Today, the Marine Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin provides a glimpse into the Continental Congress and their military activities on November 10, 1775.
Excerpts from the Journals of the Continental Congress:
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On motion made, Resolved, That the goods bought for the northern army be sent by land to Dobb’s ferry, and that the president write to the convention of New York, and desire them to have a vessel ready to take in the said goods, and transport them immediately to Albany.
Resolved, That the medicines purchased in this city for the army at Cambridge, be sent thither by land.
Resolved, That the president give written orders to Dr. [John] Morgan, to call upon Mr. [Isaac] Sears, and desire him to deliver what medicines he has under his care, or can procure, that they may be forwarded to the camp at Cambridge, for the use of the continental army.
On motion made, Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to enquire into the state of the colony of Virginia, to consider whether any, and what provisions may be necessary for its defence, and to report the same to the Congress.
Resolved, That all letters to and from the commander in chief in the continental army, or the chief commander in the army in the northern department, pass and be carried free of postage.
Resolved, That the commander of the New Jersey battalions be directed to march six companies of said battalions, as soon as they are completed, to garrison the fort on Hudson’s river, in the highlands, in the Colony of New York.
Resolved, That the president write to Governor Cooke, and request him to send to the Committee of Safety of New York, one ton of powder, for the defence of that City and Colony.
Resolved, That there be paid to John Wendall, the express from Albany, who has been detained twelve days by order of the Congress, the sum of 1 1/3 dollars per day sixteen dollars, for the time he has been so detained.
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the treasurers in favor of the delegates of New Jersey, for the sum of 5000 dollars, for the use of the battalions ordered to be raised in that colony.
Ordered, That the delegates of Pennsylvania do call on the gentlemen appointed to sign the continental bills, and request them with all possible expedition to compleat that business.
The Committee appointed to consider farther ways and means of promoting the manufacture of salt petre, brought in their report, which was read in these words:
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The Congress taking into consideration the said report,
Resolved, … the Congress will make good the contracts, and will pay all such expenses as shall be incurred by the gentlemen desired to superintend the operation; on whose zeal, influence, and abilities, to procure, with all convenient expedition, a large quantity of this article, so necessary for the defence of their country, and thereby render it a very important service, and by their example and activity to forward and encourage this useful work, the Congress rely with confidence.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Assemblies, Conventions, and committees of Safety, of the thirteen United Colonies, to appoint certain persons within each of the said colonies, whose business it shall be to employ and set to work so many persons as they may think proper, both to work up such earth as is now fit for making salt petre, and to collect together and place in beds or walls under sheds, all such earth and composition of materials as are suitable to produce salt petre, after being duly exposed to the air, in order to encrease the produce of it, and that the delegates of the respective colonies be directed to send this resolve, together with the resolve of last session respecting salt petre, to their respective colonies, and cause them to be printed and made public there.
The Congress resuming the consideration of the report of the Committee on Nova Scotia,
Resolved, That two persons be sent at the expence of these colonies to Nova Scotia to enquire into the state of that colony, the disposition of the inhabitants towards the American cause and the condition of the fortifications, Docks, yards, the quantity of artillery and warlike stores and the number of soldiers, sailors and ships of war there and transmit the earliest intelligence to General Washington.
Resolved, That General Washington be directed in case he should judge it practicable and expedient to send into that colony a sufficient force to take away the cannon and warlike stores and to destroy the docks, yards and magazines, and to take or destroy any ships of war and transports there belonging to the enemy.
Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or insisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required: that they be insisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.
Ordered, That a copy of the above be transmitted to the General.
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In remembrance of the 239th Anniversary of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin shows against the Marine Corps flag.
