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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 --FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1776
A letter from General Lee, dated 22 January, enclosing a letter from the committee of safety of New York, being received was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter and enclosure are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folios 1, 9.
"The Congress this day received a letter from General Lee, apprising us of his intended march into New York, in obedience to orders from General Washington, favouring us, at the same time, with a copy of your letter to him on this subject.
"As we perceived it was General Lee's intention immediately to proceed to your city, and that you thought such a measure dangerous to the lives of the inhabitants, and in other respects unseasonable, we thought it our duty to apply for a Committee of Congress to examine into the expediency of the expedition, and to give such directions as, upon consulting you and the General, might appear most prudent and advisable.
"Colonel Harrison, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Allen, are intrusted with this important business, a choice which we approve, having the highest sentiments of their humanity, patriotism, and judgment. "New York Delegates to the New York Committee of Safety, 27 January, 1776. Force,American Archives, 4th Series, IV, 1091.
"Messrs. Harrison, Lynch, and Allen, the Committee of the Continental Congress, attended the Committee, and were introduced. The Committee of Safety informed those gentlemen that their answer to the order of this Committee occasioned this conference. The Committee of Safety, on their part, suggested that, as General Lee, by his letter, had informed them that he would delay the main body of his troops on the frontiers of Connecticut until after his arrival; that as those troops are introducing into the Colony, without any particular order of the Continental Congress known to this Committee, and Major General Lee, who was to have preceded those troops, and had the command of them, detained by indisposition, the Committee of Safety conceive that those troops ought not to be introduced into he city on any other condition than under their direction; that the dignity of this Colony in the Continental Union, and their duty to their constituents to preserve their liberties, and prevent any manoeuvre or accident that may endanger the safety tof the city, or cause the removal of the inhabitants at this inclement season of the year, in their opinion, forbids the introduction of those troops on any other condition, for the present.
"The gentlemen of the Committee of Continental Congress then informed this Committee that Congress, in consequence of having received a copy of the letter of the Committee of Safety to General Lee, had appointed them a Committee to confer with General Lee and this Committee; that no service or matter whatever should be undertaken by those troops, until such conference had. They then produced their credentials from Congress, whereby the directions of those troops are given to the gentlemen of that Committee. They further assured the Committee that General Lee, knowing that they were here, by his instructions to Colonel Waterbury, had directed those troops to be under their command; that they would, as far as in their power, take care that the troops should be kept under good government and discipline until General Lee's arrival, and for that purpose they had given particular directions to Colonel Waterbury.
"The Committee thereupon were satisfied, and declared they were contented, as those troops are under the command of the Committee of the Continental Congress."Minutes of the New York Committee of Safety, 1 February, 1776. Force,American Archives, Fourth Series, IV, 1100.]
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Resolved, That a committee of 3 be appointed to consider what allowance ought to be made for paying the troops ∥raised∥ in New Jersey and Pensylvania, and report to Congress.
The members ∥chosen∥, Mr. [Samuel] Ward, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, and Mr. [Andrew] Allen.
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of the Commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department, for the sum of 1,000 dollars, they to be accountable.
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favour of the Committee of Correspondence, for the sum of 7,000 dollars, they to be accountable.
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A petition from sundry persons, respecting the inlisting of apprentices, ∥was presented and read.∥
The Congress taking into consideration the letter from General Lee, with the enclosure:
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to repair to New York, to consult and advise with the council of safety of New York and General Lee respecting the immediate defence of the said city; and that General Lee be directed to follow the determination of the said committee thereupon:
That it be an instruction to said committee, in case the city cannot be defended, that they earnestly recommend it to the inhabitants immediately to remove their most valuable effects to a place of safety:
That the said committee be instructed to consult with General Lee and the committee ∥of safety∥ of New York, about the fortifications on Hudson's river, and about fortifying the pass at Hell gate:
The members appointed, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, Mr. [Thomas] Lynch, and Mr. [Andrew] Allen.
A letter from Fort Pitt, dated January 15th, with enclosures, were read.
∥Adjourned to ten o'clock to-Morrow.∥
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