Second Continental Congress: December 11, 1775

Congress acts on a number of Committee Reports and continues to create new committees. Most notable is the creation of a Committee drawn from every Colony to create an American Navy.

Link to date-related documents

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

A letter from General Washington, dated 30th November and a letter from the Convention of New York, dated 7th December, were read.

The Committee to whom that part of Lord Stirling’s letter, respecting the arresting and imprisoning soldiers for small sums, was referred, brought in their report.

Congress considered the instructions given to the delegates of Rhode Island, and after debate, come to the following resolution:

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to devise ways and means for furnishing these colonies with a naval armament, and report with all convenient speed. That the committee consist of a member from each Colony. The members chosen: Josiah Bartlett, Samuel Adams, Stephen Hopkins, Silas Deane, Francis Lewis, Stephen Crane, Robert Morris, George Read, William Paca, Richard Henry Lee, Joseph Hewes, and Christopher Gadsden.

Congress concurred with the reports of the Committee on the petitions of Captain Thomas Jenkins and Jonathan Hudson to engage in overseas trade.

Congress passed a resolution respecting the numbering of the bills ordered to be emitted.

Resolved, that the Numbers commence from No. 1, and that the said numbers be in different ink from the former. And that thirty six people be appointed to sign and number the bills ordered to be emitted.

A petition from Mr. Phelps, was presented, read, and postponed until tomorrow.

The Committee appointed to receive the applications and examine the qualifications of persons applying for offices, &c. reported Dr. Boyd as proper to be surgeon to the regiment raised in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Patterson to be adjutant to said Regiment.

A petition from David Beveridge, was laid before Congress, read, and referred to a Committee of three: John Jay, George Read, and Thomas Jefferson.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurer in favor of the Committee of Correspondence.

Resolved, That tomorrow morning be assigned to consider that part of the report of the Committee of Conference respecting Boston.

A letter from the commissioners for Indian Affairs in the southern district was read.