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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, FEBRUARY 25, 1779
On motion, Congress proceeded to re-consider the resolution respecting the powers of the delegates of Connecticut; and, on the question, whether a less number than two can represent the State of Connecticut, agreeable to the credentials of the delegates of said State,
The yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William Henry] Drayton,
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So it passed in the negative.
A letter, of 2 October, and one December 6, 1778, from J. Adams, one of the Commissioners at Paris, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 These letters are printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), II, 753 and 851.]
A letter, of 25, from T. Mifflin, was read,2 informing, that he has not heard what resolution Congress have been pleased to make, in consequence of his resignation of his commission of major general in the service of the United States in August last, and requesting Congress to accept his resignation; Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 161, folio 60.]
Resolved, That his resignation be accepted.
A petition and representation of Jeremiah Fogg, quartermaster, in behalf of Colonel Enoch Poor's regiment was read, with an account enclosed:3
[Note 3: 3 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 29. An endorsement, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, reads: "Considered the 5th of March and postponed for a report of the commissioner of accounts for the northern department, to whom are sent copies of the enclosures."]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury, and that they take order thereon.
A petition of John Henderson and Ichabod Holloway was read, earnestly praying for a determination of their cause in cause in the Court of Appeals.4
[Note 4: 4 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 375.]
The committee appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief, to whom were referred the instructions from the general assembly of the State of Pensylvania to their delegates, and other papers respecting the defence of the western frontiers, report,
That they have, according to order, met and conferred with a committee of the said general assembly, on the subject of the said instructions, and received from them a representation of the circumstances of the western frontiers; Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the representation of the circumstances of the western frontiers, communicated by a committee of the general assembly of Pensylvania, and also copies of the memorials and of the letters from the governors of Connecticut and New York, respecting the depredations on the said frontiers, be transmitted to the Commander in Chief, who is directed to take effectual measures for the protection of the inhabitants, and chastisement of the savages.
Resolved, That five companies of rangers be immediately raised on the said western frontiers, to protect the same and annoy the enemy; each company to consist of a captain, two lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, a drummer, a filer, and sixty privates, and that one pay master and one deputy commissary of musters be appointed for the whole of the said corps:
That the supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania be authorized to appoint the said officers, and to give the necessary orders for raising and keeping up the said companies to their full complement; and that they be requested, if they deem it necessary, to apply to the legislature for a law to enable them to make draughts from the militia for these purposes:
That the companies shall be raised and inlisted for nine months, unless the service shall sooner admit of their discharge:
That every volunteer, on passing muster, shall receive a bounty of 100 dollars, and be entitled to continental pay and rations, providing himself, at his own expence, with arms and cloathing.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 33, folio 293.]
Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole to consider farther the report of the committee, to whom
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was referred the report of the Commitee on Appeals, and after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair and Mr. F[rancis] L[lightfoot] Lee reported that the committee have had under their farther consideration the report to them referred, and made some progress therein, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again.
Resolved, That to morrow Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole to consider farther the report of the committee to whom was referred the report of the Committee on Appeals.
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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