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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, NOVEMBER 22, 1776
A letter, of 20th, from General Mercer, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 218.]
Ordered, That an extract thereof be sent to the assembly and council of safety of Pensylvania.
Congress being informed that a number of sick ∥soldiers∥ were sent to Philadelphia from the flying camp, and lodged in the barracks, and it being apprehended that their continuance in the barracks may endanger the health of the soldiers there,
Ordered, That the Medical Committee take charge of
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the said sick, and have them quartered in private houses, and properly taken care of, and that they immediately attend to this business:
That Dr. Ludwig be directed to attend the said sick.
The committee to whom was referred the petition and memorial of Mrs. Zedwitz, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel Zedwitz be removed to Philadelphia, and confined in the state prison; and that due care be taken to prevent him from any intercourse or correspondence with the enemies of these states:
That the sum of 58 49/90 dollars be paid to Mrs. Zedwitz, in full for services done for the Continent, as set forth in her petition:
That the further sum of 80 dollars be paid to the said Mrs. Zedwitz, in full of two months' pay due to her husband.
Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to the council of safety of Pensylvania; that state to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 The resolution of the Council of Safety calling for this sum, dated November 22, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 263.]
Congress taking into consideration the present state of the army, of which some parts have already disbanded, and others will probably do so when the times they engaged to serve for, shall expire, which must soon happen; so that there is danger that the enemy must be opposed either by unequal numbers, or by militia, not only a more expensive but a less efficacious aid than regular forces; and there being good grounds to hope that vigorous efforts at this critical juncture, may bring the war to a speedy as well as happy conclusion:2
[Note 2: 2 In the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 161, folio 4, is a single sheet in the writing of Charles Thomson giving notes of information obtained from General Mifflin, who had been sent to Philadelphia by Washington.]
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Resolved, That blank commissions be sent to General Washington, and that he be empowered to insert therein the names of such officers as he shall think fit, not revoking those appointments which have been made by commissioners from any of the Unites States; and the General, commissioners, and officers are conjured to recruit, by all the means in their power, the regiments now or lately in the camp; and that a committee of three be appointed to repair to head quarters, and, consulting with the General, assist in the accomplishment of this necessary business.
The members chosen, Mr. Rumsey, [William] Paca, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, and Mr. [George] Ross.1
[Note 1: 1 They set out for the camp on the morning of the 25th.]
Ordered, That the said committee make particular enquiry why the troops are not paid, and that they enquire into, and redress to the utmost in their power, the just grievances of the soldiers.
Resolved, That the sum of 166,666 2/3 dollars be advanced to the state of Massachusetts bay, in part of their account against the Continent; the said state to be accountable.
Ordered, That a copy of the resolutions respecting the lottery be delivered to the managers, and that the said managers proceed immediately in carrying the lottery into execution.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the application from the convention of New York, respecting the waste of hides in the army: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the commissaries in each department, be directed to employ proper persons to take immediate charge of the hides and tallow in their respective discharge of the hides and tallow in their respective districts; that the former may be tanned into leather, or, at
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least, so far cured as to prevent their being spoiled, and the latter rendered into kegs or casks, that there be no waste of those valuable articles, but that they may be stored for the use of the Continent, and be subject to the orders of Congress; and that the said commissaries be strongly urged to pay due attention to this resolve, it being a matter of considerable importance.
Resolved, That two months' pay be advanced to Dr. Ludwig, of the German batallion; he to be accountable.
A state of inconveniences to which the troops on the Eastern Shore of Virginia are particularly subject, was laid before Congress and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This statement is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, I, folio 83.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 16, from Joseph Trumbull, ∥commissary general,∥ was read, advising, that he has, on that day, drawn a set of bills of exchange of that date payable on the president, at four days' sight, in favour of Mr. Matthew Irwin, to be by him invested in for the sum of 20,000 dollars, to purchase pork and flour, and account for the expenditure desiring the said bills may be paid and charged to his, J. Trumbull's, account:2
[Note 2: 2 A letter of the 16th, from Jonathan Trumbull, Jun., transmitting a return of moneys passing through his hands, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXII, folio 202.]
Ordered, That the president pay the said bills, and order the money to be charged accordingly.3
[Note 3: 3 "On yesterday I procured a statement of our treasury as a few days ago: Emitted, 20,000,000 dollars; expended 16,817,737 dollars; in treasury, 3,182,263 dollars. This is for your private information and not to be made public." Samuel Chase to Maryland Council of Safety, 23 November, 1776.]
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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