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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 --FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1776
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Henry Dewson, for provisions to Captain Ross's company, the sum of £11 New York currency=27 ½ dollars.
The said committee report that they have had under their consideration an account exhibited by Colonel Turbott Francis, one of the Commissioners for Indian affairs for the northern department, of goods purchased for the treaty held with the Indians, at Albany, of his expences in attending the treaty, &c. amounting to the sum of £2,470 Pensylvania currency, including the sum of £242.13.4 New York currency, paid to Volkert P. Douw, Esq.r in which account he credits Cash received of the continental treasurers, the sum of 6.666 2/3 dollars,
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equal to £2500.0.0, and two horses taken, to himself at cost, £42.15. That there is, therefore, a balance in his hands amounting to £72.15.0=194 dollars.
And by the same account it appears that Colonel Francis had left in the hands of Mr. Douw two matrasses, &c. about 15 gallons of wine, and some spirits, to be accounted for by him when sold. It also further appears that there remains on hand part of the goods purchased for the said treaty.
It is therefore the opinion of this committee, That there is due to Volkert P. Douw Esq for expences attending the aforesaid treaty according to an accot rendered by him and examined by this committee (in which he credits the above mentioned sum of £242.13.4 and also credits cash received for boards which he had purchased for the Indians houses the sum of £15.6.2) the sum of £868.15.4 ½ New York currency, there will then remain in his hands the Matrasses wine &c. and spirits before mentioned and some boards, which are not yet sold.
Ordered, That the above sums be paid to Henry Dewson, and Volkert P. Douw, Esq.r the debts to them due, the latter through the hands of James Duane, Esq.r
The Committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the officers who are prisoners, and the manner in which they are subsisted at present, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to as follows:
Resolved, That the conduct of the officers at Trenton, though in other respects unexceptionable, is, as to their
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manner of living, exceedingly extravagant, they being boarded at taverns, and the inn keepers supplying them in a luxurious manner, on the credit of the Continent:
The Committee thereore are of opinion
That the Congress will, for the future, allow two dollars per week for the board and lodgings of officers, who are prisoners, (for which sum they may have decent lodgings) to be repaid by the officers before they are released from their captivity.
That the accounts of the several Inn keepers against the officers be paid by the Continent, which are also to be repaid by the said officers before their discharge.
That no tavern keeper supply the said officers, for the future, on the credit of the Continent.
That the officers now at Trenton, be directed to remove to some other place at a proper distance from the public post Road.
That the officers at Trenton have liberty consistent with former resolutions of Congress, to chuse the places of their residence.
That a copy of the above resolutions, together with a copy of the resolution granting officers liberty to sell bills for their subsistence, be transmitted to the several committees, where officers who are prisoners reside; and that the said committees be directed to apply to the said officers for their bills to discharge the debts already incurred, and also to inform them, it is expected they will from time to time draw for their future subsistence.
Ordered, That Rachel Stille's account amounting to £158.17.7 equal to 423 6/10 dollars, for subsistence of officers to the 4th of January, 1776, be paid.
The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the trade of the United Colonies, and after some time, the president resumed the
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chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, that the committee had taken into consideration the matter to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to Morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into further consideration the trade of the United Colonies.
A memorial from the field officers of the first Pensylvania batallion, was presented to Congress:
Ordered, That the same be referred till to Morrow.
The several matters to this day referred being postponed,
Adjourned till 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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