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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, MAY 13, 1777
Resolved, That 800 dollars be advanced to Captain Craig, of the light horse, for the use of his troop; he to be accountable.
Ordered, That the Board of War enquire into the truth of a report, that Captain Craig has inlisted into his troop some deserters and prisoners from the enemy, and take such measures as are consistent with the resolutions of Congress and the public service.
A letter, of the 10, and one of the 12, from General Washington, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 These letters are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folios 171 and 179. They are printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), V, 354, 359.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War, who are directed to send, to the Board of Treasury, a copy of such parts thereof as relate to the accounts of the army.
Sundry resolutions of the convention of the State of New York were laid before Congress, and read.2
[Note 2: 2 These resolutions, in answer to those of the Congress of April 22, on the statute laws, discoveries and improvements in the arts of war, etc., are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folio 55.]
The Board of War, to whom their report on the petition from some inhabitants of Nova Scotia was recommitted, brought in a report which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the council of the Massachusetts bay be requested to consider the case of the inhabitants of Cumberland
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and Sunbury counties in Nova Scotia, who are sufferers by their attachment to the American cause and to devise and put in execution at continental expence such measures as the said council shall think practicable and prudent for the relief of the said sufferers; and to enable such of them as may be desirous of removing to a place of greater safety, to bring off their families and effects, and the said council is hereby authorised to raise a number of men if necessary for that service, not exceeding five hundred in such places as will least interfere with the raising their quota of troops for the continental army.
The Committee on Foreign Applications, to whom the letters by Colonel Conway were referred, brought in a report; Whereupon,
The Committee on foreign applications recommend Thos. Conway, Knight of the Order of St. Louis, as worthy to be admitted a Brigadier into the Service of these United States, having been in the service of the King of France 30 years; with the rank of Colo. in the Irish Brigades from the 9th of November 1772; having also strong recommendations from Mr Dean Your Commissioner, and speaking our language fluently.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Lovell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 10.]
Resolved, That another brigadier general be appointed:
The ballots being taken, Thomas Conway, knight of the order of St. Louis, was elected.
The Board of Treasury reported,
That they have examined the late General Montgomery's accounts with the United States; Major General Schuyler's accounts down to the 20th of March last; the accounts of Jonathan Trumbull, Jun. Esqr. pay master general of the northern department, to the 28 day of January; and the accounts of Walter Livingston, Esqr. deputy commissary general for the said department, as
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respectively reported to them, and settled and adjusted by the commissioners of accounts of the army in the said department; and that they approve of the settlement and adjustment of the said respective accounts by the commissioners; ∥Whereupon,∥
Resolved, That the said report stand confirmed.
Resolved, That the several purchasing and issuing deputy or assistant commissaries, in the northern department, settle and adjust their accounts of receipts and expenditures, and issues, with the commissioners for settling the accounts of the army in the said department.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated May 3, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 147.]
Resolved, That every warrant of a general officer, having authority to draw on the military chest, or pay master, or deputy pay master general in any department, shall specify the particular service or account for which the same shall be drawn, in order to enable the treasury board, and commissioners of accounts, to make the proper charges, and to do justice to the public.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph is in a report in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 87. It is followed by this paragraph:
"Resolved, That no allowance for any service or loss, be made by the General or Commanding Officer in any Department or at any Post, but such as is directed by Congress, and that all claims and demands against the United States for which no particular provision is made, shall be presented to the Commissioners of accounts in the respective Department, in order to their being properly examined and allowed when such Commissioners are Authorized to make a final settlement or otherwise reported to the Treasury Board for the determination of Congress."
This paragraph was postponed. At the foot of the report is written: "Agreed to take the direction of Congress in the case of Prisoners dismissed by the Army on their Parole, particularly those which lately belonged to the Flying Camp."]
Resolved, That Colonel Hartley's accounts be referred to the commissioners for examining the claims against the United States, and that they be directed to report thereon specially.
A letter, of the 6, from R. Yates, at Albany, enclosing a copy of a letter from James Deane, was read:
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Ordered, That the same be referred to the Standing Committee for Indian affairs.
A letter from James Mease, Esqr. was read:
The Committee of Treasury reported,
That there is due, to Robert Stephens, for four rifles delivered to Captain H. Stevenson, for the use of his rifle company, the sum of 55 30/90 dollars, to be charged to the account of the said Captain Stevenson:
That there is due to Walter Shee, for superintending the printing and rolling-press, for the loan-office certificates, twenty-six days, at 2 dollars per day, 52 dollars:
That there is due to Leonard Klein, for the half ferriage of troops over Conestoga creek, the sum of 36 35/90 dollars, to be paid to John Mucer:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 163.]
That there should be advanced to Mr. [William] Clajon, secretary to Major General Gates, 200 dollars on account of his pay.
Ordered, That the said sums be paid.
An appeal from the judgment of the court of admiralty, for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, on the libels of Joseph Stanton, &c. and Samuel Champlin, &c. against the schooner Two Brothers, being lodged ∥with the secretary∥, was referred to the Standing Committee on Appeals.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Committee of the Whole house on the Articles of Confederation; and, after some time spent thereon,
Resolved, That the further consideration be postponed.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington be requested to enquire into the case of Major Campbell, of the 8 Virginia regiment, and if his commission, which was ordered
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him by the resolution of Congress, of the 21 January last, was out of course, that the General be empowered to settle all disputes between the said Major Campbell, and all the other officers belonging to the State of Virginia, concerning rank; and, if the General shall so determine, that the said commission be rendered null and void.
Ordered, That the Secret Committee deliver to the quarter master general, the linen in their hands fit for tents.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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