| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1777
Resolved, That two members be added to the Board of Treasury:
The members chosen, Mr. [Mann] Page, and Mr. [Jonathan] Elmer.
A number of copies of the address from the convention of New York, to their constituents, being translated into the German language, were sent to Congress:
Ordered, That they be delivered to the Board of War, who are directed to have them distributed.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Page 95 | Page image
Resolved, That Colonel Henry Hollingsworth continue to supply the troops passing through the Head of Elk, with provisions at the usual rates.
A motion being made by Mr. [Abraham] Clark and seconded by Mr. [Jonathan Dickinson] Sergeant,
Whereas General Washington, by his Proclamation of the 25th of January last, required all those who have subscribed the Declaration, taken the Oaths of Allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and accepted protection and certificates from Lord or General Howe, or any person acting under their Authority, forthwith to repair to head quarters, or to the quarters of the nearest general officers of the Continental Army, or Militia, until further provision can be made by the civil Authority; And therein grants full liberty to all such as prefer the Interest and Protection of great Britain to the freedom and happiness of their Country, forthwith to withdraw themselves and families within the Enemy's Lines. Which Proclamation, may in some particular States, interrupt the due course of the Laws made therein for the trial and punishment of Traitors and other offenders against the peace and liberties of the same; For remedy whereof, Resolved, that the above mentioned Proclamation shall not in any wise take effect in such manner as to prevent the free exercise of the Laws or Regulations, enacted or provided in any of the United States, for the punishment of offenders within the same, or exempt any person from arrests and detention in Civil or Criminal Actions under Colour of the Liberty granted to withdraw themselves and families within the enemy's lines; or in any instance to interfere with or oppose the free exercise of the Legislative or Executive powers of any State.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 4.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [Jonathan Dickinson] Sergeant, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, and Mr. [Thomas] Heyward.
Resolved, That 1,400 dollars be advanced to Mr. Robert Cummings, for the public service; he to be accountable.
Page 96 | Page image
∥Resolved,∥ That 6,000 dollars be advanced to General Smallwood, for the purpose of paying the arrearages due to his late batallion; he to account ∥be accountable.∥
∥Ordered,∥ That the Secret Committee be directed deliver to Colonel Stone, for the use of his batallion, 1,050 yards of linen and cloath, proper for facings for his soldiers' cloaths.
Congress took into consideration the report ∥of the committee∥ on the state of Georgia; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a supply of arms and cloathing for the continental batallions, there ∥in Georgia,∥ ought to be furnished as expeditiously as possible:
And, as that State is in the neighbourhood of numerous and powerful nations of Indians, it is an object of important consideration, to cultivate their friendship and secure peace with them; and this is rendered more necessary by the contiguity of those Indians to the colonies of East and West Florida, from whence the agents of the king of Great Britain are perpetually stimulating the savages to make war upon the people of Georgia; therefore,
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to procure, for the defence of Georgia, a supply of arms and cloathing for the continental forces raised as the quota of that State, and that they also procure goods for carrying on the Indian trade to the amount of ten thousand dollars, in addition to the 20,000 dollars advanced by the Secret Committee, to Mr. [Button] Gwinnett, for that purpose, which goods may be delivered either at Charlestown, in South Carolina, or in Georgia, for the use of the continental Indian commissioners of the southern department, to be employed in securing the friendship of the southern Indians.
Resolved, That the Board of War give orders and directions to Colonel Buchanan, whose batallion is under orders
Page 97 | Page image
to march to General Washington, to march immediately with his batallion to Somerset and Worcester counties, in order to suppress the insurgents in those parts; and that the said Board, hasten, with all possible expedition, the march of Colonel Smallwood with the Gist with his batallion.
Resolved, That as soon as the artillery companies, already ordered to be raised in Georgia, are compleated, an additional company of artillery be raised on the continental establishment for the State of Georgia, to consist of one captain, two lieutenants and fifty privates.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the minutes of the committee from the four New England governments, brought in a report, which was read:
Ordered, To lie on the table.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |