[Philadelphia] Saturday, December 2, 1775 ー
A letter from the Committee of Northampton, in Virginia, with sundry papers containing matters of importance being received was read.
On motion made, Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee appointed to take into consideration the state of Virginia.
As one of the members of that Committee is absent, Resolved, That another member be chosen, and added to the Committee in the room of the member absent.2
The member chosen, Mr. [William] Paca.
Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out armed vessels be instructed and directed to confer with Captain [William] Stone, and engage him and his vessel, on the most reasonable terms, in the service of the Continent, for the purpose of taking or destroying the cutters and armed vessels in Chesapeake Bay, under Lord Dunmore.
Resolved, That Colonel [Benjamin] Harrison do immediately proceed to Maryland, and be empowered in conjunction with the delegates of that colony to this Congress, or any one or more of them, [to] take such measures, as appear to them most effectual to procure, with all possible despatch, on continental charge, two or three armed vessels to proceed immediately to cruize on, take or destroy as many of the armed vessels, cutters, and ships of war of the enemy as possible, that may be found in the bay of Chesapeake, or any of its dependencies, or coasts of Virginia and Maryland.
Whereas, designs are formed by certain ministerial partizans in the counties of Norfolk and Princess Ann, and some other parts of Virginia, on Chesapeake bay, under the influence of Lord Dunmore, to contravene the non-exportation agreement, by exporting provisions and other produce of that Country to the West India Islands, and thereby injure the interest and weaken the efforts of the United Colonies, in opposing the present oppressive system of the British ministry.
Resolved, therefore, That the said armed vessels be authorised and directed to seize and detain, until the further order of this Congress, all such ships and vessels as they may find employed in such exportations from the places aforesaid.
Resolved, That the committee for fitting out armed vessels be directed to employ the armed sloop, commanded by Captain Whipple, of Rhode Island, now on a voyage to this port, and despatch her forthwith to aid the marine business to the southward.
Resolved, That the committee for fitting out armed vessels be directed to prepare a proper commission for the Captains or Commanders of the ships of war in the service of the United Colonies.
On motion made, Resolved, That orders issue to the Colonel of the Pensylvania Battalion, now in the Barracks at Philadelphia, to send a detachment of his regiment and keep a regular guard on the wharves of Messrs. Willing and Morris, and Mr. [James] Cuthbert, to take care of the ships and stores belonging to the United Colonies.
The Committee appointed to prepare the form of a commission, &c. reported the same, which was read and agreed to.
Ordered, That 300 be immediately printed, with proper blanks.
The Congress then resumed the Consideration of the General's letters, and the report of the Committee of Conference, who went to Cambridge:
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of conference; and thereupon came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, That all persons taken in arms on board any prize, be deemed prisoners at the disposal of the General, whether prizes be taken by vessels fitted out in the pay of the Continent or by others.
Resolved, That such as are taken be treated as prisoners of war, but with humanity, and allowed the same rations as the troops in the service of the Continent; that the officers being in pay should supply themselves with cloaths, their bills to be taken therefor, that the soldiers be furnished as they now are.
Resolved, That an exchange of prisoners will be proper, citizens for citizens, officers for officers of equal rank, and soldier for soldier.
Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence be directed to use their endeavours to find out and engage in the service of the united colonies skilful engineers not exceeding four, on the best terms they can, and that the said Committee be authorised to assure such able and skilful engineers as will engage in this service, that they shall receive such pay and appointments as shall be equal to what they have received in any former service.
Resolved, That the Congress approve the General's fitting out armed vessels to intercept the enemy's supplies.
Ordered, That the resolutions passed on the General's letters, and on the report of the Committee of Conference, and such other resolutions as relate to the establishment of the new army, not already forwarded, be sent by express to the General.
The Congress being informed that Mr. Ethan Allen, who was taken prisoner near Montreal, is confined in irons on board a vessel in the river St. Lawrence,
Ordered, That General Washington be directed to apply to General Howe on this matter, and desire he may be exchanged.