whilst the soldiers of the Continent, fighting for the liberties of their country, are exposed to the injuries of the weather, at this inclement

season:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the assembly of the state of Pensylvania, to adopt such immediate measures for remedying this evil, as their wisdom shall suggest to be adequate to the present purpose, and for preventing like pernicious practices in future. [VI Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), November 26, 1776, p. 980.]

REQUEST FOR SUPPLIES.

That the council of safety of Pensylvania be requested, with all possible expedition, to cause application to be made to the house keepers and others in the said state, for as many blankets and woollen stockings as each can spare, for the use of the soldiers under the immediate command of General Washington, in New Jersies; and that they be delivered, as fast as collected, to Mr. J. Mease, the continental commissary:

That it be recommended to the said council of safety, to appoint persons to appraise the blankets and woollen stockings, so collected, as aforesaid, that the value of them may be paid: [VI Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), November 26, 1776, p. 983.]

RECOMMENDATION FOR IMPRESSMENT OF CERTAIN SUPPLIES.

That it be earnestly recommended to the council of safety of Pensylvania, to order the batallions of this city immediately to march and join General Washington:

That the said council of safety be requested to furnish the waggon master general with one thousand waggons for the use of the army; and, as in the present emergency of public affairs, such supply of waggons is absolutely necessary, that it be recommended to the said council of safety to impress the waggons, if they cannot be otherwise speedily procured.

Adjourned to 6 o'clock.

[VI Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), December 2, 1776, p. 1001.]

RESOLUTION BESTOWING DICTATORIAL POWERS UPON WASHINGTON.

This Congress, having maturely considered the present crisis; and having perfect reliance on the wisdom, vigour, and uprightness of General Washington, do, hereby,

Resolve, That General Washington shall be, and he is hereby, vested with full, ample, and complete powers to raise and collect together, in the most speedy and effectual manner, from any or all of these United States, 16 batallions of infantry, in addition to those already voted by Congress; to appoint officers for the said batallions; to raise, officer, and equip three thousand light horse; three regiments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and to establish their pay; to apply to any of the states for such aid of the militia as he shall judge necessary; to form such magazines of provisions, and in such places, as he shall think proper; to displace and appoint all officers under the rank of brigadier general, and to fill up all vacancies in every other department in the American armies; to take, wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the use of the army, if the inhabitants will not sell it, allowing a reasonable price for the same; to arrest and confine persons who refuse to take the continental currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American cause; and return to the states of which they are citizens, their names, and the nature of their offences, together with the witnesses to prove them:

That the foregoing powers be vested in General Washington, for and during the term of six months from the date hereof,. unless sooner determined by Congress. [VI Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), December 27, 1776, p. 1045.]

DIRECTING REMOVAL OF SUPPLIES IN DANGER OF SEIZURE BY ENEMY.

Resolved, That General Washington be directed to take effectual measures for removing all provisions, cattle, carriages, and forage, which he may think in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy, particularly in the parts of the country through which their route may lie, should they attempt to march; and that he give directions to all officers employed on this duty, to be careful not to deprive the inhabitants of what may be necessary for their immediate subsistence; and to cause all provisions, cattle, carriages, and forage, removed, to be appraised to a just valuation, that the owners may be paid for the same. [VII Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), April 19, 1777, p. 283.]

RESOLUTION FORBIDDING IMPRESSMENT.

Resolved, That no persons, horses, or carriages going to the army with provisions, and returning from thence, be pressed upon any pretence whatever. [VIII Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), May 29, 1777, p. 396.]

RECOMMENDATION TO TAKE POSSESSION OF NAMED SUPPLIES.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the supreme executive council of the State of Pennsylvania, immediately to appoint proper and discreet persons to take into possession any linens, blankets and other woollens, shoes, spirits, and other necessaries for the use of the army, which they may find in any stores or ware-houses in the city of Philadelphia; giving a certificate expressing the quantity and value, and to cause the goods so taken to be conveyed to some secure place to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. [VIII Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), September 14, 1777, p. 741.]

RESOLUTION CONFERRING FURTHER POWERS UPON WASHINGTON.

Whereas, the city of Philadelphia notwithstanding the brave exertions of the American army, may possibly, by the fortune of war, be, for a time, possessed by the enemy's army, which availing itself of the provisions and other necessary supplies now in it, may be enabled to prosecute with vigour the war in which they are now engaged; and whereas it is absolutely essential to the liberties of the United States, that the most effectual and speedy means should be adopted for securing, for the use of the American army, every article which may be necessary for their equipment and subsistence; and whereas, from the near approach of the enemy's army, and by the wicked arts of extortioners, engrossers and others, enemies to the liberties of America, it may be impracticable to collect in time, and by way of regular purchase, a competent supply; and whereas it may be essential to the public welfare, that Congress should adjourn to some place more remote than this city from the scene of action, in order that its deliberations may be conducted without interruption; therefore,

Resolved, That General Washington be authorized and directed to suspend all officers who shall misbehave, and to fill up all vacancies in the American army, under the rank of brigadiers, until the pleasure of Congress shall be communicated; to take, wherever he may be, all such provisions and other articles as may be necessary for the comfortable subsistence of the army under his command, paying or giving certificates for the same: to remove and secure, for the benefit of the owners, all goods and effects which may be serviceable to the enemy; provided, that the powers hereby vested shall be exercised only in such parts of these states as may be within the circumference of 70 miles of the head quarters of the American army, and shall continue in force for the space of 60 days, unless sooner revoked by Congress.

37639-18 -14

Resolved, That the public faith be pledged for the payment of the provisions or other articles to be taken, and for which certificates shall have been given, at such prices as are expressed in the certificates; or, if the prices are not expressed, to be paid for as the same shall be valued by commissioners for that purpose to be hereafter appointed by Congress. [VIII Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), September 17, 1777, p. 751.]

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING IMPRESSMENT.

Resolved, That the commissaries general of purchases and issues, and their deputies and assistants, have power and authority to impress and seize waggons, shallops, and proper store-houses, on extraordinary occasions, for the use of their departments; this authority to extend to the distance of 70 miles from head-quarters, and to be in force until the first day of January next, and no longer; and that they respectively be directed not to contravene a former resolution of Congress, relative to waggons going with necessaries to the army; and, as far as circumstances will admit, that they exercise their authority on persons who have not taken the oaths or affirmations of allegiance to the respective states, in compliance with the laws of such states. [IX Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), October 6, 1777, p. 774.]

RESOLUTION REGARDING IMPRESSMENT.

That he or his deputies, at any principal department or post, be authorized to hire or impress one or more waggons or carriages for the use of his department, as occasion may require, which shall not be subject to be impressed for any other service by any officer of the army, unless by special direction of the commander in chief for the time being; and, if any officer shall (except as before excepted) on any pretence whatsoever, impress, without his consent, any waggon, cart, or carriage, in the service of the said commissary of hides, he shall immediately, on application to the commanding officer nearest the place where the transaction happens, be put under arrest, be liable to pay all loss the states sustained by such impressment, and suffer such other punishment as shall be deemed proper by a court martial. [IX Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), October 11, 1777, p. 794.]

RESOLUTION CONTINUING CERTAIN POWERS

VESTED IN WASHINGTON.

THERETOFORE

Resolved, That General Washington be informed that Congress have long since written to the commissioners in France for cloaths complete for eighty thousand men, and have received for answer that

they might be expected here by the setting in of winter; in consequence of which, Congress have reason to hope for this necessary arrival in a short time: that Congress have also adopted various other means for importing cloathing, which they have reason to expect will be successful; and, on the 16th day of October, ordered a copy of the General's return of articles wanted for the army to be transmitted to the respective assemblies of the eastern and middle states, with a pressing recommendation to them to use their utmost endeavours to collect the same without delay, and send them to the army. But, since the wants of the army are immediate, Congress wish the General may avail himself of the powers vested in him for obtaining these necessary supplies from the disaffected inhabitants, Congress being of opinion that the well disposed people of these states will rather be pleased than dissatisfied with a procedure, by which their enemies shall be compelled to supply those things that are essential to the support and comfort of the army; and the more especially as even the disaffected will be paid a reasonable price for what is demanded of them;

Resolved, That the powers with which General Washington was invested by a resolution of Congress of the 17 September, and another of the 8th of October last, be continued till the first day of March next, unless sooner revoked. [IX Journals of the Continental Congress (Library of Congress), November 14, 1777, p. 905.]

RECOMMENDATION THAT STATES ENACT PRICE FIXING LEGISLATION AND LAWS REGULATING ENGROSSERS AND FORESTALLERS.

5. Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislatures, or, in their recess, to the executive power of the respective states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, respectively, to appoint commissioners to convene at New Haven, in Connecticut, on the 15 day of January next; and to the states of Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, respectively, to appoint commissioners to convene at Fredericksburg, in Virginia, on the said 15 day of January; and to the states of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, to appoint commissioners to convene at Charleston, on the 15 day of February next; in order to regulate and ascertain the price of labour, manufactures, internal produce, and commodities imported from foreign parts, military stores excepted; and also to regulate the charges of inn-holders; and that, on the report of the commissioners, each of the respective legislatures enact suitable laws, as well for enforcing the observance of such of the regulations as they shall ratify, and enabling such inn-holders to obtain the necessary supplies, as to authorize the purchasing commissaries