RECESS COMMITTEE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1775

The Committee appointed to prepare instructions for the Committee who are to sit during the recess of Congress, brought in their report, which was read.

The Committee appointed to consider and prepare instructions for a committee during who are to sit during the recess of Congress have agreed to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee that the said Committee during the Recess of Congress should be authorised and instructed

To receive and open all letters directed to the Congress and to give such answers to the same as they shall be authorized to give.

To correspond with the several Conventions, Assemblies, or Committees of safety, with the Committee of Congress sent to Canada, the Commissioners for Indian affairs; and the Commanding officers of the Continental forces in the several departments.

To give counsel to the said commanding officers whenever applied to by them.

To supply the Continental forces by sea and land with all necessaries from time to time.

To expedite the striking monies ordered by the Congress to be struck.

To transmit to the several Commanding officers, Paymasters and Commissaries from time to time such sums of money as may be necessary for the pay and subsistence of the Continental forces, and to draw on order paiment by the Treasurers for such contracts as the said committee may make in pursuance of the authorities and instructions given them.

To take charge of all Military stores belonging to the United colonies, to procure such further quantities as may probably be wanted,

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and to order any part thereof wheresover it may be most requisite for the Common service.

To direct the safe keeping and comfortable accommodation of all Prisoners of war.

To contribute their counsel and authority towards raising recruits ordered by Congress.

To procure intelligence of the condition and designs of the enemy. To direct military operations by sea and land; not changing any objects or expeditions determined on by Congress.

To attend to the defence and preservation of forts and strong posts and to prevent the enemy from acquiring new holds.

To apply to such officers in the several colonies as are entrusted with the executive powers of government for the aid of their occasional aid of Minute-men and militia whenever and wherever necessary.

In case of the death of any officer within the appointment of Congress, to employ a person to fulfil his duties, if until the meeting of Congress, if unless the office be of such a nature as to admit a delay of appointment until such meeting.

To examine public claims and accounts and report the same to the next Congress.

To publish and disperse authentic accounts of military operations. To expedite the printing of the Journals of Congress as by them directed to be published.

To summon a meeting of Congress at an earlier day than that to which it may stand adjourned, if any great and unexpected emergence shall render it necessary for the safety or good of the United colonies. To procure intelligence of the Condition and designs of the enemy. And to lay before the Congress at their meeting all letters received by them with a report of their proceedings.

Resolved, that the said Committee be authorized to appoint their own clerk who shall take an oath of secrecy before he enters on the exercise of his office.

Resolved, that in case of the death of any member of the said Committee, they immediately apply to the his surviving delegates of the collegues to appoint some one of themselves to be a member of the said Committee.

Resolved, that the Treasurers be directed to pay out of the Continental Monies in their hands, all Draughts made on them by the said Committee.1

'The original is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 5. All but the last paragraph is in the writing of Thomas Jefferson.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1775

The committee appointed to examine the journal, &c. laid before Congress a list of the several matters therein, which are yet unfinished.

The Committee appointed to examine the journals and state what business is remains still before Congress unfinished, have agreed to the following report.

Report of the proposed Articles of Confederation (adjd from Augst last)

The Report of the Committee appointed to draw instructions for a Committee during Recess of Congress is on the table.

The Committee was appointed to draw an answer to some ministerial proclamations have who reported an answer to one of them only. The Committee was appointed to draw instructions to Colo Irwin whe have not yet reported.

Part of the report of the Committee appointed to take into their consideration the [state of the Collony of Virginia is on the table. a report of the committee appointed to consider the information against persons refusing Continental currency is on the table.

a report from the same committee who were also instructed to con sider an application from the Convention of N. York

the Committee was appointed to consider a petition from sundry in for supplying the island of Grenada with lumber who have made no report.

part of a report from the Committee of the whole on the trade of the United colonies is still on the table and the Committee has leave to sit again have not closed their report.

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the report of a Committee appointed Nov. 23 to consider certain letters from General Schuyler is on the table

the Committee was appointed to consider the petition of Berton whe have made no report have laid in their Report

the report of the Committee appointed to confer with the Indians now in this city have made no report is on the table

the report from a of the committee appointed Dec. 18 to consider certain other letters from General Schuyler is on the table

A report from the Committee appointed to prepare a plan for establishing expresses is on the table.1

part of a report from the Committee appointed to confer with mr Kirkland is still on the table.

A Committee appointed Nov. 23 to enquire into certain frauds have not made a final report.

the report of the Committee appointed to consider Dow's letter and the Indian treaty, and the subject of Indi is still on the table.

two Brigadier-generals remain to be appointed

an Information against persons selling tea is yet to be considered." the report of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in Middle department is on the table

the report of the Commissioners for Indian affairs in Southern department is on the table

the report of the Committee on Lord Sterlings letter is on the table the report of the Committee on the vessel taken in New Hampshire is on the table

the report of the Committee appointed to repair to Ticonderoga and confer with gen Schuyler is on the table.

Report of the Secret Committee of [

Jof Articles Nee

essary for supplying The Army (lies on the table) Committee for devising Ways and Means for Supplying the Indian Nations with Goods (Not yet Reported)

Committee for enquiring after Virgin Lead and Leaden Oar also of the Cheapest Method of Making Salt appointed before the Adjourn ment (not yet-reported)

In Addition to the above there is the following Business unfinished Report of the proposed Articles of Confederation-(Reported before the last Adjournment)

1Postponed till Dr. F can make Enq

2To this point the report is in the writing of Thomas Jefferson. The five following paragraphs are in the writing of Charles Thomson.

Report of Secret Committee of Articles Necessary for supplying the Army-(lies on the Table)

Committee for devising Ways and Means for supplying the Indian Nations with Goods (not yet reported)

Committee for inquiring after Virgin Lead, and Leaden Oar also after the cheapest method of making Salt (appointed before the Adjournment not yet reported)