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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 24, 17761
[Note 1: 1 From this point to the end of the year 1776, the entries in the Corrected Journal is in a writing other than that of Charles Thomson.]
A letter, of the 20th, from the council of safety of Pensylvania.
One, of the 21, from R. Morris.
One, of the 10th, from General Schuyler, with sundry papers enclosed, ∥were received and read:∥2
[Note 2: 2 The Council of Safety letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 273. That of Robert Morris is in No. 137 (appendix), folio 21.]
Resolved, That the last be referred to the committee on the affairs of the northern army.
Resolved, That two members be added to the said committee:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Heyward, and Mr. [William] Whipple.
Resolved, That 200,000 dollars be advanced to the council of safety of Pensylvania, for the public service; the said council to be accountable.
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Resolved, That Mr. Hillegas, the treasurer, be empowered to employ proper persons to sign the Bills which remain unsigned in the treasury, and return their names to Congress.
Resolved, That a letter be immediately written by Mr. President to the assemblies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay and Connecticut, informing them, of the critical state of the fortress of Ticonderoga and the other posts in that quarter; and the extreme danger of General Carleton's possessing himself of that fortress as soon as Lake Champlain shall be so frozen, as to be capable of bearing horses: that, by a letter from General Schuyler, Congress is informed, that the troops, now occupying those posts, will not tarry after the 31 of this month; and, in the most pressing terms, urging the necessity of hastening up troops, from their respective states, with the utmost despatch, in the following proportions, viz. 2,500 from Massachusetts bay, 1,500 from Connecticut, and 500 from New Hampshire, making 4,500. Informing them, that Congress desire they will not wait till the several corps are compleated; there being now a plentiful stock of provisions at Ticonderoga, and nothing to fear from the enemy till the lake shall be frozen, as above-mentioned.
Resolved, That two members be added to the committee appointed on the 17 October for the better regulating the Treasury Board:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Nelson, and Mr. [William] Ellery.
Resolved, That 533 1/3 dollars be advanced to Thomas Nichols, deputy quarter master general, for the public service, and charged to the account of Brigadier General Mifflin, quarter master general, to whom said Nichols, who is an officer in his department, is to be accountable.
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Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare and report a plan for obtaining foreign assistance.
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. S[amuel] Adams.
Sundry French letters were laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered, That the said letters from Genest and de Champigny be referred to the committee for procuring cannon.
Resolved, That a member be added to the said committee.
The member chosen, Mr. [Francis] Lewis.
Resolved, That two other magazines of ammunition, in addition to that agreed to on the 21, be formed, one in the eastern states, and one in the southern states:
Ordered, That the delegates of the eastern states confer together, and also those of the southern states, and fix upon proper places, and report to Congress on Thursday next.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Thursday.1
[Note 1: 1 "An inexcusable neglect in the officers, want of fidelity, honour, and humanity in the doctors, and avarice in the suttlers, has slain ten soldiers to the enemy's one, and will soon prevent every man of common sense from putting his life and fortune in the power of such as destroy both without pity or mercy. I have proposed to Congress that every State in future should appoint one or more suttlers, as they think proper, for their own men, to be supplied by a committee appointed by said State with every thing necessary for sick and well men, at a price stipulated by said State; the suttlers and committee to be paid by and accountable to said State; and a superintendent who shall have no other business but to see that every soldier belonging to the State is properly supplied and supported agreeable to their circumstances, and that proper stoppages be made for what they receive, when they are receiving their wages. The Congress approve of the method, but say it is the business and duty of each State to take care of their own men, and they expect they will." Matthew Thornton to Meshech Weare, 25 December, 1776.]
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