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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, JUNE 11, 1776
Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read.
2 letters, from General Washington, of the 9th and 10th,
Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee appointed on the 6th.
A letter from H. E. Stanhope, of the 11, and one from E. Webb, of the 12 May, both dated from Northampton Gaol; also, one from Mrs. Connolly, [were read:]2
[Note 2: 2 The letters of Washington are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folios 17 and 25. They are printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), IV, 119, 129. That of Stanhope is in No. 78, XX, folio 33. That of E. E. Webb is in No. 78, XXIII, folio 277. That of "Suky" [Susannah] Connolly is in No. 78, V, folio 47.]
Resolved, That these be referred to the Committee on Prisoners.
Resolved, That the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be paid the Indian interpreter [Thomas Folmer] for his services, and to defray his expences.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to consider of a compensation to the secretary for his services:
The members chosen, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [Edward] Rutledge, and Mr. [Joseph] Hewes.
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Resolved, That an order for 10,000 dollars be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of Carpenter Wharton, for the use of the Pensylvania batallions, he to be accountable.
The present being provided for the Indians, they were called in, and the speech agreed to, was delivered as follows:
Brothers,
We hope the friendship that is between us and you will be firm, and continue as long as the sun shall shine, and the waters run; that we and you may be as one people, and have but one heart, and be kind to one another like brethren.
Brothers,
The king of Great Britain, hearkening to the evil counsel of some of his foolish young men, is angry with us, because we will not let him take away from us our land, and all that we have, and give it to them, and because we will not do every thing that he bids us;1 and hath hindered his people from bringing goods to us; but, we have made provision for getting such a quantity of them, that we hope we shall be able to supply your wants as formerly.
[Note 1: 1 In the original report this sentence follows: "he hath taken up the hatchet to strike us, and given money to a people who are strangers to us, to come from a far country, and fight against us."]
Brothers,
We shall order all our warriors and young men not to hurt you or any of your kindred, and we hope you will not suffer any of your young men to join with our enemies, or to do any wrong to us, that nothing may happen to make any quarrel between us.
Brothers,
We desire you to accept a few necessaries, which we present you with, as tokens of our good will towards you.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of George Wythe, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 351. It was presented and agreed to on June 6.]
The presents being delivered, the Indians begged leave to give a name to the president; the same being granted, the Onondago chief gave the president the name of Karanduawn, or the Great Tree, by which name he informed him the president will be known among the Six nations.
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∥After which the Indians took their leave and withdrew.∥
Mr. Chase; one of the Commissioners being arrived from Canada brought a letter from General Sullivan, dated from St. John's, 1st. June was laid before Congress, and read.
Resolved, That Colonel Shee and Colonel Magaw, be ordered immediately to march with their regiments to New York.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to lend the committee of safety of Pensylvania, 4 tons of powder.
Resolved, That letters be immediately sent, by express, to the several colonies who are to furnish militia for the defence of New York, acquainting them with the necessity of forwarding the supplies with all possible despatch.
Resolved, That the committee, to prepare the declaration, consist of five members:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [Benjamin] Franklin, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, and Mr. R[obert] R. Livingston.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare and digest the form of a confederation to be entered into between these colonies:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare a plan of treaties to be proposed to foreign powers.
Mr. [Samuel] Chase, and Mr. [Charles] Carroll, [of Carrollton,] two of the commissioners being arrived from Canada, attended, and give an account of their proceedings, and the state of the army in that country.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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