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Saturday, April 13, 1776.
Resolved, That an Order for 20,000 Dollars be drawn
Mr˙ Mease having applied to Congress for advice how to conduct himself in paying the Sixth Pennsylvania Battalion,
Resolved, That the Queries propounded by Mr˙ Mease, be referred to the Committee for procuring Fire-Arms.
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Robert Erwin, the balance of his account for Wagon hire, the sum of 436 Dollars.
Ordered, That the same be paid.
A Petition from the Committees of the Townships of Walpack, Sandystone, and Montague, in the County of Sussex, in New-Jersey, was presented to Congress, and read.
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, who are Members of Congress.
The Committee appointed to prepare a Resolution for the sale and consumption of the Teas now in these Colonies, brought in the same, which was read, and agreed to, as follows:
Whereas by the third article of the Association entered into by the late Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, on the 24th day of October, in the year of our Lord 1774, it was agreed, that, from that day, the inhabitants of the United Colonies "would not purchase nor use any Tea imported on account of the East-India Company, or any on which a duty had been or should be paid; and from and after the first day of March then next following, they would not purchase or use any East-India Tea whatever:" And whereas it has been represented to this Congress, that the time as aforesaid limited for the consumption of the Tea
Resolved, That all India Tea, imported as aforesaid, expressly excepting all Teas imported by or on account of the East-India Company, now remaining on hand in these Colonies, be sold and used.
And whereas, from the future importation of Tea being prohibited, some Tea-holders may be tempted to avail themselves of the scarcity which will be occasioned by it, and exact exorbitant prices for an article of little real value in itself, and which owes its worth to a habit, in many respects, pernicious to the inhabitants of these Colonies:
Resolved, therefore, That Bohea Tea ought not to be sold by retail in the smallest quantities, at a higher price, in any Colony, than at the rate of three-fourth parts of a Dollar per pound; and other Teas at such a price as shall be regulated by the Committees of the Town or County where the Tea is sold; and that all persons who shall either give or take a greater price for it ought to be considered as enemies to the American cause, and treated accordingly. And it is earnestly recommended to all Committees of Inspection and Observation, as well to be vigilant in carrying this Resolve into execution as those which prohibit the importation of India Tea from any part of the world, it being the desire of Congress to exclude all Teas, except such as make part of the cargoes of prizes taken by ships of war or privateers belonging to these Colonies.
Ordered, That the above be published.
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to deliver to Lieutenant-Colonel Hartley one quarter-cask of Powder, to repay so much by him borrowed for the use of the Continent.
The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the Committee of Safety of New-Jersey, brought in a draft, which, being read, was agreed to.
Ordered, That the same be transcribed, signed by the President, and transmitted.
The Committee appointed to consider the Representation and Queries of James Mease, respecting the Sixth Battalion of Troops commanded by Colonel Irvine, brought in their Report, which was read.
Whereupon Resolved, That the Certificates of Magistrates, or other respectable inhabitants of the County of Cumberland, who have inspected and examined the Companies of the said Battalion, shall, in this instance, justify the Paymaster in paying such Companies, agreeable to the said Certificates, the Mustermaster being absent.
That the supernumerary Privates that have been inlisted, and are armed and clothed, be continued and paid.
That the Officers in the said Battalion be paid for their subsistence since the recruiting service has been over, at the rates used in other Battalions.
That the claim of the Ensign, in Captain Wilson' s Company, to pay and subsistence from the time of entering into actual service, be allowed.
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be empowered to build two Galleys, capable of carrying, each, two thirty-six or forty-two-pounders, to oppose the enemy' s Vessels in Bays and Harbours.
Resolved, That the Committee for casting Cannon be directed to contract for the casting forty Howitzers, with a sufficient quantity of Shells.
Regulations for the sale and consumption of Tea adopted, Marine Committee empowered to build two Galleys
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on the Treasurers, in favour of James Mease, Commissary, for the use of the Pennsylvania Battalions, he to be accountable.
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then on hand, was too short; whereby many zealous friends to the American cause, who had imported large quantities of that commodity, with design not merely to advance their fortunes, but to counteract the plan then pursued by the Ministry and India Company to introduce and sell in these Colonies Tea subject to duty, are likely to become great sufferers — the greater part of the estates of many of them being vested in that article, and they, by that means, rendered incapable not only of paying their debts and maintaining their families, but also of vigorously exerting themselves in the service of their country: And whereas it was originally the design of Congress that all India Tea, which had been imported agreeable to the tenour of the said Association, might be sold and consumed; but the time limited for that purpose proving too short: