| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1776
A letter of the 8, from George Morgan, at Pittsburg, and one, of the 21, from the council of safety of Maryland, were read.
Resolved, That 1,000 dollars be advanced to R[obert] Erwin, waggon master general, for the public service; he to be accountable.
Congress being informed that some persons in this city ∥of Philadelphia∥, governed by principles inimical to the cause of America, and with views of avarice and extortion,
Page 981 | Page image
have monopolized and engrossed shoes, stockings, and other necessaries for the army, whilst the soldiers of the Continent, fighting for the liberties of their country, are exposed to the injuries of the weather, at this inclement season:
Resolved, That it be recommended to be assembly of the state of Pensylvania, to adopt such immediate measures for remedying this evil, as their wisdom shall suggest to be adequate to the present purpose, and for preventing like pernicious practices in future.
The Board of War having brought in a report, the same was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a regiment of artillery, to be armed with musquets and bayonets, instead of fusees, be raised in the state of Virginia, on continental establishment; the two companies, already raised there, to be part of the said regiment; which is to be composed of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major, and ten companies, each to consist of one captain three lieutenants, one serjeant, four bombardiers, eight gunners, four corporals, and forty eight matrosses.
Resolved, That 1,150 dollars be paid to Gerard William Beekman or order, and charged to the account of Richard Dallam, deputy pay master general, the same being in full of a draught of said R. Dallam on R. Peters, Esqr. secretary of the Board of War, in favour of the said Gerard William Beekman, dated New Brunswick, November 15th, 1776.
Mr. [Francis] Lewis, [Jun.] having informed Congress that he cannot, consistent with his private engagements, undertake to be a manager of the lottery, and desiring he may be excused ∥from that service,∥
Resolved, That he be excused, and that another be appointed in his room:
Page 982 | Page image
The ballots being taken, David Jackson was elected.
Ordered, That the committee, who brought in the scheme of the lottery, confer with the managers thereof, in order that they may proceed on that business.
Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the army; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Thomas] Nelson reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matter to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions, which he was ordered to submit to Congress.
The report of the committee being read, was agreed to ∥as follows∥: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Cannon Committee be directed to enquire what quantity of cannon are on board the prize ship that arrived yesterday in the port of Philadelphia; and, if they are fit for field artillery, to take measures to have them mounted on proper carriages, and sent to General Washington:
That the assembly of the state of Pensylvania be requested to give immediate direction, that the brass pieces, with the artillery companies, (or the field pieces singly, if there be no such companies) belonging to this state, be, with all possible expedition, sent to General Washington's army in New Jersey, and that they be assured, that, as soon as the situation of our affairs will admit of it, they shall be returned, or others in lieu of them:
That Mr. Mease, the continental commissary in the city of Philadelphia, be directed to go to the several shops and stores in the said city, and purchase, for the use of the army of the United States, such articles as are necessary for them, at this and the approaching season of the year; and that he be empowered to employ as many persons
Page 983 | Page image
as he shall judge necessary to assist him in this service:
That the council of safety of Pensylvania be requested, with all possible expedition, to cause application to be made to the house keepers and others in the said state, for as many blankets and woollen stockings as each can spare, for the use of the soldiers under the immediate command of General Washington, in New Jersies; and that they be delivered, as fast as collected, to Mr. J. Mease, the continental commissary:
That it be recommended to the said council of safety, to appoint persons to appraise the blankets and woollen stockings, so collected, as aforesaid, that the value of them may be paid:
That the committee, who are sent to the camp, be directed to make particular enquiry into the abuses in the medical department in the army, and report thereon to Congress.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |