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Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3

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From Moses Gill

7 February 1776
155
Extract from the Minutes of the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
Tuesday, February 6, 1776

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider regulations for exporting naval stores for the use of the United Colonies and bring in a resolution respecting the exportation of naval stores for the public service:1

The members chosen, Mr. Hewes,2 Mr. Lewis,3 Mr. Ward, Mr. Paine, and Mr. S Adams.

Printed in Journals of the Continental Congress, 4:114–115.

1.

The committee brought in a resolution that Congress passed on Feb. 13. The resolve recommended, among other actions, that North Carolina permit any properly credentialed agent from one of the other colonies to export needed naval stores (Journals of the Continental Congress, 4:131).

2.

Joseph Hewes (1730–1779), a merchant, settled in North Carolina in or after 1756 and served in the House of Commons there from 1766 to 1775. He served two separate periods in the Continental Congress (1774–1777 and 1779), particularly reputed for his work with the Continental navy. He was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence ( DAB ).

3.

Francis Lewis (1713–1802), a native of Llandaff, Wales, immigrated to America in 1738. He was in mercantile business in New York and Philadelphia and was a contractor for the British Army until his retirement in 1765. He represented New York in the Continental Congress (1775–1779) and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence ( DAB ).