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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, JULY 26, 1779
Mr. C[ornelius] Harnett, a delegate of North Carolina, attended, and took his seat in Congress.
A letter of 21, from General Washington, was read, enclosing his orders of the 10 to General Wayne, for the attack of Stoney Point, orders issued by General Wayne July 15th, and General Wayne's letter of 17 to General Washington, giving an account of his success, and enclosing a list of the killed, wounded and prisoners, and of the stores taken:3
[Note 3: 3 Washington's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VII, folio 503; his orders, on folio 511.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
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On motion of Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
Resolved, unanimously, That the thanks of Congress be given to his Excellency General Washington, for the vigilance, wisdom and magnanimity, with which he hath conducted the military operations of these states, and which are among many other signal instances manifested in his orders for the late glorious enterprize and successful attack on the enemy's fortress on the banks of Hudson's river.
Resolved, unanimously, That the thanks of Congress be presented to Brigadier General Wayne, for his brave, prudent and soldierly conduct in the spirited and well conducted attack of Stoney Point.
Resolved, unanimously, that the letter from General Washington, with the papers enclosed, and also the other resolutions moved thereon, be referred to a committee of three, and that the committee retire and prepare their report thereon and bring it in immediately.
The members chosen, Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, Mr. [Samuel] Huntington, and Mr. [John] Armstrong.
A letter, of 25, from J. Wilkinson, was read: expressing his high sense of the confidence which Congress have been pleased to repose in him, and promising to enter on the duties of the office of cloathier general as speedily as possible.
A letter, of 20th, from General Washington, was read.
A letter, of 21, from Major General Sullivan, at Wyoming, was read, accompanied with sundry papers therein referred to.1
[Note 1: 1 Wilkinson's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIV, folio 59; that of Washington, in No. 152, VII, folio 499; that of Sullivan, in No. 160, folio 249, the enclosures on folios 255--290.]
Ordered, That copies of the same be transmitted to General Washington. That so much of Major General Sullivan's letter as relates to troops promised by the State of Pensylvania be transmitted to the president and council of said State.
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A letter, of 25, from Edward Landworthy, was read,1 setting forth "that the house in which he lodges was the evening before beset by a number of people headed by Colonel Bull and Mr. Peale, two of the committee of this city; that not venturing to force the doors of the house, they by some means and under some pretence, brought before the door a serjeant with six or eight of the guards of the continental troops stationed in this city, and threatened to attack and force the house", &c.
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 271.]
Whereupon, a motion was made by Mr. [Thomas] Burke seconded by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith,
That so much of the letter as relates to the serjeant and continental troops, who are said to have been concerned in the disturbance complained of, be referred to the Beard of War, and that they be ordered to cause due enquiry to be made concerning the same, and take order thereon.
When the question was about to be put, the previous question was moved by Mr. [James] McLene, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, on which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Jay,
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So it passed in the negative.
On the question to agree to the resolution, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [Henry] Marchant,
Ordered, That the committee appointed on the 24 December last, to confer with the Commander in Chief, forthwith lay before Congress an account of their proceedings, and of all the
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information they can give relative to the western expedition, under the command of Major General Sullivan.
The committee, to whom were referred the letter from General Washington, and the resolutions moved thereon, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon
Resolved, unanimously, That Congress entertain a proper sense of the good conduct of the officers and soldiers under the command of Brigadier General Wayne, in the assault of the enemy's works at Stoney Point, and highly commend the coolness, discipline and firm intrepidity exhibited on that occasion.
Resolved, unanimously, That Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, and Major Stewart, who, by their situation in leading the two attacks, had a more immediate opportunity of distinguishing themselves, have, by their personal achievements, exhibited a bright example to their brother soldiers, and merit in a particular manner the approbation and acknowledgment of the United States.
Resolved, unanimously, That Congress warmly approve and applaud the cool, determined spirit with which Lieutenant Gibbons and Lieutenant Knox led on the forlorn hope, braving danger and death in the cause of their country.
Resolved, unanimously, That a medal, emblematical of this action, be struck:
That one of gold be presented to Brigadier General Wayne, and a silver one to Lieutenant Colonel Fleury and Major Stewart respectivelyand that five thousand of cop per be struck for Congress.
Resolved, unanimously, That brevets of captain be given to Lieutenant Gibbons and Lieutenant Knox:
That the brevet of captain be given to Mr. Archer, the bearer of the General's letter, and volunteer aid to Brigadier General Wayne:
That Congress approve the promises of reward made by Brigadier General Wayne, with the concurrence of the Commander in Chief, to the troops under his command:
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That the value of the military stores taken at Stoney Point be ascertained and divided among the gallant troops by whom it was reduced, in such manner and proportion as the Commander in Chief shall prescribe.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 273.]
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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