Sunday, 1 lb. bread, 1 lb. beef, 1 lb. potatoes or turnips. Monday, 1 lb. bread, 1 lb. pork, half pint peas, and four ounces cheese. Tuesday, 1 lb. bread, 1 lb. beef, 1 lb. potatoes or turnips, and pudding. Wednesday, 1 lb. bread, two ounces butter, four ounces cheese, and half pint of rice. Thursday, 1 lb. bread, 1 lb. pork, and half pint of peas. Friday, 1 lb. bread, 1 lb. beef, 1 lb. potatoes or turnips, and pudding. Saturday, 1 lb. bread, 1 lb. pork, balf pint peas, and four ounces cheese. Half pint of rum per man every day, and discretionary allowance on extra duty, and in time of engagement. A pint and half of vinegar for six men per week. The pay of the officers and men shall be as follows: Steward, 13 1-3 do. Chaplain, 20 do. Able seaman, 62-3 do. Captain of marines, Serjeants, Corporals, 7 1-3 do. Fifer, 71-3 do. Carpenter's mate, 102-3 do. ORDERS OF CONGRESS. We, whose hands and marks are hereunto set and subscribed, being officers, seamen, and marines, do, and each of us doth agree to and with of the good ship, called the belonging to the thirteen United Colonies of North America, in manner and form following, that is to say: In the first place, we do hereby agree for, by and under the considerations aftermentioned, to and with the said commander, forthwith to enter and ship ourselves, and in due and seasonable time, to repair on board the said ship, called the months, to the utmost of our power and ability respectively, to discharge our several services or stations, and in every thing to be conformable and obedient to the several requirings and lawful commands of the said and his successors, in command. and during the term of Secondly, We do also oblige and subject ourselves to serve on board the said ship during the said cruize, and as she is a ship of war, we do severally oblige ourselves by these articles, to comply with, and be subject to the rules and discipline of the American fleet, as established by the Congress, and to be governed and commanded in time of action with an enemy, according to the same rules, and submit ourselves to the same punishments and penalties as are there inflicted, in case we or any of us offer to desert our quarters, or not obey the commands of the said or his successors in command, in giving chase to any ship or ships, vessel or vessels, or otherwise, and if upon a scrutiny of our said or his said officers, we or any of us should be found guilty of any breach contrary to the tenor of this agreement, or any act of cowardice, we do hereby severally submit and agree to allow and forfeit our several and respective shares of and in any prize or prizes, we shall then have taken, to be divided amongst the said ship's company; Thirdly, We do also severally agree and oblige ourselves, that when any prize or prizes have been taken, to follow the express directions of the said or his successors, in boarding the said prize, and be under the command of any officer whom the said shall appoint, and be * See 13th and 19th of December, 1775 assisting to him to carry the said prize to whatever port or ports such prize or prizes shall be assigned by the said And we do hereby further severally agree and covenant in that case, to be true and faithful in discharge of our duty and trust, and will not, in any shape, embezzle, defraud, or plunder any thing on board such prize or prizes; and in case any or either of us shall be found guilty of any breach contrary to the true meaning of this agreement, we, and such of us being guilty thereof, do hereby severally submit and agree to allow so much of all and every of our shares, and part of our shares of and in the said prize or prizes then or thence after to be taken, and of all our respective wages, that then shall be due and coming to us, in respect to our services, as shall make good such plunder and embezzlement, we shall have been found guilty of. Fourthly, And it is also further agreed to be the true intent and meaning of all parties hereto, that the officer or officers, or any of the ship's company sent on board any prize, shall have as good a share and interest of any prize that shall be thereafter taken, during his or their absence, as if he or they had been on board the said vessel, at the time of taking thereof, any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. Provided always, and it is hereby agreed to be the meaning of the said last mentioned clause, that if the said officer or officers, and such of the said ship's company, to whom the conduct and management of any prize has been entrusted, do not (first having accepted the commands of the said commander concerning the said prize under his or their custody) immediately repair to the respective port or harbor where the said or his successors in command shall order, or do not proceed with the said prize or prizes so taken, to the respective port or ports to be assigned by the said for the time being, that then, and in failure of any or either of the agreements aforesaid, contained on our parts, we and each and every of us so offending, do hereby severally submit and agree to be cashiered, not only for our several and respective interests and shares of and in the capture of prizemoney, but totally to be excluded and divested from the payment of any wages then due us, for and in respect of our several services on board the said ship and the interest and shares of such delinquents, that otherwise would have accrued to us. Fifthly, And the said for and in behalf of himself and the thirteen United Colonies of North America, do hereby covenant and agree to and with the said officers, seamen, and marines, whose names or marks are hereto set and subscribed, to pay them in consideration of such services, so much money per month, as in a schedule here-under mentioned, is set opposite to the names or marks of each respective officer, seaman, or landman; and likewise to advance to each and every of them, one month's pay at entrance, (due security for the same being first given) the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge. Sixthly, And as an encouragement to exert the valor of the seamen and marines in defending the said ship, and in subduing and distressing the said enemy, the said for and on behalf of the thirteen United Colonies of North-America, doth further covenant, promise, and agree to and with all and every the officers, seamen and marines, parties hereto, that in case any prize or prizes shall be taken by the said ship, during the intended cruize, that the same shall be proceeded against, and distributed according to the resolutions of Congress. Seventhly, And it is by these presents mutually agreed and consented to, by, and between the said and every the officers, seamen, and marines, parties hereto, that in case the commander, for the time being, lose a limb, in an engagement, or be otherwise disabled, so as to be rendered incapable afterwards of getting a livelihood to subsist upon, he shall receive out of the nett profits of such prize or prizes, or prize-goods, if so much arise, before dividend or 1 distribution be declared, the sum of four hundred dollars; or if he lose his life, his widow or children (if any) shall receive the said bounty of four hundred dollars, together with all prize-money to him belonging at the time of his decease. And if the captain of marines, or any other commission or warrant officer lose a limb, or be otherwise disabled, so as to be rendered incapable afterwards of getting a subsistence, he or they so disabled, shall receive a bounty of three hundred dollars, if so much arise from the nett profits as aforesaid; and in case of death, the widow or children, (if any) is, are, and shall be entitled to the same, together with their share of prize-money due at the time of their decease. And if an inferior officer, seaman, or marine, lose a limb, or be otherwise disabled, so as to be rendered incapable afterwards of getting a subsistence, he or they shall receive a bounty of 200 dollars, to be deducted as aforesaid; and in case of death, his widow or children, (if any) is, are, and shall be entitled to the same, together with his share of prize-money due at the time of his decease. He who first discovers a ship or vessel which shall afterwards become a prize, shall be entitled to a double share of such prize. There shall be ten shares of every prize, which shall be taken and condemned, set apart to be given to such inferior officers, seamen and marines, as shall be adjudged best to deserve them by the superior officers, who shall be appointed to make such determination. He who shall first board a ship or other vessel, making resistance, which shall become a prize, shall be entitled to a triple share. Provided always, and it is hereby declared to be the true intent and meaning of the parties to the aforementioned articles and orders, that any of the officers, seamen, and marines, shall be liable to be removed by the Congress or committee of the Congress, during the recess thereof, or by the commander in chief of the American fleet, for the time being, from the aforesaid vessel to any other armed vessel in the service of the United Colonies, any thing contained in the foregoing orders and articles notwithstanding. The Congress then took into consideration the report of the committee on North-Carolina: Whereupon, Resolved, That the two battalions which the Congress directed to be raised in the colony of North-Carolina, be increased to the continental establishment, and kept in pay at the expense of the United Colonies for one year from this time, or until the farther order of Congress, as well for the purpose of defending the good people of that colony against the attacks of ministerial oppression, as assisting the adjacent colonies. That application be made to the councils of safety of the colonies of Pennsylvania and South-Carolina, for so much gun-powder as can be spared for the immediate supply of North-Carolina. Resolved, That the delegates of the colony of North Carolina be directed to purchase a number of drums, fifes and colors, suitable for the said battalions, and that the president be directed to draw on the continental treasurers for a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars for the payment thereof. That the convention or committee of safety of North-Carolina be desired to employ, immediately, all the gun-smiths in that colony, in the making of inuskets and bayonets, of the size and in the manner recommended by Congress the 4th of this inst. November. That two ministers of the gospel be applied to, to go immediately amongst the regulators and highlanders in the colony of North-Carolina, for the purpose of informing them of the nature of the present dispute between Great-Britain and the colonies; that the gentlemen to be employed be allowed forty dollars a month for their services, and that the delegates of the said colony be empowered to apply to and procure persons proper for this business. That it be recommended to the convention or committee of safety of NorthCarolina, in case the method of defending the said colony by minute-men be in adequate to the purpose, to substitute such other mode as to them shall appear most likely to effect the security of that colony. Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the memorials of the tea-holders, and the same being debated, On the question put to agree to it, Carried in the negative. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1775. A letter from general Schuyler, by express, being received, was read, containing an account of the continental troops, under brigadier general Montgomery, having taken possession of Montreal on the 12th inst. The committee to whom was referred the petition of Downham Newton, brought in their report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, Resolved, That the said Downham Newton be permitted to export on board his vessel, on the terms proposed in his petition, such provisions of pork and flour as he shall think proper. The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the state of the treasury, and thereupon came to the following resolution : Resolved, That bills of credit be emitted by Congress to the amount of three millions of dollars. That the committee on the state-of the treasury be directed to consult the printer, and report the numbers and denominations of the bills to be emitted, and that they contract for proper paper for printing the said bills. The committee appointed to prepare a letter to the agents, brought in the same, which being read and debated, was agreed to. Ordered, That a fair copy be made, signed and forwarded. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed for the sole purpose of corresponding with our friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world, and that they lay their correspondence before Congress when directed. Resolved, That Congress will make provision to defray all such expenses as may arise by carrying on such a correspondence, and for the payment of such agents as they may send on this servicc. The members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. Jay. The committee on the proclamations brought in their report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table for the perusal of the members. The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. THURSDAY, November 30, 1775. Resolved, That the committee appointed to revise the journal of last session be directed to revise the journal of the present, in order to its being printed; and that it be an instruction to the said committee, to examine whether it will yet be proper to publish any of those parts omitted in the journal of last ses sion. Resolved, That Mr. Wythe 'be added to the said committee in the room of Mr. J. Rutledge, who is absent. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare letters of thanks to the three general officers in the northern department for their ser vices. The members chosen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. W. Livingston, and Mr. Jay. The Congress then resumed the consideration of general Washington's letter, and thereupon came to the following resolutions: Resolved, That the general be directed to suspend the raising the two battalions of marines out of his present army. That the two battalions of marines be raised, independent of the army already ordered for the service in Massachusetts-Bay. That no bounty be allowed to the army on re-inlistment. Sundry letters from general Schuyler, W. Livingston, esq. and the committee sent to the northward, being received, were read. Resolved, That the farther consideration of the general's letter and the other matters to this day referred, be postponed till to-morrow. Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow. FRIDAY, December 1, 1775. The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from general Washington, Whereupon, Resolved, That the 500,000 dollars lately ordered, be forwarded, with all such possible expedition, to general Washington, that he may be enabled to pay soldiers as will re-inlist, for the succeeding year, the wages for their months of October, November and December, and also advance them one month's pay. That the governments of New-England be informed of the resolution of Congress relative to the pay ordered to be made and advanced to the army, and be desired to promote the recruiting service in the present army, as well as in their several colonies. A letter from the committee of Frederick-Town, in Maryland, was received and read, containing an account of their having apprehended major Connolly and his associates, and desiring the advice of Congress with regard to the prisoners. Resolved, That the said letters, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the delegates of Virginia. Resolved, That the farther consideration of the general's letter, and the other matters to this day referred, be postponed till to-morrow. Adjourned to ten o'clock-to-morrow. SATURDAY, December 2, 1775. A letter from the committee of Northampton, in Virginia, with sundry papers enclosed, was received and read. Resolved, That the same be referred to the committee on the state of Virginia. Resolved, That Mr. Paca be added to that committee in the room of Mr. Johnson, who is absent. Resolved, That the naval committee be directed to confer with captain Stone, and engage him and his vessel, on the most reasonable terms, in the service of the continent, for the purpose of taking or destroying the cutters and armed vessels in Cheasapeake-Bay, under lord Dunmore. • Resolved, That colonel Harrison do immediately proceed to Maryland, and be empowered with the delegates of that colony, or any one or more of them, to take such measures, as appear to them most effectual to procure, with all possible despatch, two or three armed vessels to cruize on, take or destroy armed vessels, cutters, and ships of war of the enemy, that may be found in the bay of Chesapeake, or coasts of Virginia and Maryland. Whereas, designs are formed by certain ministerial partizans in the counties of Norfolk and Princess-Ann, and some other parts of Virginia, on Chesapeake-Bay, under the influence of lord Dunmore, to contravene the non-exportation agreement, by exporting provisions and other produce of that country to the West-India islands, and thereby injure the interest and weaken VOL. I. 25 |