Report on the Inlistment of Apprentices

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Tuesday, January 30, 1776.

Resolved, That Doctor Cadwallader and Dr˙ W˙ Shippen, Jun˙, be desired to inspect the room of the Jail where General Prescott is confined, and inquire into the state of his health, and report to Congress.

The Committee appointed to confer with Captain Nelson brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration, and thereupon,

Resolved, That Captain Nelson' s Company of Riflemen, now raised, consisting of one Captain, three Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals, and seventy Privates, be inlisted for the service of Canada, on the same terms as the other Troops ordered for that service, and that they march to Canada, and join a Regiment there as soon as possible: that they be allowed one-quarter of a Dollar per day, for their subsistence on their march to Albany.

That six Dollars and two-thirds of a Dollar bounty, be paid to each non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier, who

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That nine hundred Dollars be advanced to said Captain Nelson for that purpose, and for the subsistence of said Company on their march to Reading.

That the sum of seven hundred Dollars be sent to the Committee of Inspection at Reading: that said Committee pay one month' s wages to the non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers upon their arrival there, and deliver the residue of said sum to Captain Nelson, for the subsistence of said Company in their march from thence to Albany; he to account for what money he receives with General Schuyler, at Albany.

The Officers of said Company are, John Nelson, Captain; Moses Decker, First Lieutenant; Adam Ott, Second Lieutenant; Isaac Newkirk, Third Lieutenant.

The Committee, to whom General Washington' s Letter, of the 14th of January, was referred, brought in their Report, which was read, and thereupon,

Resolved, That all the Tent-Cloth which can be procured in Philadelphia and New-York, be purchased for the Congress, and that the quantity necessary for the ensuing campaign in the Army before Boston, be forwarded thither, if so much is to be had.

That it be recommended to the several Assemblies in New-England, to assist the General in procuring Arms; and that the thanks of the Congress be given to such of them as have already done so.

Resolved, That Mr˙ James Mease, in Philadelphia, and Mr˙ Lewis, Mr˙ Alsop, and Mr˙ S˙ Morris, the Committee appointed to purchase Clothing in New-York, be directed to carry the former Resolution into execution.

The Committee on the Inlistment of Apprentices, &c˙, brought in their Report, which was taken into consideration, and, thereupon,

Resolved, That no Apprentice whatsoever be inlisted within the Colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties on Delaware, or Maryland, as a Soldier in the Army or Navy of the United Colonies, without the consent of his master or mistress first obtained in writing; and that all Apprentices now inlisted as Soldiers in the said Army or Navy, without such consent, be immediately discharged from the service, on the application of their masters or mistresses, upon payment of all just and reasonable charges of their inlistment.

That it be recommended to all creditors, whose demands against any person who is inlisted, or shall inlist, in the Continental service, shall not amount to the value of 35 Dollars, not to arrest any such debtor till the expiration of the time for which he is inlisted.

That every person under the age of twenty-one years, inlisting himself in the Army or Navy aforesaid, may, within twenty-four hours after such inlistment, obtain his discharge, by refunding the money received from the Recruiting Officer, and returning such necessaries as may have been supplied him by the Officer, or the value thereof in money.

Ordered, That these Resolutions be published.

Resolved, That an Order be drawn on the Treasurers for the sum of 1000 Dollars, to discharge a draft of the Paymaster-General, for so much deposited with him, for the use of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That a Committee of Five be appointed to take into consideration an application from the Committee of Safety of New-York.

The Members chosen, Mr˙ Ward, Mr˙ Paine, Mr˙ Paca, Mr˙ Lee, and Mr˙ Rodney.

Resolved, That a Member be added to the Committee of Correspondence. Mr˙ R˙ Morris was chosen.

Resolved, That the Committee for fitting out Armed Vessels be empowered to draw on the Treasurers for a sum not exceeding 30,000 Dollars, in order to discharge sundry debts by them contracted.

Adjourned to ten o' clock, to-morrow.