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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, FEBRUARY 15, 1776
Resolved, That ∥the Secret Committee deliver∥ 150 stand of the arms lately imported into this province, be delivered to Colonel Maxwell, for the use of such of the companies of his battalion as want them, in order that they may ∥immediately∥ proceed to Canada.
The committee to whom the letter from the convention of New Jersey, and from the field officers of the third batallion, ordered to be raised in that colony, were referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon,
Resolved, That Colonel Heard be directed to furnish Colonel Dayton with such of the arms lately brought from Long Island, as are or may be made fit for service, or so many of them as Colonel Dayton may desire:
That 30,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. Lowry commissary for New Jersey on account; and that he be fully authorized to procure all necessaries (except arms) ordered by Congress, for the three batallions raised, and to be raised, in that colony:
That the convention or committee of safety of New Jersey be allowed from the continental stock, half a ton of powder, out of which they are to pay what has been borrowed from Elizabeth Town, Somerset, Woodbridge, and Brunswick.
That to the same convention or committee of safety, be advanced the further sum of 5,000 dollars, for the purpose of compleating the three batallions there with
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arms, which they are desired to accomplish with all possible expedition.
Resolved, That two tons of the powder, belonging to the continent, be delivered to the delegates of Virginia, for the use of the forces in that colony.
A letter from General Lee, dated 11 of February; a letter from General Schuyler, February 4, with a letter from General Wooster dated Montreal January 27, being received by Colonel Ritzema, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Lee is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 17. That of Schuyler is in No. 153, I, folio 502. That of Wooster is in No. 161, folio 261.]
Resolved, That they be referred to the same committee to whom the letters received yesterday were referred, and that the said committee be directed to confer with Colonel Ritzema, ∥and report to Congress.∥
∥Information being received that General Clinton was gone from New York, the Congress came to the following resolution:∥
The Congress have a proper sense of the spirit and patriotism of the associators of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, in cheerfully offering and preparing to march, in order to assist in the defence of New York; but, as the danger which occasioned an application for their service, is at present over,
Resolved, That their march to New York be suspended.
Resolved, That a pay master be appointed for the troops in Virginia, that his pay be 50 dollars per month.
The Congress then proceeded to the election, when Benjamin Harrison, Jun. of Berkley, was elected.
That a committee of three on the reports of the committee of correspondence (two of whom to be members of Congress) be appointed to proceed to Canada, there to pursue such instructions as shall be given them by Congress:
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The members chosen, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. S[amuel] Chase, and Mr. Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.
Resolved, That Mr. Carroll be requested to prevail on Mr. John Carroll to accompany the committee to Canada, to assist them in such matters as they shall think useful:
Resolved, That this Congress will make provision to defray any expence which may attend this measure.
That 8 tons of powder be immediately sent to Canada, for the use of the forces there.
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Richard Smith, the sum of 28 8/10 dollars for provisions furnished by sundry persons in New York government, to Captain Ross's company of riffle men.
To Michael Connolly, the sum of 1,082 8/10 dollars on account of expences in bringing the women and children belonging to the 26 and 7th Regiments from Esopus to Reading.
To Colonel Simmes, the sum of 569 dollars on account of expences in bringing the baggage of the 26 and 7th regiments from Walpack to Lancaster, and several other small expences.
To Thomas M'Enry, the sum of 133 1/3 dollars for 800 Canteen straps.
Ordered, That the above be paid.
The committee, to whom the letter from the committee of safety of New York of 3 January, and the letter from Governor Trumbull of January 6, were referred, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration:
Resolved, That no farther works be erected on Martler's rock, but, that those already erected there, be supported and garrisoned:
That a fascine battery, to mount not exceeding eighteen heavy cannon, be thrown up on the Gravel Hill, eastward of Martler's rock, marked in the draught LL, so as to
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command the west point, the reach down the river from the west point, and part of the reach up the river: and that a convenient road be opened from this battery to the barracks on Martler's rock:
That a redoubt of earth and fascines be built on the eminence on the east side of the river, opposite to the west point marked in the draught A, to mount 30 guns:
That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of New York, to forward the battery at Pooplopen's kill; and that the said battery be made of earth and fascines, and to mount a number of guns, not exceeding forty guns:
That such of the continental troops as are or may be stationed at the aforesaid places, be 'employed in erecting these works and batteries, under the direction of the engineer:
That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of New York, to prosecute the discovery of the lead mine at New Canaan: and that a copy of the report of Joseph Hopkins to the general Assembly of Connecticut respecting this mine, be sent to them.1
[Note 1: 1 The report of Hopkins is printed in Force,American Archives, 4th Series, V, 298.]
The Congress took into consideration the report from the committee of the whole house, and after debate,
Resolved, That the same be re-committed.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to morrow Morning, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the propriety of opening the ports, and the restrictions and regulations of the trade of these colonies after the first of March next.
Resolved, That the committee of ways and means to procure Cannon, be empowered to enquire what quantity of brass can be procured, and to contract for the same.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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