| 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, SEPTEMBER 12, 1777
Congress being called by the president met at six o'clock, in the morning, when a letter, of the 11th, five o'clock P. M. from R. H. Harrison at Chad's Ford, and one of the same date, 11 o'clock, P. M. from General Washington at Chester, were read,the latter advising that the enemy were masters of the field, and that our army has retreated to Chester.1
[Note 1: 1 The letters of Harrison and Washington are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folios 49 and 53. They are printed in theWritings of Washington (Ford), VI, 68, 69.]
Page 736 | Page image
Ordered, That these letters be published.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock.
Ten o'Clock, a. m.
Ordered, That 500 dollars be advanced to the delegates of New Hampshire, for the use of their State, which is to be accountable.
Resolved, That an express be immediately sent to General Putnam, with orders to send forward the 1,500 continental troops, lately directed to be held in readiness, with all possible expedition, to reinforce the army under General Washington; and that General Putnam be directed, for greater expedition, to disencumber the said troops of all heavy baggage and such as is not absolutely necessary; the heavy baggage to be sent after them:
That an express be sent to General Dickinson, desiring him to come forward, with all possible despatch, with the militia of New Jersey, to reinforce the army under General Washington.
That expresses be sent immediately to General Smallwood and Colonel Gist, directing them to come forward, with all possible despatch, with the continental troops and militia under their respective commands, to reinforce the army, under General Washington, and that for greater despatch, they disencumber themselves of all heavy and unnecessary baggage:
That the president and supreme executive council of Pensylvania be requested, in the name of Congress, to call upon the militia of this city, and parts adjacent, to go forth immediately, to reinforce the army under General Washington, for the defence of this city:
That an express be sent to Colonel Gibson, of the batallion of Virginia troops at Alexandria, and to desire him
Page 737 | Page image
to proceed immediately with his regiment to reinforce the army under General Washington, provided the orders he has received from the government of Virginia do not prevent him; and if he is restrained by any such orders, that he despatch an express, without delay, to Williamsburg, to inform the governor and council, that it is the desire of Congress that the said regiment should be immediately sent forward for the purpose aforesaid; and that he hold himself in readiness to execute the orders he shall receive from the governor.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered, That there be advanced to the State of Maryland, upon the application of the governor of that State, 20,000 dollars, and for which the said State is to be accountable.
Ordered, That the President issue a warrant to the commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Maryland, in favour of the governor of the said State, upon his application, for 30,000 dollars, and for which the said State is to be accountable.
Ordered, That there be paid to Abner Nash, Esqr. 650 dollars, in discharge of two bills drawn by John Ashe, Esqr. public treasurer of the State of North Carolina, on the continental treasurer, expressed to be for payment and support of the continental troops in the said State; the one dated 5 March, last, for 500 dollars, in favour of William Dry, Esqr. the other 150 dollars, in favour of James Payenneville, dated the 10 May last, and both transferred to the said Abner Nash, and for which the state of North Carolina is accountable; the same being part of the money appropriated by Congress for the use of the State:
Page 738 | Page image
Ordered, That there be advanced to Messrs. Rudolph & Co. 3,000 dollars on account of a debt due to them from the United States, and for which they are to be accountable.
An appeal from a sentence passed in the court of admiralty for the State of South Carolina, in the libel Edward Weyman against George Arthur, was received and referred to the committee for hearing and determining appeals.
Adjourned to five o'clock this evening.
Five o'Clock p. m..
Ordered, That the continental Navy Board, without delay, provide a proper boat or vessel for the Marquis de la Fayette, and one for Mons. du Coudray, to convey them and their attendants and baggage to the Jersey.
Resolved, That the commissary general of purchases be directed to purchase, on the most reasonable terms he can, thirty hogsheads of rum, and that the same be presented to the army, and distributed among the soldiers in such manner as the General shall direct, in compliment to the soldiers for their gallant behaviour in the late battle with the enemy ∥of Brandywine.∥
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |