Ordered, That they be referred to the committee on the letter from Mr. Otis. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, SATURDAY, December 13, 1777. A letter, of the 10th, from gen. Washington, at White-Marsh, was read. Mr. Smith, a member of the committee of commerce, informed Congress that, in pursuance of the orders of Congress, the committee have entered into an agreement with Mr. Gillon, and that he is desirous of having a draught on the loan-office for the state of South-Carolina, for the first year's advance; Whereupon, Ordered, That a warrant issue on the commissioner of the loan-office in the state of South-Carolina, for the sum of 125,000 dollars, in favor of Alexander Gillon, esq. to enable him to execute the contract entered into with the committee of commerce; and that the said sum be charged to the said committee, which is to be accountable : Resolved, That three members be added to the committee of commerce : The members chosen, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Ellery, and Mr. Harnett. The board of war, to whom were referred the letters from brigadier Conway, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, Resolved, As the opinion of this Congress, that it is essential to the promotion of discipline in the American army, and to the reformation of the various abuses which prevail in the different departments, that an appointment be made of inspectors-general, agreeable to the practice of the best disciplined European armies: Resolved, That this appointment be conferred on experienced and vigilant general officers, who are acquainted with whatever relates to the general economy, manœuvres and discipline of a well regulated army. Resolved, That the duties of these officers be as follows: To review, from time to time, the troops, and to see that every officer and soldier be instructed in the exercise and manoeuvres which may be established by the board of war: that the rules of discipline be strictly observed, and that the officers command their soldiers properly, and do them justice. Resolved, That the inspectors-general, respectively, shall give notice to the commanders of regiments, of the time which shall be fixed on for such reviews, who are to prepare the following returns, models of which are previously to be furnished by the inspector, viz. A return of clothing; A return of arms and accoutrements; A return of recruits, with an account of the money laid out for that purpose; A return of the number and names of the wounded men, distinguishing such as are fit for the corps of invalids, and such as are totally unfit for service; A return of the loss sustained in the regiment by death, desertion, or otherwise; A return of the pay and rations drawn by each regiment; A return of all the officers of each regiment, with observations upon the behaviour, capacity and assiduity of every individual: All the returns, when signed by the field officers of each regiment, are to be carefully scrutinized by the inspector-general, who, after having made and added his remarks upon the same, is to sign and transmit them to Congress. Resolved, That the inspectors-general shall make these reviews in the beginning and at the latter end of every campaign, and at such other times as the commander in chief shall direct, or as they themselves shall severally judge proper, or shall receive orders for that purpose from the board of war, first giving notice thereof to the commander in chief, and obtaining his leave for reviewing the said troops. Resolved, That the inspectors-general, respectively, shall make this review minutely, man by man, attending to the complaints and representations of both soldier and officer, and transmitting to Congress what petitions and grievances he shall think worthy of notice: that not solely depending upon the accounts and characters of officers as given him by the colonels of regiments, the inspectors-general shall examine the said officers in person, direct them to command different manœuvres, and take such measures as shall enablehim to give an exact account to Congress. Resolved, That these reviews, when closed, be transmitted to Congress. by the inspector-general making the review, who is to furnish the major of the respective regiments with a copy of the same, and to keep another for his own government and assistance in proceeding to the next review. Resolved, That the inspectors-general shall examine, from time to time, the pay-books of the respective regiments, which are to be kept in an uniform manner, agreeable to such regulations as may be established for that purpose, giving immediate notice to Congress of any malversation or mismanagement which he may discover. Resolved, That it be referred to the commissioners of the war office to report such further regulations for this office, as they shall deem calculated to extend its utility, and to promote the end of its institution. Resolved, That two inspectors-general be now appointed : Congress proceeded to the election, and, the ballots being taken, brigadier T. Conway was elected. Resolved, That the election of the other inspector be postponed to Monday next. Resolved, That another major-general be appointed in the army of the United States: the ballots being taken, brigadier T. Conway was elected. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock on Monday. MONDAY, December 15, 1777. A letter, of the 5th, from B. Harrison. esq. deputy pay-master general in Virginia; and one, of the same date, from W. Finnie, esq. deputy quartermaster general, directed to the board of war, were laid before Congress : Ordered, That they be referred to the board of treasury. The secretary informed Congress that Mr. Clymer accepted the appointment of commissioner, and would proceed to Fort-Pitt as soon as he could get ready: Ordered, That the state of Pennsylvania be informed of Mr. Clymer's appointment and acceptance. The committee on the treasury brought in a report; Whereupon, Ordered, That 6807 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Georgia, to enable them to discharge the demands on them from the said state for that sum, which is to be considered as a part of the money appropriated for the use of the said state, which is to be accountable. The board of treasury laid before Congress a letter of November the 24th, directed to them, from gen. Heath, which was read: Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of five, and that they be directed to enquire into the rise of the expedition against Rhode-Island: the members chosen, Mr. Dyer, Mr. Ellery, Mr. Dana, Mr. Lovell, and Mr. Harvie. Mr. Roberdeau, a delegate from Pennsylvania, laid before Congress credentials of the appointment of delegates from that state, which were read as follows: (L. S.) "In the name and by the authority of the commonwealth of PennTho. Wharton, sylvania: the supreme executive council of the said state, to all whom it may concern, sendeth greeting: Whereas, President. the general assembly of representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania have elected Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Daniel Roberdeau, Jonathan Bayard Smith, James Smith, of York-town, William Clingan, and Joseph Reed, esqrs. to represent this state in Congress, and hath made the same known to this council: these are, therefore, to certify, that the said Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Daniel Roberdeau, Jonathan Bayard Smith, James Smith, of York-town, William Clingan, and Joseph Reed, esqrs. are appointed and authorized to represent the freemen of the state of Pennsylvania in the Congress of the United States of America. Given under the seal of the commonwealth, at Lancaster, on this thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. "Attest, T. MATLACK, Secretary." Congress having received information that large quantities of cattle have been driven upon the marshes of the county of Kent, in the state of Delaware, and into other parts of the said county, which are exposed to the depredations of the enemy; and the present situation of the state of Delaware, with respect to its internal and open enemies, rendering it impracticable that any measures, which may be devised by the government of the said state, for removing the said stock, can be executed with secrecy and despatch: Resolved, That the board of war be authorized and directed to give such orders for securing the said stock as they shall deem most effectual: That the owners of the stock so removed be paid for the same at reasonable rates. Congress took into consideration a report from the board of war, and. after some time spent thereon, Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. TUESDAY, December 16, 1777. James Smith, of York-town, a delegate from Pennsylvania, attended, and took his seat in Congress. A letter from Edward Kennedy, an inhabitant of Providence, one of the Bahama-Islands, dated at Boston, October the 28th, was laid before Congress, with samples of green indigo, a new manufacture discovered by him: Ordered, That the same be referred to the delegates of South-Carolina and Georgia. A memorial from Ephraim Marsh, of Elizabeth-town, with an account enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of treasury. Ordered, That colonel Rawlins attend Congress to-morrow morning, at eleven o'clock, to give such information, as has come to his knowledge, respecting the treatment our prisoners in the hands of the enemy receive from them. The committee appointed to repair to camp, having returned, made a report, which was read: Ordered, To lie on the table. Resolved, That Congress meet twice a-day: That at one o'clock, Congress be of course adjourned, and meet again at three in the afternoon. A petition from colonel Green was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war The committee, to whom were referred the letters from Mr. Otis, brought in a report: Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, December 17, 1777. Dr. Witherspoon, a delegate from New-Jersey, attended, and took his seat in Congress. A letter, of the 14th and 15th, from general Washington, near the Gulph, with a copy of a letter to him from lieutenant-general Burgoyne, dated Cambridge, November the 25th; a letter, of the 10th, from William Livingston, governor of New-Jersey; and one, of the 9th, from Charles Alexander, late captain of the frigate Delaware, directed to the marine committee, were laid before Congress, and read: Ordered, That the letter from governor Livingston be referred to the board of war; and that the letter from captain Alexander be returned to the marine committee. Resolved, That general Washington be directed to inform general Burgoyne, that Congress will not receive nor consider any proposition for indulgence or altering the terms of the convention of Saratoga, unless immediately directed to their own body. According to the order of the day, colonel Rawlins attended, and having informed Congress of the treatment our prisoners in the hands of the enemy receive from them, he withdrew. THREE O'CLOCK, P. M. Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letter from S. A. Otis, and, after some time spent thereon, Resolved, That it be recommitted, and that the committee be instructed to prepare a circular letter to the states, to accompany the resolution of Con gress. Resolved, That Mr. Gerry be added to the committee. Resolved, That the governor and council of safety of Connecticut be authorized and requested to use their utmost endeavors to lay up all the supplies of salted provisions they are able, and to employ proper persons for that purpose, and co-operate with Mr. Colt therein. Robert Lawson, a colonel of one of the battalions of Virginia forces, having sent his commission to Congress, and requested leave to resign the same, Resolved, That his resignation be accepted. A remonstrance from the council and general assembly of Pennsylvania, was read: Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow. THURSDAY, December 18, 1777. THREE O'CLOCK, P. M. Mr. Jonathan B. Smith, a delegate from Pennsylvania, attended and took his seat in Congress. A letter, of the 3d, from general Gates, enclosing a letter to him from lieutenant-general Burgoyne, dated Cambridge, November the 14th, together with a list of the British and German troops, that surrendered by the convention of Saratoga; also, a letter of the 12th, and one, of the 28th of November, from R. Varick, esq. deputy muster-master-general in the northern department, with muster-rolls of the northern army, were read: Ordered, That the letter from general Gates, with the papers enclosed, be referred to a committee of five: the members chosen, Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. Duer, Mr. Dana, Mr. F. L. Lee, and Mr. J. B. Smith. Resolved, That Mr. Harvie be added to the marine-committee, in the room of Mr. R .H. Lee, who is absent. Congress took into consideration the report from the committee sent to camp to confer with general Washington, and the remonstrance from the executive council and assembly of Pennsylvania, and, after some time spent thereon, Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow. FRIDAY, December 19, 1777. Ordered, That the letter from R. Varick, read yesterday, with the rolls enclosed, be referred to the board of war. A letter, of the 15th, from Monsieur de la Balme, was read. Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee sent to confer with general Washington, and the remonstrance from the council and general assembly of Pennsylvania: The committee having, in their report, made mention of letters containing the opinions of general officers, which were laid before them by the general, and on which they grounded their opinion: A motion was made that the committee be asked, whether they had those letters ? The committee informed Congress that they had brought the letters with them, but that the general, when he delivered them the letters, mentioned that they might keep them to satisfy themselves and form their judgment, and then return them to him; and that, therefore, they considered themselves obliged to return them to the general Ordered, That the letters be laid on the table for the persual of the members. The letters were accordingly brought in and laid on the table. THREE O'CLOCK, P. M. A certificate from major-general Gates, of his having promoted Denis John de Bouchet, to the rank of major, was laid before Congress : Ordered, That it be referred to the board of war. Congress resumed the consideration of the report from the committee sent to confer with general Washington, and the remonstrance from the council and general assembly of Pennsylvania; and, thereupon, Resolved, That a copy of the remonstrance be transmitted by express to general Washington, and that he be desired to inform Congress whether he has come to a fixed resolution to canton the army; and if he has, what line of cantonment he has proposed; in particular, what measures are agreed on for the protection of that part of Pennsylvania which lies on the easterly side of Schuylkill, and of the state of New-Jersey: That general Washington be farther informed, that, in the opinion of Congress, the state of New-Jersey demands, in a peculiar degree, the protection of the armies of the United States, so far as the same can possibly be extended, consistent with the safety of the army and the general welfare; as that state lies open to attacks from so many quarters, and the struggles which have been made by the brave and virtuous inhabitants of that state, in defence of the common cause, cannot fail of exposing them to the particular resentment of a merciless enemy. |