Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1775-12-11 00:00:00, page 2

EXTRACTS ft the Journal of the
CONGRESS.
^CONGRESS, June 15, 1775.
Refohed,
rf'HAT a General be appointed to command
A all the Continental Forces, railed or to be
railed for the defence of American Liberty.
That five hundred dollars per month be allow
ed for the pay and expences of the General.
The Congress then proceeded to the choice of
a General by ballot, and George Wafnington, Esq;
was unanimously elected.
JUNE r 6, 1775.
The President informed Col. Wafhingtori that
the Congress had yesterday unanimously made
choice of him to be General and Commander in
Chief of the American forces, and requested he
would accept of that employment; to which Col.
W alhington, Landing in his place, answered:
“ Mr. President,
" Though I am truly sensible of the high ho
nour done me in this appointment, yet, I feel great
distress from a confeioufnefs, that my abilities and
military experience may not be equal to the exten
sive and important trust: However, as the Con
gress desire it, I will enter Upon the momentous
du*y, and exert every power I possess in their ser
vice and for Support of the glorious cause. Ibeg
they will accept my most cordial thanks for this
distinguished testimony oftheir approbation.
“ But, left some unlucky event fliould happen
unfavourable to my reputation, Ibeg it may be re
membered by every Gentleman in the room, that
I this day declare with the utmost tiacerity, I do
not think myfelf equal to the command I am ho
noured with.
" As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to affdre the Con
gress, that as no pecuniary confederation could
have tempted me to accept this arduous employ
ment, at the'expence of my domestic ease and hap
piness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I
will keep an exad account ofmy expences. Those
J doubt not they will difeharge, and that is all I
desire.
Refdved, That a Committee be appointed to
draught a Commission and Inftrudions for the
General.
The persons chosen to compose the Committee
were Mr. Lee, Mr. E. Rutledge and Mr. J.
^dams.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the
report from the Committee of the whole, and
came to the following refoltitions:
Refilled, That two Major Generals be appoint
ed for the American Army.
\ That the pay of each of the Major-Generals be
One Hundred and Sixtyfx Dollars per month.
That when any of these a& in a separate depart
ment, he be allowed for his pay and expences
Three Hundred and Thirty-five Dollars per month.
That there be eight Biigadiers-General.
That the pay of each of the Brigadiers-Gene
ral be One Hundred and Twenty-five Dollars per
month.
That there be one Adjutant-General.
That his pay be One Hundred and Twenty-five
Dollars per month.
That there be one Commissary-General of
stores and provitions.
That his pay be Eighty Dollars per month.
That there be one Qcarter-Mafter-General for
the Grand Army, and one Deputy u^der him for
the separate Army.
That the pay of the Quarter-Master-General
be Eig Hv Dollars p>r month, and that of the De
puty f orty Dollars per month.
That there be one Pay-Matter General, and a
Deputy under him for the army in a separate de
payment; that the pay for the Pay-Master-Gene
ral himfelf be One Hundred Dollars per month,
and for the Deputy Pay-Master under him Fifty
Dollars per month.
That there be one Chief Engineer at the Grand
Army, and that his pay be Sixty Dollars per
month.
That two Assistants be employed under him,
and that the pay of each of them be Twenty Dol
lars per month.
1 hat there be one Chief Engineer for the Ar
my in a separate department, and two Assistants un
der him; that the pay of the Chief Engineer be
Sixty Dollars per month, and the pay of the Assist
ants ea:h Twenty Dollars per month.
That there be three Aids-de-Camp; and that
&eir pay be Thirty three Dollars per month each.
1 hat there bea Secretary to the General ; and
that his pay be Sixty-fix Dollars per month.
That there be a Secretary to the Major Gene
ral adding in a separate department ; and that his
pay be Thirty three Dollars per month.
T hat there be a Commissary of the Musters.
J U N E 17, 1775.
The Committee appointed to draught a Com
mission to the General, reported the fame, which
being read by paragraphs and debated, was agreed
to as follows:
In C,O NGRES S.
The Delegates of the United Colonies
of New Hampshire, Maffaebufetts-Bay, Rhode
i/iand, Connecticut, New-^ork, Ne-w-Jersey,
Pennfylvartia, the counties of Ne^-Caflle, Kent
and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North-Carol na, arid South-Carolina.
To GEORGE- WASHINGTON, Esquire.
WE repofmg especial trust arid confidence in
your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, do
by these presents constitute and appoint you, to be
General and Commander in Chief, of the army of
the United Colonies, and of all the forces now
raised or to be raised by them, and of all others,
who shall voluntarily offer their service, and join
the said army for the defence of American liberty,
and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof:
And you are hereby vested with full power and au
thority to at? as you (hall think for the good and
welfare of the service.
Ard we do hereby ftii&ly charge and require
all officers and fcldiers under your command, to be
obedient to your orders, and diligent in the exer
tik of their several duties.
And you are to regulate your condud in every
refpe& by the rules and discipline of war (as here
with given you) and punctually to observe and fol
low such orders and directions from time to time,
as yon shall receive from this ora future Congress
of these United Colonies or Committee of Con
gress.
This Commission to continue in force, until re
voked by this or a future Congress.
By Order of the Congress. ,
Ordered, That the fame be fairly tranferibed,
Signed by the President, attested by the Secreta
ry, and delivered to the General.
Refolded unanimously, Whereas the Delegates
of all the Colonies from Nova Scotia to Georgia,
in Congress assembled, have unanimeufly chosen
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire, tobe
General and Commander in Chief of Such forces
as are or (hill be raised for the maintenance and
preservation of American Liberty ; this Con
gress doth now declare, that they will maintain
and assist him, and adhere to him the said George
Wafoington with their lives and fortunes in the
fame cause.
The Congress then proceeded t® the choice of
the officers in the army by ballot.
Artemus Ward, Esquire, was chosen firft Ma
jor General.
Horatio Gates, Esquire, Adjutant General.
Resolved, That Horatio Gatefy Esquire, now
chosen Adjutant General, Shall have the rank of
Brigadier General.
Lharlee Lee, Esquire, second Major General.
JUNE 19, 1775.
Ordered, That Mr. Henry, Mr. Lynch, and Mr.
7. zidarns, be a Committee to wait upon Gene
ral Lee, and to inform him of his appointment,
and request his answer whether he will except the
command.
The Committee returned and reported, that
they bad waited on General Lee, and informed
him of his appointment, and that he gave for an
swer : " That he had the highest sense of the ho
" nor conferred upon by the Congress ; that no
" effort in his power Shall be wanting to serve the
" American cause."
Refo'ved, That Mr. Lee, Mr. E. Rutledge, and
Mr. J. Adams, be a Committee to prepare the
form of a commission for the Major Generals, al
lo for the Brigadier Generals, and other officers
in the army.
Resolved, That there be four Major Generals.
The Congress then proceeded to choose the
two remaining Major Generals,when Philip Schuy
ler, Esq; was chosen third Major General, and
Israel Putnam, Esq; was unanimously chosen fourth
Major General.
The Committee appointed to prepare the form
of a Commission for the Major and Brigadier Ge
nerals reported the fame, which being agreed,
Ordered, That a copy thereof be made out,
Signed by the President, and attested by the Se
cretary, for each of the Major Generals and Bri
gadier Generals.
JUNE 22, 1775.
Resolved, That the number of Brigadier-Gene
rals be augmented to eight; and the lame were
chosen by ballot as follows:
Seth Pomeroy, Esq; firft Brigadier General.
Richard Montgomery, Esq; second ditto,
David Worfler, Esq; third ditto.
William Heath, Esq; fourth ditto,
fefeph Spencer, Esq; fifth ditto.
John Thomas, Esq; Sixth ditto.
"John Sullivan, Esq; Seventh ditto.
Nathaniel Green, Esq; eighth ditto.
Resolved, That a sum not exceeding two mil
lions of Spanish milled dollars be emitted by the
Congress in bills or credit, for the defenceof Ame
rica.
Resolved, That the Twelve Confederated Colo
nies be pledged for the redemption of the bills of
credit now directed to be emitted.
JULY 8, 1775.
r , letter to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen end
livery of London, was agreed to as follows :
My LORD,
PERMIT the Delegates of the people of
Twelve ancient Colonies, to pay your Lord Ship
and the very refpedable body of which you
are head^ the just tribute of gratitude and thanks,
for the virtuous and unsolicited resentment yon
have ffiewn to the violated rights of a free people.
The city of London, my Lord, having in all
ages,.approved itfelfthc patron ofliberty and the
fuppbrt of just government, against lawless tyran
ny and oppression, cannot fail to make us deeply
sensible of the powerful aid, our cause must re
ceive from such advocates. A cause, my Lord,
worthy the support of the firft city in the world,
as it involves the fate of a great continent, and
threatens to Shake the foundations of afiourifhing
and until lately, a happy empire.
"'''h;America, my Lord, wishes most ardently
for a lading connexion with Great Britain on terms
of just and equal liberty ; Jess than which generous
minds will not offer, nor brave and free ones bel
willing to receive.
A cruel war nas at length been opened against
us, and whiift we prepare to defend ourselves like
the defendants of Britons, we dill h®pe that the
mediation of wife and good citizens will at length
prevail over defp^ifm, and restore harmony and
peace, on permanent principles, to an oppressed and
divided empire.'
We have the honour to be.
My Lord,
With great esteem,
lour Lordship’s
I aiihful friends and fellow fubje&s.
JULY 13, 1775.
The Committee appointed to prepare proper
Talks to the Indians, reported the fame, which
was agreed to as follows.
Aud we do also enjoin and require you, to be
carefulin executing the great trust repoled in you,
by causing ftricf discipline and order to be observ
ed in the army, and that the soldiers be duly ex
ercised and provided with all convenient necel
faries.
A SPEECH to We Six Confederate Nations,
Mohawks, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Onan
dagas, Cayugas, Senekas, from the Twelve
United Colonies, convened in Council at Philadelphia.
Brothers, Sachems and Warriors,
WE, the Delegates from the Twelve United
Provinces, viz. New Hafapfoire, Massachusetts Bay,
Rhode-Inland, Connecticut, New-Bork, New-Jer/ey,
Pennylwama, the three Lower Counties of New
cafle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North-Carolina^ and South Carolina, now
fitting in General Congress at Philadelphia, fend
this Talk to you our Brothers. We are fixty-five
in number, chosen and appointed by the people
throughout all these Provinces and Colonies, to
meet and fit together in one great Council, to con
sult together for the common good of the land, and
speak and a& for them.
Brothers, in our confutation we have judged it
proper and necedary to fend you this Tdlk, as we
are upon the fame island, that you may be inform
ed of the reasons of this great Council, the situati
on of our civil constitution, and our disposition to
wards you our Indian Brothers of tbs Six Nations
and their allies.
(Three Strings, or a small Belt.)
Brothers and Friends, now attend,
When out fathers crossed the great water and
came over to this land, the King of England gave
them a Talk ; alluring them that they and their
children flionld be his children, and that if they
would leave their nativegcountry and make settle
ments, and live here, and buy, and fell, and trade
with their brethren beyond the water, they should
still keep hold of the fame covenant chain and en
joy peace—And it was covenanted, that the fields,
souses, goods and possessions which our fathers
should acquire, should remain to them as their
own, and be their children's forever, and at their
foie disposal.
Trusting that this covenant should never be bro
ken, our fathers came a great distance beyond the
great water, laid out their money here, built
houses, cleared fields, raised crops," and through
their own labour and indufay grew tall and strong.
They have bought, fold and traded with Eng
land according to agreement, fending to them such
things as they wanted, and taking in exchange such
things as were wanted here.
The King of England and his people kept the
way open for more than one hundred years, and by
our trade became richer, and by a union with us,
greater and stronger than the other Kings and
people who lived beyond the water.
All this time they lived in great friendfhip with
us, and we with them ; for we are brothers—one
blood.
Whenever they were struck, we instantly felt as
though the blow had been given to us—their ene
mies were our enemies.
Whenever they went to war, we sent our men to
Rand by their tide and fight for them, and our
money to help them and make them strong.
They thanked us for our love and sent us good
Talks, and renewed their promise to be one people
for ever.
Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear!
We will now tell you of the quarrel betwixt the
Counsellors of King George and the Inhabitants
and Colonies of America.
Many of his Counfellors are proud and wicked
men—They persuade the King to break the cove
nant chain, and not to fend Us any more good
Talks. A considerable number have prevailed up
on him to enter into a new covenant against us,
and have torn asunder and cast behind their backs'
the good old covenant which their ancestors and
our^ entered into and took strong hold of.
They now tell us they will flip their hand into
our pockets without afktng, as though it were their
own ; and at their pleasure they will take from us
our Charters or written civil Constitution which we
love as our lives—also our plantations, our houses
and goods whenever they please, without asking
our leave. That our vessels may go to this Island
in the sea, but to this or that particular Island we
shall not trade any more.—And in case of our non
compliance with these new orders, they flint up
Our harbours.
Brothers, this is our prefect fixation —thus have
mtny of the King's Counfellors and Servants dealt
with us. If we fubihit, or comply with their de
mands, you can easily perceive to what Rate we will
be reduced. If our people labour on the field,
they will not know who shall enjoy the crop.—ls
they hunt in the woods, it will be uncertain who
fnal' taste of the meat or have the skins. If they
build houses they will not know whether they may
fit round the fire, with their wives and children.—
They cannot be sure whether they shall be permit
ted to eat, drink, and wear the fruits of their own
labour and industry.
Brothers and Friends of the Six Nations, attend,
We upon this Island have often [poke and in
treated the King and his Servants the Counfellors,
that peace and harmony might still continue be
tween us—that we cannot part with or loose otir
hold of the old covenant chain which united our
fathers and theirs—that we want to brighten this
chain—and keep the way open as our fathers did ;
that we want to live with them as frothers, labour,
trade, travel abroad, eat and drink in peace. We
have often asked them to love us and live in such
friepdfhip with us as their fathers did with ours.
We told them again that we judged we were ex
ceedingly injured, that they might as well kill us,
as take away our property and the neceflariesot
life. We have asked why they treat us thus r —
What has become of our repeated addresses and
supplications to them? Who hath shut the ears of
the King to the cries of his children in America ?
No foft answer—no pleasant voice from beyond the
water has yet founded in our card.
Brothers, thus Hands the matter betwixt Old
England and America. You Indians know how
things are proportioned in a family—between the
father and the fon—<he child carries a little pack
—England we regard as the father—this Island
may be compared to the son.
1 he father has a numerous family—.both at home
and upon this island.—He appoints a great number
of servants to assist him in the government of his
family. In process of time, some of his servants
grow proud and ill-natured—they were diffleafed
to fee the boy so alert and walk on so nimbly with
his pack. They tell t^e father and advise him to
enlarge the child's pack —■they prevail—the packis
encrea'ed —the child takes it up again—as he
thought it might he the father's pleasure—speaks
but few words—those very small— for he was loth !
to ortend the father. Those proud and wicked
.avants finding they had prevailed, laughed to fee
the hoy sweat and dagger under Ids increased load.
By and by, they apply to the father to double the
boy s pack, because they heard him complain —
and without any reason Did they—he is a cross
child correct him if he conapl ins any more. The
boy intreats the father-—addreffes the gre^t servants
in a decent manner, that the pack might be light-
^ e co 'id not go any farther—humbly asks,
the old fathers, in any of their records, had de-I
set ibed such a pack for the chdd—after all the tears |
and entreaties of the child, the pack is redoubled—'
Brothers, obferwe ^vell !
What it is we have asked of you ?—Nothing but
peace, notwithstanding our present diHui bed situa
tion^-and if application should be made to you by
any of the King's unwise and wicked mini Hers to
join on their fide—We only advise you to deliberate
with great caution, and in your wisdom look for
ward to the consequences of a compliance. For if
the King's troops take away our property, and de-
Hroy us who are of the fame blood with themselves
What can you, who are Indians, expert from them
afterwards ?
Therefore we fay, Brothers, take care—hold faft
to your covenant chain.—You now knew cur dis
position towards you, the fix nations of Indians and
your allies—Let this our good Talk remain at Onon
^ga, your central council house. We depend up
on you to fend and acquaint your allies to the north
ward, the seven tribes on the river St. Lawrence,
that you have this Talk of ours at the great Council
Fireof the fix nations. And when they return,
wejnvite your great men to come and converse far
ther with us at Albany, where we intend to rekin
dle the Council Fire, whi@h your and our ancestors
fat round in great friendfhip.
Brothers and Friends !
We greet you all,
Farewell.
(The large Belt of Intelligence and Declaration.,
Brothers !
We have said we with you Indians may continue
in peace with one another, and with us the White
People. Let us both be cautious in our behaviour
towards each other at this critical state of affairs.
This island now trembles, the wind whittles from
almost every quarter—let us fortify our minds and
shut our ears against falfe rumours—let us be cau
tious what we receive for truth, unless spoken by
wife and good men. If any thing disagreeable
should ever fall out between us, the Twelve Unit
ed Colonies, and you, the Six Nations, to wound
our peace, let us immediately fatk measures for
healing the breach. From the present Situation of
our affairs, we judge it wife and expedient to kin
dle up a small council-lire at Albany, where we
may hear each other's voice, and disclose our minds
more fully to one another. (Afmall Belt.)
Ordered, That a similar Talk be prepared for the
other Indian Nations, preserving the tenor of the
above, and altering it to as to fait the Indians in
the several departments.
The Congress then proceeded to the choice of
Commissioners for Indian Affairs, and after some °
debate, agreed that the nomination of Commiffion^
ers for the southern department be postponed till
Tuesday next.
Mr. Franklin, Mr. Henry, ?:nd Mr. Wilson were
unanimously elected for the middle department.
The Congress then proceeded to ele& the Ccm
miflioners for the northern department, and the
following Gentlemen were chosen, viz. Major Ge
neral Pbn:p Schuyler, Major Jofefth Harosley, Mr.
Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Woolcot, and Mr. FoN
kert B. Dousw.
1 $ "iV~i</ r'|"T°^"'''l''s"r"§4 —4°+#+<,
Just Published and to be Sold 1,
tv. AND T. BRADFORD,
At the London Coffee-House,
J O UR N A L
OF TH E
PROCEEDINGS of the CONGRESS
Held at Philadelphia, May 10, 5,7,3
the child flands a little while daggering under tine
weight—ready to fall every moment. However he
entreats the father once more, though so faint he
could only lisp out his left humble lupplicatiort—
waits awhile—no voice returns. The child con
cludes the father could not hear—thole proud ser
vants had intercepted his supplications, or ftoppeT
the ears of the father. He therefore gives one
struggle and throws off the pack, and fays he can
not take it up again—such a weight will crush him
down and kill him—and he can but die if he re
fufes.
Upon this, those servants are very wroth, and
tell the father many falfe flories refpt&ing the
child—they bring a great cudgel to the father, alk
ing him to take it in his hand and strike the child.
This may serve to illustrate the present condition
of the King's American fubjeds or children.
Amidst these oppressions we now and then heard
a mollifying and reviving voice from some of the
King's wife counfellors, who are our friends and
feel for our dittreffes, when they heard our com
plaints and our cries, they applied to the King, al
so told those wicked servants, that this child in Ame
rica was not a cross boy, it had fufficient reasons for
crying, and if the cause of its complaint was neg
lected, it would soon assume the voice of a man
plead for justice like aman, and defend its rights
and support the old covenant chain of the fathers.
Brothers, lifien!
e Notwithstanding all our intreaties, we have but
little hope that the King will f en d us any more
good Talks, by reason of his evil counfellors; they
have persuaded him to fend an army of soldiers and
many ships ofwar to rob and destroy us. They
have shut up many of our harbours, seized and ta
ken into possession many of our vessels : The soldi
ers have struck the blow, killed some of our people,
the blood now runs of the American children T
They have also burned our houses and towns, and
taken much of bur goods.
Brothers ! we are now necessitated to rife and for
ced to fight, or give up our civil constitution, run
away and leave our farms and houses behind us.
This must not be. Since the King's wicked coun
sellors will not open their ears, and confider our
just complaints, and the cause of our weeping, and
hath given the blow, w e are determined to drive
away the King's soldiers, and to kill and deftio,
all those wicked men we find in arms against the
peace of the Twelve United Colonies upon this is
land. We think our cause is just ; therefore, hope
God will be on our fide. We do not take up the
hatchet and struggle for honour or conquest ; but to
maintain our civil constitution and religious privi
leges, the very fame for which our forefathers left
their native land and came to this country.
Brothers, and Friends !
We desire you will hear and receive what we have
now told you, and that you will open a good ear
and listen to what we are now going to fav. This
is a family quarrel between us and Old England.
You Indians are not concerned in it. We don't
wish you to take up the hatchet against the King's
troops. We desire you to remain at home and not
join either fide ; but keep the hatchet buried deep.
In the name and behalf of all our people we ask
and desire you to love peace and maintain it, and
to love and Sympathize with us in our troubles -
that the path may be kept open with all our people
and yours, to pass and repafs, without molestation.
Brothers ! we live upon the fime ground with
you. The fame island is our common birth place.
We desire to fit down under the fame tree of peace,
with you : Let us water its roots and cherish it,
growth, till the large leaves and flourifhing branch
es shall extend to the fitting fun, and reach the
skies.