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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 --WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1778
A letter, of 2 June, from General Schuyler, with papers of intelligence enclosed, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 4th, from Governor Livingston, was read, with four affidavits, respecting the enemy's treatment of citizens of New Jersey, at Hancock's bridge, enclosed:
Ordered, That they be referred to the committee appointed to prepare a manifesto on the conduct of the enemy.
Ordered, That the said committee proceed with all despatch in the business committed to them, and publish such facts relative to the conduct of the enemy as they may have collected, and have come to them well authenticated.
A letter, of the 8, from Governor Livingston, was read.
A letter of 29 May, from Governor Clinton, of the State of New York, was read.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
The Committee on the Treasury beg leave to report, that they have considered a Petition of Edward Chinn, Esq. offering his services as a Commissioner of Accounts: and being informed in a letter from Mr. Pickering to the Board, that "Mr. Carroll and Mr. Duer Members of Congress, are acquainted with the Petitioner, and think him well qualified for the appointment he solicits:" Therefore
Resolved, That the said Edward Chinn, Esq. be appointed a Commissioner of Accounts for the Northern District.1
[Note 1: 1 Against this paragraph Laurens wrote "Nominated 17th."]
Ordered, That to morrow be assigned for electing a commissioner of accounts for the northern district.
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Ordered, That 4,000 dollars be advanced to the Committee of Commerce, to pay a bill for that sum, drawn by John Bradford, continental agent at Boston, on the said Committee, in favor of Captain Patrick Brown, dated 13 May last; the said Committee to be accountable:
That 600,000 dollars be advanced to the Board of War and Ordnance, being in part of the 932,743 30/90 dollars, voted the 11 instant for carrying on an expedition against the Indians; the said Board to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 367.]
A letter, of 16, from the Board of War, was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 97.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the draught of a letter in answer to the letter and papers received from the Earl of Carlisle, &c. commissioners from the king of Great Britain:
On motion to agree to the letter, Mr. [Francis] Dana required the ays and noes,
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So it was unanimously agreed to, and is as follows:
I have received the letter from your excellencies of the 9th instant, with the enclosures, and laid them before Congress. Nothing but an earnest desire to spare the further effusion of human blood could have induced them to read a paper containing expressions so disrespectful1 to his most Christian majesty, the good and great ally of these states, or to consider propositions so derogatory to the honor of an independent nation.
[Note 1: 1 The original report read "Terms so opprobrious."]
The acts of the British parliament, the commission from your sovereign, and your letter, suppose the people of these states to be subjects of the crown of Great Britain, and are founded on the idea of dependence, which is utterly inadmissable.
I am further directed to inform your excellencies, that Congress are inclined to peace, notwithstanding the unjust claims from which this war originated, and the savage manner in which it hath been conducted. They will, therefore, be ready to enter upon the consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce not inconsistent with treaties already subsisting, when the king of Great Britain shall demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose. The only solid proof of this disposition, will be, an explicit acknowledgment of the independence of these states, or the withdrawing his fleets and armies. I have the honor to be,
Your excellencies most obedient and humble servant.2
[Note 2: 2 This draft, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 43. The vote is endorsed upon it by Charles Thomson, and a preamble by Richard Henry Lee.]
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to make proper extracts from the journals and files relative to the letters received from the British commissioners, and report to Congress previous to a publication:
The members chosen, Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee, and Mr. [William Henry] Drayton.
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Resolved unanimously, That Congress approve the conduct of General Washington, in refusing a passport to Dr. Ferguson.
The committee appointed to report upon the means of preventing a correspondence with the enemy, brought in a report; Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
Whereas, many letters, addressed to individuals of these United States, have been lately received from England, through the conveyance of the enemy, and some of them, which have been under the inspection of members of Congress, are found to contain ideas insidiously calculated to divide and delude the good people of these states:
Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby earnestly recommended to the legislative and executive authorities of the several states, to exercise the utmost care and vigilance, and take the most effectual measures to put a stop to so dangerous and criminal a correspondence.
Resolved, That the Commander in Chief and the commanders in each and every military department be, and he and they are hereby directed to carry the measures recommended in the above resolution into the most effectual execution.
Ordered, That the foregoing resolutions be forthwith published, and it is recommended to the several printers in the United States to re-publish the same.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Henry Drayton is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 199.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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