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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 --WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1776
A letter of the 2d from Major General Putnam, with sundry letters and papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 11.]
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee on Prisoners.
A letter from the committee of Greenwich, in Cumberland county, in New Jersey, dated 3 instant, was laid before Congress and read, informing that the sloopBetsey and Ann, Benjamin Tucker, master, from Bermudas, was arrived there with 1700 bushels of salt, and two puncheons of Rum, which he is desirous of exchanging for provisions, which the inhabitants of the islands of Bermudas are in extreme want of:2 Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 58, folio 211.]
Resolved, That the said master be allowed to exchange his cargo for provisions, and to export the same, under the inspection and direction of the committee of Greenwich, who are desired to take an oath, or such other security as they think proper, of the said master, that he will carry the same to the islands of Bermudas, and will use his utmost endeavours to avoid all English men of war and cutters.
The Congress took into consideration the report from the committee of the whole: Whereupon,
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider what is proper to be done with persons giving intelligence to the enemy, or supplying them with provisions:
The members chosen, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, Mr. [Edward] Rutledge, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. R[obert] R. Livingston.
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Resolved, That the deputy commissaries general, deputy quarter masters general, deputy adjutants general, and deputy muster masters general, make regular returns and reports to Congress, and to the respective officers to whom they are deputies, at least once a month, and that the principals also make returns to Congress at the same periods.
That the pay master general, and the aeputy pay masters general, make monthly returns to Congress of their expenditures, and the state of the military chests in their several departments:
Resolved, That the flying camp be under the command of such continental general officers as the commander in chief shall direct:
That expresses be established between the several continental posts:
Resolved, That the militia, when in service, be regularly paid and victualled in the same manner as the continental troops:
Resolved, That a pay master be appointed to each regiment. That it shall be the duty of the regimental pay masters to keep all the accounts of their respective regiments, and to observe such rules and orders as shall be given them in command by the general or commander in chief, and that each of them be allowed for this servicedollars per month.1
[Note 1: 1 On the margin is "not agreed to in committee." The paragraph is found in Charles Thomson's minute on the proceedings in committee of the whole, in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 193.]
Resolved, That the aids de camp of the commander in chief rank as lieutenant colonels:
That the aids de camp of major generals rank as majors,but not to take rank of regimental or brigade majors.2
[Note 2: 2 The last clause is taken from the Thomson minute.]
That Robert Hanson Harrison, Esqr. have the rank of lieutenant colonel in the continental army:
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Resolved, That the assistant quarter masters general be allowed captain's pay:1
[Note 1: 1 In thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 177, is a sheet containing these two paragraphs in the writing of Charles Thomson. An endorsement "Resolution agreed on by the Committee of the whole Congress, June 3, 1776."]
That the pay of the regimental surgeons be augmented to thirty three dollars and one third of a dollar a month.2
Resolved, That a committee, to consist of one member from each colony, be appointed, to consider of ways and means of establishing expresses between the several continental posts:
The members are, Mr. [Josiah] Bartlett, Mr. S[amuel] Adams, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott, Mr. [Francis] Lewis, Mr. W[illiam] Livingston, Mr. [Benjamin] Franklin, Mr. [Cæsar] Rodney, Mr. [John] Rogers, Mr. [Carter] Braxton, Mr. [Joseph] Hewes, Mr. [Thomas] Lynch, jun. and Mr. [Button] Gwinnett.
The Congress then proceeded to the election of an adjutant general and quarter master general, to fill up the vacancies in those offices; when the ballots being taken and examined,
Joseph Reed, Esqr. was elected adjutant general; and
Stephen Moylan, Esqr. was elected quarter master general.
Resolved, That Joseph Reed, Esqr. have the pay of 125 dollars a month, and the rank of colonel:
That Stephen Moylan, Esqr. have the pay of 80 dollars a month, and the rank of colonel.
Resolved, That the election of majors general be postponed.
Resolved, That no person shall be appointed to any place of profit, unless the person to be appointed shall have a majority of the voices of the colonies represented at the time of Election.
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The Congress then proceeded to the election of two brigadiers general, when the ballots being taken, the following gentlemen were elected: viz.
Resolved, That this Congress will to morrow again resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into theft farther consideration the report of the Committee of Conference.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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