I'm Mary Catherine. I'm celebrating America 250 by reading primary documents written for or by

the founding fathers for as many of the days of the year as I can. Thanks for joining me for this

mini episode of Getting Hammered. Today in 1776, resolutions from the journals of the

Continental Congress, February 12th, 1776, where they're realizing that New York is under increasing

threat, not just Boston.

A letter from Major General Lee dated 9th February was presented to Congress and read, wherein he informs that a transport with troops has arrived there at New York, that more might be expected, and therefore that a farther reinforcement was necessary to secure and defend that place.

The Congress taking this letter and

requests into consideration whereupon resolved that it be recommended to the Convention or Committee

of Safety of New Jersey immediately send detachments of the Minutemen equal to a battalion under

proper officers to New York, there to be under the command of Major General Lee. That it also

be recommended to the Committee of Safety for Pennsylvania to send detachments of four battalions to Major General Lee.

Resolved that, one, the colonels of the Pennsylvania battalions provide an immediate account to Congress of the number and condition of the men enlisted, the places where they now are, and the manner in which they are appointed, and two, a copy of the

above, be forwarded to the commanding officers of each of the battalions. Resolved that the secret

committee be directed to send General Lee in New York one ton of the powder belonging to the

United Colonies, resolved that the said committee purchased powder and arms for the use of the

United Colonies, and that they for the use of the United Calanies,

and that they provide the firearms to the three remaining companies of the first Pennsylvania battalion ordered to Canada.

Resolved that 50 tons of saltpetre be delivered by the secret committee to the Committee of Safety for the province of Pennsylvania.

Two, ten tons be delivered to the late Judge Livingston's powder mill in New York,

and three, that ten tons of Salt Peter be sent to the Council of Massachusetts

and manufactured into gunpowder with all possible expedition and sent to General Washington.

Resolved, that it be recommended to the Committee of Inspection for the County of Chester

...