| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1777
A letter, of the 21, from General Washington, enclosing a letter, of the 20th, from General Newcomb;
Another, of the same date from General Washington, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 These letters are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folios 509, 517, and 521. The last is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), VI, 45.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
Ordered, That the Board of War send to Virginia, with all possible despatch, four brass field-pieces, if the public service will admit.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That that there be advanced to Thomas Butler, Esqr. continental armourer, the sum of 1,600 dollars, for the use of his department, he to be accountable:
That there be advanced to Everhart Michael, Esqr. pay master of the German batallion, the sum of 2,000 dollars, for the use of the said batallion, for which he is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 371.]
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners ∥of claims,∥ the auditor general reports,
That there is due to Jacob Hinkle, for 136 meals supplied the militia of Cumberland county, on their march to camp, the sum of 13 54/90 dollars:
That there is due to Lieutenant Nicholas Garret, late of Colonel Magaw's regiment, a balance of his account for his pay, bounty money advanced to ten men he recruited, as also their subsistence and inlisting money, &c. amounting to £178 7 9, of which he received from Major Benezet, £135, the balance being 115 63/90 dollars, to be paid him, and charged to the said regiment:3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in No. 136, I, folio 373.]
Page 665 | Page image
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Congress was moved "that Major Livingston aid to General Schuyler, who brought to Congress an account of the late success of Brigadier Stark be presented with a commission of lieutenant colonel." The question being put, and the states called, there were 5 ayes, two noes, and three divided. The question being for promotion, and there being only five affirmatives the question was lost.
At the request of Maryland the yeas and nays were taken and are as follows:
[Note 1: 1 In the margin is written: "After debate ordered to be Expunged, and the matter referred to the Board of War."]
Advice being received that the enemy's fleet are in Chesapeake Bay between Rock Hall and ∥the mouth of∥ Patapsco ∥river,2∥
[Note 2: 2 This was in the form of a letter from W. Bordley to William Paca, dated August 21, 5 o'clock p. m. It is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 225.]
Ordered, That the Board of War give immediate orders for removing the prisoners and public stores from Lancaster and Yorktown, to places of greater safety:
That the Treasury Board take immediate and effectual measures for the security of the treasury at Baltimore:
That the president write to Captain Nicholson, and inform him, it is the desire of Congress, in case his vessel
Page 666 | Page image
cannot be saved from falling into the hands of the enemy, otherwise than by destroying her, that in that case he destroy her, saving as much of her tackle, furniture and stores as he can.
Resolved, That General Washington be informed, by express, of the intelligence Congress hath this day received, of the British fleet advanced high up the bay of Chesapeake, and, therefore, that it is probable the enemy have the city of Philadelphia in contemplation; that as the distance from the head of the said bay to this city is so small, Congress wish the General, in consequence of this information, to proceed in such manner, as shall appear to him most conducive to the general interest, notwithstanding the resolution of yesterday, concerning his progress to the North River.
Resolved, That Mr. [Joseph] Jones, Mr. [Samuel] Chase, and Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, be a committee to prepare a resolution for calling forth the militia of Pensylvania, and the neighbouring states.
Adjourned to 5 o'Clock.
Five o'clock, p. m.
Resolved, That Ludowic Sprogle be empowered and directed to muster the militia of Pensylvania instead of the deputy muster master general, whose indisposition prevents his performing that service.
∥The committee appointed to prepare a resolution for calling forth the militia, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,∥
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the State of Maryland, immediately to call out not less 2,000 select militia, to repel the expected invasion by the enemy of the states of Pensylvania, Delaware and Maryland;
Page 667 | Page image
that 1,250 of the militia on the Western shore of Maryland, repair, as soon as possible, to Baltimore and Harford towns; that 750 of the militia on the Eastern shore, repair as soon as possible to Georgetown, on Sassafras, there to wait the directions of General Washington:
That the State of Pensylvania be requested to keep up 4,000 of their militia to assist in repelling the threatened invasion of the enemy by the way of Chesapeake and Delaware bays; that these rendezvous at Lancaster, Downing-town and Chester, as the council of the said State shall direct, and that they be subject to the orders of General Washington:
That the State of Delaware be requested to call out 1,000 of their militia to rendezvous at New Port and Christiana Bridge, there to wait the orders of General Washington:
That the State of Virginia be requested to draw out one-third of the militia of each of the counties of Prince William, Fairfax, Loudon, Berkely, Frederick, Dunmore, Fauquier and Culpepper, and march them to Fredericktown, in the State of Maryland, there to wait the orders of General Washington:
That the militia requested from the states aforesaid, be in the pay of the Continent to the 30 day of November next, unless sooner discharged by Congress, or the commander in chief:
That it be recommended to each of the above states, to remove all boats and other craft, provisions, grain, naval and military stores, provender, cattle and all live stock, waggons, carts and horses, in the way of the enemy's march, to places of safety, and to destroy what cannot be removed.
That General Washington be directed to order Brigadier Smallwood and Colonel Gist, to repair immediately
Page 668 | Page image
to the State of Maryland, to arrange, march and command the militia required of that state.
The several matters &c. ∥to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |