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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
A letter, of 11, from Governor Livingston of New Jersey was read, enclosing a letter, of 10, from Major General Lord Stirling.2
[Note 2: 2 The Governor's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 545.]
A report of the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of William Palfrey, paymaster general, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for one hundred and seventy seven thousand six hundred dollars, for the use of his department; and for which the said William Palfrey is to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 341.]
A motion being made by Mr. [Abraham] Clark, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom, respecting the subject of the letter from Governor Livingston:
That the letter of Govr. Livingston with its enclosure informing that the enemy is now in force in New Jersey, be communicated to the President of the State of Pennsylvania, and that he be requested to take the most speedy and effectual measures for reenforcing the
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army in New Jersey under Genl). Washington by such detachments from the militia as the circumstances of this State will admit, and the exigencies of public affairs require1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, 589.]
Ordered, That the said motion, together with the letter from Governor Livingston, and that enclosed from Major General Lord Stirling, be referred to the delegates of the commonwealth of Pensylvania; and that they communicate the contents to the president and supreme executive council of the said State.
On motion of Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, seconded by Mr. [John] Fell,
Resolved, That the committee at head quarters be instructed immediately to give orders for stopping all issues of provisions and forage, except to the army and militia in actual service, and such persons as are attached to the military in camp or on march, under such particular exceptions only as they, on advising with the Commander in Chief, may judge absolutely indispensable;
That the value of a ration be settled by the Board of War, and allowed in money to such as are now entitled to draw from the public stores, and may be precluded for the future in consequence of such orders.2
[Note 2: 2 These resolutions were also transcribed in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Committee Book, 1780, Proceedings of the Committee appointed the 13th of April, 1780, folio 7.]
A motion being made for carrying into more effectual execution the resolution, of 2 June, 1778:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, Mr. [William Churchill] Houston and Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell.
On motion of Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, seconded by Mr. [Frederick A.] Muhlenberg,
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Resolved, That the president of the State of Delaware be informed, that the public exigencies require an immediate and decisive answer to the resolution of Congress of the twenty second day of May, respecting an embargo on the exportation of provisions from the said State.
The delegates for Virginia laid before Congress a letter, of 23 May, from Mr. P. Henry:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, I, folio 339.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee, respecting the settlement of outstanding accounts, and thereupon came to the following resolutions:
Whereas large accounts in the several staff departments in the army are outstanding and unsettled, and it is necessary that they be speedily and finally adjusted, in order that all disbursements may be clearly ascertained and arrears discharged;
Resolved, therefore, That two extra chambers of accounts, consisting of two commissioners each, be appointed, to continue in office as long as may be necessary, for the settlement of the said accounts, or any others which may be referred to them.
That the commissioners of the said chambers of accounts, be respectively under the direction of the Board of Treasury, to repair to such posts or places as the public service may from time to time require, for the purpose of examining and adjusting any of the said accounts.
That, when thus employed, their reasonable travelling charges be allowed, in addition to their pay.
That a competent number of clerks to the said temporary chambers be from time to time appointed by the Board of Treasury and reported to Congress for their approbation.
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That the pay of the said commissioners respectively be the same as that of those already appointed.
That the Board of Treasury be authorised to apply to the legislature executive power of any State to appoint a temporary commissioner or commissioners, for the special purpose of joining with a commissioner sent from the said Board to receive and liquidate any of the aforesaid accounts within such State, who, being duly qualified before a magistrate, and the qualification lodged in the treasury, shall respectively have the same powers, and be entitled to the same emoluments for the time he shall be employed as aforesaid he is in office, as a commissioner of the chambers at the treasury.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Oliver Ellsworth, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 161.]
The committee, appointed to consider and report a plan for the department of foreign affairs, and the committee, to whom were referred the letters from Governor Livingston and Major General Lord Stirling, and the motion thereon;
And the committee, appointed to devise means for the more effectual preventing and punishing the making or uttering counterfeit paper bills of the similitude of the bills of credit emitted by Congress;
And the committee, to whom was referred the petition of John Garcia Duarti, delivered in their several reports.
The Delegates of Pennsylvania beg leave to Report that they have conferred with the President and Council of Pennsylvania on the subject of Governor Livingston and Lord Stirling's letters and the motion made by Mr Clark. That the President informs them orders have been issued to the militia of the City and County of Philadelphia to hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice; That the like orders will immediately issue to the Militia of the Counties of Chester and Bucks.
That from the City and those three Counties there is reason to expect as many militia will march as the present occasion will probably require. And that immediate orders for their march shall be given
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upon the requisition of Congress or His Excellency General Washington.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, undated, in the writing of Timothy Matlack, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 591.]
Ordered, That to morrow be assigned for electing commissioners of the chambers of accounts:
The following gentlemen were put in nomination for commissioners of the chambers of accounts:
Mr. George Measam, by Mr. [John Morin] Scott;
Mr. James McComb, by Mr. [William Churchil] Houston.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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