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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, JULY 5, 1776
A letter from Captain Crawford, a prisoner of the 26th regiment, was read, requesting leave to visit the prisoners in the several places where they are confined:
Resolved, That, in the present situation of affairs, such leave be not granted.
The committee on ways and means, brought in a report, which was read:
Ordered, To lie on the table.
The accounts and vouchers of Mr. Price being laid before Congress,
Resolved, That the same be referred for adjustment to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of War brought in a report: Whereupon,
Resolved, That a regiment be raised out of the officers who served in Canada, on the same terms on which the regiment, to be commanded by Colonel Dubois, is to be raised; and that the following persons be appointed officers of the said regiment:
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James Gold,--Sill Fbenezer Hide, Gamaliel Painter, first lieutenants;
Resolved, That the president write to Governor Cooke, requesting him to order fifty ship carpenters to be engaged, on the best terms, at the expence of the continent, and sent to General Schuyler at Albany, as soon as possible, in order to build vessels for the defence of the lakes.
The committee of Congress, appointed to confer with the committee of safety of Pennsylvania, and the committee of inspection and observation for the city and liberties of Philadelphia, and the field officers of the five batallions of the said city,on the 5th day of July, their report was read, Whereupon reported, that they have met ∥had a meeting with the committees and officers aforesaid,∥ and have agreed to the following resolutions, viz.
That all the associated militia of Pennsylvania, (excepting the counties of Westmoreland, Bedford and Northumberland) who can be furnished with arms and accoutrements, be forthwith requested to march, with the utmost expedition, to Trenton, (except the militia for Northampton county, who are to march directly for New Brunswick) in New Jersey; and that the said militia continue in service, until the flying camp, of ten thousand men, can be collected to relieve them, unless they shall be sooner discharged by Congress:
That the militia march by companies to the place of rendezvous:
That the said militia be taken into continental pay, and receive the same pay, allowances and rations, with the continental troops, from the time they begin their march, until they return to their respective homes:
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That those of the three batallions of the Pennsylvania troops, now remaining in theprovince State, be ordered to march immediately for New Brunswick, in New Jersey:
That the committee of safety of Pennsylvania provide as many tents as they can for the said militia:
That the committees of inspection and observation, in the several counties, furnish a good kettle to every six men, and give all the assistance in their power, that the said militia be well armed and equipped, and march with the greatest expedition:1
[Note 1: 1 To this point the resolutions were based upon the report of the conference signed by Thomas McKean, chairman. The next two paragraphs were prepared in Congress. The resolutions were printed in thePennsylvania Gazette, 10 July, 1776.]
That the committees of inspection for the several counties of Pennsylvania, be desired to order such troops as they may raise for the flying camp, to be marched to Trenton; the resolve of Congress passed yesterday to march them to Philadelphia notwithstanding; Whereupon,
Resolved, That this Congress highly approve the foregoing resolutions, and recommend it to the good people of Pennsylvania, to carry the same into execution with the same laudable readiness, which they have hitherto manifested in supporting the injured rights of their country.
Resolved, That an order issue to Colonel Hazlet, of the batallion in Delaware government, to station one company at Lewistown, and to march the remaining seven companies of his batallion to Wilmington, and there remain until further order of this Congress.
Resolved, That the commissioners for Indian affairs in the southern department, while on actual service, receive four dollars a day.
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The committee on the treasury reported, that there is due,
To John Walker, Esq. commissioner of Indian affairs in the southern department, the sum of 869 67/90 dollars, for several horses, a waggon and guns, and expences in travelling 2500 miles.
Ordered, That the same be paid.
The committee appointed to consider the state of Georgia, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That for the defence of the colony of Georgia, there be an addition of two batallions, (one of them to consist of rifflemen) to be raised on the same terms on which other continental batallions are now ordered to be raised:
Resolved, That blank commissions for the field officers be sent to the convention of Georgia, to be filled up with the names of such persons as the said convention shall judge proper:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the assemblies, conventions or councils of safety of the colonies of Virginia, North and South Carolina, to permit the raising troops, for the purpose aforesaid, within their respective colonies [states]; and, if requested, to afford their advice and assistance, with regard to suitable persons in the said colonies for captains and subalterns, and that blank commissions be delivered to the delegates:
Resolved, That four gallies be built at the expence of the United States, under the direction of the convention of Georgia, for the further defence of said colony [state]:
And whereas the delegates of said colony of Georgia have represented to the said committee, that it will be necessary that two forts be erected in the said colony, the one at Savannah and the other at Sunbury:
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Resolved, That two companies of artillery be raised, consisting of fifty men each, officers included, for the purpose of garrisoning such forts, in case they shall be erected, at the expence of the said colony; and that blank commissions be delivered to the delegates for the officers, to be filled up by the assembly or convention of said colony [state].
Resolved, That General Washington be empowered, if he shall judge it adviseable, to order three of the fullest regiments, stationed in Massachusetts bay, to be immediately marched to Ticonderoga; and that an equal number of the militia of that state, be taken into pay, and embodied for its defence, if the government of Massachusetts bay judge it necessary.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Mr. John Coburne, who has acted as assistant conductor of military stores in Canada, and has produced certificates of his having done his duty in that station, be allowed lieutenant's pay, from the first day of March to the first day of June last:
That a chaplain be appointed to each regiment in the continental army, and their allowance be encreased to thirty three dollars and one third of a dollar a month:
Resolved, That immediate steps be taken, in the several colonies, to procure lead:
Resolved, That the post master general be directed immediately to have expresses established between this city and New York, and that General Washington be desired to send off despatches to Congress every day:
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send forthwith to General Lewis, at Williamsburgh, five
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tons of powder, for the use of the troops in the southern department, part of which to be forwarded to South Carolina:
Resolved, That the British officers and soldiers who are prisoners, and now in New Jersey, be sent from thence to the town of York, in Pensylvania, and that the convention, or committee of safety of New Jersey, be requested to carry this resolve into immediate execution:
Resolved, That four companies of the militia be directed to remain in Philadelphia, to guard the continental stores in that city.
∥The matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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