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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 --FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1778
A letter, of the 10, from Major General Putnam, at West Point, Hudson's river, ∥was read:1∥
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 121.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War, having made a report, the same was read and debated; and, thereupon, Congress came to the following resolutions:
Whereas, a few deluded inhabitants of these states, prompted thereto by arts of the enemy, have associated together, for the purpose of seizing and secretly conveying to places in possession of the British forces, such of the loyal citizens, officers, and soldiers of these states, as may fall into their power; and being assisted by parties furnished by the enemy, have, in several instances, carried their nefarious designs into execution; and such practices being contrary to their allegiance as subjects, and repugnant to the rules of war:2
[Note 2: 2 The original report continued: "reprobated too by even British Commanders, when they supposed they were intended against themselves or their adherents."]
Resolved, That whatever inhabitants of these states shall kill or seize, or take any loyal citizen or citizens thereof, and convey him, her, or them, to any place within the power of the enemy, or shall enter into any combination for such purpose, or attempt to carry the same into execution, or hath assisted or shall assist therein; or shall, by giving intelligence, acting as a guide, or in any other manner whatever, aid the enemy in the perpetration thereof, he shall suffer death by the judgment of a court martial, as a traitor, assassin, and spy, if the offence be committed within seventy miles of the head quarters of
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the grand or other armies of these states, where a general officer commands.
∥In passing the above resolution the yeas and nays were required, and are as follows:∥
{table}
And, whereas, small parties of the enemy, encouraged by the evil dispositions of some of the inhabitants of these states, may make excursions into the country for the purposes above mentioned, or others not warranted by the custom of war:
Ordered, That General Washington determine and publish, in such way as he shall deem proper, the number under which no party of the enemy shall be suffered to go beyond their lines, on pain, if taken, of being treated as marauders and punished with death.
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Resolved, That a company of bakers be raised, to bake bread for the army; the company to consist of
That the company be inlisted for one year from the day of their inlistment, and be subject to the rules and articles of war.
That each foreman and baker have the same cloathing as is allowed to non-commissioned officers in the continental service:
That the Board of War be directed to appoint the director and sub-directors, and cause the company to be raised and set to work with the utmost despatch.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated February 26, in the writing of Timothy Pickering, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 533.]
A letter, of the 4, from Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, at Lebanon Valley, was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 329.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Archibald Steel, deputy quarter master general, for 30,000 dollars, advanced him upon application of the Board of War, for the use of the quarter master general's department in the western district; Major General Mifflin, quarter master, to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 From lines by Thomson on the back of a report from the Board of War the vote on this proposition was 8 ayes and 1 no. The Treasury report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 107.]
A letter, of the 26, from the Board of War, was read:4
[Note 4: 4 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 147, I, folio 529.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
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The members chosen, Mr. [John] Harvie, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Abraham] Clark.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a recommendation to the United States, to set apart a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer:
The members chosen, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. [Samuel] Huntington and Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder.
Three o'Clock, p. m
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the system of the commissary of purchases, and after some progress made therein,
Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.1
[Note 1: 1 A letter from the committee at camp, dated February 24, was read on this day. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 33, folio 185.]
∥Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
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