and debated, and referred for farther consideration till Monday next. Resolved, that this Congress will on Monday resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consid eration the State of America. Adjourned till Monday at 9 o'clock. MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. A letter from Governor Trumbull was read, and referred to the committee appointed to devise ways and means for introducing the manufacture of salt petre into these colonies.1 The state of North Carolina being taken into consideration, the Congress came to the following resolutions: || Whereas it is represented to this Congress, that the enemies of the liberties of America are pursuing measures to divide the good people of the colony of North Carolina, and to defeat the American Association; Resolved, That it be recommended to all in that Colony, who wish well to the liberties of America, to associate for the defence of American liberty, and to embody themselves as militia, under proper officers. Resolved, That in case the Assembly or Convention of that Colony shall think it absolutely necessary, for the support of the American Association and safety of the colony, to raise a body of forces not exceeding one thousand men, this Congress will consider them as an American army, and provide for their pay.2 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 'This letter, dated June 20, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 66, I, folio 9. 2 Here were inserted and stricken out the names of the committee on the declaration to be published by General Washington, already given on June 24. Declaration, and after some debate, the same was recommitted, and Mr. [John] Dickinson and Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson were added to the Committee. A letter from the Committee of Albany rec! by express was laid before the Congress and read.1 The Committee for Indian affairs bro't in their report, which was read. Upon motion, Resolved, That the delegates of Pensylvania be appointed from this Congress to wait on the Committee of this City and to request of them that a supply of powder be immediately furnished for the use of the fortifications of Ticonderoga and Crown point, and sent forward immediately. Ordered, That the President write to Governor Trumbul and inform him that the Congress had appointed George Washington Esq', Commander in chief of all the forces raised or to be raised for the defence of America. Ordered, that the President also write to the provincial conventions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and to the government of Rhode island, and inform them of the same appointment. Resolved, that this congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America. Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. Upon motion, Resolved, That Gov! [Philip] Skene be sent under a guard to Weathersfield, or Middletown, in the County of Hartford, in Connecticut, there to be confined on his parole, not to go out of the bounds prescribed to him by Gov! Trumbull. This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, I, folio 9. Ordered, That the Delegates for Pennsylv" take measures to have the above resolve carried into execution. A letter from the Convention of Massachusetts bay, dated 20th June received by express, together with several other letters by the same conveyance were laid before the Congress and read." The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from Albany, and after some debate the Congress came to the following resolutions: Resolved, That Major General P. Schuyler be directed to repair as soon as conveniently he can to the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown point, to examine into the state thereof, and of the troops now stationed there, and how they are supplied with provision and necessary storesinto the state also of the sloop and other navigation on the lakes-also to obtain the best intelligence he can of the disposition of the Canadians and Indians of Canada. That he confer with Col. Hinman and Col. Arnold, on the subject of Col: Arnold's letter to this Congress, and report, as soon as possible, the state of the whole as near as it can be ascertained, to this Congress. And that he give orders for the necessary preparation of boats and stores for securing to the United Colonies the command of those waters adjacent to Crown point and Ticonderoga. Resolved, That as Governor Carl[e]ton is making preparations to invade these colonies and is instigating the Indian Nations to take up the Hatchet against them, Major Gen! Schuyler do exert his utmost power to destroy or take all vessels, boats or floating batteries, preparing by s Gov or by his order, on or near the waters of the lakes. Resolved, That if General Schuyler finds it practicable, and that it will not be disagreeable to the Canadians, he These papers are not in the Papers of the Continental Congress. do immediately take possession of St Johns, Montreal, and any other parts of the country, and pursue any other measures in Canada, which may have a tendency to promote the peace and security of these Colonies. Resolved, that if General Schuyler shall have occasion for a larger quantity of ready money and ammunition for carrying on such an expedition, than he can in convenient time procure from the provincial Convention of the Colony of New York, that he do in such case apply to the Governor of Connecticut for such supplies as may be necessary, and can be furnished by that Colony; and that Governor Trumbull be desired to furnish such supplies, and that this Congress will make provision for reimbursing the same. The Committee appointed to draw up an address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, reported the same, which was read. Resolved, That this Congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America. Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment, and resumed the consideration of the Articles of War. After some debate the farther consideration of them was put off till to Morrow. The order of the day put off till to Morrow. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. A number of Letters and speeches from the Chiefs of the Stockbridge Indians to the Congress, also copy of a Message from s Indians to the Canada Indians and their answer were laid before the Congress and read. The Congress then resumed the consideration of the rules or Articles of War. After some debate the same was deferred till to Morrow. The order of the day put off and adjourned till to Morrow 9 o'C. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. The consideration of the articles of war being resumed, Congress agreed to the same: Rules and Regulations1 Whereas his Majesty's most faithful subjects in these Colonies are reduced to a dangerous and critical situation, by the attempts of the British Ministry, to carry into execution, by force of arms, several unconstitutional and oppressive acts of the British parliament for laying taxes in America, to enforce the collection of these taxes, and for altering and changing the constitution and internal police of some of these Colonies, in violation of the natural and civil rights of the Colonies. And whereas hostilities have been actually commenced in Massachusetts Bay, by the British troops, under the command of General Gage, and the lives of a number of the inhabitants of that Colony destroyed; the town of Boston not only having been long occupied as a garrisoned town in an enemy's country, but the inhabitants thereof treated with a severity and cruelty not to be justified even towards declared enemies. And whereas large reinforcements have been ordered, and are soon expected, for the declared purpose of compelling these Colonies to submit to the operation of the said acts, which hath rendered it necessary, and an indispensable duty, for the express purpose of securing and defending these Colonies, and preserving them in safety against all attempts to carry the said acts into execution; that an armed force be 1These rules and regulations were not entered in the Manuscript Journal, and I have followed the text printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 17 July, 1775. See Bibliographical Notes, post. |