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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1775
Met according to adjournment.
The Congress resumed the consideration of the report from the Committee of the whole,
Resolved, That the pay of the commissary general of musters be 40 dollars per month.
That the pay of the deputy commissary genl of stores and provisions be 60 dollars ditto.
That the pay of the light infantry be the same as that in the Regiment from a captain to a private, and both included.
That in the artillery, the pay of captain be 26 2/3 dollars per month.
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That the appointment of provost Marshal, waggon master, and master carpenter, be left to the commander in chief of the army, who is to fix their pay, having regard to the pay such receive in the ministerial army, and the proportion that the pay of the Officers in said army bears to the pay of our Officers.
William Tudor, Esqr. was elected Judge Advocate of the army.
Resolved, That Michael Hillegas, and George Clymer, Esqrs. be, and they are hereby appointed, joint treasurers of the United Colonies: that the Treasurers reside in Philadelphia, and that they shall give bond, with surety, for the faithful performance of their office, in the sum of 100,000 Dollars, to John Hancock, Henry Middleton, John Dickinson, John Alsop, Thomas Lynch, Richard Henry Lee, and James Wilson, Esqrs. and the survivor of them, in trust for the United Colonies.
That the provincial Assemblies or conventions do each chuse a treasurer for their respective colonies, and take sufficient security for the faithful performance of the trust.
That each colony provide ways and means to sink its proportion of the bills ordered to be emitted by this Congress, in such manner as may be most effectual and best adapted to the condition, circumstances, and usual mode of levying taxes in such colony.
That the proportion or quota of each colony be determined according to the number of Inhabitants, of all ages, including negroes and mulattoes in each colony; But, as
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this cannot, at present, be ascertained, that the quotas of the several colonies be settled for the present, as follows, to undergo a revision and correction, when the list of each colony is obtained.
That each Colony pay its respective quota in four equal annual payments, the first payment to be made on or before the last day of November, which will be in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine; the second, on or before the last day of November, 1780; the third, on or before the last day of November, 1781; and the fourth or last, on or before the last day of November, 1782. And that for this end, the several provincial assemblies, or conventions, provide for laying and levying taxes in their respective provinces or colonies, towards sinking the continental bills: That the said bills be received by the collectors in payment of such taxes, and be by the sd. collectors pd into the hands of the provincial treasurers, with all such other monies as they may receive in lieu of the continental bills, which other monies the sd provincial treasurers shall endeavour to get exchanged for continental bills, and where that cannot be done, shall send to the continental treasurers the deficiency in silver or gold, with the bills making up the quota to be sunk in that year, taking care to cut, by a circular punch, of an Inch diameter, an hole in each bill, and to cross the same, thereby to render them unpassable, though the sum or value is to remain fairly legible: And
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the continental treasurers, as fast as they receive the said quotas, shall, with the assistance of a committee of five persons, to be appointed by the Congress, if sitting, or by the assembly or convention of the province of Pensylvania, examine and count the continental bills, and in the presence of the said committee, burn and destroy them. And the silver and gold sent them to make up the deficiencies of quotas, they shall retain in their hands until demanded in redemption of continental bills, that may be brought to them for that purpose, which bills so redeemed, they shall also burn and destroy in presence of the said committee. And the treasurers, whenever they have silver or gold in their hands for the redemption of continental bills, shall advertise the same, signifying that they are ready to give silver or gold for such bills, to all persons requiring it in exchange.
The provincial treasurers and collectors are to have such allowances for their respective services, as shall be directed by the several assemblies or conventions, to be paid by their respective province or colony,
That the continental treasurers be allowed for their service this year, five hundred dollars each.
Resolved, That the paymaster general, commissary-general, quartermaster general, and every of their deputies, shall take an Oath, truly and faithfully discharge the duties of their respective stations.
Ordered, That the damaged powder now in the State house be delivered to the committee of the city and Liberties of Philadelphia to be made fit for use.
Ordered, That the continental Treasurers do pay to Col. William Thompson, or his order, five thousand dollars, on Account, being by advance for the service of a Battalion of rifflemen under his command.
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Resolved, That this Congress will, as soon as the public business permits, adjourn to the 5th. of Septr next.
Resolved, That the Congress will, on Monday next, consider of the state of trade, after the 10th of next September.
Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, from the Committee, for that purpose appointed, reported the form of a bond, to be given by the joint continental Treasurers.
Ordered, That the said Committee do inspect into the sufficiency of the sureties.
Adjourned till Monday at 8 o'Clock.
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