JOURNALS OF CONGRESS. 1775. WEDNESDAY, September 5, 1775. AGREEABLE to adjournment, the president and a number of the members met, but there not being sufficient to enter upon business, the Congress was adjourned from day to day until Wednesday the 13th. WEDNESDAY, September 13, 1775. Met according to adjournment. The province of Georgia, having appointed delegates to represent that colony in Congress, and three of the delegates attending, their credentials were produced, read, and approved, and are as follows: Georgia. The alarming and critical situation of affairs upon the continent of America, having, at length, roused the attention of this province, and the several inhabitants thereof, being desirous of uniting with their sister colonies in the great and important cause, a general election was held throughout the province for delegates to sit in provincial Congress; and the said delegates having so met in Savannah, on the fourth day of July, proceeded upon the consideration of such business as appeared to be fit and necessary; and among other things, they made choice of five delegates to represent this province in the grand Continental Congress, now sitting in Philadelphia, viz. Archibald Bullock, esq. John Houston, esq. the rev. Dr. Zubly, Noble Wimberly Jones, esq. and Lyman Hall, esq. Now, therefore, be it known, and we, the several delegates for the different parishes and districts in this province, in provincial Congress assembled, do hereby declare the said Archibald Bullock and John Houston, esqrs. the rev. Dr. Zubly, Noble Wimberly Jones, and Lyman Hall, esqrs. duly and fairly elected, as the delegates, for this province; and we do authorize and require the said Archibald Bullock, and John Houston, esqrs. the rev. Dr. Zubly, Noble Wimberly Jones, and Lyman Hall, esqrs. or any three of them, immediately to repair to the said city of Philadelphia, and there to take their seats, as the representatives of the province of Georgia, in the general Congress now sitting, to do, transact, join and concur with the several delegates from the other colonies and provinces upon this continent, in all such matters and things as shall appear eligible and fit, at this alarming time, for the preservation and defence of our rights and liberties, and for the restoration of harmony upon constitutional principles, between Great-Britain and America. And we give and grant to the said Archibald Bullock, and John Houston, esqrs. the rev. Dr. Zubly, Noble Wimberly Jones, and Lyman Hall, esqrs. or any three of them, in whose fidelity, honor, and ability we very much confide, our full and whole power in the premises; and do promise and engage, in behalf of ourselves and our constituents respectively, (the inhabitants of the province of Georgia) under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of our country, to abide by, enforce, and carry into execution, or endeavour, at the risque and expense of life and property, so to do, all and whatsoever our said delegates, or any three of them, in concurrence with the rest of the delegates from the several colonies and provinces upon this continent, shall resolve and agree upon, or, as shall be agreed and resolved upon by the said Continental Congress, now sitting in Philadelphia aforesaid, while our said delegates or any three of them shall be so sitting. Signed in provincial Congress, this fifteenth day of July, 1775, by 53 members. The delegates from Virginia, appointed by a convention of that colony, at Richmond, August 11, 1775, produced their credentials, which were read and approved, as follows: VIRGINIA, IN CONVENTION, August 11, 1775. The convention being about to proceed to the choice of deputies to represent this colony in general Congress, Edmund Pendleton, esq. expressed his most grateful acknowledgments for the honor done him in two former appointments to that important trust, but, on account of the declining state of his health, entreated to be excused from the present nomination, which excuse being accepted. Resolved, unanimously, That the thanks of this convention are justly due to George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Pendleton, esqrs. three of the worthy deputies, who represented this colony in the late Continental Congress, for their faithful discharge of that important trust, and this body are only induced to dispense with their future services of the like nature, by the appointment of the two former to other offices in the public service, incompatible with their attendance on this, and the infirm state of health of the latter. The convention then proceeded to the appointment of deputies to represent this colony in general Congress, for one year, and the members having prepared tickets, with the names of the deputies to be appointed, and put the same into the ballot-box, Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas, Mr. Cary, Mr. Pendleton, and Mr. Adams were appointed to examine the ballot-box, and report upon whom the majority fell, who retired, and after some time, returned into convention, and reported, that they had, according to order, examined the ballot-box, and that the numbers appeared as follows: For the hon. Peyton Randolph, esq. 89 Benjamin Harrison, esq. 83 For the hon. Thomas Nelson, esq. 66 George Wythe, esq. Resolved, That the said Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Richard Bland, and George Wythe, esqrs. be appointed deputies to represent this colony in general Congress for one year, and that they have power to meet and to adjourn for such time and to such place or places as may be thought most proper. Resolved, That the said deputies, or any four of them, be a sufficient number to represent this colony. SATURDAY, August 12, 1775. Richard Bland, esq. returned this convention his most grateful acknowledgrents for the great honor they had pleased a third time to confer on him, by appointing him one of the deputies to represent this colony in general Congress, and said that this fresh instance of their approbation was sufficient for an old man, almost deprived of sight, whose greatest ambition had ever been to receive the plaudit of his country, whenever he should retire from the public stage of life: That the honorable testimony he lately received of this approbation, joined with his present appointment, should ever animate him, as far as he was able, to support the glorious cause in which America is now engaged, but that his advanced age rendered him incapable of taking an active part in those weighty and important concerns, which must necessarily be agitated in the great council of the United Colonies; and, therefore, begging leave to decline the honor they had been pleased to confer on him, and desiring that some persoa, more fit and able, might supply his place. VOL. I. 18 Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this convention are justly due to the said Richard Bland, esq. one of the worthy deputies who represented this colony in the late Continental Congress, for his faithful discharge of that important trust, and this body are only induced to dispense with his future services of the like nature, on account of his advanced age. TUESDAY, August 15, 1775. The convention proceeded to the appointment of a deputy to represent this colony in general Congress, in the room of Richard Bland, esq. who hath resigned, and the members having prepared tickets, with the name of the deputy to be appointed, a committee was appointed to examine the ballot-box, and report on whom the majority fell; who retired, and after some time, reported that the numbers stood as follows: Carter Braxton, esq. 36 Francis Lightfoot Lee, esq. . 37 Resolved, That the said Francis Lightfoot Lee, esq. be appointed a deputy to represent this colony in general Congress. (Signed) JOHN TAZEWELL, Clerk of the Convention. The delegates from Maryland also produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read and approved, as follows: pro At a meeting of the delegates appointed by the several counties of the vince of Maryland, at the city of Annapolis, on Wednesday, the 26th of July, 1775, and continued till the 14th day of August, in the same year: Resolved, That the honorable Matthew Tilghman, esq. and Thomas Johnson, jun. Robert Goldsborough, William Paca, Samuel Chase, Thomas Stone, and John Hall, esqrs. or any three or more of them, be deputies to represent this province in Continental Congress, and that they, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures, which such Congress shall deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances; and further, we do authorize our said deputies, to represent and act for this province in any continental Congress, which may be held before the 25th day of March next. (Signed) G. DUVALL, Clerk. The Congress being informed that only 172,520 dollars have been transmitted to the pay-master general for the use of the army in the Massachusetts-Bay, and that the general was under great difficulty for want of money: Ordered, That the delegates for Pennsylvania do immediately send, under a proper guard, to the pay-master general, for the use of the army in the Massachusetts-Bay, the sum of 527,480 dollars, which, with that sent, will make up the sum of 700,000 dollars voted at the last session. Sundry letters received during the recess of Congress, were produced and read, viz. Two from general Washington, No. 4, and 5, with sundry enclosed papers; four from general Schuyler, 16th and 21st of July, and 2d and 31st of August, with sundry papers enclosed. One from Messrs. L. Morris, and J. Wilson, of 6th September. One from G. Bedford, deputy muster-master general, with enclosed papers. Also, a letter from the deputies of the several districts in the island of Bermuda, dated 12th of August, with an account of the provisions imported and expended in that island, for three years last past, taken from the custom-house books, and an estimate of the provisions necessary for the support of the inhabitants for one year. A memorial from James Stewart and Samuel Jackson, owners of the ship Friendship, Thomas Jann, master, was presented to Congress and read, setting forth that the said ship, on the 28th of August last, sailed from Maryland with a cargo of tobacco, but being overtaken by the late storm, she was driven on shoals and much damaged, and got into Hampton road, with the loss of all her masts; and praying that the memorialists may be allowed to unload said ship, and that after being refitted, she may take the said cargo on board, and proceed on her voyage. The Congress, taking into consideration the above memorial, Resolved, That the said cargo be unloaded under the inspection of the committee of Norfolk, and that the said ship, being refitted, be allowed to take said cargo on board again, and proceed on her voyage; and in case, on examination, the said ship is condemned as unfit for sea, that the said cargo be put on board some other vessel, under the inspection of the committee aforesaid, and exported. Information being given to Congress, that Dr. Franklin had on board the Mary and Elizabeth, capt. N. Falconer, from London, sundry cases, containing his books, papers, and household furniture, which were in his use when he liv ed in London, and which were imported for his own use, and not for sale; and it being submitted to the consideration of the Congress, whether such importation is comprehended within the first article of association, Resolved, That such importation is not to be comprehended within the meaning of the said first article of the association, and that the said books, papers, and furniture may be landed and delivered to the owner. A memorial from the committee of the county of Westmoreland, in the province of Pennsylvania, was presented and read. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, September 14, 1775. A number of letters received by several members, during the recess of Congress, being produced, were read: First, a letter from Joseph Hawley, esq. excusing his not acting as a commissioner for Indian affairs, on account of his bad state of health. Second, a letter from Elisha Phelps, appointed a commissary for the northern army by governor Trumbull, in pursuance of an order of Congress, together with a copy of his commission and appointment. Third, a letter from J. Reade, esq. secretary to general Washington, among other things, intimating the desire of the general, that the clothing lately intercepted by the committee of Philadelphia, should be forwarded to the camp for the use of the American army. Ordered, That the above clothing be immediately forwarded, under a proper guard, by the delegates of Pennsylvania, to general Washington, for the use of the American army. Fourth, a letter from the committee of safety in New York, with an enclosed copy of a letter from general Washington: These being taken into consideration, Ordered, That the delegates for Pennsylvania prepare and lay before the Congress to-morrow, an account of the powder belonging to the United Colonies, received, and how it is disposed of, also an account of all the powder now in this city. Resolved, That Edward Flemming, esq. be appointed deputy adjutant-general for the army in the New-York or northern department, with the rank of a colonel, and that the president make out a commission for him accordingly, and forward the same by the first opportunity. Resolved, That the president forward to general Schuyler four hundred blank commissions for the officers in his army, to be by him filled up, agreeable to the order of Congress. Fifth, sundry letters from general Schuyler, which being taken into consideration, Resolved, That Samuel Stringer, esq. be appointed director of the hospital, and chief physician and surgeon for the army in the northern department. That the pay of the said Samuel Stringer, as director, physician, and surgeon, be four dollars per day. 1 That he be authorized and have power to appoint a number of surgeon's mates under him, not exceeding four. That the pay of said mates be two thirds of a dollar per day. That the number be not kept in constant pay, unless the sick and wounded be so numerous as to require the constant attendance of four, and to be diminished as circumstances will admit, for which reason the pay is fixed by the day, that they may only receive pay for actual service. That the deputy commissary general be directed to pay Dr. Stringer for the medicines he has purchased for the use of the army, and that he purchase and forward such other medicines as general Schuyler shall, by his warrant, direct, for the use of said army. That Mr. Dyer, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Jay, Mr. J. Adams. and Mr. Lewis, be a committee to devise ways and means for supplying the continental army with medicines. The delegates for Pennsylvania appointed, at the last session, a committee to settle and pay the expenses incurred for raising and arming the rifle companies, as well as those incurred in consequence of a resolve for raising a company of hussars, and for expresses, &c. informed the Congress, that, on account of sundry difficulties, they had not executed that service, and desired that some members from other colonies, where debts have been contracted, may be added; whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. Chase, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Crane, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Deane, be added to the delegates for Pennsylvania, and that any five of them be a quorum to settle and pay the above accounts, and make report of their proceedings to Congress. The delegates from the colony of Georgia informed the Congress, that, agreeble to an order from their constituents, they had sundry papers from that colony to lay before the Congress. The papers, being produced, were read. The commissioners for Indian affairs, in the northern department, having transmitted to the Congress the minutes of a treaty held with the Six Nations at Albany, in August, the same were read. The Congress then resumed the consideration of the letter received from Messrs. L. Morris, and J. Wilson, of the 6th inst. Resolved, That col. Lewis Morris, who is now at Pittsburg, be, and he is hereby empowered to act as a commissioner for Indian affairs in the middle department, at the treaty proposed to be held there on the 23d instant, Dr. Franklin, the standing commissioner, not being able to attend. Ordered, That the president write to Messrs. Morris and Wilson, and inform them of the foregoing resolution Adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, September 15, 1775. Resolved, That Dr. Thomas Walker be appointed a commissioner for Indian affairs in the middle department, in the room of P. Henry, esq. who has declined that service. The delegates from Georgia informed the Congress, that when the convention of that colony agreed to enter into the continental association, they resolved, among other things, "that if any vessel arrived from Great-Britain, between the sixth day of July and the sixth of August, the goods imported should, at the option of the importer, either be re-shipped, or put into store, and there remain until the Congress determined what should be done with them."-That during that time two vessels had arrived with goods, which were stored; they therefore desired the determination of the Congress on that matter. |