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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, APRIL 16, 1777
A letter, of the 12, from General Washington;
One of the same date from the General to the committee of Congress appointed to write to him, were laid before Congress and read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter to Congress is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folio 79. That to the committee is on folio 75.]
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Ordered, That the last be referred to General Schuyler, who is directed to carry into execution the measures therein recommended.
Sundry letters being intercepted by the Pensylvania board of war, were laid before Congress, and read; Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
Whereas, it appears to Congress, from letters intercepted by the Pensylvania board of war, that certain persons, inimical to the liberties of America, have invited the enemy to attempt a surprize on this city, in order to make themselves masters of the stores and provisions now in it; and whereas, it is apprehended, that the executive authority at present exercised in the State of Pensylvania, will be so occupied with matters of the highest importance to the safety of the State, as not to be able to attend to the removal of said stores and provisions in due time;
Resolved, That it be recommended to the president and members of the executive authority of this State, to request the commanding officer of the continental forces in this city, to take the most effectual means, that all provisions and every other article, which, by falling into the hands of the enemy, may aid them in their operations of war against the United States, or the loss of which might distress the continental army, be immediately removed to such places as he shall deem most convenient and secure.
An appeal being this day delivered to the secretary from the judgment of the court of admiralty, held at Plymouth, in the State of Massachusetts bay, for the counties of Plymouth, Barnstable, Bristol, Nantucket and Dukes County, on a libel against the schooner Industry, Charles Coffin, master, which appeal was made in the court aforesaid, on the 23 of October, 1776, the judgment
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of Congress was taken whether the same should be received; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the said appeal be received, and referred to the standing committee on appeals.
A motion being made and seconded, after debate,
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of four.
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. S[amuel] Adams, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, and Mr. [John] Witherspoon.
Resolved, That £800, equal to 2,133 1/3d dollars be advanced to Samuel Wheeler, on account of iron field-pieces he has contracted to make for the Continent; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That two months' pay be advanced to Mons. du Plessis; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That Carpenter Wharton be directed to deliver to the order of Brigadier General Hand, two hundred bushels of salt, for the use of the forces on the western frontiers.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the general assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, to collect, with the utmost despatch, the whole force thereof, and therewith, aided by such parts of the militia of Massachusetts bay and Connecticut, as are contiguous to the said State, to attack and destroy the enemy on the island of Rhode Island aforesaid.
Resolved, That it be, and hereby it is, recommended to the States of Massachusetts bay and Connecticut, to give every assistance in their power, by calling out the militia of their respective towns, which lie next to the State of Rhode Island, &c. and to promote and execute this important service.
Resolved, That General Washington be directed to appoint such general officer as he shall judge proper, to carry the foregoing resolutions into effect.
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Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent by express to General Washington, and the three New England States.
Congress being informed that divers ill affected persons have in contemplation to destroy the ferry-boats on that part of Hudson's river above Saratoga, at the time that the enemy's army may arrive from Canada, in order to obstruct the movements of the American troops and to distress them:
Resolved, That General Gates be informed of this by express, and that he be directed to take timely and effectual measures to prevent the execution of this pernicious project.
Resolved, That the report on the quarter master's department be re-committed, and that the committee be directed to confer with General Schuyler on the subject.
The committee appointed to prepare a plan for regulating the mode of receiving applications to Congress, brought in a report, which was read.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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