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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, AUGUST 23, 1776
A letter of the 21 from General Washington, enclosing a copy of a letter from him to Lord Howe, together with his lordship's answer, was laid before Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter, with enclosures, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folio 459.]
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Board of War, with orders to publishsuch parts as they think proper of the letter from General Washington to Lord Howe, and his lordship's answer.
A petition from William Holton was read,
Resolved, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
A petition from James M'Henry was read;
Resolved, That it be referred to the Medical Committee.
A petition from Lewis Prahl, gun smith, was presented to Congress and read; praying that the work men in his manufactory may be exempted from going to the flying camp, and particularly that two of his hands, who have inlisted, may be discharged:
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted.
The delegates from Pensylvania and Connecticut, to whom was referred the application of the convention of Pensylvania, and the inhabitants settled under Connecticut,
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in the town of Westmoreland, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That six companies, on the continental establishment, be raised in Pensylvania, and posted along the frontiers of the counties of Northampton and Northumberland and parts adjacent, till further orders of Congress:
That suitable persons be recommended to Congress, by the convention of Pensylvania, for a lieutenant colonel and major, to command said forces, to be appointed by Congress, and that the said convention appoint the captains and subalterns:
That two companies, on the continental establishment, be raised in the town of Westmoreland, and stationed in proper places for the defence of the inhabitants of the said town and parts adjacent, till farther orders of Congress; the commission officers for the said two companies to be immediately appointed by Congress:
That the pay of the men to be raised as aforesaid, commence when they are armed and mustered, and that they be liable to serve in any part of the United States, when ordered by Congress:
That the said troops be inlisted to serve during the war, unless sooner discharged by Congress.
Resolved, That any number of troops, ordered into the service of the continent, by Maryland, above the quota of that state, be taken into continental pay.
A letter from Mrs. Temple, of Charlestown, in Massachusetts bay, was laid before Congress, and read:
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Hooper, Mr. [Thomas] Heyward, and Mr. [Thomas] Stone.
Resolved, That an order for 30,000 dollars be drawn on
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the treasurers, in favour of Mr. James Mease, commissary, for the public service; he to be accountable.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report from the Marine Committee; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be authorized and empowered to purchase materials, in all such parts of America as they may think proper, for building more ships of war, and that the said committee report to Congress a plan of the ships that should be built in addition to the present navy.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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