Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
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.
Journals of the Continental Congress, 4:114–115
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).
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 (
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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 (
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Your favr. 19 last month Came Safe to hand.1 I2 am Very Certain our Mittle here is insufficant, for the purpose of making Cannon, even of the Smallest size. I am also Certain we shall want many more than we are at Present possest of in the Spring. I am Clear in it that it woud. be best for you at the southward, to be Contemplaiting Some Method by which we may be supplyd. I cannot send you a List of any unappropriated Cannon as they are all Disposed, off, and we have Need of many more than we have Amongts us, and I make no Doubt we must be Obligd. to Apply to you for a supply even thô we shoud. risque them by water. I refer you to The Hon. Colo. Palmer for what information is Necessary respecting 156Powder Mills, Salt Petre &c. I also Condole with you the loss of the brave & amiable Genl. Montgumry, and our repulse at Canadia. I hope you are taken every Method for the intire reduction of that important City. Please to desire Mr. John Adams to Send them Books I mentiond. to him, by the first oppo. My best regards to all your Brother Deligates, and Am respectfully your Most Humble servt.,
Not located.
Moses Gill (1733/4–1800) represented Princeton in the Provincial Congress (1774–1775) and was elected to the Council in 1775, serving until 1783. At the time of his death, he was acting governor (Francis Everett Blake, History of the Town of Princeton [Princeton, 1915], 1:270–277).