Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

whose galleys are employed, which, if not guarded against, might defeat the end of the enterprise :

Resolved, That captain John Barry be and he is hereby directed, to take the command of all the armed vessels employed on the intended expedition, subject to the orders of the commander in chief in the southern department; and that this commission continue in force till the expiration of the intended invasion of the province of East Florida, or till the further order of Congress. That he proceed with the utmost despatch to the state of Maryland, in order to expedite the equipment of the galleys to be furnished by that state; and proceed with them to Charleston, in South Carolina.

Resolved, That Congress approve of major general Howe's provident attention in procuring intelligence of the situation and strength of the British forces and posts in East Florida; and that any expense which may have attended this service shall be defrayed by Congress.

Resolved, That the sum of two hundred and one pounds five shillings, in specie, be granted to major general Lincoln to facilitate his procuring intelligence of the enemy's strength and designs in the province of East Florida; and that the board of war be directed to cause this money to be remitted by the first safe opportunity.

Resolved, That major general Lincoln be authorized and directed, on his arrival in the province of East Florida, to issue a proclamation in the name of these United States, signifying to the inhabitants of the said province, that as he is not come to destroy, but to

son in

protect the inhabitants in the enjoyment of their rights and property, he will receive under the protection of the United States, all such persons as shall repair to his standard within a time to be limited in the said proclamation, and take an oath of abjuration of allegiance to the king and crown of Great Britain, except such persons as may have been attainted of high treaany of the said states. And that all such as shall unite with him in the reduction of the said province, and embody themselves under such officers as he shall approve of, shall be entitled to the same pay and emoluments as the forces engaged in the same service are entitled to. And further, that on the subversion of British tyranny in that province, and the establishment of a free government, they shall be considered as peculiarly entitled to the confidence of the United States.

That the quartermaster general be directed to ship on board the armed galleys ordered from the state of Maryland to Charleston, in South Carolina, a quantity not exceeding ten tons of bar iron.

And whereas Congress are of opinion, that it will tend greatly to ensure the success of the enterprise if the embargo on rice be continued in force till such time as the vessels destined to form the blockade by water shall have arrived in the basin of St. Augustine: Therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the executive authority of the states of South Carolina and Georgia, to continue in force the embargo on rice till the event abovementioned shall have taken place, and no longer : Provided, and it is hereby intended, that the said em

[blocks in formation]

bargo shall not be and continue in force longer than the thirty-first day of January next.

NOVEMBER 30, 1778.

Two affidavits relative to the convention troops were read.

Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three; and that the said committee be directed to take measures for collecting evidence relative to the infractions made by the enemy on the convention of Saratoga; and that all the evidence heretofore collected be committed to the said committee.

The members-Mr. Duane, Mr. Carmichael, Mr. G. Morris.

DECEMBER 16, 1778.

A memorial of this day from Alexander M'Nut and others was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three. The members-Mr. Lovell, Mr. Whipple, and Mr. Witherspoon.

DECEMBER 29, 1778.

The President informed Congress, that the minister of France had requested him to communicate the following information to Congress, namely, That the minister was assured by good intelligence that the enemy's fleet at Rhode Island were greatly distressed for want of masts and spars; that a mast had been taken from a merchantman of six hundred tons, and put into

a man of war of the line; that others of their ships of war had been rigged with jury masts; and that they had little prospect of a supply from Halifax or any other of their ports; that there was in New Hampshire a number of masts fit for ships of the line ready to be exported from thence to St. Domingo; that the enemy have been advised of this, and are preparing to intercept them: That it is his opinion it would be of great consequence to prevent the enemy from obtaining such an important supply; and therefore he proposed, that the masts should be sunk during the winter; and, as an inducement thereto, he would himself pay the expense of sinking and raising them, and also the interest of whatever sums may have been expended in procuring the said masts until the next spring: Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be most earnestly recommended to the states of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, to take the most effectual measures to prevent any masts or spars from being exported from, or laden on board of any ships or vessels within the ports of the said states.

Ordered, That the President enclose the foregoing information and resolution, and write fully on the subject to the executive authorities of those states.

JANUARY 15, 1779.

The marine committee, to whom were referred letters from the governours of Maryland and Virginia, brought in a report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That considering the danger and risk of a sea voyage at this season, the impracticability of manning in time, and the probable difficulty of supplying the Maryland galleys with provisions during the blockade, the design of employing them be laid aside. Ordered, That the remainder of the report be postponed.

JANUARY 19, 1779.

The committee appointed to confer with general Washington brought in a report, and desired leave to sit again; and at the same time desired to know whether it is the sense of Congress that they should insert in their next report the plan of operations for the next campaign, that may come to their knowledge in the course of their conferences with the commander in chief.

After some debate thereon, adjourned.

JANUARY 22, 1779.

The committee, consisting of Mr. Duane, Mr. Root, Mr. M. Smith, Mr. G. Morris, and Mr. Laurens, to whom was referred a letter of 19th December last, from major general Lincoln, brought in a report: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the President of Congress inform count D'Estaing, or the admiral commanding the fleet of his most christian majesty in the West Indies, of the circumstances of Georgia and South Carolina, by the invasion of the enemy; and that he be requested to afford such relief as may be in his power; and that

« ПредишнаНапред »