Committee on Memorial from Northumberland

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A Letter from General Lee, dated 17th February, 1776, was read.

A Memorial from a number of the Inhabitants of Northumberland, in the Colony of Pennsylvania, dated 17th January, 1776, with six enclosures, was presented to Congress, and read: also,

A Petition from sundry Inhabitants near Pittsburgh, was presented and read.

Resolved, That the above Memorial and Petition be referred to a Committee of Five.

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The Members chosen, Mr. Hewes, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Paca, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. Chase.

Lieutenant Brasher, who had the orders of General Schuyler to conduct a number of Canadian Prisoners to

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New-Jersey or Pennsylvania, having executed his orders, laid his Instructions before Congress, which were read.

Also, Quartermaster Shallus, of the First Pennsylvania Battalion, having had orders to conduct certain Prisoners

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down from Kingston, and having executed his orders, laid his Instructions before Congress, which were read.

Resolved, That the above be referred to the Committee on the Prisoners.

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Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Colonel Maxwell, or order, twenty stand of Arms for the use of his Battalion, he to be accountable for the same.

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The Congress took into Consideration the Report of the Committee on the ways and means of procuring Cannon:

Resolved, That two hundred and fifty Twelve-Pounders, sixty Nine-Pounders, and sixty-two Four-Pounders, be purchased for the use of the Colonies.

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That the Committee appointed on the ways and means of procuring Cannon, be empowered to purchase or contract for making the same.

That a new Member be chosen and added to that Committee.

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The Member chosen, Mr. W. Livingston.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due:

To Michael Connolly, expenses for Wagon-hire, carrying the Prisoners' Baggage from Bethlehem to Reading, and his own expenses four days, the sum of 160 Dollars.

To Richard Howell, the sum of 34 1/2 Dollars, for transportation of Powder to Burlington.

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Ordered, That the above Accounts be paid.

Resolved, That Colonel Wayne be directed to march with his Battalion to New-York, and put himself under the command of General Lee, or the commanding officer there.

The Congress being informed that two Prisoners taken at Chambly and who had leave to stay at Newark, in the Province of New-Jersey, on condition of their making

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Gun-Locks, for the use of the United Colonies, are not employed in that work:

Resolved, That the said two Prisoners he ordered to Philadelphia, and put under the direction of Mr. Rittenhouse, to carry on the above business.

The Congress being informed that a quantity of Powder belonging to the United Colonies, was arrived at New-Brunswick, in New-Jersey,

Resolved, That Mr. Lewis, Mr. Alsop, and Mr. P. Livingston, be directed to forward the said Powder, under a guard, with all possible expedition, to General Washington, for the use of the Army under his command.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of M. La Junesse, for the sum of 250 Dollars, for his services in behalf of the United Colonies.

Adjourned to ten o' clock, to-morrow.

Committee on Memorial from Northumberland, and a Petition from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Instructions of Lieutenant Brasher and Quarter-master Shallus, read, Colonel Wayne directed to march to New-York. Powder for the United Colonies arrived at New-Brunswick, to be forwarded to General Washington. [1776-02-20] Continental Congress. [S4-V4-p1676] [Document Details][Complete Volume]