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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 16, 1779
A letter, of 5, from J. Powell, president of the council of Massachusetts bay, one, of the 3, from Major General Heath, and one, of 15, from Colonel L. Nicola, were read.
A letter, of 11th, from General Washington, and one, of 12, from Major General Baron Steuben, were read:4
[Note 4: 4 Powell's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 65, I, folio 392; that of Heath, in No. 157, folio 273; that of Nicola, in No. 163, folio 44; that of Washington, in No. 152, VII, folio 415; that of Steuben, in No. 164, folio 178.]
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Ordered, That the letter from Baron Steuben be referred to the Board of War, and the letter from the General to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [John] Armstrong, and Mr. [Henry] Laurens.
The Committe to whom was referred a letter from General Washington of the 11th of this month, beg leave to report the following resolution:
Whereas the enemy availing themselves of the delays that have happened in filling up the Continental Battalions, have taken post on each side of the North River, and are fortifying the same; and whereas it is represented to Congress by General Washington, that the advantages of their holding the said posts will be important to the enemy, and the inconveniences on our side great; that it is a step to further their operations against the defences of the river: that our communication by King's ferry is at an end; that the extent and difficulty of land transportation is considerably increased; that a new resort and sanctuary is afforded to the disaffected in that part of the country, and that a new door is opened to draw supplies, and distress and corrupt the inhabitants.
Resolved, therefore, that it be earnestly recommended to the several States, by the most decisive and vigorous efforts, forthwith to fill up their respective Battalions agreeable to a resolution of Congress of, that the present favorable opportunity may be improved for annoying and dislodging the enemy.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 269.]
A letter, of 11, from General Washington, was rend; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be empowered to borrow the sum of five hundred guineas, assuring the lenders the payment of principal and interest in hard money, as soon as the treasury shall be supplied with a sufficient sum.2
[Note 2: 2 This resolution was entered only in the manuscript Secret Domestic Journal.]
A letter, of 15, from the Board of War, was read, enclosing one, of 11, from J. Carleton:3
[Note 3: 3 The letter of the Board of War is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 445; that of Carleton, on folio 449.]
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Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee, to whom was referred the letter, of the 7th of June, from Governor Clinton, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved unanimously, That the officers acting under the State of New York, who were lately restrained of their liberty by certain persons of a district called the New Hampshire Grants, ought to be immediately liberated.
That it would be attended with consequences fatal to the good Government of the United States to suffer any officer or officers in their pay, to oppose or interrupt the legal authority of any of the United States, or to disturb the peace and tranquillity of any of their subjects.
Resolved unanimously, That the committee appointed to repair to the inhabitants of a certain district known by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, be directed to enquire into theconduct of Colonel Ethan Allen, now in the pay of the United States, concerning the charge exhibited against by Governor Clinton matters and things him contained in the letters of Governor Clinton, of 27 May, and of the 7th inst. and that copies of the said letters be transmitted to the said committee, and that they be directed to report specially to Congress.
That it was not the intention of Congress by the last resolution referred to by Governor Clinton, "to hold up a principle which may be considered by the Legislature as subversive of the internal Polity of the State;" nor is such construction warranted by the said resolution. And if it were, the measure was adopted by Congress at the instance of the delegates from the State of New York.
Resolved unanimously, That it was not the intention of Congress, by their resolutions of the first instant nor ought the same, or any other part thereof, to be construed to hold up principles subversive of, or unfavorable to, the internal polity of any or either of the United States:1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph was a substitute for that in the original retort, and is on folio 355, in the writing of John Witherspoon.]
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That as Congress expect very salutary effects from the appointment of the said committee, therefore all further proceeding on Governor Clinton's letter be postponed until they report.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 353.]
Congress proceeded in the consideration of the report of the Board of Treasury relative to finance, and some time being spent therein,
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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