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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 --WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1777
General Schuyler laid before Congress the proceedings of a court martial, held at Philadelphia on Monday and Tuesday of May the 19 and 20, on the trial of John Brown, alias John Lee, signed by Stephen Moylan, president, wherein the court determined "That the prisoner is guilty of conducting five men to Brunswick; of holding a traiterous correspondence with the enemy, in offering himself as a pilot to General Howe, to conduct the British army from Brunswick to Philadelphia; and also in promising to discover to the enemy to what place the continental stores, from Philadelphia, were removed; and the court found the prisoner guilty of a breach of the nineteenth article of the thirteenth section, and were of opinion that he should suffer death; but, from some circumstances which appeared on his trial, the court think proper to recommend him to the General as an object of mercy."
Ordered, That the said proceedings be referred to the Board of War; and that they send for the President of the Court and enquire of him into the circumstances that induced the court to recommend the criminal as an object of mercy, and report to Congress.
Congress took into consideration the letter from Governor Johnson, with the several papers enclosed; and, after some debate,
Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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