Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/555

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
No. 185]
Second Continental Congress
527

Wednesday 20. An Expedition is on Foot against the Kings Forces in Canada via Kennebec under Col. Arnold from Washingtons Camp at Cambridge. . . . Gen. Wooster with a considerable Detachment or dered to join Schuyler. this Morning a Letter in French was delivered to the President directed for Gen. Washington said to be from the Governor of Hispaniola. Whether the Letter shall be opened and whether by a select Comee or by the President, were made Questions, the general Opinion seemed to be that the President should open it and the Secretary (Charles Thomson) translate it and if of a public Nature that it should be laid before Congress but it was dropt. . . .

Thursday 21 Septr. On a Question Whether Col. Armstrong or Col. Fry shall be Brig. Gen. in the Room of Pomeroy retired, the Colonies were divided 6 against 6 — North Carn being absent, consequently there was no Appointment. . . .

Friday 22. — Andrew MacNair Doorkeeper's Accot. ordered to be paid. . . . Major Rogers ordered to be discharged if Nothing appears agt Him but being a Half Pay Officer, he was arrested by the Comee of Safety of Pennsylvania, a committee of 7 appointed by Ballot to consider the State of Trade in America. — Wm Shads Accot as Messenger ordered to be paid.

Saturday 23 Septr. a Letter from Thos Mifflin Quarter Master to the Army directed to Wm Barrell Mercht. was read, desiring Him to forward Cloathing for the Army, the Congress took that Subject into Consideration and appointed by Ballot a Comee of 5 to supply the Two Armies with Cloathing to the Amount of ₤5000 sterl'g, and allowed each Quarter Master 5P Cent for selling out to the Soldiers.

Monday 25. A Comee of 3 named to draw an Answer to Gen Washingtons Letters. . . . De Hart moved to restrict all Conventions and Assemblies from issuing any more Paper Money and to recall what they have done without Permission from hence, he was not seconded. On reading Wilson and Morris's Letters and other Papers Willing moved that the Congress would interfere in settling a temporary Line between Virginia and Pennsylvania, a Letter was read from the Delegates of those Two Colonies to the Inhabitants recomm'g Peace &c. several Orders of the King in Council Dated in June last relative to this Line were read.

Tuesday 26 Sepr. Comee brought in a Letter to Gen Washington, in the Course of it E Rutledge moved that the Gen. shall discharge all the Negroes as well Slaves as Freemen in his Army. he (Rutledge) was