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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 --THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1776
A petition from John Schott was presented to Congress, and read.
Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War.1
[Note 1: 1 This petition from John Paul Schott, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VII, folio 15.]
Two petitions from the owners of the privateersLee andPutnam were presented to Congress, and read.
Resolved, That they be referred to the Marine Committee.
A memorial from Jeremiah Halsey was presented to Congress, and read.
Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War.2
[Note 2: 2 This petition, without date, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 333.]
Resolved, That General Prescot and General M'Donald, be sent by the Board of War, under an escort, to General Washington, to be exchanged for General Sullivan and Lord Sterling.
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to supply Mr. [Joseph] Hewes with 400 three pound cannon shot, for the use of the continental army in North Carolina.
Two soldiers having escaped from Quebec, and applied to Congress for their pay,
Resolved, That this matter be referred to the Committee on the Treasury.
A memorial from Captain John Doyle was presented to Congress, and read, setting forth, that in consequence of the resolution passed the 16 July, he has inlisted 80 men, whereof about 60 have passed muster, as appears by the roll produced, and that the other 20 are at Lancaster, and, therefore, praying that a commission be granted to him, pursuant to the said resolution:
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted; and that commissions be granted to Samuel Brady to be
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first lieutenant,David Brown second lieutenant and to William M'Murray, second lieutenant of the company commanded by Captain Doyle.
The Congress then resumed the consideration of the report of the Board of War; and thereupon,
Resolved, That General Sullivan be requested to inform Lord Howe, that this Congress, being the representatives of the free and independent states of America, cannot, with propriety, send any of its members to confer with his lordship in their private characters; but that, ever desirous of establishing peace on reasonable terms, they will send a committee of their body to know whether he has any authority to treat with persons authorized by Congress for that purpose, in behalf of America, and what that authority is, and to hear such propositions as he shall think fit to make respecting the same:1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in thePennsylvania Gazette, 18 September, 1776.]
That the president be desired to write to General Washington, and acquaint him that it is the opinion of Congress, that no proposals for making peace between Great Britain and the United States of America ought to be received or attended to, unless the same be made in writing, and addressed to the representatives of the said states in Congress, or persons authorized by them: And, if application be made to him by any of the commanders of the British forces on that subject, that he inform them that these United States, who entered into the war only for the defence of their lives and liberties, will cheerfully agree to peace on reasonable terms, whenever such shall be proposed to them in manner aforesaid.
Ordered, That a copy of the first of the two foregoing resolutions be delivered to General Sullivan, and that he be directed immediately to repair to Lord Howe.2
[Note 2: 2 For a speech by John Witherspoon, on this matter, see Appendix.]
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Resolved, That to Morrow be assigned for electing the committee:
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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