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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 --TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1776
Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read; viz.
One from General Washington, of the 5th, enclosing copies of letters between him and General Howe, respecting the exchange of prisoners, and sundry other letters and papers;
One from Brigadier H. Mercer, of the 4th.1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letter, with the enclosures, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folio 329. It is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), IV, 317. That of Mercer is in No. 159, folio 161.]
Resolved, That they be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved, That the committee for procuring medicines be directed to supply the director general of the Hospital with such medicines as he may want.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to the delegates of North Carolina, half a ton of powder, for the use of the frontier inhabitants of that state.
Resolved, That General Schuyler be directed to apply to General Burgoyne, and propose a general exchange of prisoners on the terms agreed to by Congress; and, particularly, of delivering Brigadier General Prescot, in possession of the United States, in lieu of Brigadier General Thompson, in the possession of the enemy.
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A letter from the convention of New Jersey to their delegates, was laid before Congress and read; Whereupon1,
[Note 1: 1 This letter, dated August 3, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 203.]
Resolved, That the convention of the state of New Jersey be requested to make such provision for keeping open the communication between that state and New York, by way of the ferries over the rivers Passaick and Hackinsack, as to them shall appear to be most effectual, and that this Congress will reimburse the expences of such service to the state of New Jersey:
That it be recommended, in the most earnest manner, to the convention of New Jersey, to order their militia immediately to march and join Brigadier General Mercer.
Resolved, That the commissioners for Indian Affairs in the middle department, be directed to enquire, and inform Congress, whether it will be most for the public good, that the troops raised, and to be raised, for the garrisons on the Ohio and its waters, should be supplied with provisions by contract or by a commissary: That if a commissary be thought necessary, they recommend some proper person for that office to Congress, and in the mean time, take such measures as they think best for victualling the said troops.
Resolved, That a member be added to the committee appointed to enquire into, and remedy, the defects of the powder made at the mills:
The member chosen, Dr. [Benjamin] Rush.
Mr. [George] Clymer, one of the joint treasurers, being appointed a delegate to Congress, by the convention of Pensylvania,
Resolved, That, for the future, there be only one continental treasurer.
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Resolved, That an additional sum of 300 dollars be given to each of the continental treasurers, on account of their extraordinary trouble, and faithful service, during the last year.
The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the articles of Confederation; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [John] Morton reported, that [the committee,] not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the council of safety of Pensylvania, to stop Mr. Wilmore from proceeding to New York.
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.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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