this or any future Congress as soon as such loss is ascertained. Upon motion, resolved una: The letters from Massachusetts bay being taken into consideration, the Congress come to the following resolve:|| That the governor of Connecticut be requested to direct all the forces raised in that Colony, not employed at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, or recommended by this Congress to be marched into the province of towards New York, to be immediately sent to join the combined army before Boston: And it is earnestly recommended to the colony of Rhode island, and the provincial Convention of New Hampshire, to send immediately to the Army before Boston, such of the forces as are already embodied, towards their quotas of the troops agreed to be raised by the New England Colonies. Resolved, That Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee, Mr. E[dward] Rutledge, and Mr. J[ohn] Adams, be a committee to prepare the form of a commission for the Major generals, and also for the brigadier generals, and other officers in the army. Resolved, That there be four Major generals. The Congress then proceeded to chuse the two remaining Major generals, when upon taking the votes Philip Schuyler. Esq. was chosen third Major General. Israel Putnam, Esq. was unanimously chosen 4th Major General. The committee appointed to prepare the form of a Commission reported the same, which was read and agreed for the major generals and brigadier generals, and ordered to be engrossed. (Here insert the commissions.') 1None of these commissions were entered upon the Journals. Ordered, That the secretary get a number of commissions printed, with proper blanks, for the other officers. The committee appointed to prepare a petition to the king, reported the same. Resolved that this Congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take under consideration the state of America1 Adjourned till to Morrow 9 o'clock. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. The committee appointed to draught instructions to the general, reported the same, which being read, were agreed to, and are as follows: To George Washington Esq This Congress having appointed you to be General and Commander in chief of the Army of the united Colonies and of all the forces raised or to be raised by them and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service and join the said army for the defence of American liberty and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair with all expedition to the colony of Massachusetts bay and take charge of the army of the united colonies. For your better direction 1st You are to make a return to us as soon as possible of all forces which you shall have under your command together with their military stores and provisions. And also as exact an Account as you can obtain of the forces which compose the British Army in America. 2dly You are not to disband any of the men you find raised until further direction from this Congress and if you shall think their numbers not adequate to the purpose of security, you may recruit them to a number you shall think sufficient, not exceeding double that of the enemy. 3d In all cases of vacancy occasioned by the death or removal of a Colonel or other inferior officer, you are by brevet or warrant under your seal to appoint another person to fill up such vacancy until it shall 1Some of the resolutions of this day were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 11 December, 1775. be otherwise ordered by the provincial Convention or Assembly of the colony from whence the troops in which such vacancy happen, shall direct otherwise. 4. You are to victual at the continental expence all such volunteers as have joined or shall join the united Army. 5. You shall take every method in your power consistent with prudence, to destroy or make prisoners of all persons who now are or who hereafter shall appear in Arms against the good people of the united colonies. 6. And whereas all particulars cannot be foreseen, nor positive instructions for such emergencies so before hand given but that many things must be left to your prudent and discreet management, as occurrences may arise upon the place, or from time to time fall out, you are therefore upon all such accidents or any occasions that may happen, to use your best circumspection and (advising with your council of war) to order and dispose of the said Army under your command as may be most advantageous for the obtaining the end for which these forces have been raised, making it your special care in discharge of the great trust committed unto you, that the liberties of America receive no detriment. 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 21, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. Mr. Thomas Jefferson appeared as a delegate for the Colony of Virginia, and produced his Credentials, which were read and approved, and are as follows: At a Convention of Delegates for the Counties and Corporations in the Colony of Virginia, at the Town of Richmond, in the County of Henrico, on Monday the twenty seventh Day of March 1775 On a Motion made, Resolved that Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, be appointed a Deputy to represent this Colony in General Congress, in the Room of the honor able Peyton Randolph, Esquire, in Case of the Non-attendance of the said Peyton Randolph, Esquire. a Copy Test: JOHN TAZEWELL Clerk of the Convention. At a General Assembly begun and held at the Capitol in the City of Williamsburg on Thursday, the first day of June, in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of our Lord GEORGE the third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, &c. Annoque Domini 1775. Monday, the 5th of June 15 Geo: III. 1775. Resolved, nemine contradicente, that this House doth intirely approve of the Proceedings and Resolutions of the Convention of Delegates for the Counties and Corporations in the Colony of VIRGINIA, held at Richmond Town, in the County of Henrico, on the twentieth day of March, 1775. And that it be recommended to all the good People of this Colony strictly to conform and observe the same. By the House of Burgesses. PEYTON RANDOLPH Speak". Mr. [Patrick] Henry informed the Congress, that the general had put into his hand sundry queries, to which he desired the Congress would give an answer. The Queries being read ||and debated,|| Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into their consideration the s queries and report their opinion with regard to the answers proper to be given. That the committee consist of the following persons, viz: Mr. [Silas] Deane, Mr. [Patrick] Henry, Mr. J[ohn] Rutledge, Mr. S[amuel] Adams, and Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee. Upon motion, Resolved, That the Generals be allowed three aids de camp. That each of the major generals have two aids de camp. That the pay of the aids de camp of the Major general be twenty thirty-three dollars per month. 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. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. The Committee appointed to take into consideration the Queries of the general and report thereon, brought in their report, which was read and considered. Resolved, That the number of Brigadier generals be augmented to eight: The Congress then proceeded to the choice of the Brigadiers, viz: Seth Pomeroy, Esq. first. Richard Montgomery, Esq. second. David Wooster, Esq. third. William Heath, Esq. fourth. Joseph Spencer, Esq. fifth. Resolved, That the troops, including the Volunteers, be furnished with camp Equipage, and blankets, where necessary, at the Continental expence. Resolved, That the officers, now in the Army, receive their new commissions through the hands of the general. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding two millions of Spanish milled dollars be emitted by the Congress in bills of Credit, for the defence of America. Resolved, That the twelve confederated colonies be pledged for the redemption of the bills of credit, now directed to be emitted.1 Resolved, That the pay of the aids de camp of the majors general be increased to thirty three dollars per month. 'The list of Brigadiers and the resolution on bills of credit were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 11 December, 1775. |