Prisoners, Who Have Been Inlisted in the Continental Army

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Wednesday, January 31, 1776.

Sundry Letters, viz: one from Lord Stirling, dated the 27th of January; one from the Committee of Trenton, of

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the 30th; one from Colonel A. St. Clair, of the 27th; and one from Colonel Maxwell, of the 31st of the same month, were laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That a Committee of Two be appointed to confer with Colonel Maxwell, respecting the state of his Regiment, and report the means of facilitating and hastening his march.

The Members chosen, Mr. Livingston and Mr. Wilson.

Dr. Cadwallader and Dr. Shippen returned their Report, respecting the room where General Prescott is confined, and the state of the General' s health, which was read.

The Congress taking into consideration the Letter from Colonel St. Clair, respecting the inlistment of some of the Prisoners at Lancaster,

Resolved, That the Prisoners who have been inlisted into the Continental Army be discharged, and that no more be inlisted.

Ordered, That a copy of the above be sent to the Committee of Lancaster.

The Committee to whom sundry Letters were referred, on the 27th instant, from General Washington and others, brought in their Report; whereupon,

Resolved, That Mr. Barbarie, owner of the Sloop and Cargo said to have been taken by the enemy, and retaken by one of the Continental vessels-of-war, ought to make and prosecute his claim to the same, before the Court appointed, or to be appointed by the Government of the Colony to which the said Sloop and Cargo were carried, to hear and determine causes civil and maritime, where a process ought to be instituted to confirm the re-capture and adjust the salvage.

The Committee appointed to confer with Colonel Maxwell, brought in their Report: whereupon,

Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Lowrey, Commissary for the Battalions in New-Jersey, be directed to procure all necessaries, except arms, for Colonel Maxwell' s Regiment, immediately; and that the cost of the clothing, and other articles absolutely essential, which the non-Commissioned Officers and Privates are to pay for, be by the said Commissary procured forthwith, the cost thereof to be deducted out of the pay of the said non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers; and that the Convention, or Committee of Safety of New-Jersey, do get the Arms, already ordered, with all possible expedition, and afford Mr. Lowrey all assistance in the execution of the above.

That the Company in the said Regiment which is nearest being furnished, be supplied by any Arms and necessaries in the said Battalion, and marched off for Canada, and that the other Companies be furnished and marched as soon as possible.

The Congress, taking into consideration the Letter from Lord Stirling,

Resolved, That the private adventures of the Captain and Mates of the Transport, Blue-Mountain-Valley, be delivered up to them.

The Delegates for Massachusetts-Bay laid before Congress an account of their appointment, by which it appears that the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, Esq., Robert Treat Paine, Esq., Elbridge Gerry, Esq., are elected to represent the said Colony in Congress for the year 1776.

Adjourned to ten o' clock, to-morrow.

Prisoners, who have been inlisted in the Continental Army, ordered to be discharged, and no more inlisted, Report of Committee appointed to confer with Colonel Maxwell. [1776-01-31] Continental Congress. [S4-V4-p1659] [Document Details][Complete Volume]