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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
A letter, of 28 March, from General Washington, was read.
A letter, of 28 March, from Lieutenant Colonel Zedwitz, and a memorial from Major [Evan] Edwards, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 The Washington letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VII, folio 207; that of Zedwitz, in No. 78, XXIV, folio 683; the Edwards memorial, dated March 29, in No. 41, III, folio 47.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of 13 March, from the legislature of New York to their delegates, was laid before Congress and read; Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folio 174.]
Whereas the delegates of the State of New York have represented to Congress, that the legislature of that State taking into consideration the ravages committed by the Indians last fall, and the distresses occasioned thereby to a great number of families as well as the State at large; and that the said legislature considering the extreme difficulty and expence of covering an extensive frontier by posts against future incursions, have turned their attention to a western expedition against the Senecas, &c. as the cheapest and more eligible mode of securing the frontiers, and that they have empowered their governor to raise 1000 men by drafts from the militia for the defence of the frontiers:
Resolved, That Congress do approve of the spirited exertions of the said legislature, and the measures by them adopted to facilitate such enterprise: that the militia so to be raised shall be allowed continental pay and rations during their continuance in the said service; and that the Commander in Chief be immediately informed
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of the said levy, and be directed to give orders for their pay and subsistence accordingly.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 355.]
The Board of War to whom was referred the letter from Lieutenant Colonel Bradford, &c. brought in a report: Whereupon,
At a Board of War, March 19th., 1779.
Present, Mr. Peters and Mr. Pickering.
It having been represented that the Officers employed in the Department of the Commissary of Musters are frequently Obliged in the execution of their Office to travel from post to post, and thereby incur very considerable expences; and when Stationary to reside in Quarters (for the purpose of preparing and securing their papers) which subjects them to a more expensive mode of living than that of battalion Officers, who lay in Camp and subsist upon their rations, and also, that tho' at the first establishment of the Department the pay was small and the rations proportionably few, yet Congress have since been pleased to raise the pay without an increase of rations, by which means a deputy Commissary General of Musters with the pay of Lieutenant Colonel is entitled to no more than captains subsistence, which is a deviation from the rule generally observed of preserving a proportion between the pay and subsistence money; and that the gentlemen of this Department are not entituled to many of the privileges of other Officers, and are precluded from many advantages enjoyed by Officers in the line from the generosity of their respective States.
The Board therefore beg leave to Report to Congress:
That the Deputy Commissaries General of Musters be entitled to draw from the 1st day of June 1778, the sum of forty dollars pr month subsistence money, in lieu of their retained rations; and the Deputy Muster Masters of the Army to draw from the same time the sum of twenty five dollars per month for the like purpose.
Resolved, That the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel W. Bradford, deputy commissary general of musters, be accepted:
That the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Noarth, deputy commissary general of musters, be accepted.
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The Board of War recommend Henry Rutgers, Jun. Esq. to be elected deputy commissary general of musters, in the room of Lieutenant Colonel Bradford; and Azariah Horton, Esq. to be elected in the room of Lieutenant Colonel Noarth.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 127.]
The Board of War having reported the allowances or salaries which should be given to the cloathier general, &c.
War Office, March 30, 1779.
Mr. Root has informed the Board, that Congress have directed them to report the salaries which should be given to the clothier general, &c. on the new establishment. The value of our money is so uncertain, that it is difficult to say what would induce gentlemen suitably qualified to take upon them those offices. We believe, however, that nothing materially short of the following allowances will be sufficient; viz.
That the Clothier General have a salary of 10,000 dollars per annum, twelve rations per day, and forage for three horses.
That the State clothiers have each six dollars and six rations per day, and forage for two horses.
That the regimental clothiers have an allowance of fifteen dollars per month and one ration per day, in addition to their present appointments.
That each assistant to the clothier general have six dollars and six rations per day, and each of his clerks three dollars and three rations per day.
The number of these assistants and clerks which the Clothier General shall judge requisite to enable him to perform the duties of his office to be by him reported to the Board of War, and by them to Congress.
That a clerk be allowed to each of the state clothiers, to whom, from the extent of their duty and number of troops they have to supply, the clothier general shall think one necessary; besides, such additional temporary aid as the urgency of business may at times require; the standing clerks to have forty dollars per month and three rations per day.
That each regimental clothier be allowed an assistant, to be chosen from among the subalterns in each regiment by the officers thereof;
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this assistant to receive such pay and rations as shall make his whole appointments equal to those of a captain.
That in addition to the above allowances, each clerk to the Clothier General and State Clothiers shall receive annually the same quantity of cloathing as shall be allowed to a captain in the line.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 157. See under April 5, 1779, p. 422, post.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Henry] Laurens, and seconded by Mr. S[amuel] Adams, that the consideration thereof be postponed, on which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. President,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Ordered, That the consideration of the report be taken up to morrow.
The Board of War to whom was referred the letter of Governor Trumbull respecting the Salisbury furnace,
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reported specially the state of that furnace, being the result of a conference with Mr. Whiting: Whereupon,
War Office, March 30, 1779.
The Board have conferred with Mr. Whiting, mentioned in Governor Trumbull's letter, on the subject of the Salisbury Iron works, and beg leave to report:
That there are about two hundred tons of Ore on the bank, and about five hundred cords of wood cut, of which article it will take four thousand cords for a six months blast. The season is now foe far advanced for the cutting wood, not only on account of the hands being employed at agriculture, but also on account of the State of the timber, which renders it improper for coaling to any advantage. Four thousand cords are engaged to be cut and might be procured under the disadvantage of the present State of the timber, so as to get the furnace in blast about September next, if all things turn out agreeably to common expectations. Four hundred thousand dollars would at the present value of the money, be necessary to carry on a six months blast, in which one hundred hands must be employed. Two hundred and seventy tons of cannon can be east in that time, consisting of either one hundred and fifty eighteen Pounders, or two hundred and seventy twelve Pounders. These guns may be had at about 13331/3 d[ollars] or £400 lawful pr ton. The furnace with laying a new Hearth may be made fit for casting twelve Pounders, and with a new Tub would cast eighteens. These guns will not be fit for service until about March 1780.
If Congress should think proper to carry on the work it will be necessary to recommend the exemption of the workmen employed at the works from the several States bordering thereupon. It will take about 850 Ton of Ore, which will consume much time and cause great expence in procuring.
P. S. The Board think it their duty to inform Congress, that with every assistance they could afford the Andover works which are now carrying on under contract with the United States, the business goes on very tediously and heavily, by reason of the great difficulty in procuring hands, and other impediments which would be likely to happen in any other works under the present circumstances of the Country.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 153.]
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Resolved, That Governor Trumbull be informed that Congress do not judge it proper to put the Salisbury furnace in blast at the continental expence.
The Board of War report, that Major la Neuville is a major by brevet, and that no pay or subsistence is allowed to officers in his situation; that the major is content to serve in his present rank in the southern army and to make the journey at his own expence; and that the Board are of opinion,
That Mons. Noirmont de la Neuville be permitted to repair to the southern army, to serve under the orders of Major General Lincoln, or the officer commanding there, in his present rank of major; and that he receive the pay and subsistence of a major during the ensuing campaign.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated March 10, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 121. The report also stated: "His furlough from the King of France not being expired, he begs to be employed until the expiration thereof."]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
The commissioners of claims report,
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That they have examined the accounts of Michael Kahn, for timber materials and other expences of building barracks at York town, amounting to sixteen hundred and seventy eight dollars and 47/90, of which he has received from the Board of War, the sum of five hundred and seventy four dollars and 60/90ths, and that there is a ballance of 1103 77/90 dollars, due to the said Michael Kahn, to be paid to Captain Smyser.
That there is due to Captain Smyser, his account of pay and rations while in captivity, from the 16th November, 1776, to the 26 of August, 1778, nine hundred and sixty three dollars and 81/90ths.
That there is due to Thomas Edison, his pay as clerk in the Secretary's office, from the 1 January to the 31 March, 1779, inclusive, three hundred and thirty five dollars and 30/90ths.
That there is due to George Bond, his pay as clerk in the Secretary's office, from the I January to the 31 March, 1779, inclusive, three hundred and thirty five dollars and 30/90 dollars.
That there is due to William Lyons, his account for sawing, carrying and piling wood for the use of Congress, thirty five dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated March 31, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 197.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Resolved, That 5,000,160 dollars in bills of credit of the United States be emitted under the direction of the Board of Treasury and on the faith of the United States:
That the bills shall, excepting the numbers, be of the same tenor and date as the emission directed on the 19th of February last, and be numbered from the last number
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in each denomination progressively, and consist of the following denominations:
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, 209.]
On motion by Mr. [Eliphilet] Dyer, and seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Nelson,
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury allow Mr.Whiting his reasonable expences on his journey to Congress, to know their pleasure with respect to their improving the Salisbury furnace for the purpose of casting cannon.
Mr. [William] Paca, chairman of the committee appointed to confer with the joint committee of the general assembly and council of Pensylvania, related verbally, the substance of a speech made yesterday by the president of Pensylvania in the committee of conference, and desired farther instructions.
On which a motion was made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and seconded by Mr. S[amuel] Adams. After debate,
That the Committee appointed to confer with a Committee of the State of Pennsylvania be authorized to call on any Members of this House, and the Secretary, for any publick papers or other Information relative to the Subject of the Conference.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 17.]
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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