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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 1, 1776
A letter from Governor Trumbull, 23 December, 1775, being received, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 66, I, folio 51.]
The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to consider on Captain Simeon Sellick's petition,2 which was agreed to, as follows:
[Note 2: 2 SeeJournals II, 463, 467.]
That they have maturely considered the petition, and have examined Captain Sellick particularly thereon, and are of Opinion, that the petitioner be allowed, as a compensation for his expences, trouble, and risque in taking the goods at Turtle bay, for the use of the United Colonies, the sum of 333 1/3 dollars, and that the committee of Fairfield be directed to take into their possession, for the use of the said colonies, all the goods taken by Captain Sellick, which are not already delivered by him, and to forward the two boxes of saltpetre now in Captain Sellick's custody, to the powder Mill in Ulster county, to be manufactured into powder for the continental service.
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The Congress, took into consideration the report of the Committee on Lord Stirling's letter, after debate thereon,
Resolved, That the same be recommitted.
The Congress proceeded to the election of an Adjutant for the batallion raised in Pensylvania, and the ballots being taken,
John Patterson was elected.
Resolved, That the president sign commissions to the field officers appointed by the provincial Congress of North Carolina, to command the, two batallions directed to be raised in that colony by the Continental Congress, and that such commissions shall bear like date with those issued to the said officers by the said provincial Congress of North Carolina.
Resolved, That, in case of vacancy occasioned by the death or removal of a colonel or inferior officer, the provincial Congress of North Carolina, or, in their recess, the provincial Council, appoint another person to fill up such vacancy, until a commission shall issue from this Congress; and that they return to this Congress a list of the names of the person or persons so appointed.
The delegates of New York having received new powers from their convention, laid the same before Congress, as follows:
In Provincial Congress,
New York, Die Jovis, 3d. h. o. P. M. December 21st, 1775.
Resolved, That the present Delegates of this Colony, in Continental Congress, be requested to make such an Arrangement among them selves, as that five of them only continue at Congress, and represent this Colony at any one Time; And that, in case of the necessary absence of any one or two of the Delegates so attending, according to such Arrangement, that three or four of them be a Quorum, and enabled to represent the Colony during such absence.
A true Copy from the Minutes.
John M'Kesson,Secretary.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, New York,Credentials of Delegates.]
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The committee to whom the letters from General Washington, and the intercepted letters, were referred, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration, ∥the Congress came to the following resolutions∥:
Resolved, That the seizing and securing the barracks and castle of St. Augustine will greatly contribute to the safety of these colonies, therefore it is earnestly recommended to the colonies of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia to undertake the reduction of St. Augustine, if it be thought practicable.
Resolved, That the president of the provincial council of North Carolina and Georgia, be requested to procure committees of their several bodies to repair immediately to Charleston, and there to confer with a committee of the council of safety of South Carolina, upon weighty and important matters relative to the defence and security of those colonies.
Resolved, That the first resolution together with copies or extracts of such of the intercepted letters as tend to shew the state of the forts and garrison at St. Augustine be transmitted by express to Henry Middleton and John Rutledge Esqrs members of Congress to be by them laid before the committees directed to meet [at Charleston] in consequence of the above resolution and in case the enterprize be judged practicable that immediate preparations be made by the joint force of the said colonies (viz South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia) and the expedition be undertaken without delay at the expence of the united colonies.
Resolved, That it appears the British ministry and their agents have meditated and are preparing to make attacks upon Charleston, in South Carolina, and several places in Virginia, and probably in North Carolina; and that it be recommended to the conventions or committees of safety
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of the two former colonies, and to the provincial council of the other, by all possible means, to make a vigorous defence and opposition; and that it be farther recommended to the committee of safety of Virginia, and the provincial council of North Carolina, to meet together and confer and conclude upon such operations as they may think most for their mutual interest.
Adjourned to 10 o'clock to Morrow.
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