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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 --FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1777
Resolved, That the sum of 2,333 30/90 dollars be paid to Goscinus Erkelins,1 esq. or order, the same being in full of an order in his favour, drawn by Joseph Trumbull, and dated at Hartford, 21 March, 1777:
[Note 1: 1 Gosuinus Erkelen.]
That the further sum of one thousand dollars be paid to the said Goscinus Erkelins, or order, the same being in full of an order in his favour, drawn by the said Joseph Trumbull, dated at Hartford, 21 March, 1777; and that both sums be charged to the account of the said Joseph Trumbull, Esqr.
A petition from Thomas Moody, was read,
Ordered, That the same be referred to General Mifflin, the quarter master general.
The committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the enemy, brought in a report which was read, as follows:
That, in every place where the enemy has been, there are heavy complaints of oppression, injury, and insult, suffered by the inhabitants, from officers, soldiers, and Americans disaffected to their country's cause. The committee found these complaints so greatly diversified, that, as it was impossible to enumerate them, so it appeared exceedingly difficult to give a distinct and comprehensive view of them, or such an account, as would not, if published, appear extremely defective, when read by the unhappy sufferers, or the country in general.
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In order, however, in some degree, to answer the design of their appointment, they determined to divide the object of their enquiry into four parts: First, The wanton and oppressive devastation of the country, and destruction of property: Second, the inhuman treatment of those who were so unhappy as to become prisoners: Third, The savage butchery of many who had submitted or were incapable of resistance: Fourth, The lust and brutality of the soldiers in abusing of women.
They will, therefore, now briefly state, what they found to be the truth upon each of these heads separately, and subjoin to the whole, affidavits and other evidence to support their assertions.
The whole tract of the British army is marked with desolation and a wanton destruction of property, particularly through West Chester county, in the state of New York; the towns of Newark, Elizabeth Town, Woodbridge, Brunswick, Kingston, Princeton and Trenton, in New Jersey. The fences destroyed, houses deserted, pulled in pieces or consumed by fire, and the general face of waste and devastation spread over a rich and once well cultivated and well inhabited country, would affect the most unfeeling with melancholy or compassion for the unhappy sufferers, and with indignation and resentment against the barbarous ravagers. It deserves notice, that though there are many instances of rage and vengeance against particular persons, yet, the destruction was very general and often undistinguished; those who submitted and took protections, and some who were known to favour them, having frequently suffered in the common ruin. Places and things, which, from their public nature and general utility, should have been spared by a civilized people, have been destroyed or plundered, or both. But, above all, places of worship, ministers and religious persons of some particular protestant denominations, seem to have been treated with the most rancorous hatred, and, at the same time, with the highest contempt.
The prisoners, instead of that humane treatment which those taken by the United States experienced, were, in general, treated with the greatest barbarity. Many of them were near four days kept without food altogether: When they received a supply, it was both insufficient in point of quantity and often of the worst kind: They suffered the
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utmost distress from cold, nakedness and close confinement: Freemen and men of substance suffered all that a generous mind could suffer from the contempt and mockery of British and foreign mercenaries: Multitudes died in prison; when they were sent out, several died in the boats, while carrying ashore, or, upon the road, attempting to go home. The committee, in the course of their enquiry, learned, that sometimes the common soldiers expressed sympathy with the prisoners, and the foreigners more than the English. But, this was seldom or never the case with the officers; nor have they been able to hear of any charitable assistance given them by the inhabitants who remained in, or resorted to the city of New York; which neglect, if universal, they believe was never known to happen in any similar case in a Christian country.
The committee found it to be the general opinion of the people in the neighbourhood of Princeton and Trenton, that the enemy, the day before the battle of Princeton, had determined to give no quarter.--They did not, however, obtain any clear proof, that there were any general orders for that purpose; but the treatment of several particular persons at and since that time, has been of the most shocking kind, and gives too much countenance to the supposition. Officers wounded and disabled, some of them of the first rank, were barbarously mangled or put to death. A minister of the gospel in Trenton, who neither was nor had been in arms, was massacred in cold blood, though humbly supplicating for mercy.
The committee had authentic information of many instances of the most indecent treatment, and actual ravishment of married and single women; but, such is the nature of that most irreparable injury, that the persons suffering it, and their relations, though perfectly innocent, look upon it as a kind of reproach to have the facts related, and their names known. They have, however, procured some affidavits, which will be published in the appendix. The originals are lodged with the secretary of Congress.
Some complaints were made to the commanding officers upon the subject, and one affidavit made before a justice of peace; but the committee could not learn that any satisfaction was ever given, or punishment inflicted, except, that one soldier, at Pennington, was kept in custody for part of a day.
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On the whole, the committee are sorry to say, that the cry of barbarity and cruelty is but too well founded; and as, in conversation, those who are cool to the American cause, have nothing to oppose to the facts, but their being incredible, and not like what they are pleased to stile, the generosity and clemency of the English nation; the committee beg leave to observe, that one of the circumstances most frequently occurring in the enquiry, was, the opprobrious, disdainful names given to the Americans. These do not need any proof, as they occur so frequently in the newspapers printed under their direction, and in the intercepted letters of those who are officers, and call themselves gentlemen. It is easy, therefore, to see what must be the conduct of a soldiery, greedy of prey, towards a people, whom they have been taught to look upon, not as freemen defending their rights on principle, but as desperadoes and profligates, who have risen up against law and order in general, and wish the subversion of society itself. This is the most candid and charitable manner in which the committee can account for the melancholy truths which they have been obliged to report. Indeed, the same deluding principle seems to govern persons and bodies of the highest rank in Britain. For, it is worthy of notice, that not pamphleteers only, but king and parliament constantly call those acts lenity, which, on their first publication, filled this whole Continent with resentment and horror.
Resolved, That the said report be accepted; and
Ordered, That the committee who brought in the report, publish the same with the affidavits.
Resolved, That a member be added to the committee on the commissary's department, and that they be directed to confer with General Schuyler on the subject:
The member chosen, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau.
Resolved, That Mr. Jos. Trumbull be directed to repair, with all despatch, to Philadelphia, to confer with the said committee on the
At the request of General Schuyler,
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the conduct of Major General Schuyler, since he has held a command in the army of the United States.
That the said committee consist of a member from each state:
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The members chosen, Mr. [Matthew] Thornton, Mr. [James] Lovell, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [Jonathan] Elmer, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [James] Sykes, Mr. W[illiam] Smith, Mr. [Mann] Page, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [Thomas] Heyward, and Mr. [Nathan] Brownson.
Resolved, That Major General St. Clair have leave of absence from the army for two weeks, to visit his family.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That an order for 5,000 dollars be sent to the treasurer at Baltimore, in favour of Robert Cummings, commissary of provisions there, to purchase provisions for the troops; and that he be desired to buy as much fresh provisions as he thinks prudent, considering the present prices; and that Congress approve of his laying in a quantity of barrelled shad fish, sufficient for the troops passing through that town.
Resolved, That General Armstrong be requested to inspect into the state of the magazines of provisions under the care of Commissary Wharton, and make report to Congress of their kind, quantity, and condition: and that General Armstrong be authorized to call on Mr. Wharton for every information necessary to enable him to perform this duty, and, if the said magazines should be found in a perishing or neglected state, that he take proper steps for their regulation; and the said commissary and his deputies are hereby ordered to pay due obedience to his directions.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated April 17, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 143.]
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to devise ways and means of supplying the army with fresh beef, on the most reasonable terms.
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The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. L[ewis] Morris, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, and Mr. [Benjamin] Rumsey.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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