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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 --THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1777
Resolved, That Mr. [William] Paca1 be added to the committee last appointed to hear appeals.
[Note 1: 1 The "corrected Journal" gives Paine,]
Resolved, That a warrant for 100,000 dollars, in favour of James Mease, for public service, be drawn and sent to the treasurer; that sum having been advanced by the treasurer on the 11 December last, to the said Mease, by order of Mr. [Thomas] Nelson:
That a warrant for 26 2/3 dollars be drawn in favour of John Norman, for a rolling press; that sum having, on the same day abovementioned, been advanced by a like order:
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That a warrant for 10,000 dollars be drawn in favour of Carpenter Wharton, for public service; that sum having been paid by the treasurer on the said 11 December to James White, assistant deputy commissary, by order of Mr. President, issued in pursuance of a letter from said Carpenter Wharton.
Resolved, That 365 dollars be paid to George Ross, Esq. and charged to the account of Colonel M. Hazen; the same being in full of an order in his favour, by [Lieutenant Colonel] Edward Antil, for the recruiting service of Colonel Hazen's regiment, dated January 6th, 1777.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration, Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington be directed to propose to General Howe, that a commissary be appointed on behalf of the united States, to furnish the American prisoners of war, captivated by the British army, with such necessaries as they may want; and if such commissary be allowed to reside among the prisoners, that General Washington appoint a suitable person for the purpose, until an exchange can be effected:
That the continental agents, in the middle and eastern departments, be directed to furnish the commissary of cloathing with an account of what clothes or materials for making cloaths they have in their custody, and that they send forward such cloathing, to the order of the said commissary of cloathing, to be distributed, agreeable to the directions of General Washington, among the troops in the several departments, in such proportions as he shall think proper: and that the General be requested, particularly, to attend to the wants of the State of New York, which, from its peculiar situation, is precluded from the means of procuring cloathing and necessaries for the troops raised there:
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That a copy of the letter from the convention of New York, dated at Fish Kill, 28 December last, be sent to General Washington; and that he be empowered to take such order in the several matters 9therein contained, as he shall think best; and that a letter be written to the said convention, informing them of what Congress has done in compliance with their several requests:
That it would much contribute to the Defence of Hudson's River, if the Frigates built on the same were fitted with Guns and other Necessaries, which would enable them to repulse any Ship or Vessel that might pass the Batteries erected on, and Obstructions which may be made in, the said River.
That so much of the letter from the convention of New York, as relates to the defence of Hudson's river, by means of the frigates or otherwise, be referred to the Marine Committee:
That the convention of New York be informed that Congress highly approve of their spirited exertions for the defence of their own, and the state of New Jersey, against the desolation and ravages of our cruel and remorseless enemy; and that Congress have received the address of the said convention to the people of that State, containing sentiments highly and generally interesting to the inhabitants of these States, to whose serious perusal and attention it is earnestly recommended; and that the same be translated into the German language, and printed at the expence of the continent:1
[Note 1: 1 The original of this address is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, I, folio 372. The report of the Board of War, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in No. 147, I, folio 15.]
That Mr. [Francis] Lewis be directed to have the said address translated and printed.
Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to enquire into the conduct of the British and Hessian generals
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and officers towards the officers, soldiers and mariners in the service of the United States, and any other persons, inhabitants of these States, in their possession, as prisoners of war, or otherwise, and also into the conduct of the said generals and officers, and the troops under their command, towards the subjects of these States and their property, more especially of the States of New York and New Jersey.
The members chosen, Mr. [Samuel] Chase, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Francis] Lewis, Mr. [George]. Ross, Mr. [Thomas] Heyward, and Mr. [William] Smith.
The committee of treasury reported, that there is due to Abraham Simons, for the hire of Ludwick Neal's wagon, in the service of the Virginia light horse, the sum of £15, Virginia money, equal to 50 dollars:
To John Blackburn, for the hire of Thomas Allen's waggon, in the service of the Virginia light horse, the sum of 47 82½/90 dollars:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 15.]
Ordered, That the same be paid.
Resolved, That the appointment of a pay master in Baltimore be postponed till Saturday next.
Ordered, That the oath of fidelity be published.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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