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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, APRIL 15, 1776
A letter from General Washington, of the 4th enclosing a letter from Governor Cooke, and an account of the powder supplied the army at Cambridge, by the colony of Massachusetts, from the 10th of June; also, a letter from General Schuyler, of the 2d, with eight papers enclosed, being laid before Congress, and read,1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, I, folio 581. It is printed inWritings of Washington, (Ford) IV, 9. A copy of Governor Cooke's letter is in the same volume of Papers, folio 585. The letter of Schuyler is in No. 153, II, folio 75.]
Resolved, That the same be referred to Mr. [George] Wythe, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, and Mr. S[amuel] Adams.
Resolved, That the intelligence received respecting the Indians, be kept secret.
The committee to whom the petition from the committee of Wallpack, &c. was committed, brought in their report, which was agreed to: Whereupon,
Resolved, That an order be drawn, by the chairman of the Secret Committee, upon Henry Wisner, Esqr. in favour of the petitioners, for 200 lb. of powder, they paying for the same:
That 1000 flints be delivered to the petitioners:
That the petitioners be directed to send Garret Broadhead, Esqr. to the nearest Indian settlement, in order to discover whether any uneasiness subsists among the Indians in that part of the country; and, if it subsists, from what cause it arises:
That a letter be written by the president of the Congress to General Schuyler, informing him of the apprehensions of the inhabitants on the western boundary of New Jersey from the Indians, and requesting him to
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direct proper enquiries to be made, whether there be any foundation for such apprehensions.
The Congress, taking into consideration the report of the committee on the petition of John Secord,
Resolved, That a certifyed copy of the said Petition be transmitted to the governor of Connecticut; that he be requested to cause enquiry to be made into the truth of the facts therein stated; and, if found true, that it be recommended to him to cause restitution to be made to the petitioner.
Resolved, That it be again recommended to the settlers at Wyoming and the Susquehannah river, as well those under Pensylvania as those under Connecticut, to cultivate harmony, to consider themselves as jointly interested in the event of the American cause, and not, by mutual acts of violence or oppression, to injure that union which so happily subsists between all the colonies, and on which their welfare so much depends.
Resolved, That the Committee on fortifying ports, be Empowered to write in the name of the Congress to General Washington, and request him to send a proper person to examine such ports on the coast of New England as they shall direct, and report thereon.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in theLetters to Washington, 89, folio 124. Washington named Colonel Richard Gridley to view the works at Cape Ann and Colonel Henry Knox to report on those of New London.]
That the said committee be empowered to employ proper persons to examine the several ports and harbours on the coast between New York and Delaware bay, and between Delaware bay and Chesapeake, and to the southward.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to supply the inhabitants of Monmouth county, in New Jersey, with 300 lb. of powder, they paying for the same.
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Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to bring in a Resolution, whereby persons resident, having property in America, who assist any of the enemies of these United Colonies in the captures of vessels or goods, may be made liable to make good the damages to the sufferers:
The members chosen, Mr. [Carter] Braxton, Mr. [John] Jay, and Mr. [George] Wythe.
A petition from Moses Kirkland, a prisoner, was presented to Congress, and read:
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee on Prisoners.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the ways and means of supplying the troops in Canada; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Mr. R[obert] Morris be directed to purchase bills of Exchange to the amount of three thousand pounds sterling, and deliver the same to Mr. Pricein part of debt due to him; and that he, Mr. R. M. be indemnified from any loss that may arise by endorsing the same:
Resolved, That the sum of £5000=13,333.3 dollars be advanced to Mr. Price, to be employed by him in the service of the continent, in Canada, he to be accountable.
Resolved, That the officers of the riffle batallion, and independent riffle companies, be authorized and directed to recruit the said batallion and companies, and inlist them as speedily as possible; and their re-inlistment be for two years from the expiration of their present term, liable to be discharged sooner, if the Congress shall think proper, upon receiving a month's pay advance.
A petition from Thomas Learning, Junr. in behalf of the committee of inspection of the county of Cape May, in the province of New Jersey, was presented and read, setting
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forth the defenceless state of that part of the country,and the advantages which the enemy may reap from it unless care is taken to prevent them, and praying for a supply of powder and lead, and that two companies of the continental forces may be stationed there.
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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