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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 --MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1776
A letter, of the 14 and 17, from the general's secretary,1 Robert [Hanson] Harrison;
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, III, folio 155.]
One, of the 18, from General Washington,2 with copy of a letter from General Arnold, and sundry papers;
[Note 2: 2 Ibid., folio 159.]
Two from Brigadier General Mercer, of the 17 and 19;
One from Kenneth Hankanson, captain of a vessel stranded on the Jersey shore, were laid before Congress, and read:
Resolved, That they be referred to the Board of War.
A letter from R. Dallam, of the 13, was also read;3 Whereupon,
[Note 3: 3 Ibid., No. 78, VII, folio 67.]
Resolved, That the sum of 19,740 dollars be paid to Gustavus Risberg, assistant to the deputy quarter master general for the flying camp, and charged to the account of said R. Dallam.
That 500,000 dollars be sent to the deputy pay master general for the northern department [Jonathan Trumbull]:
That 2,000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of North Carolina, to be charged to that state.
A letter from Colonel James Easton, of the 5, was read.4
[Note 4: 4 Ibid., VIII, folio 255.]
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The Secret Committee having informed Congress that a vessel was arrived in New Hampshire, with a cargo on account of the Continent, among which was a quantity of flints,
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to order 30,000 of the said flints to General Schuyler, for the use of the army in the northern department, and the remainder to General Washington, for the use of the army under his immediate command.
A letter of the 20, from General Greene, being received, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, I, folio 11.]
Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War, and that they be directed to apply to the council of safety of Pensylvania for the loan of as many cartridges as they can possibly spare, which are to be sent, with all possible despatch, to General Washington; and that the said Board be directed to take the most effectual measures to have a sufficient quantity of cartridges made up in Philadelphia, and forwarded to General Washington.
That the powder in the magazine be kept for the public service.
Information being given that there is a quantity of lead for the use of the Continent at the lead mines in Virginia,
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to give orders to have it brought to Philadelphia.
A memorial from Monsieur Dorre was presented to Congress and read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
A letter, of the 20th, from Robert [Hanson] Harrison, the General's secretary, enclosing a copy of one from General Gates of the 15, and one from General Arnold, of the 15, and one from General Schuyler, of the 16;
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Also, a letter of the 16, from General Schuyler;
One of the 19, from the convention of New York, inclosing a letter from General Schuyler ∥being received, were read:∥1
[Note 1: 1 The letter from Schuyler is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, II, folio 459; that of Mercer is in No. 159, folios 194, 198; that of the Convention of New York is in No. 67, I, folio 344.]
Resolved, That the said letters be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the deputy commissary general in Virginia be directed to make contracts for the supply of the troops in that department, provided they can be made at a rate not exceeding eight pence, Virginia currency, per ration, the contractors to have the use of the public waggons on any motion or march of the army, from the place or places where stationed:
That the commander in chief of each department be empowered, at the instance of the commissary general, or his deputies, to employ as many persons under him or them, at such salary or wages as he shall think adequate, and as he may think the service, from time to time, requires:
That the rations allowed to the several officers on the staff in the army of the United States, not heretofore settled, be as follows, and that the deputy commissary of Virginia be informed thereof:
To the deputy quarter master general, 6 rations; deputy commissary general, 6 do. deputy pay master general, 6 do. deputy adjutant general, 6 do. deputy muster master general, 6 do. deputy judge advocate, 6 do. chaplain, 3 do. regimental surgeons, 3 do. mates, 2 do.
That the deputy commissary general of Virginia be
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allowed his reasonable travelling charges, to be settled by the Treasury Board.
The Committee of Treasury reported, that they have examined the following accounts paid by John Gibson, Esq. auditor general, by order of the Board, amounting to 687 27/90 dollars; of which he received, the honorable the president of Congress, his warrant, for 500 dollars, and there remains a balance due him of 187 27/90 dollars.
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That there is due to Robert Jewell, for the maintenance of state prisoners in the new gaol, and for candles, vinegar, &c. 489 43/90 dollars:
To the late Captain William Hendricks his company, and to be paid to Lieutenant Francis Nicholas of the said company, for the ballance of an account for their pay, arms lost at the storm of Quebec, hunting shirts, &c. 1,622 22/90 dollars:
To William Pollard, for the expence of himself and others of the light horse, as an escort with money from Philadelphia to New York and Boston, 291 57/90 dollars:
To Jacob Hartman, for the hire of his waggon bringing the baggage of the prisoners from Canada, and from Elizabeth town to Philadelphia, 16 60/90 dollars:
To John Hall and Samuel Parker, for cleaning and repairing 200 muskets with bayonets, scabbards, &c. for the German batallion, 215 78/90 dollars:
To Coxe, Furman & Coxe, for carriage of powder from Philadelphia to Virginia, and the pay of Captain Matthias for taking charge of the same, 233 81/90 dollars:
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Congress took into consideration the form of the oath to be taken by the officers in the service of the continent, which was agreed to as follows:
I --, do acknowledge the Thirteen United States of America, namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
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Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, independent, and sovereign states, and declare, that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the third, king of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear, that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain, and defend the said United States against the said king, George the third, and his heirs and successors, and his and their abettors, assistants and adherents; and will serve the said United States in the office of --, which I now hold, and in any other office which I may hereafter hold by their appointment, or under their authority, with fidelity and honour, and according to the best of my skill and understanding. So help me God.
Resolved, That every officer who holds, or shall hereafter hold, a commission or office from Congress, shall subscribe the above declaration, and take the foregoing oath.
Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be sent to the deputy pay master general in Virginia.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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