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Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War and Ordnance. Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to supply the Marine Committee with one ton of Gunpowder, for the use of the vessel whjch they were this morning empowered to purchase. Resolved, That Michael Hillegas, Esq., be empowered and directed to pay such sums of Money as are or may be due to the several signers of Continental Bills of Credit, for their services, agreeable to the Resolve of Congress for that purpose. The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of William Whiting, a Soldier, who was wounded in the Continental Army at Quebeck, brought in their Report, which was read: Whereupon, Resolved, That the sum of twenty Dollars be paid out of the publick Treasury to William Whiting, to enable him to return to his family at Norfolk, in Connecticut. The Committee on the Treasury, to whom were referred the Petition and Accounts of Stephen Rowe Braidley, brought in their Report. Whereupon, Resolved, That there be paid to Stephen Rowe Bradley the sum of 691 22–90 Dollars, for the service of himself and his Company, from the 25th day of January to the 25th day of February, during which time they were employed in the service of the Continent. The matters to this day referred, being postponed, Adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow. Thursday, June 27, 1776. A Letter of the 17th, from Governour Trumbull, was laid before Congress, and read; also, two Petitions, one from Colonel John Brown, the other from William Holton, were read. Resolved, That the Petition from Colonel Brown be referred to the Committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada. That the Petition from William Holton * be referred to the Board of War and Ordnance. Resolved, That an Order for twenty-four Dollars be drawn on the Treasurers in favour of Major Bicker, he to be accountable. Sundry Letters from the Southward, being received by express, were laid before Congress, and read, viz: One from General Lee, dated Little-River, June 6th, enclosing two to him—one from John Rutledge, Esquire, the other from Brigadier-General Armstrong—both dated Charlestown, South-Carolina, June 4th, advising that fifty-one sail of the enemy were arrived there, and lying in sight of the Town. One from Brigadier-General Lewis, dated Williamsburgh, the 18th of the same month, enclosing one to him from General Lee, of the 4th. Resolved, That the said Letters be referred to the Board of War and Ordnance. The Congress then took into consideration the Letter from Governour Trumbull; and, after some debate, Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed; and, in the mean while, that Governour Trumbull be desired to send to Congress an account of the Cannon left at New-London by Commodore Hopkins, their number, size, bore, and weight, and also an account of the other Cannon there. A Letter from the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Southern Department, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read. The Board of War and Ordnance, to whom the paragraph of a Letter from the General was referred, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration, Where-upon, Resolved, That six Companies of Riflemen, in addition to the three Companies now at New-York, be raised, arid the whole regimented; and that a Commission be granted to Captain Stephenson to be Colonel of the said Regiment of Riflemen which is to be inlisted for three years, unless sooner discharged by Congress; the men to be allowed a bounty of ten Dollars; and that the eldest Moses Rawlings, from Maryland, lately of the Rifle Companies, be Lieutenant-Colonel, and the Captain of the other Company, Otho Holland Williams, Major of the said Regiment. That four Companies of Riflemen, for the said Regiment, be raised in Virginia, and two in Maryland, the pay of the men to commence from the time they shall be armed and mustered; their Arms to be appraised by the Committee of the County, and paid for by the United Colonies. That General Washington be directed forthwith to send to this Congress a complete list of all the vacancies in the Army, and the names of such Officers as he can recommend for filling them. The Committee of Claims reported that there is due— To Robert Erwin, Wagonmaster, the sum of 241 51–90 Dollars, a balance of three Teams that went to North-Carolina with Powder; To Dr. Frederick Phyle, for Medicines and attendance of the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion, from the time of their imbodying to the 13th of June, 1776, the sum of 532 51–90 Dollars; To John Bates, for Camp-Kettles, the sum of 68 Dollars; To Elizabeth Slaydon, the sum of 24 Dollars, for nursing and boarding two Soldiers; of which sum Captain Steward is to be charged with 13 30–90 Dollars, for nursing and boarding the man he wounded in the State-House yard; the remainder to the Continent; the said 24 Dollars to be paid to Colonel T. Matlack; To Rachel Hewen, the sum of 5 30–90 Dollars, for nursing and boarding two Soldiers of the Continental Army; That there be repaid to Robert Moore the sum of 7 Dollars, which was stopped out of his pay by Captain M. Smith, the same having been by him expended for Provisions, when he was left sick by his Company in Canada. Ordered, That the said Accounts be paid. * Petition of WILLIAM HOLTON, referred to Board of War. 28th, read before Board of War, and referred for further consideration. SIR: Being just arrived from Canada, after a most fatiguing campaign, take this method of applying to the honourable the Continental Congress. If the manner of application is not in form, beg, sir, you will excuse it. I was born, and have now a family, in this city; but with the hope of gaining a support for a future day, and having a very great prospect before me, I went to Quebeck, and there set up and followed my business, which is hat making, and found it answered beyond my expectation. I engrossed the good will of the inhabitants in general for near two years, until those unhappy disturbances commenced, at which time I frequently, and with some warmth, expressed myself for the glorious cause for which we are now contending, but was taken up and confined in Jail for thirty-seven days upon suspicion of supplying General Arnold with arms and ammunition; for the space of which time, they gave me three common loaves of bread, and no other subsistence save water; at the expiration of which time I was released, and ordered to leave town the next day, leaving all I was worth in the world behind me, and deprived of bringing my books or anything but my clothes along with me. I left Quebeck on the morning of the 5th of December, and joined the brave, though unfortunate, General Montgomery, as a volunteer. That gentleman, a few days after, was pleased to appoint me Conductor of Military Stores, with great assurances of future good offices; but by that gentleman’s unfortunate fall, I have been neglected. At the storming of Quebeck I had the honour to lead General Arnold’s party as a guide, but was unfortunately wounded at the taking of the first battery, and was brought off and continued in the Army before Quebeck all the winter, until the 6th of May, when the whole Army retreated to Point Deschambault, from thence to Sorel. I there got permission of General Arnold to return to Philadelphia, with assurances of that gentleman’s friendship; but through hurry and neglect I declined getting his recommendation, but trust there are gentlemen in this city who will give me the character of a soldier and a gentleman. I beg, sir, you will lay my situation before the honourable Congress, and in whatever station they are pleased to appoint me, I hope I shall act with honour to my country, and to the satisfaction of that honourable body. Your laying my unfortunate situation before that honourable Board, will do me great honour, and greatly oblige, sir, your Honour’s most obedient, most humble servant, WILLIAM HOLTON. PHILADELPHIA, June 26, 1776. To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq. To the Honourable Continental Congress: Being called upon by Mr. William Holton, formerly Conductor of Military Stores in the camp before Quebeck, for both his private and. publick character there, we do hereby certify that that gentleman has behaved himself like a soldier and a gentleman in every respect.
This is to certify that Mr. William Holton, late Conductor of Stores in the camp near Quebeck, in Canada, behaved himself while in that station like a good soldier and a gentleman in every respect, so far as the subscriber was acquainted with him. JOHN BROWN, colonel. June 27,1776.
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