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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 --MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1777
A letter, of the 16, from General Washington, at Wentz's tavern, enclosing a letter of the 8th, and one of the 13, from Jacob Duché; also, a letter of the 11, from Colonel David Mason, enclosing the judgment of a court martial on the trial of John More, a deserter, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington, with that of Duché, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 119. It is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 114.]
Ordered, That the judgment of the court martial be referred to the Board of War, and the letter from Colonel Mason to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of the 16th, from the Rev. Mr. George Duffield, at Trenton, was read, wherein he declares his acceptance of the office of chaplain to Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VII, folio 139.]
Congress proceeded to the election of one of the chaplains for the hospital in the middle department, and, the ballots being taken,
The Rev. Mr. Elihu Spencer was elected.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the governor and council of Maryland be informed that the artillery regiments in the service of the United States have suffered so much in the late engagements, that there are not a sufficient number to do the duty of artillery men in the army, and therefore that the government of that State be earnestly requested to order the companies of matrosses in the service of the State of Maryland to join the army immediately, and promising that the said companies shall be ordered to return whenever the government of that State shall require it.
Resolved, That the result of the court of enquiry into
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the expedition of Staten Island, so honourable to the character of General Sullivan, is highly pleasing to Congress, and that the opinion of the said court be published in justification of the injured character of that officer.1
[Note 1: 1 A copy of this resolve was sent by President Laurens to Washington, 4 November, 1777, saying that it "will be made public here as soon as a printing press can be set to work. This is expected to be in a few days." Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 13, I, folio 2. The testimony taken on Sullivan's venture is in No. 63, folios 1--23.]
Resolved, That Brigadiers General Howe and M'Dougal, be promoted to the rank of Major General in the service of the United States.2
[Note 2: 2 The original report added: "and that General Howe be ordered forthwith to repair to Head Quarters of the Grand Army." McDougall's name came before that of Howe.]
Resolved, That Mr. William Massey be appointed deputy muster master general to the continental troops raised or to be raised in the States of South Carolina and Georgia.
Resolved, That those parts of Mr. President Rutledge's letter of the 8 August, and the whole of that of the 11th September, to the delegates of South Carolina, relative to Indian affairs, be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs:
Resolved, That General R. Howe's letter of the 29 August last, relating to the general hospital in South Carolina, be referred to the Medical Committee.
Congress taking into consideration General Howe's letter of the 4 September, 1777, to the speaker and assembly of the State of Georgia, and another of the 28 August to the president of Congress, in which he represents the danger of an Indian war, being provoked by the wantonness and indiscretion of several persons in that State;
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the president and assembly of the State of Georgia, to use their utmost exertions to cultivate peace and harmony with the Indian nations; and to enable them to effect this salutary purpose, that they forthwith enact laws inflicting severe penalties on such of their inhabitants as
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may endeavour to provoke a war which may endanger the State of Georgia, and entail great injury and expence to the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 These resolves were based upon two reports of the Board of War, dated October 17 and 19. On the 17th the following members of the Board were present: John Adams, Samuel Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee and William Duer. On the 19th, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duet, Joseph Jones, William Williams and John Harvie. The reports are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 315.]
Resolved, That Samuel Allen M'Croskey and George Stevenson, Junr. be appointed first lieutenants; Andrew Colhoon and John M'Curdy second lieutenants, and William Montgomery and David Holmes ensigns, in the two regular companies appointed to be raised on continental establishment, for the purpose of guarding the stores at Carlisle; and that commissions be filled up for them accordingly.
Ordered, That Mr. [Thomas] Heyward have leave of absence to convey his family to South Carolina.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs laid before Congress a letter of the 11 August from W. Lee, at Nantes, which was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four o'Clock, p.m.
Met. No business done.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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