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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, MARCH 19, 17782
[Note 2: 2 The original or rough journal, extending from March 19, 1778, to May 2, 1778, is not with the Papers of the Continental Congress, and the reason of its absence is not known.]
Ordered, That the committee appointed to revise the rules for regulating the conduct of Congress in transacting business, bring in their report on Monday.
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Ordered, That the letters of the 7, 8 and 12, with the papers enclosed, from General Washington, be delivered to the committee to whom were referred those parts relative to the general exchange of prisoners.
A letter, of 19, from J. MacPherson, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of MacPherson is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 321.]
Ordered, To lie on the table.
A letter, of the 11, and one of the 12, from Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [John] Banister and Mr. [John] Henry.
Four o'Clock, p. m
A report from a board of general officers to General Washington was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington call in and cancel the commissions of Brigadiers Woodford, Muhlenberg, Scott and Weedon; and that new commissions be granted them; and that they rank in future agreeable to the following arrangement, Woodford, Muhlenberg, Scott, Weedon.
A letter from the Board of War was read; also a report on the letter of the 14, from General Washington:
Ordered, That the report lie on the table.
Another report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the government of the State of Pensylvania be requested to station 500 militia, at the following places, in that State, under active and prudent officers, viz. 200 men at Easton, 100 at Bethlehem, and 200 at Reading, for the defence of the magazines of military and other stores and provisions at those places, and to keep
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the communication secure from any sudden incursions of the enemy, until the Board of War or General Washington shall think it expedient to discharge the said militia.
That to check any Insurrections of the disaffected, and to prevent small Parties of the Enemy traversing the State of Pennsylvania, it be recommended to the government of the said State, forthwith to deposit in the hands of the County Lieutenants of the well affected Counties of the said State, sufficient Quantities of Ammunition to be used in an Emergency.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 559.]
Ordered, That the remainder of the report be referred to the delegates of Pensylvania.
Another report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the several states, to take the most speedy and effectual measures for raising their quotas of men, agreeably to the resolutions of the 26 February and to cause the men, so raised, or which had been raised, previous to the passing that resolve, to march to their places of rendezvous without delay, taking care that as many as possible come armed and accoutred: and, that a more certain and adequate supply of accoutrements may be provided,
Resolved, That it be recommended to each State, to appoint some suitable person or persons, to get made, with all possible despatch, as many compleat setts of accoutrements and spare bayonet sheaths as shall be sufficient for their respective quotas of troops; the cartridge boxes to be made to hold at least 29 rounds of cartridges when made up with ounce-balls, and the cover of good substantial leather, with a small cover or flap under it, that the ammunition may be most effectually guarded against rain: and to prevent impositions from the workmen, that
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proper inspectors be appointed to examine and receive the accoutrements, with orders to reject such as are bad and insufficient; and that the accoutrements, so provided, be sent forward with the troops, or as soon after as possible:
That, in case in any State they have quantities of tin, instead of the cartouch boxes, an equal number of tin cartridge canisters be furnished agreeable to a pattern or description to be sent by the Board of War.
Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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