On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress debated a letter from General Washington requesting that Congress authorize a bounty for soldiers who would enlist for the duration of the War. Congressman James Duane of New York noted that the Congress was concerned that it was “Dangerous to have standing army”. He also recorded Congressman James Wilson of Pennsylvania as arguing
No troops ever raised in a more glorious cause or more essential to themselves. Liberty, property and safety of their wives and children. Yet our troops the most expensive of any that were ever raised; and not under these circumstances to be had to man the lines. Something then must be done.
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On This Day In The Revolution 