Ordered, That the Delegates for Pennsylva 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.1 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 1These 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. raised sufficient to defeat such hostile designs, and preserve and defend the lives, liberties and immunities of the Colonists: for the due regulating and well ordering of which; Resolved, That the following Rules and Orders be attended to, and observed by such forces as are or may hereafter be raised for the purposes aforesaid. Article I. That every officer who shall be retained, and every soldier who shall serve in the Continental Army, shall, at the time of his acceptance of his commission or inlistment, subscribe these rules and regulations. And that the officers and soldiers, already of that army, shall also, as soon as may be, subscribe the same; from the time of which subscription every officer and soldier, shall be bound by those regulations. But if any of the officers or soldiers, now of the said army, do not subscribe these rules and regulations, then they may be retained in the said army, subject to the rules and regulations under which they entered into the service, or be discharged from the service, at the option of the Commander in chief. Art. II. It is earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers, diligently to attend Divine Service; and all officers and soldiers who shall behave indecently or irreverently at any place of Divine Worship, shall, if commissioned officers, be brought before a court-martial, there to be publicly and severely reprimanded by the President; if non-commissioned officers or soldiers, every person so offending, shall, for his first offence, forfeit One Sixth of a Dollar, to be deducted out of his next pay; for the second offence, he shall not only forfeit a like sum, but be confined for twenty-four hours, and for every like offence, shall suffer and pay in like manner; which money so forfeited, shall be applied to the use of the sick soldiers of the troop or company to which the offender belongs. Art. III. Whatsoever non-commissioned officer or soldier shall use any profane oath or execration, shall incur the penalties expressed in the second article; and if a commissioned officer be thus guilty of profane cursing or swearing, he shall forfeit and pay for each and every such offence, the sum of Four Shillings, lawful money. Art. IV. Any officer or soldier, who shall behave himself with contempt or disrespect towards the General or Generals, or Commanders in chief of the Continental Forces, or shall speak false words, tending to his or their hurt or dishonour, shall be punished according to the nature of his offence, by the judgment of a general court-martial. Art. V. Any officer or soldier, who shall begin, excite, cause, or join in any mutiny or sedition, in the regiment, troop, or company to which he belongs, or in any other regiment, troop or company of the Continental Forces, either by land or sea, or in any party, post, detachment, or guard, on any pretence whatsoever, shall suffer such punishment, as by a general court-martial shall be ordered. Art. VI. Any officer, non-commissioned officer, or soldier, who being present at any mutiny or sedition, does not use his utmost endeavours to suppress the same, or coming to the knowledge of any mutiny, or intended mutiny, does not, without delay, give information thereof to the commanding officer, shall be punished by order of a general courtmartial, according to the nature of his offence. Art. VII. Any officer or soldier, who shall strike his superior officer, or draw, or offer to draw, or shall lift up any weapon, or offer any violence against him, being in the execution of his office, on any pretence whatsoever, or shall disobey any lawful commands of his superior officer, shall suffer such punishment as shall, according to the nature of his offence, be ordered by the sentence of a general courtmartial. Art. VIII. Any non-commissioned officer, or soldier, who shall desert, or without leave of his commanding officer, absent himself from the troop or company to which he belongs, or from any detachment of the same, shall, upon being convicted thereof, be punished according to the nature of his offence, at the discretion of a general court-martial. Art. IX. Whatsoever officer, or soldier, shall be convicted of having advised or persuaded any other officer or soldier, to desert, shall suffer such punishment, as shall be ordered by the sentence of a general court-martial. Art. X. All officers, of what condition soever, shall have power to part and quell all quarrels, frays, and disorders, though the persons concerned, should belong to another regiment, troop, or company; and either order officers to be arrested, or non-commissioned officers, or soldiers, to be confined and imprisoned, till their proper superior officers shall be acquainted therewith: and whoever shall refuse to obey such officer, (though of an inferior rank,) or shall draw his sword upon him, shall be punished at the discretion of a general courtmartial. 6521-VOL 2—05 -8 |