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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, FEBRUARY 12, 1776
A letter from Major General Lee, dated 9th February, was presented to Congress and read,1 wherein he informs that a transport with troops was arrived there ∥at New York,∥altho it is said that General Clinton gave his honor that not a soldier was destined for New York that more might be expected, and, therefore, that a farther reinforcement was necessary to ∥secure and∥ defend that place:The Congress taking this letter and request into consideration, Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 13.]
Resolved, That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of New Jersey, immediately to send detachments of the minute men equal to a battalion, under proper officers, to New York, there to put themselves under the command of Major General Lee:
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That it be also recommended to the committee of safety for Pensylvania, immediately to send detachments of the four batallions of associators in this city [Philadelphia] equal to a batallionproperly equipped to New York, there to put themselves under the command of Major-General Lee.
Resolved, That the colonels of the Pensylvania batallions ∥ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania,∥ be ordered to make an immediate return to Congress of the number and condition of the men inlisted, the places where they now are, and the manner in which they are appointed.
That a copy of the above be forwarded to the commanding Officers of each of the batallions.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send to New York, one ton of the powder belonging to the United Colonies, and that the same be delivered to the order of General Lee:
Resolved, That the said committee be empowered to purchase what powder and arms arrive belonging to private persons, on the best terms they can, for the use of the United Colonies; and that they furnish with the fire arms they purchased such of the three remaining companies of the first Pensylvania batallion, ordered to Canada,who are now in the barracks and deficient in arms with good arms as may want them, in order that they may immediately proceed on their march.
Resolved, That fifty tons of salt petre be delivered by the Secret Committee to the committee of safety for the province of Pensylvania, who are requested to have the same manufactured into gun powder, in the cheapest and most expeditious manner; and that this Congress will confirm any contracts made for the above purpose:
That 10 tons ∥of salt petrel∥ be by them sent to the Late Judge [J. R.] Livingston's powder mill in the colony
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of New York, and that he, owner of said mill, be desired to manufacture it into gun powder, as soon as possible, and to enlarge his works, if it can conveniently be done:
That 10 tons ∥of salt petre∥ be ∥also by them∥ sent to the council of ∥the colony of∥ Massachusetts bay, and that they be desired to have it manufactured into gun powder, with all possible expedition, and sent to General Washington, for the use of the army, under his command.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of inspection for the county of Chester, to aid Colonel Wayne in procuring blankets for his batallion.
The Congress being informed that a gentleman was arrived from Canada, who had some matters of consequence to communicate,1
[Note 1: 1 Prudent la Jeunesse. SeeJournals, February 14, 1776,post.]
Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence do confer with him and report to Congress.
∥Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.∥
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