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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 --WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1776
Resolved, That 40,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. J. Mease, for the public service; he to be accountable.
The keeper of the public prison, having informed Congress, that he has discovered a plot among the prisoners to effect an escape, which one of them has effected; and that he has good reason to believe horses are purchased for them in Philadelphia, and kept ready for them, when they had broken out of prison; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the gaol keeper be directed to keep the prisoners in his custody close locked up till further orders:
That it be recommended to the council of safety ∥of Pensylvania,∥ to examine Mr. Jewell, the gaol keeper, respecting this matter, and to take every measure in their power to find out the accomplices in the plot, if any there are.
A letter, of the 18, from Brigadier General Lord Stirling, ∥was read.∥
The Board of War, to whom were referred the memorials from Captain Lockwood and Captain Oswald, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That such parts of the said memorials as relate to their pay, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
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A letter, of the 2d, from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, President of the council of safety of Maryland, was read, and referred to the Board of War.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 67.]
A letter, of the 6, from General Lee to Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin, which was brought to the Board of War, ∥and by them opened,∥ being laid before Congress and read.:2
[Note 2: 2 Introducing a French engineer, Mr. Imbert.]
Ordered, That the Board of War prepare a letter to General Lee, and report the same to Congress.
Congress proceeded to the election of the managers of the lottery, when the ballots being taken, the following gentlemen were chosen, viz.
Sharp Dulany, John Purviance, Owen Biddle, Francis Lewis, Jun. Jacob Barge, Jonathan B. Smith, and James Searle.
Resolved, That a member be added to the Secret Committee, in the room of Mr. [Josiah] Bartlett, who is absent.
The member chosen, Mr.[William] Whipple.
Resolved, That the post master general be directed to remove the post office from Bessonet, to some other house in Bristol, [Penna] Bessonet, from the office of deputy post master, and appoint some other trusty person, in Bristol, to that office:
That the committee, appointed to enquire into the circumstances of the loss of the packet from General Washington, be directed to apply to the council of safety of Pensylvania, to apprehend Bessonet,3, of Bristol, and his bar keeper, and keeping them apart, to bring them to Philadelphia, for examination; and that they have the assistance of the continental troops in Philadelphia, if necessary:
[Note 3: 3 Hancock spells the name Bissinett.]
That the said committee write to the commanding
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officer of the continental troops in New Jersey, to make diligent search for one Wilkins, who was at the tavern in Bristol when the packet was lost, and to send him, if found, under guard to Philadelphia.
Resolved, That the Board of War be empowered to administer oaths to persons examined by them.
The Committee of Treasury reported, that there is due,
To Lieutenant Smith, for his expences with a party to escort money to Brunswick, and to Fort Montgomery, a balance of 19 19/90 dollars, the amount of his account being £20 14 1 [=55 19/90 dollars,] of which he received from Robert Erwin, £12 [=32 dollars,] and from R. Dallam, deputy pay master, £1 100 [=4 dollars,] ballance is £7 4 1, equal to 19 19/90 dollars.
Ordered, That the same be paid.
The Board of Treasury reported farther instructions for the commissioners appointed to settle the accounts of the army, under the command of General Washington, which were agreed to as follows:
That in adjusting the accounts of persons, whose particular circumstances may have rendered them unable to procure vouchers, or who, by unavoidable accidents, have lost the same, or any part of the public stores committed to their care, the commissioners endeavour to obtain the best information from the general officers, or other persons relative to such accounts, and use a discretionary power in administering oaths or affirmations previous to their settling the same:
That the commissioners send to the state of Virginia, and to the states northward and eastward thereof, for their accounts against the said army, if such accounts should not be forwarded, agreeable to a circular letter from the ∥Board of∥ Treasury to the said states:
That the commissioners use every precaution to prevent
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the loss of any public books or papers, that may be in their possession; and, for this purpose, that they apply to the quarter master general for a waggon and horses, to be under their direction:
That they consider the flying camp as part of General Washington's army, and adjust the accounts accordingly:
The Marine Committee to whom was referred the bringing in a plan for increasing the navy of the United States, brought in a report, which was taken in consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That there be immediately undertaken,
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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