Second Continental Congress: December 19, 1775

Congress debates and alters the 2nd Article of “the General’s Letter” dealing with the seizure of enemy ships and postpones the consideration of two Committee Reports.

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Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

Resolved, That the committee of safety for Pennsylvania 1) supply the armed vessels, nearly ready for sailing, with four tons of gun powder, at the continental expense, and 2) procure and lend the said vessels as many small arms as they can spare, not exceeding 400, to be repaid by the Congress either in kind or value.

Resolved, That if the powder and arms that may be supplied and lent to the Continent for the use of the said armed vessels, shall not be replaced by February, Congress will replace the same, by procuring powder and arms from another part of the continent.

Agreeable to the order of the day, Congress resumed the consideration of the General’s letter, and the report of the committee to whom the 2nd article in the report of the Committee on the General’s letters was referred, and thereupon came to the following resolution, which is to be substituted in place of the said 2nd resolution.

Resolved, That all transport vessels in the same service, having on board any troops, arms, ammunition, clothing, provisions, or military or naval stores of what kind whatsoever, and all vessels to whomsoever belonging, that shall be employed in carrying provisions or other necessaries to the British Army or armies, or navy, that now are or shall hereafter be within any of the United Colonies, or any goods, wares, or merchandizes, for the use of such fleet and army, shall be liable to seizure, and, with their cargoes, shall be confiscated.

The Committee on the qualifications of officers applying, &c. made a report, which was read; and

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The Committee on the state of Virginia, brought in a report, which being read,

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Adjourned to 10 o’Clock tomorrow.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.