonies for their late general, Richard Montgomery, and
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the deep sense they entertain of the many signal and important services of that gallant Officer, who, after a series of successes, amidst the most discouraging difficulties, fell at length in a gallant attack upon Quebec, the capital of Canada; and for transmitting to future ages, as examples truly worthy of imitation, his patriotism, conduct, boldness of enterprize, insuperable perseverance, and contempt of danger and death; a monument be procured from Paris, or any other part of France, with an inscription, sacred to his memory, and expressive of his amiable character and heroic atchievements: And that the continental treasurers be directed to advance a sum, not exceeding £300 sterling, to Dr. Benjamin Franklin (who is desired to see this resolution properly executed) for defraying the expence thereof.
That Dr. Smith be desired to prepare and deliver a funeral oration in honor of General Montgomery, and of those officers and soldiers, who so magnanimously fought and fell with him in maintaining the principles of American Liberty.
Resolved, That the direction of the fleet fitted out by the order of Congress, be left to the marine ∥naval∥ committee.1
[Note 1: 1 In a memorandum by Charles Thomson, summarizing the resolutions of Congress on naval matters he mentions the appointment of the committee to consist of one member from each State (Journals, December 14, 1775), and added that this Committee "was afterwards denominated theMarine Comee to distinguish it from the Naval Comee above mentioned, which was still in existence." Later, the memorandum says: "The Naval Comee having executed the business for which they were appointed had only to render their accounts, but on the 25 January the direction of the fleet fitted out by order of Congress was left to them." The manuscript text of the Journals givesmarine, which was afterwards changed tonaval.]
A letter from General Washington, dated January 14, was laid before Congress and read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, I, folio 415. It is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), III, 337.]
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Resolved, That it be referred for consideration to the Committee of Correspondence.
Resolved, That Mr. James Mease be appointed a commissary to supply the battalions, ordered to be raised in Pensylvania, with the articles allowed by Congress; he to be allowed ∥for his trouble,∥ one and ¼ per cent. in full of all charges for the money passing through his hands, and to give security for the just and faithful expenditure of the same.
That Mr. [Thomas] Lynch and Mr. [Andrew] Allen be appointed to take the security.
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of the delegates of North Carolina, for the sum of 10,000 dollars, for the use of the battalions ordered to be raised in that colony.
The committee appointed to take the examination of General Prescot and Captain Chace, made report of their proceeding:
Resolved, That colonel Roberdeau be requested to relieve the guard from Trenton, who has charge of General Prescot and Captain Chase, with a trusty guard from his battalion.
Resolved, That the committee appointed to take the examination of General Prescot and Captain Chase, be directed to enquire particularly into the conduct and character of General Prescot, and to consult the letters of General Washington, General Schuyler and General Montgomery respecting him, and report to Congress.
Resolved, That the fortification at Crown Point be not repaired; and that the fortress at Ticonderoga be repaired and made defensible; and that General Schuyler be desired to make return to the Congress, as soon as may be, of the size and number of cannon, that will be necessary to fortify that place.
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The Congress being informed that there [are] some circumstances attending the parole given by Mr. Hazen,
Resolved that a committee be appointed to enquire into the particulars.
The committee returned and reported that upon enquiry they find the parole was given while he was in close custody, that notwithstanding the parole he was still continued in the same confinement, and kept confined till released by General Montgomery after gaining possession of Montreal. Whereupon,
Resolved that the resolutions passed on Monday stand and that those passed on Tuesday respecting the appointment of Colonel and lieut Colonel of Canadian Regiments be expunged.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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