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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 --MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1778
A letter, of 15, from Major Lee, and one, of 17, from E. Boudinot, Esq. commissary general of prisoners, were read, the last informing Congress of his resolution to decline continuing any longer in the service:
Ordered, That Thursday next be assigned for electing a commissary general of prisoners.
A letter, of 7, from Governor Clinton, with a proclamation enclosed, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Samuel] Huntington, Mr. J[onathan] B[ayard] Smith, and Mr. [Francis Lightfoot] Lee.
A letter, of 18, from General Washington, with the report of the commissioners by him appointed for settling a cartel, &c. was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, and Mr. [Francis] Dana.
A letter, of 18, from Jonathan [D.] Sergeant, Esq. and one, of 26 March, from Governor Caswell, of North Carolina, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Lee is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 217; that of Boudinot is in No. 78, II, folio 461; that of Washington is in No. 152, V, folio 447, and the report is on folio 493; that of Sergeant is in No. 78, XX, folio 207, and that of Caswell, in No. 72, folio 35.]
A letter, of 9, from Baron Steuben; one, of 4, from Governor Cooke, of Rhode Island, and one of the 6, from Brigadier Muhlenburg, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury.
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A letter, of 17, from Brigadier Smallwood, with two letters enclosed, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 161, folio 179.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [Samuel] Chase, and Mr. [Charles] Carroll.
The committee appointed to prepare instructions to General Gates, brought in a draught, which was taken into consideration, and sundry amendments being made, was agreed to:
Sir: In appointing you to the Command of the several Posts on Hudson's River and in the Northern Department, Congress repose themselves with Confidence in your Abilities and expect that you will prevent if possible the Enemy from possessing themselves of that River which they consider the Key of America and protect the Frontiers against Incursions of the Savages and others from Canada and the Northern and western Parts of the State of New York. As it is impossible to foresee what Circumstances may arise, you are by our Resolutions empowered to call for such Numbers of Militia as you may think proper. But you are to consider that the Militia are very expensive, that the Country always suffers by taking off the Husbandmen from their Labour, and that calling out the Militia will greatly impede the Completion of the Continental Regiments, which is an Object of the utmost Importance. You will therefore use caution in the Exercise of the Power committed to you as aforesaid.
There is Reason to apprehend that the main Army will not be subsisted during the ensuing Campaign without great Difficulty. And as the Supplies of Flesh must be brought chiefly from the Eastern Side of Hudson's river, the Possession of that River becomes on that Account the more important. You are therefore not on any Account to stop the Supplies which may be from Time to Time sent forward for the main Army, since by so doing, the Arrangements of the Commissary General may be destroyed [to the Distress of the main Army]2 and the great Detriment of the public Service.
[Note 2: 2 The words in brackets were inserted by Henry Laurens.]
As it may facilitate General Washington's Operations to make a Diversion on the Side of New York, so also the getting together a
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great Number of Men for that Purpose may disable him from, or impede his acting, by consuming the necessary Supplies of Provisions, military Stores and the like, you are not therefore to undertake any Expedition against New York without previously consulting the Commander in Chief.
And as Circumstances may call for considerable Reinforcements to the main Army, so you are from Time to Time to send forward such of the Continental Troops as may be ordered by General Washington, and on the other Hand should you want a Reinforcement of Continental Troops, you are to apply to the General, who will send them if they can be spared with Propriety from his Army.
Congress having required General Washington to call a Council of War to consist of the Major Generals and Chief Engineer now in this State, and with their Advice to form a Plan of Operations for the ensuing Campaign, you are at Liberty to govern yourself according to such Plan, notwithstanding any thing in the aforegoing Instructions, and are to conform to the same as far as your Circumstances and Situation may admit.
You will during your Command [when convenient], confer with Governor Clinton from Time to Time and take his Advice and Assistance in the Business recommended to you.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 385.]
Ordered, That the same be transcribed and signed by the President and transmitted to General Gates, and that a copy be sent to General Washington.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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