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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 --THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1777
A letter, of the 30th, from General Washington at Coryell's Ferry; one, of the 30th, from Brigadier Cæsar Rodney, at Dover; and a copy of one, of the said date, from H. Fisher, at Lewistown, advising that the enemy's fleet appeared in the offing, about four leagues from the light-house, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folio 409; that of Rodney, in No. 78, XIX, folio 101.]
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania, forthwith to make prisoners, such of the late crown and proprietary officers, and other persons in, and near this city,2 as are disaffected, or may be dangerous to the public liberty, and send them back into the country, there to be confined, or enlarged upon parole, as their characters and behaviour may require:
[Note 2: 2 This phrase read in the original report: "in this City, who shall refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance to the State." Thomson then inserted the words "and all other dangerous persons in and near this City," and the words "Or Affirmation" after "oath." A slip, in the writing of James Wilson, reads: "all the late Crown Officers and others in and near this City, as are disaffected or may be dangerous to the public Liberty." Hancock altered it to "such of the Crown Officers" &c., and inserted "Persons" after "others." Thomson has also noted the following: "all the late crown officers and all other persons suspected and thot dangerous." The members of the Board present were, John Adams, Samuel Adams, James Wilson, and George Clymer. The report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 299.]
That it, be recommended to the said executive council to remove, under guard, all the state prisoners in the gaol of this city, to some safe place back in the country, and that they cause the guards to be doubled until the prisoners can be removed:
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That it be recommended to the said executive council, immediately to order two companies of militia to strengthen the guard over the prisoners at Lancaster, and also two companies of militia to guard the prisoners at York town.
That one hundred thousand dollars be advanced to the supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania for public service, the said State to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 A letter from the Council of Pennsylvania, July 31, asking for a grant of one hundred thousand dollars, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 379.]
Resolved, That the militia of the States of New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware and Maryland be immediately called out, to repel any invasion of the enemy in the said States.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph was reported by the Board of War July 28, present, John Adams, Samuel Adams, William Duer, and James Wilson. A second paragraph read:
"That it be recommended to the Executive Power of the State of Pennsilvania to be careful in discovering and preventing any Plotts or Conspiracies in their State, if any such there be; and that they cause all Crown Officers and ether suspected Persons, and more especially those in the City of Philadelphia and its vicinity, to be put under oath or Parole, or secured if Occasion require." See a paragraph printed under this day, p. 591ante.]
Resolved, That 80,000 dollars be advanced to the continental Navy Board ∥in Pensylvania,∥ for public service, they to be accountable.
Resolved, That the continental Navy Board be empowered and directed to take such measures as they judge necessary and expedient, for securing the continental vessels that cannot be employed in the defence of the river, and also for securing the continental property afloat on the river.
Whereas, the marquis de la Fayette, out of his great zeal to the cause of liberty, in which the United States are engaged, has left his family and connexions, and, at his own expence, come over to offer his service to the United States, without pension or particular allowance, and is anxious to risque his life in our cause:
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Resolved, That his service be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major general in the army of the United States.
A letter, of this day, from Colonel S. Moylan; one, of the 25, from General Washington, introducing a Mons. d'Avaux [Avout] to the notice of Congress; one, of the 8th, from Governor Henry; one, of the 27, from Colonel G. Gibson, at Alexandria; one, of the 28, from J. M'Kinley, president of Delaware; and a letter and memorial from Dr. J. Morgan, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter from Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folio 413; that of Henry, in No. 71, I, folio 123; that of McKinley, in No. 70, folio 627; the letter of Morgan, in No. 63, folio 113; and the memorial in No. 41, VI, folio 19.]
Ordered, That the letters from president M'Kinley, Brigadier Rodney, Governor Henry, and Colonel Gibson, be referred to the Board of War; that the letter of the 25 from General Washington, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Applications; and that the memorial of Dr. Morgan be referred to the Medical Committee.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War of the 24 July; Whereupon,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the executive authorities of each of the United States, to divide their respective States into districts, and to appoint a proper person in each district to recruit men to fill up the regiments raised in such State; that they take good security of the persons so appointed, for the faithful discharge of his duty, and rendering just accounts of all public monies, that shall come to his hands; and that they allow, for each able bodied recruit so raised, who shall inlist for 3 years, or during the war, the sum of 8 dollars, in full for his
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trouble and expence; that, [where no provision for securing deserters has already been made by the laws of the State,]1 they give to each person so appointed, full power to take up and secure all deserters that shall come within their respective districts, and where force is necessary for this purpose, that they direct the officers of the militia to give such assistance as shall be required; that they allow him the sum of 5 dollars for every deserter so taken up and secured, in full for his trouble and expence therein; and, for the encouragement of inert to enter the service, that they shall have liberty, at the time of their inlistment, to make choice of the regiment, troop or company in which they will serve, provided such regiment, troop or company is not full; if it is, they may chuse any other regiment, troop or company which is not full, which shall be entered against their names and returned to the officer appointed to receive such recruits, who shall, at the time they are sent to join their corps, transmit the same to the general, or commanding officer.
[Note 1: 1 These words are inserted by Charles Thomson In the margin he wrote: "Part left relative to the States ordering Recruits to be supplied with Provisions."]
That the Executive authority of each of the States have frill power to order the Continental Commissary, if any within theirTo lie State, to furnish the Recruits raised therein with Provisions, and where there are none, to employ such Person or Persons, as they shall think proper for that purpose.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated July 24, P. M., is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 285. The members of the Board present were: John Adams, Samuel Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duer, and Benjamin Harrison. The balance of the report, giving swords to Meigs and Barton, is printed under July 25, 1777,ante.]
Resolved, That it be recommended to the executive authorities of each of the United States, to appoint convenient places of rendezvous in their respective States, for receiving recruits and deserters, and that they transmit to General Washington, with as much expedition as possible,
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the names of such places of rendezvous, in order that proper officers may be sent to receive recruits and deserters.
Resolved, That General Washington be directed to order all continental officers, now absent from their corps, forthwith to join them, except only such as the general shall think necessary to receive recruits and march them to the army.
Ordered, That the two first articles in the requisition of Mons. du Coudray, of the 27 July, be referred to the Board of War.
At a Board of War,31st July, P M. 1777
Present, Mr John Adams, Mr Lee, Mr S. Adams, Mr Wilson and Mr Clymer.
Agreed to Report to Congress:
That Governor Henry's Letter of the 8th Instant be referred to the Treasury Board.
That Bryan Lefferty's Petition be dismissed, and he ordered to the Place of his Residence on Parole.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 301.]
The several matters &c ∥to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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