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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 --SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1776
Resolved, That the letter from General Lee, with the papers enclosed, which were received and read yesterday, be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved, That the thanks of the United States of America be given to Major General Lee, Colonel William Moultrie, Colonel William Thompson, and the officers and soldiers under their command, who, on the 28th of June last, repulsed, with so much valour, the attack
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which was that day made on the state of South Carolina, by the fleet and army of his Britannic majesty:
That Mr. President transmit the foregoing resolution to General Lee, Colonel Moultrie and Colonel Thompson.1
[Note 1: 1 A copy of Hancock's letter to Moultrie conveying these thanks is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 533.]
A petition and memorial of Monsieur Pelissier was presented to Congress, and read:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 73.]
Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War. The committee appointed to settle a cartel for the exchange of prisoners, brought in their report, which was read:
Ordered, To lie on the table, and that the same be taken into consideration on Monday next.
Resolved, That the commander in chief in each department be empowered to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, in the following manner: One cont.3
[Note 3: 3 These resolves were finally adopted on July 22,post.]
Resolved, That this Congress will on Thursday next resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to tale into consideration the plan of treaties.
The convention of Pensylvania having directed the common prisoners to be removed from the new jail to the old, and the said new jail to be given up to the Congress for the use of the state prisoners,
Resolved, That Robert Jewel be appointed keeper of said new jail, and that he take custody of the prisoners committed to his charge.
Resolved, That the plan of treaties be printed for the use of the members, under the restrictions and regulations prescribed for printing the plan of confederation; and that, in the printed copy, the names of persons, places and states, be omitted.4
[Note 4: 4 See under July 18, p. 576,ante.]
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Resolved, That Brigadier General Lewis be directed to forward to South Carolina, the whole five tons of powder sent to him for the use of Virginia and South Carolina.
Resolved, That the sum of 3,000 dollars, part of the ten thousand dollars voted for the commissioners of Indian affairs in the middle department, be advanced to Mr. James Wilson, to be by him forwarded to the commissioners appointed to attend the treaty at Pittsburg.
Resolved, That the sum of 210 dollars be advanced to--,the captain of the guard, who is to escort the prisoners from New Jersey to the place of their destination, in order to defray expences; he to be accountable.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That a brevet commission of lieutenant colonel be granted to Mons. Jacque Antoine de Franchessin, a knight of the order of St. Louis, an experienced officer in the French service, and who is well recommended in letters from abroad; and that he be ordered to join the flying camp.
Resolved, That Dr. Senter be recommended to Dr. Morgan; who is desired to examine him; and if, ∥upon examination,∥ he finds him qualifyed, to employ him in the hospital as a surgeon.
A letter of the 19, from General Washington, enclosing sundry papers; and,
A letter of the 13th, from Governor Trumbull, with a list of the cannon at New London, were laid before Congress and read.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter from Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folio 243. It is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), IV, 275. Thai of Trumbull is in No. 66, I, folio 211.]
Resolved, That the deputy quarter master general [for the flying camp,] be directed to deliver to Colonel Smallwood,
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for the use of the Maryland troops, such necessaries, as he has, belonging to the continent, as the said troops may want.
The delegates of Pensylvania produced credentials of a new appointment, which were read as follows:
In Convention for The State of Pennsylvania,
Saturday, July 20, 1776.
The House met According to Adjournment; when, according to the Order of the Day, they Immediately proceeded to the Election of Delegates to Serve in the Continental Congress; and chose for that Service, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Colonel George Ross, George Clymer, Esqr. Robert Morris, Esqr. Colonel James Wilson, John Morton, Esqr. Dr. Benjamin Rush, Colonel James Smithy and George Taylor, Esqr.
I do hereby certify the above to be a true Extract from the Minutes.
John Morris,Secretary.
Resolved, That Colonel Haslet be ordered immediately to march with the troops under his command, to Philadelphia, thereto wait the further order of Congress.
Resolved, That the sum of 200,000 dollars be sent to the deputy pay master general for Virginia; he to be accountable.
The convention of Pensylvania having recommended gentlemen for field officers of the batallion ordered to be raised for the defence of the western frontiers, the Congress proceeded to the election; when,
Æneas M'Coy was elected colonel; George Wilson, lieutenant colonel; Richard Butler, major.
Resolved, That the sum of 12,500 dollars be advanced to Colonel M'Coy, for the bounty and expence of raising said batallion; he to be accountable.
John Boyd is elected pay master to said batallion.
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Captain Dundee, for his subsistence to the 19th instant, and for carriage of baggage, 86 dollars:
To Dr. Beaumont, to the same date, 85 22/90 dollars:
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To Ensign William M'Leod, to 20th instant, 110 60/90 dollars:
To Finley Miller, surgeon's mate, 26th regiment, to the 19th of July instant, 79 dollars:
To Arthur Wadman, lieutenant of the 26th regiment, to the 22d of July instant, 162 60/90 dollars:
To James Gill, surgeon of artillery, to the 19th of July instant, 74 dollars:
To Jacob Shalets, lieutenant of artillery, to the 19th of July inst. 74 dollars:
To Lieutenant Ibbetson Hamar, to the 19th of July instant, 40 dollars:
To Captain Heskett, for carriage, 75 30/90 dollars; and, that the same ought to be paid, agreeable to their request, to Peter Dundee, captain of the royal fuzileers:
That there is due to Michael Brecht, for provisions and attendance of sick soldiers at Reading, the sum of 17 42/90 dollars:
To Bryan Lefferty, a hostage sent by General Schuyler, for his subsistence and expences from Tryon county to Philadelphia, 41 30/90 dollars:
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Resolved, That Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin may, if he thinks proper, send an answer to the letter he received from Lord Howe.
The committee appointed to devise ways and means for encreasing the flying camp, brought in their report, which was read and taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That Brigadier General Lewis be directed to order two batallions of the continental troops, in Virginia, to march, with all possible despatch, to the flying camp, in New Jersey, under the command of General Mercer; and that if the governor and privy council of Virginia
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shall have reason to apprehend an invasion of that state, and shall call to its defence an equal number of minutemen or militia, the same, while in service, shall be on the pay and support of the continent:
That the convention of Pensylvania be requested to augment their quota for the flying camp, with four batallions of militia, and the convention of New Jersey to raise, for the said flying camp, three batallions of militia, in addition to those formerly desired by Congress, and send the same, with all possible despatch, to the said flying camp. And, that these several batallions be officered, paid and provided, as directed by the former resolutions for forming said camp.
Resolved, That in case Mr. Heyman Levy order any money to be paid in Albany to the deputy pay master general for the northern department, the same shall, upon advice of such money so paid, be repaid to him or his order in Philadelphia.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.
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