Second Continental Congress: September 14, 1775

Congress considers five bundles of letters etc., received during the recess, considers the reports from Indian Affairs, and Dr. Zubly preaches.

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

A number of letters received by several members, during the recess of Congress, were read.

1st, a Letter from Mr Jos. Hawley, excusing his not acting as a Commissioner for Indian Affairs.

2nd, a letter from Elisha Phelps, appointed a Commissary for the Northern Army by Governor Trumbull, in pursuance of an Order of Congress, together with a copy of his commission and appointment.

3d., a letter from Joseph Reed, Secretary to General Washington, intimating that the General wishes that the clothing lately intercepted by the Committee of Philadelphia, should be forwarded to the Camp for the use of the American Army.

Resolved, That the clothing be immediately forwarded, under a proper guard, by the delegates for Pennsylvania, to General Washington for the use of the American Army.

4th., a letter from the Committee of Safety in New York, with an enclosed copy of a letter from General Washington.

Ordered, That the delegates for Pennsylvania prepare and lay before the Congress tomorrow, an Account of the powder belonging to the Continent, received, and how it is disposed of, also an account of all the powder now in this city.

On Motion, Resolved, That Edward Flemming be appointed deputy adjutant general for the army in the northern department, with the rank of Colonel, and that the president make out a Commission for him, and forward it by the first opportunity.

Ordered, That the President forward to General Schuyler four hundred blank Army Commissions, to be filled by him and agreeable to the order of Congress.

5th., sundry letters from General Schuyler were considered.

Resolved, That Samuel Stringer be appointed director of the Hospital, and chief Physician and Surgeon for the Army in the northern department with the power to appoint up to four surgeon mates.  That the deputy Commissary general purchase and forward such medicines as General Schuyler shall direct, for the use of said army.

Eliphalet Dyer, Thomas Lynch, John Jay, John Adams, and Francis Lewis, selected to be a Committee to devise ways and means for supplying the continental army with Medicines.

The delegates for Pennsylvania appointed, at the last session, a committee to settle and pay the expenses incurred for raising and arming the rifle companies, as well as those incurred in consequence of the resolve for raising a company of Hussars, and for expresses, &c. having informed the Congress, that, on account of sundry difficulties, they had not executed that service, and desiring that some members from other colonies, where debts have been contracted, may be added,

Resolved, That Samuel Chase, Thomas Nelson, Stephen Crane, John Jay, and Silas Deane, be added to the delegates for Pennsylvania, and that any five of them be a quorum to settle and pay the above accounts, and that they report of their proceedings to the Congress.¹

The Delegates from Georgia informed Congress, that they were ordered by their constituents to lay before Congress sundry papers from that colony; they were read.

The Commissioners for Indian Affairs, in the northern department, having transmitted to the Congress the minutes of a Treaty held with the Six Nations at Albany, in August, the same were read.

Congress resumed consideration of the Letter of the 6th from L. Morris, and J. Wilson, and Resolved That the enterprise proposed in their letter be not undertaken.

Resolved, That Colonel Lewis Morris, who is now at Pittsburg, act as a commissioner for Indian Affairs in the middle department, at the treaty proposed to be held on the 20^th; Benjamin Franklin, the standing commissioner, not being able to attend.

Adjourned till 10 o’clock tomorrow.

John Zubly’s Diary

Took Seat at the Congress. Preachd for Mr. Weinbery. Act 16:31.4, & agreed D[eo] V[olante] to preach every Wednesday.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.