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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, AUGUST 21, 1777
Sundry letters were read, viz:
A letter, of the 20, from General Washington, enclosing an extract of a letter, of the 15, from General Schuyler; also a letter, of the 15, from General Schuyler, with an address to him from six general officers, requesting him "that, on his being relieved, previous to his leaving the country, he will use his influence with the militia, that,
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without loss of time, they join the army, a measure necessary for their own, as well as for the safety of the public, relying on it, should he be detained on this important business, his doing it will be approved by Congress."1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folio 505. That of Schuyler is in No. 153, III, folio 246.]
Ordered, That the extract of the letter from General Schuyler to General Washington, be referred to the committee of intelligence; that the letter from General Schuyler be referred to the Board of War:
Congress being informed that a large collection of tar is made at Wilmington, in North Carolina, and that the enemy's fleet is now upon the southern coast:
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the executive power of North Carolina, to cause all the military and naval stores in the said State, to be removed to places of security, with all possible expedition, it being of the greatest consequence to the United States, that the same should not fall into the enemy's hands; and that such stores should be destroyed rather than to be possessed by the enemy.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider the state of South Carolina and Georgia:
The members chosen, Mr. [Henry] Laurens, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [James] Wilson, Mr. [Cornelius] Harnett, and Mr. [Samuel] Chase:
Ordered, That the committee sit this afternoon, and report as soon as possible.
Congress took into consideration a report of the Board of War of the 23 July; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Allan M'Donald, of Kingsborough, North Carolina, a captain in the British regular service, be permitted to go into New York to negotiate an exchange for
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himself and his son, a lieutenant in the same service; he to give his parole not to convey to the enemy or bring back any intelligence whatever of a political nature, and to return in a certain time to be fixed by his parole or when called for, on behalf of the United States.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Marine Committee:
Resolved, That if, upon due consideration, jointly had by the navy board for the eastern department, and the governor and council of war for the State of Rhode Island, and for which purpose the said navy board are directed to attend upon the said governor and council of war, the preparing fire-ships be judged practicable, expedient, and advisable, the said navy board immediately purchase, upon as reasonable terms as possible, six ships, or square-rigged vessels, at Providence, in the State of Rhode Island &c., the best calculated for fire-ships; that they employ proper persons to fit and prepare the said fire-ships with all possible expedition; that the said navy board provide proper materials therefor, and employ a proper captain or commander, one lieutenant, and a suitable number of men for each of the said ships or vessels, of approved courage and prudence; and that notice be given to all the commanders of the continental ships and vessels in the port of Providence, to be in readiness to sail at a moment's warning: That, as soon as the said fire-ships are well prepared, the first, favourable wind and weather be embraced to attack the British ships and navy in the rivers and bays of the state of Rhode Island &c.: that the officers of the continental navy there favour, as much as possible, this design, and use their utmost, efforts to get out to sea, and proceed upon such cruize, or to such ports as the said navy board, or the Marine Committee, shall appoint or order.
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Resolved, That the governor of the said State of Rhode Island &c. and the council of war of that State, be acquainted with the foregoing resolves; and that they be requested to afford every assistance in their power in effecting the above purposes.
Resolved, That General Spencer be made acquainted with the foregoing resolves, and that he be instructed, as far as possible, to favour, the said designs, by such attacks or feints as he may judge proper with the troops and boats under his command.
Resolved, That secrecy, as much as possible, be recommended in carrying into execution the foregoing resolves.
Resolved, That the sum of 4,000 dollars be paid to the officers and men on board every fire-ship or vessel which shall actually set on fire and destroy any one of the enemy's ships of war, in any of the bays, rivers or harbours, in the State of Rhode Island &c., of 20 guns or upwards; and 3,000 dollars for every ship or vessel of war under 20 guns; and 1,500 dollars for every transport; the proof of the execution done to be certified by the [commodore] commander or commanding officer, or by the oath of such person or persons as may be witness to the fact.
Resolved, That the rewards aforesaid, shall be divided in the following proportion: one-fourth to the captain or commander of such fire-ship or vessel, one-seventh to the lieutenant, and the remainder to the crew, to be equally divided amongst them.
Ordered, That the Marine Committee collect the best intelligence and instructions they can, respecting the best method of constructing fire-ships, and send the same to the Navy Board of the eastern department.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Henry Merchant(?) is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folios 9 and 11a. The last paragraph is in the writing of Charles Thomson.]
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Ordered, That the Board of War direct Messrs. Hughes, of Maryland, to deliver unto the order of the governor of Maryland, 4 twelve pounders, to be paid for, or returned by that State.
The, Committee on Foreign Applications, brought in a report, which was read ∥taken into consideration:∥ Whereupon,
Resolved, That a commission of lieutenant colonel be immediately given to the Chevalier de Failly, and that he be paid in that rank from the 1st of December last, and ordered to repair forthwith to the northern army:1
[Note 1: 1 See under August 13,ante.]
Resolved, That Mons. Epiniers receive a commission of captain.
Resolved, That the remainder of the report lie for farther consideration.
Congress took into consideration the memorial of Colonel Hazen, the report of the Board of Treasury, and of the commissioners for auditing accounts; during the debate an express arrived, with a letter of this day from General Washington, which was read; Whereupon, the consideration thereof was postponed for two hours, and Congress adjourned to 5 o'Clock.
Five o'Clock, p. m.
Congress took into consideration the letter of the 21 from General Washington, and the proceedings of the council of war ∥enclosed therein∥: and thereupon,
Resolved, That Congress approve of the plan of marching the army towards Hudson's river, and then that General Washington act as circumstances may require.
A letter, of the 18th, from General Schuyler, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
The several matters to this day referred being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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