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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 --THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1777
Mr. A[braham] Clark, a delegate from New Jersey, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read as follows:
At a joint meeting of the legislative council and general assembly of the state of New Jersey, held at Princeton, on the 20th day of November, 1777: The joint meeting proceeded to the election of five delegates, to represent the state in the general Congress of the United States, and, the ballots being taken, the honorable John Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder, and Elias Bondinot, esqrs. were duly elected.
Resolved, therefore, That the said John Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder, and Elias Bondinet, or any one or more of them, be empowered to represent and vote in behalf of this state, in the general Congress of the United States of North America, until the first day of December, which will be in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, unless a new
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appointment shall sooner take place. It is, nevertheless, expected, that three of the said delegates do constantly attend Congress, unless prevented by sickness or other accident.
By order of the joint meeting,
John Stevens, Chairman.
Charles Pettit, Secretary.
Attest.
According to the order of the day, Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner to go to Fort Pitt, in the room of Colonel Reed, who is excused, and, the ballots being taken, George Clymer, Esqr. was elected.
The Board of War report,
"That, in their opinion, the public interest will be promoted by erecting in the town of York, temporary barracks or sheds sufficient for containing 600 men, for the purpose of accommodating such recruits, and other troops, as may be, from time to time, stationed or detained at the said place, either as guards, or for the purpose of equipment and discipline:" Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to cause the said barracks or sheds to be erected, with all possible despatch, and in the most reasonable manner they can devise.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favour of Lt. Col. Failly, for four hundred Dollars advanced to him on his pay, he to be accountable.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of William Hurrie, for 84 dollars, for his attendance as door keeper to Congress, from first August to 19 September, for nursing wounded soldiers, &c.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 517.]
The committee appointed to report a mode of conducting an enquiry into the causes of the failure of the expedition against Rhode Island, and into the conduct of the
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general officers conducting such expedition, report as their opinion:
That five commissioners be appointed, and that they or any three of them be empowered to conduct the enquiry; that they meet for that purpose on the first Monday in February next, at Providence, in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; that they summon before them the commanding officer and all the general officers concerned in the conduct of the said expedition, and all such other officers and persons as they may think proper:
That the mode of their enquiry be by question and answer:
That they enquire what number of troops were assembled for the expedition; what number of continental troops, of fifteen months' men, of militia, of volunteers, of artillerists or train, and what was the quantity and species of ordnance and ordnance stores; whether any extra militia were called forth, when, why, for what time; and what number of them did appear at the posts in arms, and when they were dismissed; how long before the time fixed for their rendezvous, the commander in chief had knowledge of the number of troops to be employed in the expedition; whether the necessary preparations were made for a descent on Rhode Island previous to the time of rendezvous, or at any time afterwards; and what those preparations were; when they were in readiness for an attack; and if, at any time, they were ready, why the attack was postponed from day to day, until the time expired for which the militia were ordered out; and the particular reasons why it was each day postponed; what was the force of the enemy on Rhode Island during the time the expedition aforesaid was on foot?
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That they enquire whether any councils of war were held during the said time, and whether their proceedings and determinations were committed to writing, and if they were, that they require the commanding officer to lay the same before them?
That they enquire what was the quantity of provisions expended during the time the troops were assembled for carrying on the expedition; what proportion of the provisions was salted, and from what magazines supplied; and if any and what quantity of fresh provisions might have been obtained for the use of the army under the command of General Spencer?1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph is in the writing of William Duer.]
That they ask all such further questions, and make such further enquiries, by correspondence or otherwise, as they may think will tend to discover the causes of the failure of the said expedition; and that they report to Congress the questions asked, and the answers made, and also a copy of the proceedings and determinations of any and all councils of war that were held during the time aforesaid, together with the opinions of each member of such council upon matters proposed and debated, if practicable to be obtained, and of all other papers that may be laid before them, or which they may otherwise procure respecting the said expedition?2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, with some phrases by William Duer, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 265. On the reverse Thomson has recorded the vote for the commissioners, vizt: Whipple, 9; Paine, 9; Marchant, 7; Ellsworth, 8; Benson, 9; Wilson, 3.]
The said report being read, was agreed to.
Congress proceeded to the election of commissioners, and, the ballots being taken, General ∥William∥ Whipple, of New Hampshire, R. T. Paine, Esqr. of Massachusetts bay, Egbert Benson, Esqr. of New York, Oliver Ellsworth, Esqr. of Connecticut, and Henry Marchant, Esqr. of Rhode Island, were elected.
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Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take under consideration the case of the officers, whether of continental forces, flying camp, or militia, taken prisoners by the enemy, and released on parole, and report, whether any and what allowance of pay and rations ought to be allowed to them:
The members chosen, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. [William] Ellery.1
[Note 1: 1 The report was read on December 23, 1777, and is printed under January 19,1778, post. The balloting for this committee is given by Thomson in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 268, as follows: 2Harvie, 1; Dana, 3; Dyer, 5; Clark, 5; Ellery, 5; Rumsey, 4; Duer, 2; Harnett, 2.]
The delegates of New Hampshire laid before Congress an account of the expences incurred by their State for prisoners brought into the same; also, a state of the exchange of prisoners:
Ordered, That the account of expences be referred to the Board of Treasury, and the state of the exchange to the Board of War.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
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