Tuesday, August 20, 1776

A letter from Mease and Caldwell was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three:1

The members chosen, Mr. Walton,2 Mr. Morris, and Mr. Paine.

Wednesday, August 21, 1776

Resolved, That the Cannon Committee be directed to contract for the immediate casting of six 6 pounders, six 12 pounders, four 8 inch howitzers, four 6 inch howitzers, and 6 cohorn mortars, to be made of brass, if a sufficient quantity of that metal can be procured; if not, to be cast of iron, and sent, as soon as possible, to General Gates for the use of the northern army, and that the said committee provide also carriages, and every thing necessary to complete the said artillery for service. . . .

That the Cannon Committee be authorized to possess themselves of the copper said to be at New London, belonging to the United States.

Resolved, That Colonel Henry Knox be authorized to draw upon the pay master general for money sufficient to pay for any quantity of copper that can be procured for the use of the United States; he to render an account of the sums drawn for, and the copper purchased.

Printed in Journals of the Continental Congress, 5:673, 693–694.

1.

The committee reported back to Congress on Aug. 28 concerning the letter from commissaries James Mease and William Caldwell. Acting upon this report, Congress resolved to deliver 500 pounds of gunpowder to Mease and Caldwell for the purpose of procuring deer skins to make breeches for the soldiers in the field (Journals of the Continental Congress, 5:712).

2.

George Walton (1741–1804) represented Georgia in the Continental Congress (1776, 1777, 1780, 1781) and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. With George Taylor he negotiated 270a treaty with the Six Nations at Easton, Penna., January 1777. Walton served as governor of Georgia (1779–1780, 1789–1790) and was chief justice (1783–1789) ( DAB ).