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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, SEPTEMBER 17, 1777
A letter, of this day, from Governor Livingston, and one enclosed to him from General Dickinson, were read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That, in the present situation of affairs, it be left to the discretion of Governor Livingston, to retain the whole of the militia of New Jersey for the defence of that State, or to send a part of the said militia to reinforce the army under General Washington, as circumstances may make it necessary:
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Resolved, That Governor Livingston be requested to afford every assistance in his power for the speedy removal of the public stores from Trenton to Bethlehem, or some other place of safety.
Ordered, That copies of the letters received from Governor Livingston and General Dickinson, be forwarded immediately to General Washington.
Whereas, Mons. du Coudray, colonel brigadier in the service of his most Christian Majesty, the king of France, and commander in chief of the artillery in the French colonies of America, gallantly offered to join the American army as a volunteer, but, in his way thither, was most unfortunately drowned in attempting to pass the Schuylkill:
Resolved, That the corpse of the said Mons. du Coudray be interred at the expence of the United States, and with the honors of war; and that the town major carry this order into execution.1
[Note 1: 1 In thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folios 12 said 12a, are two motions, made on September 18. The first is in the writing of, and the second in that of William Duer.
"Whereas Monsieur du Coudray, an Officer in the Service of the United States, was unfortunately drowned on his way to join the army under General Washington, and it is right that proper persons be appointed to take due care of his effects and papers:Resolved, that Charles Louis Le Brun and Mr Nicholas Rogers be appointed to take due care of all such effects and papers, and lodge an inventory thereof with the Secretary of Congress."
[Previous question whether this question shall he now put, passed in the negative.Charles Thomson.]
"Resolved, that Charles Louis Le Brun, and Mr Nicholas Rogers be authorized to secure all the effects and papers of the late Monsieur du Coudray, Colo. Brigadier in the service of his most Christian Majesty the King of France; and to return to Congress an inventory of the same, in order that, such Parts of the said Estate as Congress shall think proper may be sold for the Benefit of the Heirs of the said Monsr. du Coudray, and the remainder transmitted to his Family as soon as possible."
[Previous question whether this question shall be now put, passed in the negative.Charles Thomson.]]
Whereas, the city of Philadelphia notwithstanding the brave exertions of the American army, may possibly, by the fortune of war, be, for a time, possessed by the enemy's
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army, which availing itself of the provisions and other necessary supplies now in it, may be enabled to prosecute with vigour the war in which they are now engaged; and whereas it is absolutely essential to the liberties of the United States, that the most effectual and speedy means should be adopted for securing, for the use of the American army, every article which may be necessary for their equipment and subsistence; and whereas, from the near approach of the enemy's army, and by the wicked arts of extortioners, engrossers and others, enemies to the liberties of America, it may be impracticable to collect in time, and by way of regular purchase, a competent supply; and whereas it, may be essential to the public welfare, that Congress should adjourn to some place more remote than this city from the scene of action, in order that its deliberations may be conducted without interruption; therefore,
Resolved, That General Washington be authorized and directed to suspend all officers who shall misbehave, and to fill up all vacancies in the American army, under the rank of brigadiers, until the pleasure of Congress shall be communicated; to take, wherever he may be, all such provisions and other articles as may be necessary for the comfortable subsistence of the army under his command, paying or giving certificates for the same: to remove and secure, for the benefit of the owners, all goods and effects which may be serviceable to the enemy; provided, that the powers hereby vested shall be exercised only in such parts of these states as may be within the circumference of 70 miles of the head quarters of the American army, and shall continue in force for the space of 60 days, unless sooner revoked by Congress.
Resolved, That the public faith be pledged for the payment of the provisions or other articles to be taken, and for which certificates shall have been given, at such
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prices as are expressed in the certificates; or, if the prices are not expressed, to be paid for as the same shall be valued by commissioners for that purpose to be hereafter appointed by Congress.
Ordered, That Mr. [George] Frost have leave of absence for the recovery of his health.
Ordered, That, a copy of the letter from the executive council of Pensylvania, to Congress, received this day in answer to the resolves of yesterday,1 be transmitted to General Washington.
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 425. It is printed inPennsylvania Archives, First Series, V, 630.]
Adjourned to 6 o'Clock.
Six o'Clock p. m.
Congress met, and, ∥postponing the several matters to this day referred,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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