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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 --TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1776
Sundry letters were received, and read, viz.
One from General Washington of the 21:
Another from do. of the 22d, with three papers enclosed:
One from Governor Cooke of the 16:
Two from Brigadier H. Mercer, of the 22d, with two papers enclosed.1
[Note 1: 1 The letters of Washington are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, folios 261 and 265. That of the 22d is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), IV, 282. That from Governor Cooke is in No. 64, folio 360.]
Resolved, That the letters from General Washington be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved, That the report of the committee on the cartel entered into between Brigadier General Arnold and Captain Foster, and the resolutions passed thereon, be published.
A letter from Brigadier General Mercer of the 20th, was laid before Congress and read.2
[Note 2: 2 The letters of Mercer are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 145.]
Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War.Resolved, That twenty dollars be advanced to Isaac Manes, a wounded soldier in Captain Cheeseman's company, and that he be sent to the general hospital.
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The Board of War reported, that they have heard and considered several matters alleged against the arrangement made in the regiment ordered to be raised under Colonel Dubois, and are of opinion, that no good purpose would be answered by making any alteration therein; and although many worthy officers who served in Canada are yet unemployed, the Board can only lament that they are not in the service, but hope something will, in future, turn up to enable Congress to place them in stations equal to their merit:
The same being again read, was agreed to.
On the remainder of the report from the Board of War, the Congress came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, That General Washington be informed that Congress have such an entire confidence in his judgment, that they will give him no particular directions about the disposition of the troops, but desire that he will dispose of those at New York, the flying camp and Ticonderoga, as to him shall seem most conducive to the public good:
Resolved, That Congress approve of General Washington's having lent to the convention of New York, the sum of money mentioned in his letter of the 19th instant:
Resolved, That Monsieur St. Martin be appointed an engineer,in the southern department with rank of lieutenant colonel, and that he be directed to repair to New York, and put himself under the command of General Washington.
Resolved, That Dr. David Griffith be appointed to the stations of chaplain and surgeon in the third Virginia regiment, he being a person of uncommon merit, and there being very few surgeons of abilities who will enter into the army in that state; this appointment not to be drawn into precedent:
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That Mr. Griffith draw pay in both these capacities, for the time he has served in the regiment.
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Dennis Lefferty, for twenty-six weeks board, the sum of fifty-two dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Timothy Matlack:
To William White, for boarding General Lee's guards, the sum of 40 60/90 dollars:
To George Haas, for carrying money to New York, the sum of 26 60/90 dollars:
To William Bradford, for the expences of a guard escorting money to New York, the sum of 88 57/90 dollars:
To Rachel Ewens, for boarding a sick soldier, the sum of 3 dollars:
To Robert Owen, Junior, for provisions furnished several riffle companies, 64 86/90 dollars:
To Peter Grosets, for provisions to several riffle companies, the sum of 61 46/90 dollars, and that this ought to be paid to said Robert Owen, Junr.
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Resolved, In order to hasten the march of the troops, that the several committees of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, and Northampton ∥counties, in Pennsylvania,∥ be empowered to muster the troops that shall march from their several counties, and to draw for one month's pay on Mr. James Mease, pay master, and that they certify the muster rolls, and send the receipts to the pay master for the moneys that shall be so advanced.
Resolved, That a member be added to the Board of Treasury, in the room of one absent:
The member chosen, Mr. [George] Clymer.
The Congress, agreeable to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into
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their farther consideration the articles of confederation; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, the committee have made farther progress in the matter to them referred, but not having finished, desired him to move for leave to sit again.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the articles of confederation.
A petition from a number of inhabitants of Chester county, in Pensylvania, was presented to Congress and read, praying that John Griffith, a soldier in the continental army, an experienced artificer in making and dressing fullers' shears, may be released from the army, and ordered to return home to follow his trade:
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted.
A petition from sundry Canadians was presented to Congress, and read:
[Resolved, That it be] referred to the Canada committee.
The Marine Committee having recommended Richard Palmes to be captain of marines,
Resolved, That he be accepted, and a commission be granted to him accordingly.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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