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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, JULY 8, 1776
Sundry letters were received and read: viz.
One of the 4th from General Washington, one of the 6th July from the convention of New Jersey.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folio 153. It is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), IV, 204. That of the convention of New Jersey is in No. 68, folio 175. On this day were read the following letters, of which no record was made on the Journals: From the Committee of Northampton County, July 6, in No. 69, I, folio 151; and from the Committee of Reading, same date, in same volume, folio 155.]
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to send four tons of powder, and a sufficient quantity of cartridge paper, to General Mercer, for the use of the flying camp.
Resolved, That an order for 20,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of James Mease; he to be accountable.
A letter of this day from Mrs. Connolly was laid before Congress,2 and read:
[Note 2: 2 This letter, dated July 8, is printed inPennsylvania Archives, First Series, IV, 782.]
Resolved, That it be referred to the committee of safety of Pensylvania, and that it be recommended to the said
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committee, to make proper provision for Mrs. Connolly, till farther order of Congress.
Resolved, That an order issue to the commanding officer of the militia ∥military associators∥ of Philadelphia, not to order Captain Peters out of the city, as his service ∥and attendance∥ is necessary in the war office.
Resolved, That the post masters, while in office, be excused from all military duty.
A letter from the convention of Maryland of the 4th, enclosing resolutions for raising three thousand four hundred men for the flying camp, was laid before Congress and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 33. The resolves were adopted June 25.]
Resolved, That Major General Gates be informed, that it was the intention of Congress to give him the command of the troops whilst in Canada, but had no design to vest him with a superior command to General Schuyler, whilst the troops should be on this side Canada; and that the president write to Major General Schuyler and Major General Gates, stating this matter, and recommending to them to carry on the military operations with harmony, and in such manner as shall best promote the public service:2
[Note 2: 2 This was to quiet a difference of opinion between Schuyler and Gates with regard to the command of the army in the Northern Department.]
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolution be transmitted to General Washington.
The committee of safety of Pensylvania, having recommended Daniel Burkhard, George Hubley, Jacob Bunner and Benjamin Weiser, to be captains to the four companies of Germans to be raised in that state,
Resolved, That the said gentlemen be approved, and that commissions be granted to them accordingly.
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The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington be vested with discretionary power to call to his assistance, at New York, such of the continental regiments in the Massachusetts bay, as have not already received orders to march to Ticonderoga; and that the general court of that province [state] be requested to supply their places with militia, if they think it expedient:
That General Washington have permission to call forth and engage in the service of the United States, so many indians of the St. Johns, Nova Scotia and Penobscot tribes, as he shall judge necessary and that he be desired to write to the general court of the Massachusetts bay, requesting their aid in this business, and informing them that Congress will reimburse such expences as may be necessarily incurred in consequence of the foregoing resolutions.
That the commissary general have full power to supply both armies, that upon the lakes as well as that at New York; and also to appoint and employ such persons under him, and to remove any deputy commissary, as he shall judge proper and expedient; it being absolutely necessary, that the supply of both armies should be under one direction.
The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a deputy quarter master general for the flying camp; and, the ballots being taken, and examined,
Clement Biddle was elected deputy quarter master general for the flying camp, and for the militia of Pensylvania and New Jersey, ordered to rendezvous at Trenton.
Resolved, That to morrow be assigned for the election of a deputy muster master general for the flying camp and militia aforesaid.
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Resolved, That the committee for providing medicines, be directed to supply the militias aforesaid, with a sufficient quantity of suitable medicines.
Resolved, That an order for 60,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of the delegates of Georgia, for the use of the continental batallions; the colony ∥state of Georgia∥ to be accountable.
Resolved, That General Washington be empowered to appoint suitable places of rendezvous for the new batallions raising for Canada, and communicate the same to the assemblies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Connecticut and New York; also, to issue his orders for supplying the men with rations, tents, a month's advance pay, and other necessaries.
Resolved, That Mr. Mease be directed to advance one month's pay to such of the militiaof Pennsylvania, marching to Trenton as will engage to serve in the flying camp.
Resolved, That an order for 5,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of Mr. George Evans, contractor for supplying the Delaware batallion; he to be accountable.
A letter of the 5, from the committee of safety of Sussex in Delaware government, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 581.]
Resolved, That the same be referred to the delegates of Maryland and Delaware.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.2
[Note 2: 2 "A paper has been privately laid on the Congress table, importing that some dark designs were forming for our destruction, and advising us to take care of ourselves. Some were for examining the cellars under the room where we sit. I was against it, and urged that we ought to treat such information with contempt, and not show any mark of fear or jealousy. I told some of them I had almost as soon be blown up as to discover to the world that Z thought myself in danger. No notice has been taken of this piece of information, which I think is right."Joseph Hewes to Samuel Johnston, 8 July, 1776.]
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