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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, SEPTEMBER 6, 1776
Resolved, That General Sullivan be requested to deliver to Lord Howe the copy of the resolution delivered to him.
Resolved, That the committee, "to be sent to know whether Lord Howe 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," consist of three:
Congress then proceeded to the election, when the following gentlemen were elected: Mr. [Benjamin] Franklin, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, and Mr. [Edward] Rutledge.1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in thePennsylvania Gazette, 18 September, 1776. The committee set out September 9. See John Adams, Autobiography,Works, III, 75; and Franklin's Writings (Bigelow), VI, 17, 27--33.]
Mr. J. Adams requesting to be excused, the question whether he shall be excused from this service was postponed till to morrow.2
[Note 2: 2 "When Sullivan carried to Congress the proposals of Lord Howe and that body came to appoint a committee of three to repair to Staten Island and confer with the British commissioner, Franklin and John Adams were unanimously chosen; and Lee and Rutledge had an equal vote. Lee stated that he was opposed to the embassy, declined to be voted for and said he could not accept a place on the committee. Stockton was then placed in nomination, but Rutledge was chosen."Josiah Bartlett to William Whipple, 10 September, 1776.]
Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read:
One of the 4th, from General Washington, with sundry letters and papers enclosed;
One of the 29 August, from General Schuyler, enclosing
Four letters of the 18, 20, 26, and 27th, of the same
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month, from General Gates, with a return of the army at Ticonderoga, and other papers;
A letter of the 4th, from Brigadier General Mercer;
A letter of the 28th August, from William Maxwell, with a memorial enclosed ∥from Jacobus Wyncoop, were read.∥1
[Note 1: 1 A copy of Washington's letter is in theWashington Papers, Series A (Transcripts), I, folio 398. The letter of Schuyler is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, II, folio 305. That of Mercer is in No. 159, folio 182. The letter of Maxwell is in No. 78, XV, folio 79, but the memorial appears to be one from Maxwell himself.]
Resolved, That the several letters, with the papers enclosed, except the memorial from Jacobus Wyncoop, be referred to the Board of War; and that the memorial from Jacobus Wyncoop be referred to the Marine Committee.
Resolved, That an order for 2,794 15/90 dollars be drawn on the treasurer, in favour of George Morgan, Esqr. agent for Indian affairs, in the middle department; he to be accountable:
That Mr. Morgan be supplied with a copy of the resolutions of Congress, relating to Indian affairs, in the middle department, and a copy of the treaty held with the Indians at the German Flats:
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Captain Sherer 6 lb. of powder, and 24 lb. of lead, for the use of two companies of rifflemen, to try their riffles.
A memorial from G[eorge] Nicholson, with an account, was presented to Congress, and read.
Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee of Treasury.
A letter from Captain William Jenkins was laid before Congress, and read, praying for leave, on account of his family affairs, to resign his commissions:
Resolved, That leave be granted him to resign.
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The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That John Paul Shott, who is well recommended as an experienced officer, be appointed a captain in the continental army, with directions to raise a company as soon as possible; but, that as he may be usefully employed immediately, that he be forthwith sent to General Washington at New York, and that one month's pay be advanced to him.
Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be deferred till to morrow.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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