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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 22, 1776
A letter of the 20th, from the convention of New Jersey, and one of the 19th, from Ephraim Anderson, and a petition from Levi Allen, were laid before Congress, and read.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of the convention of New Jersey is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 195. That of Anderson is in No. 78, I, folio 11. That of Levi Allen is in No. 42, I, folio 15. With it is a letter of recommendation signed by leading Connecticut officers in the army.]
Resolved, That the letter from General Washington, received and read on Saturday last, be referred to the Board of War.
The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee respecting an exchange of prisoners; Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the commander in chief in each department be empowered to negotiate an exchange of prisoners in the following manner: one continental officer for one of the enemy of equal rank, either in the land or sea service, soldier for soldier, sailor for sailor, and one citizen for another citizen:
That each state hath a right to make any exchange they think proper for prisoners taken from them or by them.
Resolved, That the several commanders in chief, in each department, be directed to exchange any officer in the British service, now a prisoner in any of these states, of or under the rank of colonel, for Colonel Ethan Allen.1
[Note 1: 1 In thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, I, folio 23, is a single sheet containing these two resolutions, the second being in the writing of Charles Thomson. The first sentence reads: "On reading the Memorial of Levi Allen, ordered." They were published in thePennsylvania Evening Post, 1 August, 1776. An added paragraph reads: "All the printers are desired to publish the above order for the benefit of Col. Allen, who has suffered much in the cause of his country."]
Resolved, That the persons taken prisoners with Colonel Ethan Allen, be put upon the same footing as those in the continental service, and exchanged accordingly, as opportunity presents.1
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of ways and means; and, after debate, the same was disagreed to.
The committee appointed to contract with Messrs. Hughes for one thousand tons of cannon, for the use of the United States, reported, that they have executed the contract, in which is a covenant to advance Messrs. Hughes 8,000 dollars.
Resolved, That an order for 8,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers, in favour of Daniel and Samuel Hughes; they to be accountable.
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be directed to make immediate preparation for striking a farther sum of five millions of dollars in bills of credit.
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Resolved, That Captain Joy have liberty to employ eight prisonersby him heretofore employed in the business of casting cannon.
The Board of Treasury reported, that they have examined the account of the committee of Lancaster for preserving the peace of the borough, keeping the prisoners in order, and for the protection of the magazines, and find, that there is due, for the pay of the guard, as follows:
Ordered, That the said sum be paid.
The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the articles of Confederation; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee havehad under consideration the articles of confederation and made some progress in the matter to them referred; but, not having finished, desire leave to sit again.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the articles of Confederation.
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The Marine Committee having recommended the following gentlemen for officers of theRawleigh, namely,
Peter Shores, John Wheelwright, Josiah Shackford, lieutenants; George Jerry Osborne, captain of marines; Stephen Meads, first lieutenant; Nathaniel Thwing, second lieutenant:
Resolved, That they be accepted, and that commissions be granted to them accordingly.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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