Second Continental Congress: January 25, 1776

Several letters are considered and some referred to the Committee of Correspondence.  Congress also passes resolutions dealing with the treatment of prisoners, particularly the wounded, and the terms of parole.  A Committee of Three is appointed to “take the examination of ” General Prescot and Captain Chace. Richard Smith notes that “Much was said about Independency and the Mode and Propriety of stating our Dependence on the King.”

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

Congress Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the committee of Trenton for the purchase of arms for Colonel Maxwell’s battalion.

Resolved, That a committee of 3–Samuel Adams, Samuel Ward, and Roger Sherman–be appointed to “take the examination of ” General Prescot and Captain Chace, who are now arrived in Philadelphia, and report to Congress.  Resolved, That the committee be directed to inquire particularly into the conduct and character of General Prescot and report to Congress.

Congress approved the Report of the committee appointed to consider a proper method of paying a just tribute of gratitude to the memory of General Montgomery.

Resolved, That, to express the veneration of the United Colonies for their late general, Richard Montgomery, who died in a battle for Quebec, a monument be procured from France under the guidance of Benjamin Franklin.  That Dr. Smith deliver a funeral oration in honor of General Montgomery, and of those officers and soldiers, who so fought and fell with him in maintaining the principles of American Liberty.

Resolved, That the direction of the fleet fitted out by the order of Congress, be left to the marine naval committee.

A letter from General Washington, dated January 14, was referred for consideration to the Committee of Correspondence.

Resolved, That Mr. James Mease be appointed a commissary to supply the battalions, ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania.  Thomas Lynch and Andrew Allen were appointed to take the security.

Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers, in favor of the delegates of North Carolina for the use of the battalions ordered to be raised in that colony.

Resolved, That the fortification at Crown Point be not repaired; and that the fortress at Ticonderoga be repaired and made defensible.

Congress being informed that there [are] some circumstances attending the parole given by Mr. Hazen, Resolved that a committee be appointed to inquire into the particulars and the matter was settled.

Adjourned to 10 o’Clock tomorrow.

Richard Smith’s Diary

A State of the late Action at Quebec was laid before the House and ordered to be published….A Motion was made by Edward Rutledge to appoint a War Office and its Business defined, which was argued and a Committee of 7 chosen to consider the Plan.  Most of the Day was spent on a proposal to address the People of America our Constituents…. Much was said about Independency and the Mode and Propriety of stating our Dependence on the King. A Committee was appointed to draw the Address….W. Livingston reported an Address to the Canadians which was agreed to with Some Alteration and ordered to be translated into French and printed.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.