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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 --MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1776
A letter from Governor Trumbull, dated January 20th, being received, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 66, I, folio 67.]
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Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of James Mease, commissary, for the sum of 5,000 dollars, for the use of the battalions ordered to be raised in Pensylvania.
The committee, to whom were referred the letter from General Washington, dated 19 of this instant, with the papers therein mentioned, and the letter from lord Stirling, dated 24th of the same month, and the letter from Mr. Tucker, chairman of the committee of safety of New Jersey, dated the day last mentioned, brought in their report: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the applications made by General Washington to the governments of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, and Connecticut, in such an exigency, to raise a regiment in each of those colonies for the service of Canada, were prudent, consistent with his duty, and a farther manifestation of his commendable zeal for the good of his country; that the ready attention of the said governments to those applications, and the alacrity with which they undertook, and the expedition with which they proceed in the business, are additional proofs of their meritorious attachment to the common cause, and may produce signal public advantages: and that it be recommended to the general assembly of Massachusetts bay, to raise the like number of matrosses, and in the like manner,as is recommended to the other colonies by the resolution of 20 January; and that both these and the additional regiment there, be inlisted upon the same terms as those directed to be raised for this service in New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, and Pensylvania; and for this purpose, that 12,500 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Massachusetts bay, and forwarded by them, with blank military commissions for the field officers, captains and subalterns, signed by the president to the said general assembly:
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That the three regiments to be raised in New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay and Connecticut, for service in Canada, be exclusive of the thirteen intended to reinforce the Army at Cambridge:
That the loss of and damage to such fire arms, belonging to the soldiers in the service of the continent, as shall happen not through carelessness or other misbehaviour, the value being ascertained in a proper manner, to be provided by the general assemblies, conventions, and councils or committees of safety of the United Colonies respectively, be made good to the owners; and that their arms, after their time of service [is] expired, be not detained from them:
That the alertness, activity and good conduct of Lord Stirling, and the forwardness and spirit of the gentlemen, and others, from Elizabeth town, who voluntarily assisted him in taking the shipBlue Mountain Valley, were laudable and exemplary; and that his lordship be directed to secure the capture, until the further order of the Congress; and that, in the mean time, he cause such part of the loading, as would otherwise perish, to be disposed of by sale.
The committee desired leave to sit again, which was granted.
A petition from Dr. Wheelock, being laid before Congress, was read, and referred to the Committee on Indian affairs in the middle department.1
[Note 1: 1 A copy of this petition is in the Washington Papers,Letters to Washington, VIII, folio 31.]
The committee on the inlistment of apprentices &c. brought in their report, which, after debate, was recommitted.
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Hugh M'Clenaghan, an express from Pittsburg, for expences, &c. the sum of 46 2/10 dollars.
Ordered, That the same be paid.
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Resolved, That General Prescot be committed to, and kept in close confinement in the gaol of Philadelphia, till farther orders of Congress.
That Captain Chace be remanded to Trenton, and permitted to reside with the other officers on his parole.
A memorial and proposal of Captain John Nelson, respecting a company of rifflemen,consisting of 70 privates and four officers all furnished with riffles may be taken into the service of the united colonies and sent to Canada, was presented to Congress, and read:
Resolved that the said company be taken into pay on the same terms as the other forces destined for Canada, to serve in one of the batallions to be raised there.
The officers of the said company are John Nelson, Captain, Moses Decker, first lieutenant, Adam Ott, 2d lieutenant and Isaac Newkirk, 3d lieutenant.
That a committee be appointed to confer with Captain Nelsonand fix the rout of the Company.
The Members, Mr. [John] Morton, Mr. [Henry] Wisner, and Mr. [Roger] Sherman
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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