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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 --SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1776
A letter from Lord Stirling dated 14th, with a paper enclosed containing a copy of general orders for the defence of New York, ∥was laid before Congress, and read:∥1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 162, folio 455.]
Resolved, That a letter be written to Lord Stirling, directing him immediately to send forward the powder
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destined for Cambridge, unless he has received express advice from General Washington, that the enemy's fleet and army have sailed out of the harbour of Boston.
Resolved, That the account of Mr. Price, of Canada, be referred to the Committee of Claims.
A petition from Coquataginta or Captain White Eyes, was presented to Congress and read:
Resolved, That the same be referred to a committee of 3.
The members chosen, Mr. L[ewis] Morris, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee.
Resolved, That Captain D[uncan] Campbell, a prisoner at Lancaster, have leave to come to Philadelphia to meet his wife and children, and there reside till further orders.2
[Note 2: 2 "It having been represented to Congress that Mrs. Campbell has arrived in this city, and so much indisposed as not to be able to pursue her design of visiting you at Reading, and being desirous of seeing you, I am directed by Congress" &c.John Hancock to Captain Campbell, 16 March, 1776.]
Mr. W[illiam] Livingston, pursuant to leave granted, brought in a resolution for appointing a fast, which ∥being taken into consideration,∥ was agreed to as follows:
In times of impending calamity and distress; when the liberties of America are imminently endangered by the secret machinations and open assaults of an insidious and vindictive administration, it becomes the indispensable duty of these hitherto free and happy colonies, with true penitence of heart, and the most reverent devotion, publickly to acknowledge the over ruling providence of God; to confess and deplore our offences against him; and to supplicate his interposition for averting the threatened danger, and prospering our strenuous efforts in the cause of freedom, virtue, and posterity.
The Congress, therefore, considering the warlike preparations of the British Ministry to subvert our invaluable rights and priviledges, and to reduce us by fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness, and our own domestics, to the most abject and ignominious bondage: Desirous, at the same time, to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God's superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely, in all their lawful enterprizes,
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on his aid and direction, Do earnestly recommend, that Friday, the Seventeenth day of May next, be observed by the said colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies; and by inclining their hearts to justice and benevolence, prevent the further effusion of kindred blood. But if, continuing deaf to the voice of reason and humanity, and inflexibly bent, on desolation and war, they constrain us to repel their hostile invasions by open resistance, that it may please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the continental arms, by sea and land, with victory and success: Earnestly beseeching him to bless our civil rulers, and the representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions; to preserve and strengthen their union, to inspire them with an ardent, disinterested love of their country; to give wisdom and stability to their counsels; and direct them to the most efficacious measures for establishing the rights of America on the most honourable and permanent basis--That he would be graciously pleased to bless all his people in these colonies with health and plenty, and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism, and of pure undefiled religion, may universally prevail; and this continent be speedily restored to the blessings of peace and liberty, and enabled to transmit them inviolate to the latest posterity. And it is recommended to Christians of all denominations, to assemble for public worship, and abstain from servile labour on the said day.
Resolved, That the foregoing resolve be published.1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in thePennsylvania Gazette, 20 March, 1776.]
Resolved, That another Brigadier General be appointed in the continental army.
The ballots being taken and examined,
The Baron de Woedtke was elected.
Resolved, That the baron Frederic William de Woedtke, appointed a Brigadier General in the army of the United
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Colonies, be ordered immediately to repair to New York, there to remain under the commanding officer, until the commissioners appointed to go into Canada shall reach that colony: and that the said Baron Woedtke be directed to accompany them into Canada, and there serve under the commander of the continental troops in that province.
Resolved, That Carpenter Wharton, Commissary, continue, agreeable to his contract, to supply with rations the Pensylvania batallions serving in New York.
A petition from Joseph Blewer and Daniel Robinson was presented to Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 A letter from Blewer and Robinson to Messrs. Deane, Adams and Wythe, dated February 2, 1776, respecting the brigantineSea Nymph, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 58, folio 437.]
Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee of the whole.
The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further consideration the Memorial from the traders, and others, inhabitants of Philadelphia, the petitions from Accomac and Northampton, and from J. Blewer and D. Robinson, &c. and after some time spent thereon the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matters to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again on Monday next.
Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into farther consideration the Memorial from the traders and others, inhabitants of Philadelphia &c.And that there be a call of the House at 11 o-Clock.
Adjourned to Monday next, at 10 o Clock.
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