Second Continental Congress: July 1, 1775

Congress debates Indian Affairs and advises General Schuyler to employ the Green Mountain Boys. Richard Henry Lee and Silas Deane write reassuring, yet cautious, letters.

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

Resolved, That in case any agent of the (British) ministry, shall induce the Indian tribes, or any of them, to commit actual hostilities against these colonies, or to enter into an offensive Alliance with the British troops, thereupon the colonies ought to avail themselves of an Alliance with such Indian Nations as will enter into the same, to oppose such British troops and their Indian Allies.

Congress then considered the Report of the Committee on Indian affairs.

During the debate letters were received by express from General Schuyler.

Resolved, That General Schuyler be directed not to remove General Wooster or the troops under his command from New York, but that he raise as many of the Green Mountain Boys under such officers as they shall choose with such other men in the vicinity of Ticonderoga as will be necessary to carry into execution the June 27, 1775 Resolutions of Congress.

Resolved, That Lieutenant Patrick Moncrieff have liberty to return to England, on giving his parole of honor, that he will not act against the Americans in the present controversy between Great Britain and these colonies.

Congress adjourned until Monday next at 9 o’Clock.

Richard Henry Lee to Robert Carter

The Canadians (20 noblesse excepted) have peremptorily refused to join Governor Carleton, and when he has warmly solicited the Indians to take up the hatchet against US they tell him it is buried too deep, they cannot find it. To us they promise a strict neutrality. Things being thus secured where our enemies proposed to make the deepest impression, it remains with us in the middle and southern colonies to take care that the association be faithfully observed, attend to military discipline, to the making of salt-petre for future supplies. These things, with the necessary application to manufactures, will prevent the powers of darkness from prevailing against us….

The Congress, I fear, will sit a great part of the summer. Business crowds, fast upon us, and the public here seems unwilling we should get up before it is known how the battle of Lexington was received in England. Yours obediently, Richard Henry Lee.

Silas Deane to Elizabeth Deane

Doctor Franklin is with Us but he is not a Speaker though We have I think his hearty Approbation of & assent To every Measure. But, my Dear, Times like these call up Genius, which slept before, and stimulate it in action to a degree, that eclipses what might before have been fixed as a Standard. The War will not last Seven Years if I have any Judgment in Matters, and as to powder I hope the Measures we are taking will procure a supply, but I do not approve of wasting it on Batteries, Ships &c, however much, I approve of & applaud the Bravery of Our Men. I hope General Washington answered the Character I gave of him, I only wish he had a better regulated & provided Army to Command, but hope for the best, if We can worry them through this Campaign, resources will be procured or relief obtained. I have the fullest assurance that These Colonies will rise triumphant, & shine to the latest posterity, though trying Scenes are before Us which Our Wise Father is in Mercy exercising Us with at this Day….

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.