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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, DECEMBER 9, 1776
A letter, of the 8, from General Washington; one, of the 22d November, from General Ward, enclosing one of the 9th of the same month, from General Gates; one of the 18 ∥of the same month,∥ from G. Morgan, at Pittsburg;
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and a petition and remonstrance from the captains and subalterns of Colonel Mackay's batallion; and a letter, of the 17th November, from Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, of the said batallion; and a letter from John Avery, of Boston, 22d November, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, III, folio 327. It is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), V, 71. The letter of Avery is in No. 65, I, folio 147.]
Also, a letter of the 25 November, from Colonel Moses Hazen, was read, and referred to the committee on the northern army.2
[Note 2: 2 Hazen's letter is in No. 78, XI, folio 105.]
Resolved, That another member be added to the said committee:
The member chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee.
The Indians, being introduced, spoke to Congress, but having said nothing relative to matters between them and the United States, no notice was taken of it, and they withdrew.
Resolved, That the sum of £43 18 5 [=117.11 dollars] be paid to Colonel Haussegger, in full of his account for boards, &c. bought for the public service, and for his expences.
Resolved, That 1,000 dollars be advanced to Major Ottendorff, for the purpose of recruiting his companies; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That Houelmann Arnold be appointed a lieutenant of the company commanded by Major Ottendorf:
That 2,000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of New Jersey, for the public service; they to be accountable:3
[Note 3: 3 In margin is written "Countermanded, February 27, 1777."]
That 50,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. J. Mease, for the public service; he to be accountable.
That Mr. Risberg, the assistant quarter master in Philadelphia, be directed to send by water to Christiana
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bridge, the military stores sent from the army, there to be secured till farther orders.
That 5,000 dollars be advanced to Carpenter Wharton for the public service; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That the council of safety of Pensylvania be requested to give the continental officers, and all others, employed in removing the public stores from this city, whether by land or water, all the assistance in their power.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of America, and a recommendation to the several states, to appoint a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer:
The members, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, and Mr. [Samuel] Adams.
Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be empowered and directed to settle with and pay the arrears due to Colonel Hay's batallion of the flying camp.
Resolved, That Thomas De Naif be appointed a lieutenant of artillery under M. Romand de Lisle.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the state of the prisoners sent from New Jersey.
The members chosen, Dr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee.
Whereas, in consequence of many complaints that engrossers had distressed the public, by raising salt to an exorbitant price, the council of safety of Pensylvania, with the approbation of Congress, took the management of the affair into their hands, and have endeavoured, by as just and equal a distribution as possible of the salt imported from time to time, to supply the different parts of the country; yet, it is found upon trial, either from the artful conduct of interested persons not discovered,
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or from the impossibility of the thing itself, that the remedy has been ineffectual; and, on the contrary, salt continues scarcer and dearer in this port, than where no regulation has been tried: Therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the council of safety of Pensylvania, to take off all restraint upon the sale of salt; and give public notice, that it shall be lawful for any person to import and sell it, in such manner, and at such price, as he shall find voluntary purchasers.
Resolved, That 200 dollars be advanced to Mr. William Govett, assistant to the auditor general; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That in case this Congress shall be under the necessity of removing from Philadelphia, it shall be adjourned to Baltimore.
Whereas, General Washington hath repeatedly applied, and yesterday has renewed, his application, for an immediate reinforcement for the defence of this city and State;
Resolved, That the council of safety be requested, this day, to send expresses, that may be relied on, to the several counties in Pensylvania, earnestly requesting that they march what troops they can collect, armed and provided in the best manner possible, to the army under the command of General Washington.
Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to furnish Captain Henderson's company, of the 11th Pensylvania batallion, with blankets and stockings.
Resolved, That expresses be immediately sent to the committees of the counties of Cecil, Baltimore, Harford, and Frederic, in Maryland, requesting that they apply, without delay, to the militia of their respective counties, to send forward, as fast as possible, for the defence of this city, and the reinforcement of General Washington's army, as many troops as possible, informing the said
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committees that some assistance, in the way of arms, may be furnished here, to provide such as have no arms to bring with them:
That an express be sent to the council of safety of Delaware, requesting them to send forward, as fast as possible, for the defence of this city, and the reinforcement of General Washington, as many troops as possible, informing the said council that some assistance in the way of arms may be furnished here, to provide such as have no arms to bring with them.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to take care of the arms belonging to the Continent, and have them properly secured.
Resolved, That William Chambers be appointed captain, Alexander Wilson, first lieutenant, Adam Hoops, second lieutenant, in the 3d batallion of the regiment commanded by Colonel Mosses Hazen.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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