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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 --TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1776
A letter, of the 8, from General Lee, at Morristown. One, of the 9, from General Washington, with a letter, of the 6, from General Heath, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, III, folio 331. It is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), V, 72.]
Resolved, That the prisoners sent from the state of New Jersey by General Washington, and ordered to Frederick town, Maryland, be conveyed there by Captain Mountjoy Baily, with a guard of 18 soldiers:
That the privates [of said guard] be furnished with arms, cartridges, knapsacks, and blankets; and
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That 1,000 dollars be advanced to the committee of the middle district of Frederic county, to defray the charges of conveying the prisoners there, and the expence of furnishing rations to the prisoners and the guard; the said committee to be accountable.
Resolved, That General Mifflin be directed to repair immediately to the neighbouring counties, and, by all the means in his power, rouse and bring them in, to the defence of Philadelphia.
As the Congress deem it of great importance to the general good and safety, that General Mifflin should make a progress through the several countries in this state ∥of Pensylvania,∥ to rouse the freemen thereof, to the immediate defence of this city and country,
Resolved, That the assembly be requested to appoint a committee of their body to make the said tour with General Mifflin, in order to assist him in this good and necessary work.
Resolved, That the president return to Congress the 25,000 of dollars received for the use of the Marine Committee.
Resolved, That Major General Putnam be directed to have the several recruits, and other continental troops in this city, immediately paraded, and that he proceed, without delay, to make the proper defences for the protection and security of this city:
That the council of safety of Pensylvania be requested to give Major General Putnam all the assistance in their power, for the execution of the above necessary business, by calling forth the inhabitants, and by any other means in their judgment proper.
Resolved, That 2,000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Georgia, for the use of that state, which is to be accountable.
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Resolved, That 135 1/3 dollars be paid to Robert Patton, for his services as messenger, from the 15 May to the 4th December, instant.
The committee appointed to prepare an address to the inhabitants of America, brought in a draught, which was read; and, being debated by paragraphs, was agreed to.
Ordered, That the said committee have it published and dispersed.
The Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, to the People in general, and particularly to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania and the adjacent States.
Friends and Brethren:
We think it our duty to address a few words of exhortation to you in this important crisis. You are not unacquainted with the history of the rise and progress of this war. A plan was carried on by the British Ministry for several years in a systematick manner to enslave you to that kingdom. After various attempts in an artful and insidious manner to bring into practice the laying you under tribute, they at last openly and decisively asserted their rights of making laws to bind you in all cases whatsoever.
Opposition was made to these encroachments by earnest and humble petitions from every Legislature on the Continent, and more than once by the Congress representing the whole. These were treated with the utmost contempt. Acts of the most unjust and oppressive nature were passed and carried into execution, such as exempting the soldiers charged with murder in America from a legal trial, and ordering them to be carried to Britain for certain absolution, as also directing prisoners taken at sea to be entered on board their ships, and obliged either to kill their own friends or fall themselves by their hands. We only mention these from among the many oppressive acts of Parliament, as proofs to what horrid injustice the love of dominion will sometimes carry societies as well as men. At the same time to show how insensible they will be to the sufferings of others, you may see, by the preambles to the acts and addresses to the King, that they constantly extol their own lenity in those very proceedings which fill this whole Continent with resentment and horrour.
To crown the whole, they have waged war with us in the most cruel and unrelenting manner, employing not only the force of the British
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nation, but hiring foreign mercenaries, who, without feeling, indulge themselves in rapine and bloodshed. The spirit indeed of the Army in general is but too well determined, by their inhuman treatment of those who have unhappily fallen into their hands.
It is well known to you, that at the universal desire of the people, and with the hearty approbation of every Province, the Congress declared the United States free and independent, a measure not only just, but which had become absolutely necessary. It would have been impossible to have resisted the formidable force destined against us last spring, while we confessed ourselves the subjects of that State against which we had taken arms. Besides, after repeated trials, no terms could be obtained, but pardon upon absolute submission, which every publick body in America had rejected with disdain.
Resistance has now been made with a spirit and resolution becoming a free people, and with a degree of success hitherto which could scarce have been expected. The enemy have been expelled from the Northern Provinces where they at first had possession, and have been repulsed in their attempt upon the Southern by the undaunted valour of the inhabitants. Our success at sea, in the capture of the enemy's ships, has been astonishing. They have been compelled to retreat before the Northern Army. Notwithstanding the difficulty and uncertainty at first of our being supplied with ammunition and military stores, those we have now in abundance, and by some late arrivals and captures there is an immediate prospect of sufficient clothing for the Army.
What we have particularly in view in this address is not only to promote unanimity and vigour through the whole States, but to excite the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the adjacent States, to an immediate and spirited exertion in opposition to the Army that now threatens to take possession of this city. You know that during the whole campaign they have been checked in their progress, and have not till within these two weeks ventured above ten miles from their shipping. Their present advances are owing not to any capital defeat, or a want of valour in the Army that opposed them, but to a sudden diminution of its numbers from the expiration of those short inlistments which, to ease the people, were at first adopted. Many have already joined the Army to supply the deficiency, and we call, in the most earnest manner, on all the friends of liberty to exert themselves without delay in this pressing emergency. In every other part your arms have been successful, and in other respects our sacred cause is in the most promising situation. We think it proper to inform and
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assure you that essential services have been already rendered us by foreign States, and we have received the most positive assurances of further aid. Let us not, then, be wanting to ourselves. Even a short resistance will probably be effectual, as General Lee is advancing with a strong reinforcement, and his troops in high spirits. What a pity is it, then, that the rich and populous city of Philadelphia should fall into the enemy's hands, or that we should not lay hold of the opportunity of destroying their principal Army, now removed from the ships of war, in which their greatest strength lies.
It is certainly needless to multiply arguments in such a situation. All that is valuable to us as men and freemen is at stake. It does not admit of a question what would be the effect of our finally failing. Even the boasted Commissioners for giving peace to America have not offered, and do not now offer, any terms but pardon on absolute submission. And though (blessed be God) even the loss of Philadelphia would not be the loss of the cause, yet while it can be saved, let us not, in the close of the campaign, afford them such ground of triumph; but give a check to their progress, and convince our friends in the distant parts that one spirit animates the whole.
Confiding in your fidelity and zeal in a contest the most illustrious and important, and firmly trusting in the good providence of God, we wish you happiness and success.
Given at Philadelphia, December 10, 1776.
By order of the Congress:
John Hancock, President.1
[Note 1: 1 This address is not entered in the manuscript journals, and has been taken from Force, American Archives, Fifth Series, III, 1149.]
The Committee of Treasury reported, that there should be advanced to Mrs. Stevenson the sum of 200 dollars on account of her husband, James Stevenson, one of the commissioners of accounts; he to be accountable:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 7.]
Ordered, That the same be paid.
Resolved, That the president write to General Washington, and desire him to send a party to watch the roads leading from New Jersey to Philadelphia, above Trenton, and give Congress the earliest notice of the enemy's motions.
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The Committee of Treasury reported, that there is due to John Montgomery and J[asper] Yeates, commissioners of Indian affairs for the middle department, for their account of debts due to sundry persons on the visit of the Indian chiefs from Pittsburg to Congress, the sum of [£441 17=] 1,178 24/90 dollars:
To the Rev. Mr. Fowler, ∥Indian∥ missionary, being a ballance due to him for his services at the treaty with the Indians at Pittsburg, 36 dollars:
To John Gibson, Esqr. for 8 months' house rent for the treasury office, as auditor general, to the 9th instant, wood for the use of the office, &c. &c. the sum of [£138 12 7 equal to] 369 61/90 dollars:
To St. Luke la Corne, Captain Frazier, and Major Campbell, for the allowance for themselves and 3 servants, from 24th September to 3d December, 90 dollars; the same to be paid to Colonel Donald Campbell:2
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Resolved, That 2,000 dollars be advanced to Lieutenant Colonel Antil, for the purpose of recruiting the batallion commanded by Colonel [Moses] Hazen; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That two of the continental batallions, now raising in Connecticut, be stationed for the defence of the said state in such parts thereof as Governor Trumbull shall judge most conducive for that purpose, till this Congress shall order otherwise.
Resolved, That the treasurer pay, upon the order of the government of Connecticut, out of the first monies which shall be received into the loan office in that state, forty thousand dollars; the said state to be accountable for the expenditure thereof.
Resolved, That Antoine Seelim be appointed a captain
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 7.]
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of a riffle company in the corps commanded by Major Ottendorf
Resolved, That General Putnam be directed to order parties of active spirited men, with proper guides, to cross from this city into Jersey, and under the conduct of good officers to act as harassing parties, and to get the
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
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