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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 3, 1777
A letter, of the 2d, from G. Bryan, Esqr. vice president of the supreme executive, council of Pensylvania, was read,1 informing that, "in consequence of the recommendation of Congress, and their own persuasion of the propriety and necessity of the measure, the council have taken up several persons inimically disposed towards the American states; that few of the Quakers, among these, are willing to make any promise of any kind; and
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress No. 69, I, folio 395.]
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desiring the advice of Congress, particularly whether Augusta and Winchester, in Virginia, would not be suitable places in which to secure these persons;" Whereupon,
Resolved, That Congress approve of the Quakers prisoners being sent to Virginia, and, in the opinion of Congress, that Staunton, in the county of Augusta, is the most proper place in the State of Virginia for their residence and security; and with regard to the other prisoners mentioned in their letter, Congress leave it, to the supreme executive council to do with them as they in their wisdom shall think best.1
[Note 1: 1 In thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 53, folio 81, is the following motion, in the writing of Abraham Clark: "That the late order of the Board of War for removing said Petitioners to Staunton in Virginia, and for Confining Owen Jones, Jr. to Close confinement, be Suspended, and that said Prisoners remain under the restraint to which they were Subjected prior to such order."]
The supreme executive council having sent to Congress, by one of the delegates of their State, sundry original letters and papers found in the possession of some of the Quakers taken into custody, the same were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the committee to whom General Sullivan's letter of the 25 ult. was referred.
On motion,Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the several states, to take effectual measures for importing or otherwise procuring, during the ensuing whiter, such supplies of arms, tents and other military stores, blankets, cloathing, medicines, and other necessary articles for their respective militia, as may be wanted for the next, campaign, and that they report to Congress the species and quantity of military stores manufactured in their respective states.
That the Board of War be directed forthwith to lay before Congress a list, of the military stores now in the magazines, and an estimate of such articles of foreign
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manufacture or produce as may be wanted for the next campaign.
On motion,Ordered, That the Board of War take into consideration the merits of Brigadiers Stark and Herkimer, and of Colonel Gansevoort and Lieutenant Colonel Willet, and to report to Congress what testimonies of public gratitude should be shewn to these officers for their late signal exertions in the defence of their country.
Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole. The president left the chair. Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison took the chair of the committee. The president resumed the, chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under their farther consideration the matters referred to them, and have come to a resolution, which he was ordered to deliver when the house is ready to receive it:
Ordered, That it be now received.
The report ∥resolution∥ being received, was read and ordered to lie for farther consideration.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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