Second Continental Congress: September 20, 1775

Congress continues to be involved with troop deployment and military personnel.

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

On motion, Resolved, That the president write to the provincial Congress of New York, or the Committee of Safety, directing them immediately to send all the troops ordered to be raised.

That the president inform Governor Trumbull that the Congress have directed the troops under the command of General Wooster and three companies under the command of Colonel Webb immediately to march to Albany to be ready for the orders of General Schuyler, and to request him to order any of the Connecticut troops unemployed to march to Albany, there to wait the orders of General Schuyler. To request Governor Trumbull to issue such orders and give such directions to his officers as may effectually prevent all disputes in point of rank or command.

The Committee appointed to prepare a letter to General Schuyler presented their draft which was read, approved, “signed by the president and forwarded.”

Ordered, That a copy of General Schuyler’s letter be sent to General Washington.

Congress resumed consideration of General Washington’s letter 4.

Resolved, That Richard Gridley have a commission as Colonel of the Artillery.

That the appointment of a Brigadier general be deferred until tomorrow.

That the Congress will tomorrow take into consideration the state of the trade of America.

Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o’Clock.

Thomas Lynch to Philip Schuyler

I see the difficulties with which you are surrounded. These can only add glory to the Success of your Enterprise.  The Congress are awake at last & feel the importance of your Expedition, that everything depends on its Success, and I think you may depend on every Support that is consistent with the Delay that attends popular Assemblies.

John Hancock to David Wooster

The Necessity of supporting General Schuyler in the important Enterprise he is now engage in has induced the Congress to direct you, immediately on Receipt of this, to march with the Troops under your Command to Albany, there to wait the Orders of General Schuyler in Case he should want your Assistance. and you will please without Loss of Time to proceed.

Benjamin Harrison to William Palfrey

I am truly affected with your Situation, and that of many other worthy Families now suffering under the Hand of Tyranny, but I hope we shall soon see better Days.
Gage and his associates may Rejoice as much as they please at the possession of my Letter but the Publication of it reflects more Dishonor on him than the writing it dos on me.  I knew him a Slave, lost to all Sense of Honor, but supposed he would endeavor to keep up the appearance of the Gentleman. I am mistaken…. I hope it will be no prejudice to your worthy General, if not I am content, as there is no mortal that such a thing will set easier on than myself.

Thomas Lynch to Philip Schuyler

I[t] gives me great Concern to find your Health so much injured. Don’t you know that it is the Duty of a General to take the utmost Care to bring his Army into the Field in good Health. If so, how much care is to be taken of the Head. You must spare your Body, & not expect it can possibly keep pace with such a Spirit if you push it too far, or it will leave you & us, in the Lurch, in short you will kill our General.

I see the Difficulties with which you are Surrounded. These can only add glory to the Success of your Enterprise. The Congress are awake at last & feel the importance of your Expedition, that everything depends on its Success, and I think you may depend on every Support that is consistent with the Delay that attends popular Assemblies….

We who know the officers commanding our Northern Army, have no doubt that everything [is] done that Man can do. Can’t you get Winter Quarters in Canada even should you not get Montreal, we hear the 2500 Highlanders are raising (tis thought) for Canada, and the Papers mention Clothing being intended for 3000 Men to be raised in Canada is ordered from London. You being there can prevent all this even if St. Johns stands as it does, & is it not possible to interpose your Forces between that Post & Supplies so as to starve them. …

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.