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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, JANUARY 4, 1776

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1776

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Congress proceeded to the choice of lieutenants

Resolved, Thatit be recommended an additional batallion be raised in the county of Cumberland, in the colony of Pensylvania, to consist of the same number of men and officers, and to have the same pay and allowance, as the others raised in said colony.

Resolved, That one company of each of the five batallions last ordered to be raised in Pensylvania, consist of expert rifflemen.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the committee of safety of Pensylvania, to see the foregoing resolutions carried into execution,

Resolved, That, in all elections of officers by Congress, where more than one are elected on the same day, to commands of the same rank, they shall take rank of each other according to their election, and the entry of their names in the minutes, and their commissions shall be numbered to shew their priority.

The Congress then proceeded to the election of lieutenant colonels for the batallions ordered to be raised in

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Pensylvania, and the ballots being taken and examined, the following gentlemen were chosen: viz.

Lambert Cadwallader, William Allen, Junr. Francis Johns[t]on, Joseph Penrose.1

[Note 1: 1 In this instance the process of election can be followed. On January 3d the Committee of Safety of Philadelphia notified Congress that it had selected the following for recommendation to Congress as suitable to fill the offices of Lieutenant Colonels: viz: Lambert Cadwalader, Joseph Wood, Francis Johnston, Joseph Penrose, William Allen, Thomas Hartly, William Irwin and Daniel Broadhead.Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 58, folio 319. The actual votes in Congress were thrown for a longer list of candidates, presumably new names being suggested by members, as follows:

]

The Committee of Claims report, that there is due,

To James Whitehead, for provisions for the prisoners taken on board theRebecca and Mary, the sum of 64 dollars.

To the committee of New Brunswick, per accounts rendered, the sum of 214.9/10 dollars, to be paid to William Livingston, Esqr. and by him forwarded to the said committee.

To Furman and Hunt, of Trenton, for provisions, horse hire, &c. the sum of 68.2/10 dollars.

To the committee of Inspection and observation of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, for 187,046 flints, by them purchased, agreeable to the order of Congress, the sum of 737 dollars.

To sundry persons, per list, for signing the continental hills of credit, the sum of 1,165.7/10 dollars, and that an order be given to the treasurers for the payment of the same, agreeable to the said list.

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To the committee of Frederick Town, Maryland, for the expences incurred by Connolly, Cameron and Smith, during their confinement, the sum of 74 dollars, and that the same be paid to the delegates of Maryland.

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid accordingly.

Resolved, That a commissary be appointed to provide the three companies ordered to Northampton, in Virginia, with rations while on their march, and during their stay in that country.

Resolved, That the appointment of a commissary be deferred till to Morrow.

The Congress resuming the consideration of the report of the Committee on the state of New York: after debate,

Resolved, That the same be postponed till to Morrow, and that the delegates of New York be desired to request the attendance of the Gentlemen sent to Congress by the convention of their colony.1

[Note 1: 1 The New York committee was composed of Abraham Brasher, Thomas Palmer, and Captain John Grenell.]

Resolved, That Major Preston have liberty to chuse the place of his residence, consistent with former resolutions of Congress, and that the president take his parole.

The Congress proceeded to the election of Majors, when the following persons were chosen.

The Committee appointed to consider what allowance ought to be made to officers who are prisoners, brought in their report:2

[Note 2: 2 "The Congress wish to know in what manner the prisoners of war at Trenton live, who supplies them, and upon what terms. The reason of the enquiry is, that very extravagant claims are made on this head from other quarters, and we aim to render the public burthens as light as possible."Richard Smith to the Committee of Safety of New Jersey, 4 January, 1776.]

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Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on Saturday next.

Adjourned to 10 o'clock to Morrow.

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