Thursday, March 1, 2012

March 2, 1776

The New New Jersey Provincial Congress understood that the Continental Congress authorized the seizure of any ships bringing supplies to British forces in America.

Learning that American forces under William Alexander, Lord Sterling, intercepted the British ship Blue Mountain Valley, John H. Dempster, captain, the Provincial Congress resolved on March 2, 1776 "That the Captain and Seamen belonging to said Ship when seized, be suffered [that is, permitted] to go to any place they may think proper, his Majesty's Fleet or Army only excepted.  And this Congress recommend the captors of said Ship to make some gratuity to each of the Seamen taken on board, to enable them to travel to some other parts in pursuit of business."


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