Saturday, May 10, 2008

May 21: Happy Anniversary!

Tuesday, May 21, 1776

The Continental Congress resolved "That such as are taken, be treated as prisoners of war, but with humanity, and be allowed the same rations as the troops in the service of the United Colonies; but that such as are officers supply themselves, and be allowed to draw bills to pay for their subsistence and cloathing...."

Consult Worthington Chauncey Ford, editor, Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, Volume IV: January 1-June 4, 1776 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1909), page 370.

Before the Continental Congress declared America's independence from Great Britain, they declared that America should treat prisoners with humanity.

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