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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 --TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1777
A letter, of the 28 November, from the council of safety of Pensylvania, at Lancaster, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 441.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A motion being made for recommending to the states to call in all the paper money emitted in the respective states, under the authority of the king of Great Britain; after debate,
Resolved, That the same be committed to a committee of four.
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [James] Duane.
The committee appointed to procure a translation of the articles of confederation, to report an address to the inhabitants of Canada, and a plan for facilitating the distribution, &c. brought in a partial report, which was read:
The committee to whom it was referred to procure a translation to be made of the Articles of Confederation into the French Language, and to report an address to the Inhabitants of Canada inviting them to accede to the Union of these States; that the said Committee be further directed to report a Plan for facilitating the Distribution of
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the said articles and Address, and for Conciliating the affections of the Canadians towards these United States beg leave to report.
That a strong Citadel should be immediately built either on Sugar Hill, or on some other Eminence near Lake Champlain which on reconnoitring the Grounds shall be thought best adapted for such Purpose, capable of containing a Garrison of about seven hundred Men, and of sustaining a vigorous Siege, and that a proper Engineer be forthwith sent into the Northern Department to consult General Gates on this Subject, and to superintend the Construction of said Citadel.
That a sufficient Quantity of Provisions should be transported thither during the Winter for subsisting 1,200 Men for the space of twelve Months, and also a proper store of Cannon, Mortars, and Ammunition for the Defence of said Citadel.
That a Regiment should be immediately established, to be composed of such Canadians as are now Prisoners, and are willing to inlist, and such other Canadians or French as may be engaged for the Service of these States. The said Battalion to be officered by the best French officers as can be secured for such Purpose in the manner hereinafter specified, and the Command of it conferred on an Officer equally versed in the Arts of Policy as well as that of War.
That the stile of said Battalion be the French Legion--and that those who may inlist in it be entitled to the same Pay, Bounties and Emoluments which are allowed to other Soldiers in the Continental Service.
That any Person enlisting in said Battalion and finding himself in either of the Articles undermentioned shall be allowed for the same at the following rates:
And in order to complete with greater Facility and Expedition the Recruiting the said Battalion,
That any reputable Inhabitant of Canada who shall recruit and deliver at the Citadel above mentioned 30 able bodied Recruits, who shall pass Muster, shall be entitled to the Rank and Pay of a Second Lieutenant in the Battalion in which the said Recruits shall be incorporated, and the other Emoluments to such Commission annexed.
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That any reputable Inhabitant of Canada, who shall in like Manner, recruit and deliver 15 able bodied Recruits who shall pass Muster, shall be entitled to the Rank Pay and Emoluments of an Ensign in the Battalion in which the said Recruits shall be incorporated.
That any Canadian who shall procure five Men to enlist in the said Battalion shall be entitled to the Rank, Pay, and Emoluments of a Serjeant, exclusive of the same Bounty ofDollars for each Recruit so obtained as is allowed by Resolve of Congress of the
That any Canadian who shall procure three Men to enlist in the said Battalion shall be entitled to the Rank, Pay, and Emoluments of Corporal, exclusive of the Bounty ofDollars for each Recruit so obtained as is allowed by a Resolve of Congress of the
That the Commanding Officer of said Battalion be authorized to recommend for Appointment as a Chaplain to said Battalion, any Canadian Priest, Minister or Deacon of Good Character, who shall assist him in completing the said Battalion, and in promoting the Accession of Canada to the Union of these States.
That the said officer be instructed by Means of Emissaries and Papers dispersed in Canada to conciliate the Minds of the Canadians towards these States, and to prepare them for Effecting a Revolution, whenever the United States shall deem such a Measure Expedient.
That the Board of War be directed to recommend to Congress the other Officers necessary for Commanding said Battalion, and to forward the raising it with all possible Expedition.
That General Gates or the Commanding Officer of the Continental Forces on the East Side of Hudson's River be directed to order one of the Regiments belonging to the State of New York to take Post at such place as shall be determined on by the Engineer to be sent to Ticonderoga, with Instructions to the said Officer to exert himself in constructing such Parts of the Works as can be carried on during the Winter, and that the General or other Comd'g. Officer be farther directed to furnish the said Officer with such Aid from the Militia of the State of New York, and the Eastern States as he may think proper, and to order such quantities of Provision, Tools, Cannon, Mortars, and other military Stores to be procured and forwarded with all Despatch as shall be necessary for carrying into Execution the Design of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Duer, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 47.]
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Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next.
Resolved, That a commission be made out for Mr. J. Adams similar to that heretofore granted to the commissioners at the Court of France.
A motion being made ∥for obtaining a loan of money:∥
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom, Mr. [James] Duane, and Mr. [Francis] Dana.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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