Resolutions to Provide Supplies for Troops (June 6, 1780)

[6 June 1780]

Whereas, in the present alarming and critical situation of the war with a powerful enemy, in the neighboring southern States, it may be indispensably necessary to provide and collect in proper places with the utmost expedition, large stores of provisions, either to supply our own militia or continental troops, or for supplying the troops sent by our good allies to the assistance of these United States;

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the Governor and Council ought to be invested with proper authority, to appoint commissioners in all the counties eastward of the Allegheny mountains, to examine into the state and quantity of provisions in the possession of every person and family, and allowing what shall be sufficient for the necessary maintenance and support of each family, until the first day of December next, to seize the surplus for public use, giving certificates to the owners, to be paid by the public, at the real value of such provisions at the time the same shall have been delivered.

Resolved, That the public arms be, without delay, repaired, and made fit for service; that for this purpose a sufficient number of workmen be called from the public factory, or otherwise collected, as to the Governor, with the advice of Council, shall appear necessary; and that the executive provide a sufficient supply of cartouch boxes.