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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 16, 1777
James Smith, of York town, a delegate from Pensylvania, attended, and took his seat in Congress.
A letter from Edward Kennedy, an inhabitant of Providence, one of the Bahama Islands, dated at Boston, the
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28th October, was laid before Congress, with samples of green indigo, a new manufacture discovered by him:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the delegates of South Carolina and Georgia.
A memorial from Ephraim Marsh, of Elizabeth town, with an account enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved, That Colonel Rawlins be desired to attend Congress to morrow morning, at eleven o'Clock, in order to give such information, as has come to his knowledge, respecting the treatment our prisoners in the hands of the enemy receive from them.
The committee appointed to repair to the camp, having returned, made a report, which was read:
The Committee appointed to repair to the army and confer with General Washington on the best and most practicable means of carrying on a Winter's Campaign with vigor and success, and with his concurrence to direct every measure which circumstances might require for promoting the public service, have attended that business, and beg leave to report:
That your committee arrived on the 3d instant at White Marsh, where the Army was then encamped, and communicated to the General the resolution of Congress respecting their appointment, and were informed by him that he would attend them on the Business the next day, and at the same time received from him for their perusal sundry Letters containing the Opinions of his General Officers "Respecting the propriety of an attack upon the Enemy's lines;" and also other Letters declaring their sentiments on the "necessity of putting the Troops into Winter Quarters, and the properest place to canton them;" which several opinions of the Officers on the questions stated were formed and given in previous to the arrival of your Committee.
That your Committee suggested to the General the necessity of resuming the consideration of a Winter's Campaign, and of calling in large reinforcements of the Militia, to render it vigorous and successful; which induced the General again to require the Opinions of his
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General Officers on these points; and several of their opinions in writing being given in before, and others during the Conference with the General on the 4th, were likewise laid before your Committee.
That it appears to your Committee from a perusal of the said Letters, that the General Officers considered an attack upon the Enemy's Lines and Redoubts as an enterprize too dangerous, and not to be hazarded but in case of absolute necessity.
That the numbers of the Enemy nearly equalled that of the continental Army, which should be double to attempt to force lines defended by veteran Troops.
That an attack on the City over the Schuylkill, when frosen, supported by a large Body of Militia, was liable to the same objections, as it was probable the Enemy would be informed of the design, and form a line of redoubts round the City as soon as they knew such an attack was meditated.
That the season was too far advanced to call in large Bodies of Militia in time from the distant States to cooperate with the continental Army, and sufficient force could not be collected from the adjoining States. That if a sufficient aid of Militia could be collected in time, it was doubtful whether they could be furnished with provisions and Forage, and brought to act in concert with the regular Army.
That the Officers and Soldiers were badly cloathed, the former in general discontented with the service, and averse to a Winter's Campaign.
That it would be most advisable to retire to Winter Quarters, to afford time for reforming the army, refreshing and disciplining the Troops, that they might take the Field early in the spring in health and vigor, and thereby prove more essentially useful to the American cause than by being exposed to a Winter's Campaign at the risque of a certain evil for an uncertain good.
Your Committee after deliberating upon these Reasons, hearing the sentiments of the General upon the subject, and considering the want of necessary Cloathing and Blankets to enable the Troops to endure the hardships of a Winter's Campaign, the uneasiness that on many accounts prevailed among the Officers, their indifference to the Service, and universal aversion to continue in the Field during the Winter, the shortness of time for calling forth a Body of Militia properly equiped to aid the continental Army, the want of military apparatus to invest and make regular approaches to the city, and the evil consequences that would result from raising the expectations of the continent
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without accomplishing the purpose, the great expence that would be incurred and the certain prejudice to the recruiting Service, came to the following resolutions, which they inclosed to the General in a Letter, a copy of which is hereunto annexed.
That an attempt on Philadelphia with the present Force under Gen.l. Washington, either by storming the Lines and Redoubts, crossing the Schuylkill, or by regular approaches to the City, is an enterprise under the circumstances of the Army attended with such a variety of difficulties, as to render it ineligible.
That the Season is so far advanced as to render very precarious large reinforcements of Militia from the distant States to cooperate with the regular Army in any attempt across the Schuylkill upon the Ice, and it is apprehended sufficient reinforcements cannot be obtained from the neighbouring States.
That there being time for Congress to determine on the properest mode of reinforcing the Army before the intended enterprise can be carryed into execution, It is expedient for the Committee to adopt measures for that purpose.
That untill sufficient reinforcements can be obtained, such a post should be taken by the Army as will be most likely to overawe the Enemy, afford supplies of provision, wood, Water, and Forage, be secure from surprise, and best calculated for covering the Country from the ravages of the Enemy, as well as provide comfortable Quarters for the Officers and Soldiers.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Joseph Jones, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 33, folio 87. The letter of the Committee to Washington, dated December 16, is in the Washington Papers, vol. 91, folio 108.]
Ordered, To lie on the table.
Resolved, That Congress meet twice a-day:
That at one o'Clock, Congress be adjourned of course, to three, at which time Congress shall meet in the afternoon.
A petition from Colonel [John] Green was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 199.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The committee, to whom the letters from Mr. Otis, &c. were referred, brought in a report:
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
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∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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