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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, SEPTEMBER 27, 1781
Mr. Edward Telfair, and Mr. Noble Wimberly Jones, two of the delegates for the State of Georgia, attended, and produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read, in the words following:
State of Georgia.
[Signed]
Nathan Brownson,
[with the great seal of the said State appendant.]
The People of the State of Georgia, by the
Grace of God Free and Independent
To all to whom these presents shall come, send Greeting
Whereas the General Assembly did at their last Meeting held at Augusta in the County of Richmond in the said State on the Seventeenth day of August Instant, nominate and appoint the Honorable Edward Telfair, Noble Wimberly Jones, William Few and Samuel Stirk Esqrs. to represent the same in the Assembly of the United States of America in General Congress, to continue in Office until the first Tuesday in January Next, and from thence until others shall be legally appointed Now therefore, know ye that in pursuance of such nomination and appointment, We do by these presents, Commissionate the said Edward Telfair, Noble Wimberly Jones, William Few, and Samuel Stirk Esqrs Delegates to represent this our State, in the said General Assembly of the United States of America in Congress assembled, and do hereby authorize them, and each of them, to hold, and exercise, all the powers and Authorities to the Office, or place of Delegate belonging, by virtue of the Constitution of this State, the Confederation of the United States, and the Nomination and Appointment aforesaid. In Testimony whereof we have caused the Great Seal of this our State to be hereunto affixed.
Witness Nathan Brownson Esq. Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief of the said State at Augusta the Twenty Seventh
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day of August in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Eighty one, and in the Sixth Year of our Independence.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Georgia, Credentials of Delegates.]
A letter, of 15, from General Washington;
One, of 21, from Major General Heath; and
One, of 19, from General Schuyler;2 were read.
[Note 2: 2 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, 152, X, folio 249; it is printed in the Writings of Washington (Ford), IX, 359. Heath's is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 157, folio 294; Schuyler's is in No, 153, III, folio 577.]
A letter, of 26, from Major Lomagne, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery.
A letter, of 24, from Nath Mitchel was read:3
[Note 3: 3 Lomagne's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 495; Mitchell's is in No. 78, XVI, folio 243.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The committee of the week made report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a memorial of Daniel Clarke, attorney to Oliver Pollock, with the accounts and vouchers accompanying the same, be referred to the Committee of Commerce:
That that part of the memorial respecting advances made for the State of Virginia, with the account of the same, be referred to the delegates of that State.
Ordered, That a member be added to the said committee:
The member, Mr. [Edward] Telfair;
Ordered, That a petition of Captain J.P. Short be referred to the Board of War.
The committee report, on a petition of Doct McCrea to be appointed surgeon of the ship America, "that such an appointment is unnecessary at present";
And on a letter of Jacob Johnston desiring to be appointed chaplain to the garrison at Wyoming, "that it is inexpedient to comply with this application":
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That the account of John McKinley for boarding Daniel Simon an Indian preacher be referred to the Superintendant of Finance.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 255. Schott's petition, dated September 25, 1781, is in No. 42, VII, folio 127; McCrea's petition is in No. 41, VI, folio 265; Johnson's letter, dated September 17, 1781, is in No, 78, XIII, folio 265.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to this report of the committee.
The committee to whom was re-committed the report on the petition of Thomas Savage;
The committee on the motion of Mr. [John] Mathews, together with the letters from Governor Trumbull and General Greene relative to the burning of New London and Georgetown, delivered in their respective reports.
That the United States in Congress assembled did on theday of October A.D. 1778, resolve, "that if our enemies persist in their present career of barbarity we will take such exemplary Vengeance as shall deter others from a like conduct." "We appeal to that God who searches the hearts of men for the rectitude of our intentions, and in his holy presence declare, that we are not moved by any light and hasty suggestions of anger or revenge, so through every possible change of fortune we will adhere to this our determination." The conduct of Britons alone could have produced such a determination, and their persisting in the most savage and barbarous acts impel the United States to execute this Resolution. The flourishing villages of Charlestown and Falmouth in Massachusetts, in the year 1775, Norfolk in Virginia in 1776, Kingston in New York in 1777, Bristol in Rhode Island and Bedford in Massachusetts in 1778, Fairfield and Norwalk in Connecticut in 1779, Springfield and Connecticut Farms in New Jersey 1780, and Georgetown in South Carolina and New London and Groton in Connecticut in 1781, have been consigned by these enemies of Mankind to wanton conflagrations! The ties of relatives have been dissolved by deliberate murder while the most sacred conditions have only tended to embitter cruelty enhance Barbarity! The nations of the earth render to bravery the tribute of honor and esteem, while Britons murder the Brave; when captives in their power! Justice has been delayed; but the most solemn of oaths joined to invincible necessity, demand retaliation.
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The United States in Congress assembled do therefore resolve, that the War and Marine Departments without delay take order for the demolition of cities and villages in the Kingdom of Great Britain so as fully to retaliate for the destruction of the towns and villages before mentioned.
Resolved, That unless satisfaction be immediately made for the inhuman murder of the brave garrison of Fort Grinnell in the State of Connecticut, after surrendering prisoners of war on the 6th Instant either by consigning to public execution the principal officers concerned in that bloody massacre, or in such other way as shall satisfy the claims of fully appertain to justice, retaliation shall be had in by the execution of an adequate number of British officers and soldiers.
Resolved, If the British Army and Navy continue their present system of inhumanity in burning defenceless villages, or houses, or in murdering inoffensive citizens or prisoners of war, that the War and Marine Departments cause all persons taken in such acts of burning to be immediately consigned to the flames, or afterwards if captivated to be put to death whenever in their power.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Mitchell Varnum, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 275.]
On motion of Mr. [John] Mathews, seconded by Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum,
Ordered, That Major General St. Clair pursue the orders of the Commander in Chief, the order of the 19th notwithstanding.
On motion of Mr. Montgomery delegates of Pensylvania:
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with a committee of the honble. the general Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pensylvania on the trade and commerce of the United States.:
The members, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum, Mr. [James] Duane.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War Office September 27th 1781.
Sir,
Brigadier General Irwin having represented to the Beard that it is impossible for him to proceed to Fort Pitt to take upon him the Command ordered by Congress for want of money, upon which the Board beg leave to submit the following resolutions (to wit).
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Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant on the paymaster general in favour of Brigadier General Irwine for three hundred and seventy-five dollars on account of his pay;
The Board further beg leave to observe that there is now in this City about fifty riflemen, who by their enlistments are to serve until the first of January next. If they are ordered to the Southward, it is probable they will not arrive at Head Quarters before the present operation will be over, should they go further South their times of service will expire before they will have time to render much service. From these circumstances the Board are of opinion this Corps cannot be better employed than to be ordered to Fort Pitt under the direction of Brigadier General Irwin. Should Congress agree to this Report the Board will give the necessary orders.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 303.]
Ordered, That the Board of War give the necessary orders respecting the riflemen mentioned in their report agreeably to what is suggested in the said report.
The ordinance respecting captures, being taken up for a third reading, a motion was made that a vote be taken on a particular paragraph, on which at the second reading a vote had been taken, and which by that vote had been established.
An objection being made to this motion as being out of order, the President called for the judgment of the house:
And the question being put, "is the motion in order?" passed in the negative.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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