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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, FEBRUARY 16, 1776
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to furnish Colonel St. Clair's battalion with arms, and that the president write to Colonel St. Clair, and desire him to use his utmost diligence in getting his betallion ready, and to march the companies, one at a time, as fast as they can be got ready, to Canada, with all possible expedition.
The Committee appointed to make an estimate of the cannon wanted for the defence of the colonies, and to devise ways and means for procuring them, &c. brought in their report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved 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 the colonies after the first of March; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matter to them referred, but not having come to any conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to Morrow Morning, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the propriety of opening the ports, and the restrictions and regulations of trade after the first of March next.
The committee on General Washington's and General Schuyler's letters, laid their report on the table.
By the Committee appointed to consider and report their opinions of several letters from Genls. Washington and Schuyler, and papers by them enclosed
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Your Committee in obediance to the order of Congress, have taken the said papers and letters into their consideration and beg leave to report:
That it is the opinion of your committee that commissioners be appointed by congress to repair to Cambridge to state and settle the accounts of the army, and report their proceedings to Congress.
That reasonable wages and proper rations be allowed to all persons employed by the Commissary Gen.l and Quarter master Gen.l and that the said commissioners report to Congress what in their opinion would be proper to allow to each person.
That Aids de Camp to the Commander in Chief, rank as Majors, and that Aids de Camp to the Major Gen.ls rank as Captains.
That the committee of Fred.k County Maryland be informed that instructions to Doct: Connolly were artfully concealed in the two pieces of wood which are in the mail pilion of his port manteau saddle, and be requested carefully to examine, and if found, to transmit them immediately to Congress..
That no postage be paidfor on officers letters, they engaging on honor to frank or enclose no letters but their own.
That Congress submit the expediancy and practicability of an Expedition to Nova Scotia, to Gen.l Washington, and would by no means accept the plan proposed by Thompson and Obrian so far as relates to Tory Property nor the destruction of the Town of Halifax.--That the Congress approve of Genl. Schuyler's answer to Colo. Fellows, that Genl. Schuyler be desired to procure all necessary intrenching tools, that 10,000 in specie be immediately sent to Canada, and that bills of credit to the amount of 20,000 pounds of small denominations from 1/ to 7/6 be issued and sent to that Province.
[Note : 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Chase, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 189.]
That two additional Commissioners be appointed for Indian Affairs in the Northern department.
That Gen.l Washing be requested to send some skilful Engineer to the assistance of Gen.l Schuyler in constructing a Fort at Ticonder age, if Gen.l Washington can part with any such person, and that if he cannot, he acquaint Gen.l Schuyler therewith, and desire he will use his endeavours to procure one.1
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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