Second Continental Congress: September 19, 1775

Congress creates a Committee of Four to respond to General Schuyler and a Committee of Nine for purchasing powder etc.

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

The Congress took into consideration the letter received yesterday by express from General Schuyler.

Upon motion made, Ordered, That the Secretary publish an authentic account of the intelligence received.

Resolved, That Silas Deane, Samuel Chase, John Rutledge, and John Jay, be a committee to draft a letter in response to General Schuyler.

Congress proceeded to the election of the Committee of Nine for purchasing powder etc. The following were elected: Thomas Willing, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston, John Alsop, Silas Deane, John Dickinson, John Langdon, Thomas McKean, and Samuel Ward.

A motion was made on behalf of Colonel John Fenton, who was in custody for being associated with “measures dangerous to the rights of America,” and under order of the General, a prisoner at Hartford; may be permitted to go to Great Britain or Ireland.

Resolved, That General Washington be instructed to discharge Colonel John Fenton from custody, to leave for Great Britain or Ireland, and “not to take up arms against the good people of this Continent.”

Resolved, Congress will, tomorrow, take into consideration the letters from General Washington.

Adjourned until tomorrow at 9 o’clock.

Samuel Ward’s Diary

Took into consideration Gen Schuyler’s Letters; appointed a Committee to answer them. Gave Colonel Fenton leave to go to England or Ireland, he not to take up arms against us. Appointed Willing, Franklin, P. Livingston, Alsop, Dean, Dickinson, Langdon, McKean & Ward a Committee for purchasing Powder &c.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.