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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 12, 1776
A letter from Josh: Wentworth of the 31 August, directed to the secretary of Congress, with an appeal from the verdict and sentence passed on the trial of a brigantine named theElizabeth, was laid before Congress, and read.
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The Committee for Indian affairs, to whom the letter, of the 31st August, from the commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department, was referred, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That two tons of powder and four tons of lead be immediately despatched to Pittsburg; to be disposed of as the commissioners shall direct:
That the resolution of Congress, respecting the destination of the batallion commanded by Colonel M'Coy, be suspended, and that the commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department be empowered, during their stay at Pittsburg, to direct the operations of that batallion:
That the measures adopted by the commissioners, in the present critical situation of Indian affairs, is approved of by Congress, who have the greatest confidence in the prudence and vigilance of their future conduct.
Resolved, That an order for 7,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurer, in favour of Colonel M'Coy, for the use of his batallion; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That application be made to the committee of safety of Pensylvania, for 10,000 flints to be delivered to George Morgan, Esqr.
The committee, to whom the letter from J[oseph] Trumbull, Esq. with the papers enclosed, was referred, reported,
That having considered the same, and recurring to the journal of Congress, on Mr. Trumbull's appointment to the commissariat, find the following resolve on the 8th of July, 1776: "That the commissary general have full power to supply both armies, that upon the lakes as well as that at New York, and also to appoint and employ such persons under him, and to remove any deputy commissary, as he shall judge proper and expedient; it being absolutely
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necessary, that the supply of both armies should be under one direction;" Whereupon,
Resolved, That the above resolution is so clear and explicit, and so well contrived to procure the due and proper discharge of the commissary's business, that the same ought to be adhered to, and immediately transmitted to the commanding officer in the northern department, and to the commissary general, as the full sense of Congress on the commissary general's right to direct the operations of his department, both as contractor and issuer of provisions; and that Mr. Trumbull be informed, Congress expect this will remove his difficulties, and induce his continuance in the office of commissary for both armies, at New York, and on the lakes.
Congress then proceeded to the election of sundry officers; when the ballots being taken,
David M'Clure was elected chaplain, and Ephraim Douglass was elected quarter master of the batallion commanded by Colonel M'Coy.
John Trumbull, Esqr. was elected deputy adjutant general of the army in the northern department, and Morgan Lewis, Esqr. was elected deputy quarter master general of the said army.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to order the French officers, who have received commissions from Congress, to repair immediately to the places of their destination.
Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to pay the first batallion of Virginia troops, on their march to New York, the arrears due to them.
The Committee of Treasury, to whom was referred the petition of George Nicholson, returned the same, with a report, that it ought to be referred to the Board of War: Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the said petition be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, As it appears from Colonel Warner's representation of the state of his regiment, that Major Painter's appointment much obstructs the raising the said regiment, that, therefore, Major Painter be directed to repair to the city of Philadelphia, that the matter may be enquired into, and that it be recommended to Colonel Warner and the other officers, that they proceed forthwith to raise their men and complete the regiment, relying on the justice of Congress for the settlement of the uneasiness among them:
That the militia at New York, be paid by the pay master general there, before discharged.
Resolved, That the remainder of the report be re-committed.
The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the Board of War; and after some time spent, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Thomas] Nelson reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matter to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to Morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the report of the Board of War.
Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to deliver such number of blankets, as he has, belonging to the continent, to Captain Watkins, for the use of his company, which is inlisted to serve during the war, not exceeding one to each man.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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