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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, APRIL 19, 1776
A letter from Governor Trumbull, of the 2d, with a petition from Noah Phelps being presented to Congress, and read,
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee on Qualifications.
A motion being made and seconded for ascertaining the value of several species of gold,
Resolved, That the same be referred to a committee of
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seven ∥be appointed to examine and ascertain the value of the several species of gold and silver coins, current in these colonies, and the proportions they ought to bear to Spanish milled dollars:∥
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [George] Wythe, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Joseph] Hewes, Mr. [Thomas] Johnson, and Mr. [William] Whipple.
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Peter Brunner,1 for necessaries furnished to Captain Nelson's company by himself and Abraham Vanhorn, the sum of £9 9 4=25.2 dollars, and ought to be charged to the said Nelson:
[Note 1: 1 In the Warrant Book this name is given Bunner.]
To Mary Miller, for provisions, &c. furnished to General Lee's guard, the sum of £6 3 7=16.5 dollars:
To Jacob Frantz,2 for horse hire, in carrying Brigadier General Woedtke's baggage to New York, the sum of £17.16.6=47.5 dollars:
[Note 2: 2 In the Warrant Book this name is given as Franks.]
Ordered, That the same be paid.
Resolved, That letters which are directed for any general in the continental service, commanding in a separate department, be carried free of postage, by the constitutional post.
The committee appointed to prepare instructions to George Morgan, Esqr. brought in their report, which being read, was agreed to as follows:
To George Morgan, Esq. agent under the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department.
Sir,
You are required to provide that the great belt presented to the Indians last fall at Pitsburg, be forwarded, with all convenient expedition, to the Sachems and warriors of the western nations, and
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endeavour, to the utmost of your power, to convince them of the good wishes and good intentions of the Congress for and towards them, and to cultivate harmony and friendship between them and the white people; and to give Congress the most early intelligence of any interruption thereof, or of any disturbance which shall arise, and which you cannot quiet.
Acquaint the Indians that Congress have formed the best plan they could devise to import foreign goods for their use, and have neglected no probable means to procure them in time; and if they should not be supplied so soon as they may be wanted, the misfortune is to be ascribed to the common enemies of them and us, who, by obstructing our trade, as well as in numberless other instances, are daily injuring and distressing both; but that we have well grounded hopes of speedy relief, in expectation of which, and of greater advantages in prospect, the present inconveniencies are borne more patiently.
All differences and disputes that shall happen between the Indians and the white people, you will have adjusted and determined in the mode prescribed by a resolve of Congress, of which you have a copy: and you are directed, in a particular manner, to prevent, as much as you are able, any impositions upon the former by those who deal with them. Treat all those people, whom you may meet with, kindly and hospitably. Inspire them with sentiments of Justice and humanity, and dispose them to introduce the arts of civil and social life, and to encourage the residence of husbandmen and handicrafts men among them. Advise the Congress, from time to time, of all occurrences that may, in your opinion, deserve their attention.
The committee to whom General Washington's letter of the 15th Inst., as well as other letters, were referred, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration, was agreed to: Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington may order as many of the cannon and military stores as are not necessary for the continental fleet, and which were lately brought into New London, by the commander thereof, to any other place he may think proper; having regard only to the permission of Congress relative to the defence of the harbour of New London, a copy of which ought to be
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sent to General Washington, and also a list of the cannon and stores as transmitted to Congress.
Resolved, That the resignation of James Warren, as pay master general of the army, be accepted and entered accordingly; and that he be informed that there are superintendents of the treasury appointed, to whom he is to render his accounts and vouchers.
Resolved, That another pay master general be appointed, and that the General be informed thereof.
As it appears from the certificates of four colonels of regiments at Cambridge, that the Reverend Dr. Samuel Langdon did not only perform the duty of a chaplain to their several regiments, for the space of six months, for which no other chaplain had been appointed, but also to the army at large: Therefore,
Resolved, That the said Dr. Langdon, having received no compensation for those services, be paid the sum of 300 dollars.
Resolved, That three tons of powder be immediately forwarded to Virginia, for the use of the army in the southern department.
Resolved, That General Washington be made acquainted with General Lee's request of a company of artillery, and be desired to supply him with such a company, if it may be done consistent with the general good of the service.
Resolved, That an immediate supply of arms, shoes, and blankets, be furnished for the troops in Virginia, and that some proper persons be appointed to procure them, subject to the orders of Congress already entered into.
Resolved, That Mr. Ephraim Blaine be appointed to purchase a quantity of Blankets not exceeding five thousand,to be subject to the orders of Congress, and also that he be directed to purchase five thousand pair of shoes, to be
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sent to Virginia, to the commanding officer at Williamsburgh.
Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for the election of a pay master general.
Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Lowry, commissary, be directed to purchase and forward to General Schuyler, with all convenient despatch, two thousand barrels of pork, for the use of the army in Canada, and that he be supplied with a sum not exceeding twenty thousand dollars for that purpose, he to be accountable.
Resolved, That the committee appointed to confer with Mr. Price be directed to bring in a resolve to enable Messrs. Price and Heywood to draw for the ballance of the money ordered to be paid them by the resolutions of the 3d and 16th Instant.
Resolved, That Messrs. Du Montesson, Hervieux, La Marque, Du Massaux, Shemit, Giasson, and Gamelin, Canadian prisoners, at Bristol, be permitted to come to Philadelphia in order to purchase cloaths and other necessaries, and to remain there ten days, and then to return to Bristol.
The committee to whom were referred the letter from General Washington, of the 4th Instant, and the letter of General Schuyler, of the second ∥of this month,∥ brought in their report.1
[Note 1: 1 Another report, in the writing of Samuel Adams, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 305. It was laid before Congress, April 25, but was not acted upon until December 30, 1776, where it is printed. See under that date.]
The committee to whom the letter from Major General Schuyler, dated the second day of this instant April, was referred, having examined the matter thereof, report, that a letter be written and sent to him, acquainting him, that Congress approve the measures he hath pursued for the easy, expeditious and cheap transportation of the troops, ordered to march to Canada, with their baggage, and the artillery
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stores and provisions, down the Sorrell and St. Lawrence; and are well-pleased with his behaviour towards the indians, and with his message to them, and doubt not that his vigilance circumspection and influence will frustrate the attempts of our enemies to disturb us from that quarter; and also informing him of the provision made for supplying the army in Canada with pork.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of George Wythe, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 307.]
The Committee on Prisoners, having collected from the journals the several resolutions of Congress respecting prisoners, with some amendments, submitted the same to Congress.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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