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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, JUNE 15, 1780
A letter, of 24 May, from Major General Lincoln, was read, accompanied with sundry papers containing an account of the surrender of Charlestown.
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
A letter, of 8, from Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, was read, enclosing a resolution of the general assembly of that State:
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Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Another letter, of 8, from Governor Trumbull was read:1
[Note 1: 1 Lincoln's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 373; Trumbu11's first letter is in No. 66, II, folio 55; his second letter is on folio 59.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth and Mr. [James] Henry.
A letter, of March 1, from A. Gillam was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
The committee, to whom were referred the letters from the committee at headquarters and papers enclosed, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That the Board of War take the most effectual measures for forwarding immediately to the army the supplies of provisions that are procured in the states of Delaware and Maryland, and report to Congress an estimate of the money immediately necessary for that purpose.
Ordered, That a circular letter be written to each of the United States from New Hampshire to Maryland, inclusive, enforcing the circular letters from the committee at headquarters.
Sir.
Congress repeat their applications to your state. They would willingly hope that their former representations have not been ineffectual and that measures are now pursuing to enable our armies to take the field, with a force superior to that of the enemy and with such ample supplies of provision as will not only maintain them in plenty but enable them if necessary on any extraordinary occasion to avail themselves of the aid of the militia. But upon these hopes they dare not rely--every moment presses.
It is necessary they should have the most explicit assurances not only that their requisitions will be complied with but that such compliance will be as immediate as their wants are urgent. The letter
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which accompanies, this letters from our Committee at Head Quarters to you states state those wants without exaggerating them. It mentions They mention some facts and leave to your judgments to supply others that it would have been dangerous improper to commit to paper The object of this address is only to enforce their requests and to entreat you not to rely repose your safety upon the spirit and vigilance of others while any means within your own power are left untried. The present occasion calls for the united force of America. It gives us great consolation to assure you that notwithstanding the difficulties, in which the supineness and false security of too many states have we are involved us, their the resources of the states are sufficient if speedily applied to relieve us from them. Every state in the union is bound by the strongest obligations to afford us their aid. what, then, can justify any in withholding it? is the present case or convenience of the subjects to be put in competition with the lasting happiness of millions? Do the rulers fear at this critical period to exert their utmost authority? Can they so far distrust the feelings and understanding of their people, as to believe that they will refuse a momentary submission to such vigorous exertions of government as are necessary to secure them from continued oppression and established tyranny.1
[Note 1: 1 At this point the following was inserted by Thomson: [And we trust that, at this critical emergency, no present ease or convenience of individuals will be put in competition with the lasting happiness of millions--that the rulers of states will not hesitate to exert their utmost authority, and that the people have too much understanding to refuse a temporary submission to such vigorous exertions as are necessary to secure them from continued oppression and established tyranny.]]
A Common Council involves the power of direction. Let not our measures be any longer checked or controlled by the negligence or partial views and interests of separate communities, while they profess to be parts members of one great body--too long have the dearest interests of America been sacrificed to present ease, too many of us have slept in false security. Let us awake before the season for successful exertion is passed. Judge you whether the loss of Charlestown and the situation of your grand army does not call for every spirited exertion effort. The objects which claim your immediate attention are clearly pointed out in the requisitions of Congress and their Committee at Head Quarters. Let them be complied with. Enable us to co-operate vigorously with the fleets and armies of our ally and we may reasonably hope thro' the blessings of Divine Providence for
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a speedy and happy termination of a controversy which is to give freedom and Independance to millions or involve you and your latest posterity them in slavery and ruin.
Let not this be considered as the language of despondency or vain declamation. Our duty and your interest compel t us to state you affairs truly. The facts held up your view are not less serious than alarming; while you affect to disbelieve them or act as if you did, they will become more so. Wisdom directs us not to shut our eyes against danger, but to oppose it with a firmness and vigor which places us beyond its reach.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 280. A copy is on folio 273.]
Treasury Office June 15, 1780
The Board of Treasury having considered the memorial of William Bingham, respecting sets of Exchange referred to them by Congress report
That provision is made for the case of William Bingham as set forth in the memorial aforesaid, in their Report of the 7th instant, providing generally for the renewal of bill of Exchange drawn on account of the United States, and that it is expedient to postpone the further consideration thereof, until the sense of Congress is known on the report aforesaid.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 34, folio 91.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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