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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, MARCH 12, 1777
The delegates of Pensylvania produced credentials of their appointment, which were read as follows:
This may certify Congress, that the following gentlemen were duly elected in and by a full house of the general assembly of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to serve as delegates in the Continental Congress for the present year, to wit: Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Daniel Roberdeau, Jonathan B. Smith, George Clymer and James Wilson. Witness my hand, the 10th of March, 1777.
(Signed)John Jacobs, Speaker.
The delegates of Massachusetts laid before Congress farther powers received from their constituents, which were read as follows:
State of Massachusetts Bay.
In the House of Representatives, February, 4, 1777.
Whereas, the Commission given the Delegates in Congress, Representing this State, by a Resolve of the 10th of December last, Confines
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the exercise of their Representation and Powers to any three or more of them, from which many Inconveniences may arise, and their Vote in Congress may be lost on any Question, when only two are present; and one may Controul two when three are present, and the same Effect take place: It is, therefore, Resolved, That any two or more of the said Delegates, Representing this State in Congress, being the major part present, be, and hereby are, vested with all the powers with which any three or more of the said Delegates were vested by the said Resolve of the 10th of December last; and the Secretary is hereby Directed, as soon as may be, to furnish each of the Delegates from this State with an Attested Copy of this Resolve.
Sent up for Concurrence.
J. Warren, Speaker.
In Council, February, 4, 1777.
Read and Concurred.
J. Avery, Deputy Secretary.
Five letters from General Washington, of the 20, 23, 28 February, 1, and 6 of March;
Four letters from General Schuyler, of the 4, 8, 15, and 24 February;
A memorial from Baron de Arendt;
A letter from General Gates, with a list of Canadian officers; one from Mr. Bowdoin, respecting Monsieur Faneuil;
And one from John Visscher;
One from P. Henry, jr. and John Page, respecting two German officers; also, a letter from Lieutenant Colonel John Brown, enclosing a resignation of his commission;
One, of the 3d, from Lord Stirling;
One from General Stephen; and one from General Lincoln, acknowledging the receipt of their commissions as major generals; and one from J. Cadwalader, declining his appointment as brigadier general;
One, of the 24 February, from Colonel Stewart, respecting
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the purchase of cannon, were read and referred to the Board of War.1
[Note 1: 1 The letters of Washington are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, III, folios 537, 545, 553, 559, and 575. All but one (dated 28th) are printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), V, 244--274. Those of Schuyler are in No. 153, III, folios 19, 88, 100, 114; that of De Arendt in No. 41, I, folio 9; that of Gates in No. 154, I, folio 139; that of Stirling in No. 162, folio 523; that of Stephen in No. 78, XX, folio 101; that of Lincoln in No. 158, folio 163, and that of Cadwallader in No. 78, V, folio 79. That of Henry is in No. 71, I, folio 109.
In No. 152, III, folio 541, is a letter of Washington to the Board of War, with the following endorsement:
"This letter to be read in Congress and enquiry to be made whether any Member remembers the Resolves of Congress respecting the Bounty of Land to be allowed Soldiers, &c. The General is of opinion the 100 Acres Bounty is to be granted to those enlisting for three Years. The Board of a different Opinion."]
One of the 28th of February, from General Gates, respecting the office of adjutant general was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, I, folio 135.]
Ordered, That this be taken into consideration to morrow.
An appeal being lodged from the judgment of the court of admiralty at Georgia, against the sloop Polly, Alexander M'Austan, commander;
Ordered, That it be referred to the standing committee for determining appeals.
An account of advances by the State of Rhode Island, was laid before Congress:3
[Note 3: 3 Jacob Greene and David Hoel [Howell?] were sent by Rhode Island to go to Baltimore to lay before Congress the accounts of that State against the Continent. See Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 64, folios 374--390.]
Ordered, To lie on the table.
A letter from the Council of Safety of Pensylvania was read, respecting the complaints of the troops from Ticonderoga, ∥on account of their∥ not being paid:4
[Note 4: 4 This letter, dated March 10, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 331.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee who was appointed to confer with General Gates.
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Resolved, That 400,000 dollars be paid to the State of Rhode Island, which is to be accountable; and that the same be paid by an order of the President on the auditor general for 200,000 dollars, by one on the commissioner of the loan office in the State of Rhode Island, for 60,000 dollars, and by one on the treasurer, for 140,000 dollars; this last sum to be paid out of the emission last ordered to be issued.
Resolved, That three members be added to the standing committee for hearing appeals:
The members chosen, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [George] Read, and Mr. [Thomas] Burke.
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the auditor general, for 10,000 dollars, to be paid out of the lottery money to James Mease, and the same be subject to the orders of General Gates.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislatures, or, in their recess, to the executive power of each of the United States, to cause assessments of blankets to be made, in order to furnish their several quotas of soldiers with an article so necessary to defend them from the inclemency of the weather and damp air, in their encampments; and that all blankets to be obtained in this manner, be valued at a just and reasonable price, and paid for by the states respectively, to be repaid by the United States: and that the legislature, or, in their recess, the executive power, do cause money to be put into the hands of a proper officer in every county, district, or township, in order that such blankets may be paid for, without delay or trouble, to the housekeepers on whom the assessments shall be made.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolve was published in the Pennsylvania Packet, 18 March, 1777.]
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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