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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, SEPTEMBER 20, 1779
A letter, of 18, from Christopher Hele, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee, and that they take order thereon.
A letter, of 14, from General Washington, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to correspond with Major General Lincoln.
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A memorial from Thomas Potts, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 21; Potts's memorial, in No. 41, VIII, folio 78.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter from Captain Robert Niles and a narrative of his voyage to France in the schooner Spy, with his accounts inclosed, were laid before Congress:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee appointed to correspond with Major General Lincoln, to whom was referred the letter of 7th from General Washington, brought in a report; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 The report and proceedings are marked "secret" in the margin.]
Resolved, That it is expedient and necessary to detach the North Carolina troops, now at or near West Point, to join the troops under the command of Major General Lincoln in South Carolina, and that the pleasure of Congress be signified thereon to the Commander in Chief.
That a Naval force within the Harbor of Charles Town, in South Carolina, is essential to the safety of that Capital in particular, and would in a great measure preserve the most valuable parts of the Sea Coast of the State; and by judicious movements from the said harbor may greatly contribute to the recovery of the State of Georgia in the present weak condition of the Enemy in that quarter.
The second paragraph being amended, a division was called for; and on the question to agree to the first clause, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Sharpe,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
That three of the continental frigates or ships of war, now in the port of Boston, or elsewhere in the eastern states, be ordered to repair to South Carolina, with all possible expedition, after having received on board at such place as the Marine Committee shall appoint, as many of the North Carolina troops, with stores and baggage, as the said frigates or ships of war can safely accommodate, and taking under their protection one or more transport or transports, if necessary to be employed for conducting such of the said troops and necessary stores for the voyage, as the three frigates or ships of war cannot conveniently receive or take on board.
On the question to agree to the latter clause, from the word "expedition," the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to immediately to take order for hiring such transports as shall be found necessary, and for despatching the said frigates or ships of war with their convoy without delay:
That the Commander in Chief be directed to order the North Carolina troops to proceed to such place or places as the Marine Committee shall advise:
That the Marine Committee be directed to give orders to the several Commanders of the Frigates aforementioned, upon their arrival in South Carolina, to address himself to Major General Lincoln, or to the Commanding Officer of the Continental troops in South Carolina and Georgia for the time being, and to follow such orders and directions as he shall from time to time receive from such Commanding Officer.
That the Marine Committee be directed to give orders to the commanding officer of the frigates or ships of war going to South Carolina, to confer and co-operate with Major General Lincoln, or the commanding officer for the time being, till further orders from the Marine Committee:1
[Note 1: 1 A substitute clause, in the writing of James Lovell.]
That the said commanding officer be directed to confer on all naval operations with the governor and executive council of the State of South Carolina, and that it be recommended to the said State to afford every practicable and necessary aid and assistance for promoting and effectuating such operations.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Henry Laurens, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 277.]
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On the question to agree to the whole set of resolutions on the report, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the report of the committee on the petition from Cumberland, &c. be referred to a committee of the whole.
Resolved, That on Wednesday next immediately after reading the journal, Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole to consider the said report.
Congress proceeded in the consideration of foreign affairs, and some time being spent thereon.1
[Note 1: 1 See note on p. 1094 ante.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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