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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 --SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1776
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a circular letter to the several United States, explaining the reasons which induced Congress to enlarge the powers of General Washington, and requesting them to co-operate with him, and give him all the aid in their power:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. [Samuel] Adams.
Resolved, That the five millions of dollars, which by the resolution of the 2d of November last, the Treasury Board were ordered to prepare and have ready for emission, be now emitted on the faith of the United States.
Resolved, That the council of safety of the state of Maryland, be, and they are hereby, requested, to furnish Mr. John Griffith with fifty blankets for the use of the sick soldiers in Baltimore, who stand in immediate need thereof.
Resolved, That 400 dollars be advanced to Colonel Carvill Hall, for the use of his batallion; he to be accountable.
The committee, to whom the report of the gentlemen who were directed to repair to Ticonderoga, and the papers therein mentioned, were referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That in the opinion of Congress, the northern army may be supplied more advantageously and conveniently, in the present mode by the commissary general governing himself by such regulations as have been, and may be, from time to time, ordained by the general or commander in chief, than by contractors:
That the commissary general be directed, without fail, to supply the northern army, this winter, with vegetables
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twice in every week, or more frequently, if possible; and to take effectual measures that they be well supplied with vinegar:
That two large floating batteries be built on Lake Champlain, to cover the boom and the bridge; and that General Schuyler be desired to contract with builders for this purpose in New York, or Massachusetts bay, or both, and that General Schuyler provide the materials:
That the committee for supplying cannon be directed to procure ten brass six inch howitzers, with shells, and a proper attrail, for the use of the northern army:
That a fort be constructed on Mount Independence: that the navigation of the lake near that place be obstructed by Cassons, to be sunk in the water, at small distances from one another, and joined together by string pieces, so as, at the same time, to serve for a bridge between the fortifications on the east and west sides; that, to prevent the enemy from drawing their small craft over land beyond Three Mile Point into Lake George, the passage of that lake be also obstructed, in like manner, by Cassons from island to island in the narrows, if practicable, or by floating batteries; that Fort Stanwix be strengthened, and other fortifications be made at proper places near the Mohawk river, and that General Schuyler, or the commanding officer of the northern army, execute these works this winter; and that the commanding officers of artillery, chief engineer, quarter master general, and commissary general, provide and perform whatever things in their respective departments are necessary, or may contribute to the accomplishment thereof:
That the general court, or council, of the state of Massachusetts bay, be requested to procure such a quantity of oakum, and any other articles, as General Schuyler, who
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is desired to write to them on the subject, shall require; and to forward the same to such places as he shall direct:1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of George Wythe, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 41.]
The Committee appointed to prepare a plan for obtaining foreign assistance brought in a report, which was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 3. It is printed under December 30, p. 1058, post.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of the whole house, and that Congress do immediately resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take the same into consideration.
Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the report of the committee on the plan of obtaining foreign assistance, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported that the committee have had under consideration the report to them referred, and made sundry amendments, but not having had time to go through the whole desire leave to sit again.
Resolved, That Congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the report of the committee.
Resolved, That the Board of War be empowered and directed to write to Philadelphia for accoutrements and necessaries for six troops of light horse ordered from Virginia.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow morning.
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