FRIDAY, April 18, 1777. Resolved, That the sum of 2333.30 dollars be paid to Gosvinus Erkelens, esq. or order, the same being in full of an order in his favor, drawn by Joseph Trumbull, and dated at Hartford, 21st March, 1777 : That the further sum of 1000 dollars be paid to the said Gosvinus Erkelens, or order, the same being in full of another order in his favor, drawn by the said Joseph Trumbull, dated at Hartford, 21st of March, 1777; and that both sums be charged to the account of the said Joseph Trumbull. A petition from Thomas Moody, was read, Ordered, That the same be referred to general Mifflin, the quarter-master general. The committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the enemy, reported, The "That, in every place where the enemy has been, there are heavy complaints of oppressions, injury, and insults, suffered by the inhabitants, from officers, soldiers, and Americans disaffected to their country's cause. committee found these complaints so greatly diversified, that, as it was impossible to enumerate them, so it appeared exceedingly difficult to give a distinct and comprehensive view of them, or such an account, as would not, if published, appear extremely defective, when read by the unhappy sufferers, of the country in general. In order, however, in some degree, to answer the design of their appointment, they determined to divide the object of their enquiry into four parts: First, The wanton and oppressive devastation of the country, and destruction of property: Second, the inhuman treatment of those who were so unhappy as to become prisoners: Third, The savage butchery of many who had submitted or were incapable of resistance; Fourth, The lust and brutality of the soldiers in the abusing of women. They will, therefore, now briefly state, what they found to be the truth upon each of these heads separately, and subjoin to the whole, affidavits and other evidence to support their assertions. 1. The wanton and oppressive devastation of the country and destruction of property: The whole track of the British army is marked with desolation and a wanton destruction of property, particularly through West-Chester county, in the state of New-York; the towns of Newark, Elizabeth-Town, Woodbridge, Brunswick, Kingston, Princeton and Trenton, in New-Jersey. The fences destroyed, the houses deserted, pulled in pieces or consumed by fire, and the general face of waste and devastation spread over a rich and once well cultivated and well inhabited country, would affect the most unfeeling with melancholy or compassion for the unhappy sufferers, and with indignation and resentment against the barbarous ravagers. It deserves notice, that though there are many instances of rage and vengeance against particular persons, yet, the destruction was very general and often undistinguished; those who submitted and took protections, and some who were known to favor them, having frequently suffered in the common ruin. Places and things, which, from their public nature and general utility, should have been spared by a civilized people, have been destroyed or plundered, or both. But, above all, places of worship, ministers and religious persons of some particular protestant denominations, seem to have been treated with the most rancorous hatred, and, at the same time, with the highest contempt. 2. The inhuman treatment of those who were so unhappy as to become prisoners: The prisoners, instead of that humane treatment which those taken by the United States experienced, were, in general, treated with the greatest barbarity. Many of them were near four days kept without food altogether: VOL. II. 13 When they received a supply, it was both insufficient in point of quantity and often of the worst kind: They suffered the utmost distress from cold, nakedness and close confinement: Freemen and men of substance suffered all that a generous mind could suffer from the contempt and mockery of British and foreign mercenaries: Multitudes died in prison; and, when others were sent out, several died in the boats, while carrying ashore, or, upon the road, attempting to go home. The committee, in the course of their enquiry, learned, that sometimes the common soldiers expressed sympathy with the prisoners, and the foreigners more than the English. But, this was seldom or never the case with the officers; nor have they been able to hear of any charitable assistance given them by the inhabitants who remained in, or resorted to the city of New-York; which neglect, if universal, they believe was never known to happen in any similar case in a Christian country. 3. The savage butchery of those who had submitted and were incapable of resistance: The committee found it to be the general opinion of the people in the neighborhood of Princeton and Trenton, that the enemy, the day before the battle of Princeton, had determined to give no quarter. They did not, however, obtain any clear proof, that there were any general orders for that purpose; but the treatment of several particular persons at and since that time, has been of the most shocking kind, and gives too much countenance to the supposition. Officers wounded and disabled, some of them of the first rank, were barbarously mangled or put to death. A minister of the gospel in Trenton, who neither was nor had been in arms, was massacred in cold blood, though humbly supplicating for mercy. 4, The lust and brutality of the solders in the abusing of women: The committee had authentic information of many instances of the most indecent treatment, and actual ravishment of married and single women; but, such is the nature of that most irreparable injury, that the persons suffering it, and their relations, though perfectly innocent, look upon it as a kind of reproach to have the facts related, and their names known. They have, however, procured some affidavits, which will be published in the appendix. The originals are lodged with the secretary of Congress. Some complaints were made to the commanding officers upon the subject, and one affidavit made before a justice of peace; but the committee could not learn that any satisfaction was ever given, or punishment inflicted, except, that one soldier, at Pennington, was kept in custody for part of a day. On the whole, the committee are sorry to say, that the cry of barbarity and cruelty is but too well founded; and as, in conversation, those who are cool to the American cause, have nothing to oppose to the facts, but their being incredible, and not like what they are pleased to stile, the generosity and clemency of the English nation; the committee beg leave to observe, that one of the circumstances most frequently occuring in the enquiry, was, the opprobrious, disdainful names given to the Americans. These do not need any proof, as they occur so frequently in the newspapers printed under their direction, and in the intercepted letters of those who are officers, and call themselves gentlemen. It is easy, therefore, to see what must be the conduct of a soldiery, greedy of prey, towards a people, whom they have been taught to look upon, not as freemen defending their rights on priuciple, but as desperadoes and profligates, who have risen up against law and order in general, and wish the subversion of society itself. This is the most candid and charitable manner in which the committee can account for the melancholy truths which they have been obliged to report. Indeed, the same deluding principle seems to govern persons and bodies of the highest rank in Britain. For, it is worthy of notice, that not pamphleteers only, but king and parliament, constantly call those acts lenity, which, on their first publication, filled this whole continent with resentment and horror." Resolved, That the said report be accepted, and that the committee who brought it in, publish the same with the affidavits. Resolved, That a member be added to the committee on the commissary's department, and that they be directed to confer with general Schuyler on the subject: The member chosen, Mr. Roberdeau. Resolved, That Mr. Jos. Trumbull be directed to repair, with all despatch, to Philadelphia. At the request of general Schuyler, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the conduct of major-general Schuyler, since he has held a command in the army of the United States. That the said committee consist of a member from each state: The members chosen, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Lovell, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Duer, Mr. Elmer, Mr. Clymer, Mr. Sykes, Mr. W. Smith, Mr. Page, Mr. Burke, Mr. Heyward, and Mr. Brownson. Resolved, That major-general St. Clair have leave of absence from the army for two weeks, to visit his family. The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That an order for 5000 dollars be drawn on the treasurer at Baltimore, in favor of Robert Cummings, commissary of provisions there, to purchase provisions for the troops; and that he be desired to buy as much fresh provisions as he thinks prudent, considering the present price; and that Congress approve of his laying in a quantity of barrelled shad-fish, sufficient for the troops passing through that town. Resolved, That general Armstrong be requested to inspect the magazines of provisions under the care of commissary Wharton, and report to Congress their kind, quantity, and condition: That general Armstrong be authorized to call on Mr. Wharton for every information necessary to enable him to perform this duty, and, if the said magazines be found in a perishing or neglected state, that he take proper steps for their regulation; and the said commissary and his deputies are hereby ordered to pay due obedience to his directions. -Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to devise ways and means of supplying the army with fresh beef, on the most reasonable terms. The members chosen, Mr. Burke, Mr. Sherman, Mr. L. Morris, Mr. R. H. Lee, and Mr. Rumsey. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. SATURDAY, April 19, 1777. Resolved, That the resignation of John Trumbull, late deputy adjutantgeneral of the northern army, be accepted: That general Gates be empowered to appoint a deputy adjutant-general for the northern department. Resolved, That three persons be appointed as a board of assistants to the marine committee, with a salary of 1500 dollars a year each, to reside at or in the neighbourhood of Boston, in the state of Massachusetts-Bay, with a power to adjourn to any part of New-England; who shall have the superintendence of all naval or marine affairs of these United States, within the four eastern-states, under the direction of the marine committee. That the appointment of the said commissioners be made on Tuesday next. A letter of the 27th of March, from the commissioners for settling accounts in the northern department, directed to the board of treasury, was laid before Congress, and read: Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee appointed to devise regulations for the commissary's department. Resolved, That three members be added to the said committee, and that the committee be directed to confer with Mr. Trumbull on his arrival. The members chosen, Mr. Duane, Mr. W. Smith, and Mr. Gerry. Ordered, That a copy of such parts of the said letter as relates to draughts made on the pay-master for stock, &c. taken by officers, and to irregular draughts, be sent by the board of treasury to gen. Gates. The committee appointed to enquire into the mode heretofore observed by officers in making up their pay-rolls, and to prepare a resolution for preventing abuses therein, brought in a report, which was read: Ordered, To lie on the table. A remonstrance of Joseph Hugg and Is. Morris, jun. was read. Resolved, That gen. Washington be directed to take effectual measures for removing all provisions, cattle, carriages, and forage, which he may think in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy, particularly in the parts of the country through which their route may lie, should they attempt to march; and that he give directions to all officers employed on this duty, to be careful not to deprive the inhabitants of what may be necessary for their immediate subsistence; and to cause all provisions, cattle, carriages, and forage, removed, to be appraised to a just valuation, that the owners may be paid for the same. The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Henry Miller be, and he is hereby appointed chaplain to the German battalion. The marine committee having recommended John Rathburn to be captain of the armed sloop Providence, Resolved, That he be appointed accordingly. Resolved, That an order for 200,000 dollars be drawn on the commissioner of the loan-office for the state of New-York, in favor of Jonathan Trumbull, jun. deputy pay-master general, for the use of the army in the northern department; the said deputy pay-master general to be accountable. The committee appointed to devise ways and means for suppressing the spirit of toryism in the counties of Somerset, Worcester, and Sussex, and preventing the disaffected persons therein from taking measures prejudicial to the cause of the United States, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the legislative or executive authorities of the states of Delaware and Maryland, forthwith to apprehend and remove all persons of influence, or of desperate characters, within the counties of Sussex, Somerset, and Worcester, who have betrayed or manifested a disaffection to the American cause, to some remote or secure place or places within their respective states; there to be secured without any person having access to them, unless by license first obtained from such civil or military officer as the government of the respective states shall think proper to appoint for that purpose: to take away the fire-arms of all such of the inhabitants of the counties above-mentioned, as have not hitherto manifested an attachment to the cause of America, excepting such in the counties of Worcester and Somerset, in the state of Maryland, as may have complied with the proclamation issued by the said state, in the month of February last, the said arms to be disposed of by the respective states as shall be deemed most conducive to the general weal: to enact laws appointing commissioners in each of the counties above-mentioned, whose business it shall be to make inventories, and to take charge of the personal estates of the persons so removed, and to receive the rents arising from their real estates, in order that the same may be appropriated as a fund for their maintenance, till the government of the respective states shall otherwise direct; and vesting the said commissioners with full and adequate powers to enquire into, detect, and defeat, all plots or conspiracies formed in the respective counties against the liberties of America. And, for facilitating the expeditious execution of the foregoing resolution, Resolved, That the gov. of the state of Maryland be authorized to detain the weakest continental battalion raised in the state of Maryland, till a further order of Congress; and that it be recommended to the executive authority of the state of Maryland, forthwith, to embody 300 of the militia of the said state, and to the executive authority of the state of Delaware, 100 of their militia, the said militia to co-operte with the battalion of continental troops, to obey the officer commanding the same, and to continue in service so long as the joint executive authorities of the states of Delaware and Maryland shall think necessary, The severl matters to this day referred, being postponed, MONDAY, April 21, 1777. A letter of the 18th and 19th, from general Washington; one, of the 19th, from the Pennsylvania board of war; and a note from Dr. G. Clarkson, in behalf of colonel Zedwitz, were read: Ordered, That the letter from general Washington be referred to the board of war; that the letter from the Pennsylvania board of war be referred to the board of treasury; and the note from Dr. Clarkson, to the medical committee. Resolved, That Jamas Mease, clothier-general, be directed to deliver to general Mifflin, quarter-master general, or his order, all the cloth in his possession, fit for tents. According to the order of the day, Congress proceeded to the consideration of the articles of confederation, as reported from the committee of the whole house; and, after debate thereon, Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed to Friday next. Resolved, That Michael Hillegas, esq. treasurer, be authorized and directed to appoint and qualify such a number of additional signers of money as he shall judge necessary, and send to Congress a certificate of such appointinent and qualification; and that the said signers proceed on the business until discharged by Congress. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, TUESDAY, April 22, 1777. A letter, of the 21st, from gen. Washington; one, of the 5th, from col. G. Morgan, at Fort-Pitt, with sundry papers enclosed; one, of the 2d, from major Malmedy, at Providence; one, of the 14th, from governor Trumbull, and a memorial from Elisha Painter, were read: Ordered, That the letter from colonel Morgan be referred to the committee on Indian affairs; the letter from major Malmedy to the committee on applications from foreigners; the letter from governor Trumbull to the committee on foreign affairs, and the memorial from Elisha Painter to the board of war. The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, Resolved, That general Schuyler be directed to send forward, immediately, all the troops now in Bristol, with orders to join general Washington with all expedition; and that gen. Schuyler immediately order all the troops |