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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 --SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1777
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the commissioner of the loan office for the State of Rhode Island, in favour of Mr. John Murray, assignee of David Flowers, for five thousand dollars, and charged to the account of Colonel
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William Kennon, the same being in full of three bills, No. 5, 7, 12, drawn by him, agreeable to letters of advice from J[ohn] Rutledge, president of South Carolina, dated Charleston, 14 April, 1777:1 and
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 72, folio 353.]
That another order for fourteen thousand dollars be drawn on the said commissioner, in favour of the said J. Murray, and charged to the account of Joseph Trumbull, Esqr. commissary general, the same being in full of his draught in favour of the said J. Murray, dated Middle-brook, 9 June, 1777, agreeable to his letter of advice of the said date.
A letter, of the 20 May, from Amos Throop, at Providence, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
Resolved, That 300 dollars be advanced to Captain John Steel; 450 dollars to Captain Matthew Irwin; and 500 dollars to Captain Samuel Kearsley, for the use of their respective independent companies; they respectively to be accountable.
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be empowered to give such directions respecting the continental ships of war in the river Delaware, as they think proper, in case the enemy succeed in their attempts on the said river.
Resolved, That the flag of the ∥thirteen∥ United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.
The council of the State of Massachusetts bay having represented by letter to the president of Congress, that Captain John Roach, some time since appointed to command the continental ship of war theRanger, is a person of doubtful character, and ought not to be entrusted with such a command; therefore,
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Resolved, That Captain Roach be suspended, until the Navy Board for the eastern department shall have enquired fully into his character, and report thereon to the Marine Committee.
Resolved, That Captain John Paul Jones be appointed to command the said shipRanger.
Resolved, That William Whipple, Esqr. member of Congress, and of the Marine Committee; John Langdon, Esqr. continental agent; and the said Captain John Paul Jones, be authorized to appoint the lieutenant, and other commissioned and warrant officers necessary for the said ship; and that blank commissions and warrants be sent them, to be filled with the names of the persons they appoint, returns whereof to be made to the Navy Board in the eastern department:
Whereas, the State of New York, long the seat of the present unprovoked war, and a principal object of the vengeance of our implacable enemies, hath been, among other calamities, for a considerable time, deprived of her seaports, and of all the advantages and supplies of European and West India commodities, which other States derive from commerce; and it being represented that the inhabitants of the said State are more immediately distressed for want of salt, which, though a necessary article of life, they have no prospect of procuring without the interposition of Congress; and it being the duty of Congress, as well as of the respective United States, to alleviate, as far as may be in their power, the distresses brought down upon any branch of the confederacy, on account of its vigorous opposition to the common enemy, and its virtuous struggles in the great and glorious cause in which all are equally engaged; and the inhabitants of the State of New York having persevered, amidst the
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severest trials and losses, with vigour and fortitude in the defence of the liberties of America;
Resolved, therefore, That it be recommended to the executive powers or legislatures of the respective States, to encourage and facilitate the supplying the inhabitants of New York, while they shall continue to be deprived of the benefit of importation, with salt and other European and West India commodities of which they may stand in need.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to sell to the council of safety, or delegates of the State of New York, a cargo of about 2,000 bushels of salt, imported by Congress, and now in store at Plymouth, in the Massachusetts bay: and that the commissary general be directed, if it can be done without prejudice to the public interest, to exchange for the said cargo of salt, an equal quantity nearer to the State of New York, that the distress of its inhabitants in that respect may be more immediately relieved.
In obedience to the summons with which Mr. Gunning Bedford was served, he attended, and being called in, acknowledged that the copies of the letters with which he was served, were true copies of the letters he wrote to, and received from, Mr. Sergeant; and having spoken in justification of his conduct, he was ordered to withdraw. After debate,
Resolved, That Mr. Gunning Bedford has been guilty of a high breach of the privileges of this house, in sending a challenge to one of the members of this house, for words spoken by him in this house, in the course of debate:
Ordered, That Mr. G. Bedford immediately attend at the bar of this house, and that the president inform him, that it is expected he will ask pardon of the house, and of the member challenged.
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Mr. Bedford being called in, the resolution of Congress was read to him; and having asked pardon of the house and of the member,
Ordered, That he be dismissed.
Resolved, That Major General Arnold be authorized to take upon him the command of all the militia now at Bristol, and on every other part of the river to the eastward of Philadelphia, which have been called forth into service by a requisition of the twenty-fourth day of April last; and that he be authorized to dispose of himself, and the troops under his command, in such a manner as he shall deem best adapted to promote the public service.
Ordered, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the president and supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania for their concurrence.
Resolved, That 1,600 dollars be advanced to Jeremiah Butler, armourer, for the public service; he to be accountable.
The Committee of Appeals, to whom was referred the petition from Jacob Green, and others, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted, and a new hearing awarded on the appeal brought against the judgment of the court of admiralty in the libel "Job Pierce against the brigPhoenix," unless the appellants can shew that notice was duly given of their appeal: that, for this end, the petitioner serve the appellant with a copy of this resolve, and with notice of the time when he shall make further application to the committee appointed by Congress to hear and determine appeals, for a new day to be assigned for the said hearing.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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