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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 --THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1776
Sundry letters were laid before Congress, and read; viz
One of the 30th July from Brigadier General Mercer, one of the same date, from Brigadier General Roberdeau, and sundry others:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Mercer is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 157. That of Roberdeau is in No. 78, XIX, folio 45.]
Resolved, That the two first be referred to the Board of War.
The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the articles
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of confederation; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [John] Morton reported, that the committee have made farther progress, but, not having come to a conclusion, desired 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 letter from General Washington, of the 30 July, was laid before Congress, together with sundry letters and papers enclosed;
Also, one from General Schuyler, of the 20th July, and one from Colonel Lewis Dubois, of the 17 July, with sundry papers enclosed.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, II, 313. That of Schuyler, in No. 153, II, folio 244. That of Dubois is in No. 78, VII, folio 45.]
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War reported the draught of a letter to General Washington, in answer to his letter directed to them; which was agreed to,
Ordered, That it be transcribed, signed by the president, and forwarded.2
[Note 2: 2 "I am particularly instructed by Congress to answer that part of your letter of 29th ultimo, directed to the Board of War, which relates to the filling up vacancies in the Army. The Congress are concerned to find that an opinion is entertained that greater confidence has been placed in, and larger powers given to, other commanders in that respect, than to yourself. They have in no instance, except in the late appointment of General Gates to the command in Canada, parted with the power of filling up vacancies. The great confusion and many disorders prevalent in that Army, and its distance, induced Congress to lodge such a power in that General, for the limited space of three months, and only during his continuance in Canada. Should Congress ever empower its Generals to fill up vacancies in the Army, they know of no one in whom they would so soon repose a trust of such importance as in yourself; but future Generals may make a bad use of it. The danger of the precedent, not any suspicion of their present Commander-in-Chief, prompts them to retain a power, that, by you, sir, might be exercised with the greatest publick advantage."John Hancock to General Washington, 2 August, 1776. Force,American Archives, Fifth Series, I, 725.]
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The said Board brought in a farther report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Colonel John Brown be allowed the rank and pay of lieutenant colonel in the continental army, from the 20th day of November last to this time:
That Colonel James Easton is entitled to the rank of a colonel in the continental army, from the first day of July, 1775, and to the pay of a colonel from that day until he shall be discharged, which ought to be done as soon as a court of Enquiry shall report in his favour, or a court martial shall determine upon his conduct, and their sentence is carried into execution; there being no vacancy to which he can be appointed. But, should he be honourably acquitted, his past services will recommend him to the confidence of Congress for future employment.
Resolved, That an order for £1000 Pensylvania currency [6,266 2/3 dollars] be drawn on the treasurers in favour of Ludwick Karcher, for victualling the militia passing through Philadelphia to the flying camp; he to be accountable.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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