| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1776
A letter, of the 3, from R. H. Harrison, enclosing a letter from Brigadier General Parsons of the 2d;1 one from General Schuyler, dated at Saratoga, October 30 last, with a copy of instructions to officers appointed to recruit for the service of the United States of America;2 also a letter of the 31 October, from Jonathan Trumbull, deputy pay master general; and a letter of the 31 of the same month, from Governor Trumbull, with a resolve of the general assembly of Connecticut, appointing John Lawrence, Esqr. of Hartford, commissioners to superintend the loan office, in that state, were read:
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, III, 201.]
[Note 2: 2 Schuyler's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, II, folio 471.]
Ordered, That the letter from General Schuyler, and that from Mr. Harrison, with the letter enclosed, be referred to the Board of War:
That from Governor Trumbull, and that from J. Trumbull, pay master,to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved, That the letter from General Schuyler, of the 29 August, which was received and read the 6 September, together with the memorial from Colonel Brown, and the officers' certificate enclosed therein, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the report of a court of enquiry appointed by General Schuyler, and held at Albany the 5 October, in consequence of a resolution of Congress of the 30 July last, confirming General Montgomery's promise "to give to the troops concerned in taking the vessels on the Sorrel, all the public stores, except ammunition and provisions, on board thereof," be referred to the commissioners
Page 929 | Page image
for adjusting the accounts of the northern army; that they be directed to make strict enquiry into the matter, and inform themselves, by the evidence of persons who served at that time as quarter master and commissaries of stores in the said army, and of any others, what part, or whether all stores mentioned in the report, were taken for the public service; that they allow to the officers and men which they shall find entitled thereto, the amount of so many of the stores as shall appear to have been taken for the army as aforesaid, and have not been paid for, after deducting therefrom, such reasonable expences as have accrued to any of the captors in obtaining an adjustment of the prize money, and ordering the amount of such articles of the prize goods as the said captors have received, and were not given to them as bounties, to be deducted from their respective proportions; that the pay master be directed, upon receiving General Schuyler's warrant for payment of the same to proportion it amongst such officers and men, as the general and commissioners shall direct, agreeable to the pay allowed by the establishment at that time, without any regard to rations.
The Marine Committee brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That three persons, well skilled in maritime affairs, be immediately appointed to execute the business of the navy, under the direction of the Marine Committee.
The remainder of the report, at the request of a colony, was postponed till to Morrow.
Resolved, That commissions be delivered to the captains and subalterns of the sixth Virginia batallion, the dates to be filled up by Brigadier General Stephen.
That 4,000 dollars be advanced to Colonel Lawson, of the 4th Virginia batallion, for the payment of said batallion,
Page 930 | Page image
he to be accountable, ∥and that the money be paid into the hands of Thomas Gaskins.∥1
[Note 1: 1 On margin is written in another hand: "Order drawn in favour Thomas Gaskins, to be delivered Col. Lawson."]
Two bills were presented to Congress; one drawn by General Lee, dated Petersburg, 28th September, 1776, for sixty four dollars; the other, by Jacob Morris, aid de camp to General Lee, of the same date, for one hundred and fifty dollars, both in favour of John Bannister, and drawn upon William Palfrey, Esqr. pay master general, Philadelphia:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury paid, and charged to the account of General Lee.
Resolved, That Wyllie Jones, Esqr. of Halifax, Robert Smith, Esqr. of Edenton, and Alexander Telfer, Esqr. of Halifax, or any two of them, be appointed to audit and settle the continental accounts in Virginia.
The Committee of Treasury reported, that there is due,
To Benjamin Wallace, and to be paid to Charles Risk, for victualling 45 men of the flying camp, 4 45/90 dollars:
To Francis Hopkinson, Esqr. for his and James Wilson, Esqr. their expences, &c. at Bristol, to make enquiry respecting despatches sent from head quarters, and lost, by the express, 25 60/90 dollars:
To Sebastian Miller, for the hire of a waggon with money from Philadelphia to Boston, 65 30/90 dollars:
To John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, for half a years' salary due the 9th of October last, at the rate of 1,066 60/90 dollars per annum 533 30/90 dollars:
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The ship Lady Catharine, George Ord, master, which was sent out last winter, being returned,
Resolved, That the Secret Committee be empowered and directed to settle the accounts of the voyage, and
Page 931 | Page image
report in what manner the cargo imported is to be disposed of.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |