Minutes of a Conference held by the Delegates of the Hon. Continental Congress with General Washington

Minutes of a Conference of the Delegates of the Hon. Continental Congress, the Deputy Govirnours of Connecticut and Rhode Island, the Committee of Council of Massachusetts Bay with General Washington begun at Head Quarters Cambridge October 18th. 1775 and continued to the 22d. of the same Month.

Present His Excelly. General Washington

The Hon. Depy. Govr. Griswold Nathaniel Wales Esqr.		Connecticut.
The Hon. Depy. Govr. Cooke		Rhode Island.
The Hon. Thomas Lynch Dr. Benj. Franklin Col. Benj. Harrison		Delegates from Congress
The Hon. James Bowdowin Col. Otis William Sever Walter Spooner4		Committee of Council of Massachusetts Bay

The Members of the Committee to confer with General Washington met.

Present as yesterday.

Mathew Thornton Esqr. President of the Convention of New Hampshire attending took his Seat this Day.

1. It was proposed for Consideration what Number each Company and how many Companies each Regiment should contain?

Agreed Unanimously that each Regiment consist of 728 Men (including Officers) that it be divided into Eight Companies, each Company to consist of One Captain, 2 Lieutenants, One Ensign, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Drums or Fifes, 76 Privates.

2. Of what kind and Quality of Provisions a Ration should consist?

Resolved That it be as follows

One Pound of Beef or ¾ lb Pork or one Pound of Salt Fish

One Pound of Bread or Flour per Diem.

Three Pints of Pease or Beans per Week or Vegetables equivalent at 6s. per Bushel for Pease and Beans.

One Pint of Milk per Man per Day or at the Rate of 1d. per Pint

One half Pint of Rice or one Pint of Indian Meal per Man per Week

One Quart of Spruce Beer or Cyder per Man per Day or 9 Gallons of Molasses per Company of 100 Men per Week.

Three Pounds of Candles to 100 Men per Week for Guards &c.

Twenty four lb. of soft Soap or 8 lb hard Soap for 100 Men per Week.8

3. What is the best Method of providing Arms for the Troops to be engaged in the new Army?

Agreed that it be recommended to the several Assemblies or Conventions of the respective Colonies to set and keep their several Gunsmiths at Work to manufacture good Firelocks with Bayonets, each Firelock to be made with a good Bridle Lock, ¾ of an Inch in the Bore and of good Substance at the Breech, the Barrel to be 3 feet 8 Inches in Length and a Bayonet of 18 Inches in the Blade, with a Steel Ramrod the upper Loop to be trumpet mouth’d. The Price to be fixed by the Assembly or Convention or Committee of Safety of each Colony. And to import all that can be procured.

Also that the good Arms of all such Soldiers as leave the Service be retained on a Valuation made of them.

The Committee met present as before.

It was now proposed to the Consideration of the Members what will be the best Method of providing Cloathing for the Troops which are to compose the new Army.

Agreed that the Cloathing be provided by the Continent and paid for by Stoppages out of the Soldiers Wages at 10s. per Month, that as much as possible of the Cloth for this Purpose be dyed brown and the Distinctions of Regiments made in the Facings.

Also that a Man who brings a good new Blanket into the Camp should be allowed two Dollars therefor and take it away with him at the End of the Campaign.

2d. What is the best Method of getting Provisions for the Army?

Agreed that the best Method of procuring Salt Provisions will be to drive the Cattle and Hogs at proper Seasons to the Camp there to be cured and that the New England Colonies can fully supply the Army with these Articles.

That in the Article of Flour and Bread the Commissary proceed in the Way he has done for some Time past, that appearing to be both safe and frugal.

3d. By whom the Officers should be chosen and recommended and how the best Officers and Men in the present Army may be engaged for the next making a complete Arrangement of the whole?

Agreed that such Officers as have served in the present Army to Approbation and are willing to stay be preferred; if there are more of these than are necessary for the new Army the General to distinguish such as he deems best qualified.

Agreed upon a Representation from the General that the Committee recommend to the Continental Congress that proper Authority may be given him to impress Carriages Vessels, Horses and other Things necessary for the Transportation or March of the Army, or any Part of it, or on any other Emergency, and that this Power may be deputed in Writing under the Hand of the General to the Quarter Master Gen. or to any Inferiour Officers, who are to be accountable for any Abuse thereof.

The Members of the Conference met, present as before, except General Sullivan.

It appearing on a full Discussion and Consideration of all Circumstances that any Attempt to reduce the present Pay would probably prevent the Soldiers reinlisting and that the Advancement of the Season does not admit of any Delay in forming a new Army, Agreed that it be proposed to the Officers now serving in the present Army that they signify in Writing as soon as possible which of them will continue to serve and defend their Country and which of them will retire. And that such Officers as propose to continue in the Service and are approved by the General proceed to inlist their Men into the Continental Service upon the same Pay and Allowance of Provisions as is now given. The Service to continue to the last Day of December 1776, subject to be discharged at any Time by the Continental Congress as has been heretofore practised in the like Cases.

Agreed that if upon Tryal it should appear that the Number of 20,372 Men before resolved on cannot be raised out of the present Army: that then the Officers appointed for the new Army, recruit their several Regiments and Companies to their full Complement. And in Case the Necessity of the Service should require it, the General be impowered to call in the Minute Men or Militia from this or the neighbouring Colonies according to the Nature and Exigence of the Service.

The Rules and Regulations of the Continental Army were then taken under Consideration9 and the following Alterations proposed.

1. All Persons convicted of holding an unwarrantable Correspondence with or giving Intelligence to the Enemy shall suffer Death or such other Punishment as a Genl. Court Martial shall think proper.1

The Members of the Conference met.

Present as yesterday.

The Rules and Articles of the Continental Army were again considered. Agreed

That it be recommended to the several Legislatures of the Colonies or Conventions to enact some Law or pass an Ordinance inflicting the following Punishment on Persons harbouring Deserters knowing them to be such, viz. A Fine upon all such Offenders not less than 30 or more than 50 Dollars. And in Case of Inability to pay the Fine to be punished with Whipping not exceeding 39 Lashes for each Offence.

That any Person who shall apprehend a Deserter and bring him to the Regiment to which he belongs upon a Certificate thereof by the Colonel or commanding Officer of such Regiment be intitled to receive 5 Dollars from the Continental Paymaster General which is to be deducted out of the Pay of such Soldier.

2d. That all commissioned Officers found guilty by a General Court Martial of any Fraud or Embezzlement shall forfeit all his Pay be ipso facto cashiered and deemed unfit for farther Service as an Officer.2

3. That all non commissioned Officers or Soldiers convicted before a Regimental Court Martial of stealing embezzling or destroying Ammunition, Provisions, Tools or any Thing belonging to the publick Stores (if a non commissioned Officer) to be reduced to the Ranks and punished with whipping not less than 15 nor more than 39 Lashes, at the Discretion of the Court Martial, if a private Soldier with the same corporal Punishment.

That it be recommended to the several Legislatures of the Colonies to impower the Commander in Chief or the Officer commanding a Detachment or out Post to administer an Oath and swear any Person or Persons to the Truth of any Information or Intelligence or any other Matter relative to the publick Service.

That in the Punishment of cashiering an Officer for Cowardice or Fraud it be added that the Crime, Name, Place of Abode and Punishment of the Dilinquent be published in the News Papers in and about the Camp and of the Colony from which the Offender came and where he usually resides after which it shall be deemed scandalous for any Officer to associate with him.

That the 3d. Article of the Rules &c. be amended by making the Punishment refer to the 2d. instead of the 1st. Article.3

That the 5th. Article be amended by making the Offence punishable with Death or otherwise at the Discretion of a General Court Martial.4

That the 8th. Article be amended to make Deserters to the Enemy who may afterwards fall into our Hands punishable with Death or otherwise at the Discretion of General Courts Martial.5

That Article 20. and 21. be amended by punishing the Offences therein specified in the following Manner viz. An Officer offending be cashier’d and drumm’d out of the Army with Infamy, a private Soldier to be whipp’d not less than 20 Lashes nor more than 39 according to the Nature of their Offence.6

That the 17th. Article be amended by expressing the Punishment following viz. The Officer be mulcted in one Months pay for 1st. Offence, Cashiering for the second. A Soldier to be confined for 7 Days on Bread and Water for the 1st. Offence, for the second the same Punishment with a Forfeiture of one Weeks Pay.7

That the 25th. Article be amended by leaving out the Word immediately and after the Word Death substituting the Words “by any Person on the Spot.”8

That the 29th. Article be amended by making the Embezzlement of the Stores therein mentioned punished as the like Offence upon the Stores &c. mentioned in the 15th. Article of the Rules and Regulations of the Army.9

That the 30th. Article be amended by making the Offences punishable as the Breach of the 20th. and 21st. Articles together with the Forfeiture of all Share of Plunder taken from the Enemy.1

That the 55th. Article be amended by expressing the Punishment viz. cashiering and mulcting of his Pay.2

That the 57th. Article be amended so as to include all Surgeons and their Mates and make the Offence of giving a false Certificate of Health punishable as a false Certificate with respect to Absence.3

It appearing that both General and Special Orders are not duly obeyed agreed that it be recommended to the Honble. Congress to form a new Article by which Officers and Soldiers wilfully or negligently disobeying such Orders be punished at the Discretion of a Regimental Court Martial when the Offence is against a Regimental Order by a General Court Martial when the Offence is against Orders given by the Commander in Chief or of any Detachment or Post and such General Court Martial can be had.4

The Committee then proceeded to the Consideration of such Matters as have been mentioned in the Generals Letters to the Congress upon which no Order had been made.

First. What Steps are necessary to be pursued with Regard to Dr. Church? If guilty, the Articles for the Government of the Army point out a very inadequate Punishment, and to set him at Liberty must be exceedingly dangerous?

Upon a Discussion of all Circumstances it was agreed to refer Doctor Church for Tryal and Punishment to the General Court of Massachusetts Bay: But that no Procedure be had hereupon untill the Pleasure of the Congress be known on the late Application made by the General.5

2. What Distinctions are necessary to be made between Vessels and Cargoes taken by the armed Vessels in the Pay of the Continent and those taken by Individuals? Should not the fitting out of Privateers by Individuals be done under some Authority and Accidental Captures subject to some Regulations to prevent Piracies and other capital Abuses, which may arise?

Agreed that the General Court ought properly to take Cognizance of all armed Vessels fitted out by Individuals in this Province and that Commissions should be granted in such Cases; at least that Captures be made under some Authority. That Captures made by armed Vessels in the Pay of the Continent be disposed of by the General for the publick Use untill the Continental Congress give farther Direction.

The Delegates then proposed to the Consideration of the Members what Number of effective Men it may be expected that the Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and Rhode Island could and would furnish by the 10 March next and on what Terms.

The Massachusetts Gentlemen were of Opinion that 20,000 effective Men might be raised in this Province to serve the next Campaign if absolutely necessary on the Terms of the present Army viz. A Coat, 40 s. per Month, one Months Wages being advanced, and a greater Number to come on a special Emergency.

The Connecticut Gentlemen were of Opinion that 8000 Men may be raised in their Province to serve the next Campaign on the Terms of the present Army viz. 40 s. per Month and 40 s. Bounty.

The President of New Hampshire Convention gave his Opinion that his Colony could furnish 3000 Men for the next Campaign at the Rate of 40 s. per Month without a Bounty unless a Bounty was given by the adjoining Colonies, in which Case they would expect it.

The Governor of Rhode Island gave his Opinion that Province could not go farther than they had done this Campaign viz. to raise 1500 Men on the same Terms.

Upon considering the additional Instruction6 it was unanimously agreed that the Number of Forces necessary for the Northern Department depended so much on Events and particularly the Success of the present Expedition against Canada that no probable Calculation can be made at this Time. Therefore deferred.

It was then deliberated what should be done with Tory Property; how is it to be applied or treated? Some of the Tories have Estates near the Camp at Cambridge, which have Wood upon them and other Articles wanted for the Army ought they to be meddled with?

Agreed that the Determination of this Matter be referred to the Congress.

The General then proposed the following Question

Should there not be a reasonable Price fixed upon Wood, Hay and other Articles wanted for the Army to prevent Imposition and Extortion?

Agreed that if it be indispensably necessary, such Articles should be valued and taken at such Valuation for the Use of the Army and that a Regulation corresponding herewith be recommended to the General Court of Massachusetts Bay.

The Conference then broke up with the several Governours of Connecticut Rhode Island and the President of the Convention of New Hampshire and the Committee of Council for Massachusetts Bay.

The Delegates now proceeded to confer with General Washington as well on sundry Matters mentioned in his Letters to the Congress upon which no Order has been made as also upon other Matters occurring in the Course of this Business, and

First. In the new Establishment of the Army should the General Officers be allowed Regiments and the Field Officers Companies?

Agreed in the Negative unanimously.

Secondly. The Affairs of the Hospital require a Director General if Doctor Church is adjudg’d unworthy of continuing in that Office. Lt. Col. Hand late a Surgeon in the Army and Dr. Foster are the only two who have made Application for the Office to the General.

Agreed that it be referrd wholly to the Congress.7

3. In what Light are Vessels which are made Captives of with their Cargoes to be considered? that is what Part is to be assigned the Captors in the Pay of the Continent and whose Vessels are fitted out at the publick Expence and how is the Residue of the Vessel and Cargo to be disposed of?

The Instructions given by the General to the armed Vessels now out being considered were approved (except that one third of the whole Capture be allowed the Officers and Men without any Reserve).8

4. What is to be done with Prisoners taken in Transports by Vessels either in the Continental Pay or others? are they to be detained as Prisoners or released? if the former what Distinctions are to be made between those taken by the Continental Vessel and others (In Respect to the Generals Cognizance of them is meant)?

Agreed that all Persons taken in Arms on Board any Prize be deemed Prisoners at the Disposal of the General as well such Prizes as are taken by Vessels fitted out in the Pay of the Continent as others. That all Vessels employed merely as Transports and unarmed with their Crews be set at Liberty upon giving Security to return to Europe but that this Indulgence be not extended longer than to the 1st. April next.

5. In what Manner are Prisoners to be treated? What Allowance made them and how are they to be cloathed?

Agreed that they be treated as Prisoners of War but with Humanity. And the Allowance of Provisions to be the Rations of the Army. That the Officers being in Pay should supply themselves with Cloaths, their Bills to be taken therefor and the Soldiers furnished as they now are.

6. Suppose Troops should be landed at New York is it expected that any Part of the Army before Boston be detached whilst the ministerial Troops remain there?

Agreed That the Number of Men in the new Army being calculated to oppose the Army at Boston, It is not expected that the General should detach any Part of it to New York or elsewhere unless it appears to him necessary so to do for the common Safety.

7. Ought not Negroes to be excluded from the new Inlistment especially such as are Slaves? All were thought improper by the Council of Officers?9

Agreed, that they be rejected altogether.

[8.] How often should the Troops be paid? The General Officers were divided on this Point some were for a Payment per Month and others every three Months?

Agreed, That they be paid monthly.

9. Are the Rations which have been allowed the Officers, and have been issued an Account thereof given to the Congress and now laid before the Committee agreeable?

Agreed That the present Allowance be continued as being usual and necessary.

10. Is it adviseable to propose an Exchange of Prisoners? Should any of the Officers and Soldiers in the Army or Navy now in our Power be given up for any except the Officers and Soldiers of the American Army?

Agreed that the Exchange will be proper, Citizens for Citizens, but not Officers and Soldiers of the regular Army for Citizens.

11. A Proposition has been made in Behalf of Ensign Moland to go and reside among his Friends in Pennsylvania giving his Parol.1 Would this be disagreeable?

Agreed that under all Circumstances it is best he should remain where he is.

12. Artificers of different Sorts have been employed on the best Terms they could be got, but may nevertheless appear high, none having less than 1 s. extraordinary for every Day they work, Some £4 10 s. per Month and with great Difficulty got on those Terms, is this agreeable?

Agreed that it is and that the General go on upon the present Agreement as being the best that can probably be made.

13. The Riffle Companies have exceeded their Establishments in Point of Numbers, but have nevertheless been paid as they had no more Officers than were allowed by Congress. Is this right?

Agreed, That the General pick out from each Company such as are not Marksmen and dismiss them in such a Manner as may be safest with an Allowance of Pay to go Home, and in the mean Time that all recieve their Pay.

14. Very unhappy Disputes prevail in the Regiment of Artillery. Col. Gridly is become very obnoxious to that Corps and the General is informed that he will prove the Destruction of the Regiment if continued therein. What is to be done in this Case?

Agreed that as all Officers must be approved by the General if it shall appear in forming the new Army that the Difference is irreconciliable Col: Gridly be dismiss’d in some honourable Way, and that the half Pay which he renounced by entering into the American Army ought to be compensated to him.2

15. Artillery of different Kinds will be wanted how is it to be got and where?

Agreed, That what can be spared from New York and Crown Point be procured.

16. Engineers also much wanted where can they be got?

Agreed to recommend to the Congress Henry Knox Esqr. and Lieut. Col. Puttnam who have Skill in this Branch as Assist. Engineers with suitable Pay and Rank as Lieut. Colonels, the present Pay of Assistant Engineers being deemed too small.3

17. Several Indian Chiefs of the St. Francis, Penobscot Stockb[ridge] and St. Johns Tribes have been to offer their Services and told they would be called for if wanted and dismiss’d with Presents. Ought they to be called if a Necessity for them should appear and is the giving them Presents proper?

Agreed That these Indians or others may be called on in Case of real Necessity and that the giving them presents is both suitable and proper.

18. Would it not be adviseable to have Expresses posted along the Roads at different Distances Persons of Character for the Purpose of conveying early and frequent Intelligence?

Agreed that such a Regulation is highly necessary but that the Mode of carrying it into Execution be left to the Congress.

19. Lead and Flints are much wanted where and in what Quantities can they be procured?

Agreed that as much Lead as can be spared from the Northern Department and is wanted here should be sent down from Ticonderoga and all other Supplies of the Articles attended to.

20. Several issuing Commissaries and Clerks are necessarily employed under the Commissy. General:4 For whom no Provision is made. Several Assists. Quarter Masters are also employed in order to discharge that Duty. A Clerk is and allways has been found necessary to assist in the Office of the Adjut. General. What Pay should be allowed them?

The Commissary being sick and unable to explain the Duty of these Commissaries Clerks &c. Agreed that he draw up a Memorial to the Congress stating the Ranks, Duties &c. of the several Officers under him: that the Quarter Master Genl. do the same to inable the Congress to fix the Proportion of Pay to be allowed them. That these Memorials be first shewn to the General and by him transmitted to the Congress.

21. Six Vessels (armed) are now fitted out and fitting upon the best Terms to intercept the Enemys Supplies, will this be agreeable to the Congress?

Agreed that this Committee approve the Scheme and recommend it to the Congress.5

The Committee proceeded in their Conference on the Generals Queries.

When the Army receives such Supplies of Powder as to be enabled to spare some to the Country, how and upon what Terms is it to be done?

Agreed that it be sold them at a reasonable Price.

2d. Tents, if the Army should have Occasion to take the Field next Spring will be indispensably necessary for both Officers and Men, how are they to be provided and are the Officers to be allowed any?

Agreed that it be recommended to the Congress to pay an early Attention to this Article and if the Pay of the Officers is not considerably increased that Tents be allowed them.

The General informed the Committee that he had given particular Orders that all the Tents now in Use should be carefully pack’d up in proper Places during the Winter.

The Council of War lately held having in Consequence of an Intimation from the Congress deliberated on the Expediency of an Attack upon Boston and determined that at present it was not practicable, The General wishes to know how far it may be deemed proper and adviseable to avail himself of the Season to destroy the Troops who propose to winter in Boston by a Bombardment, when the Harbour is block’d up or in other Words whether the Loss of the Town and the Property therein are to be so considered as that an Attack upon the Troops there should be avoided when it evidently appears the Town must of Consequence be destroyed?

The Committee are of Opinion this is a Matter of too much Consequence to be determined by them therefore refer it to the Hon. Congress.6

The General then requested that the Committee would represent to the Congress the Necessity of having Money constantly and regularly sent and that some Regulations upon this Head should be made as soon as possible.

Also that the Congress would be pleased to establish or recommend it to the Legislature of this Colony to establish some Court for the Tryal and Condemnation of Vessels taken from the Enemy, so that they may be distinguished from those of a different Character and all Abuses prevented as much as possible.

A true Copy of the Minutes of the Conference held by the Delegates from the Continental Congress with General Washington.