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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, MAY 15, 1777
A letter, of the 8, from Joseph Belton, was read, requiring an extraordinary allowance for his new invented gun.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of the 8th is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, I, folio 183. A second letter, dated the 7th, is on folio 175.]
Ordered, That the same be dismissed.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That there be advanced to Colonel Thomas Hartley, seventeen thousand and eight hundred dollars, in order to enable him to fulfil the contracts he has made under the recommendation of the Board of War and the committee of Congress at Philadelphia, for arming and cloathing the batallion under his command; he to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Wilson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 171.]
That 177 70/90 dollars be paid to Joseph Nourse, clerk of the Board of War, for four month's salary, commencing 10th of January last:
That the sum of 790 57/90 dollars be advanced to the Board of War and Ordnance, for public service.3
[Note 3: 3 Probably based upon a memorandum in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 169, asking for £150 "ordered by the Board of War to be paid to the three Pilots who informed against Molesworth," and £146 9 9 in favor of the Board of Ordnance, "to pay Andrew Burkhard for coals delivered Samuel Wheeler to make Field Pieces."]
A memorial from John Dorsey and others, surgeons of the ships and vessels of war in the port of Philadelphia; also
A petition from the lieutenants of the navy, and a petition from Benjamin Marshall and Thomas Search, were read:4
[Note 4: 4 A petition, without date, and signed by ten lieutenants, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, IV, folio 114.]
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Ordered, That they be referred to the Marine Committee.
Ordered, That the Treasury Board form and report to Congress, with all possible despatch, an estimate of the public expences for the present year, distinguishing, in such estimate, the expence of the commissary, quarter master and barrack master general, and the medical department; and that they confer with the Marine Board and with Major General Schuyler on this subject.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to devise ways and means for defraying the expences of the present year; and that they confer on this subject with the Board of Treasury.
The members chosen, Mr. [Robert] Morris, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [John] Witherspoon.
Resolved, That Major General Schuyler be directed to join Captain Burke's independent company to Colonel Patton's regiment, until General Washington shall otherwise direct.
The Committee of Treasury report.
That there is due to Henry Shitz, for 35 reams of paper for continental certificates, the sum of 350 dollars:
That there is due to Henry Frict, a private in Captain Hay's company of the 6th Pensylvania regiment, for a rifle gun, belonging to him, and lost in the public service, the sum of 14 30/90 dollars:
That there is due to Robert Criswell, for two months and ten days pay due to Charles Crook, a private in Captain William Armstrong's company of Colonel Montgomery's regiment of flying camp, which Crook was an apprentice to the said Criswell, and taken at Fort Washington 16th November, and died at New York 26th January, the sum of 15 50/90 dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 171.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
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Resolved, That an order for 35,100 dollars be drawn on Nathaniel Appleton, commissioner of the loan office, for the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of the said Nathaniel Appleton; the same being in full of two orders, drawn by Abraham Livingston and William Turnbull, on R. Morris, in favour of the said N. Appleton, one dated at Boston, March 5, 1777, for 20,100 dollars, the other, dated at the same place, March 17,1777, for 15,000 dollars; and that the same be charged to the account of James Mease, cloathier general.
The Board of Treasury having requested the direction of Congress, relative to prisoners of the flying camp, to enable the commissioners of claims to settle several accounts, Whereupon, it was
Resolved, That officers and soldiers of the flying camp, who were taken prisoners, and released by the enemy, on their parole, or made their escape, be allowed pay to the time of their return home.
That it be referred to the Board of Treasury to consider whether any allowance, and how much, ought to be made to the said prisoners for rations, and report thereon to Congress.
Resolved, [21] That every officer, non-commissioned officer, or soldier, in the army of the United States, who shall, on any pretence whatever, presume to take out of any stable, pasture, park, or carriage, any horse or horses belonging to the public, or any belonging to private persons actually employed in the public service, without having authority so to do, by written order of the commander in chief, the commander of any department, the commanding officer of any post where such horses may be, the quarter master general, or any of his deputies or assistants, or by the commanding officer of artillery, or any detachment thereof, who may give order for the taking of horses assigned to that corps only, such orders to
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specify the particular service for which such horse or horses are taken, shall be, for such offence, as soon as may be, brought to a general court martial, and, if the fact is proved to the satisfaction of the court, the commander in chief, or other general officer having given order for such court to convene, shall, upon conviction, immediately dismiss from the service, such offender, if an officer, unless from some circumstances the commander in chief, or such general officer, shall see cause to pardon the offence; and if a non-commissioned officer or private, he shall order such corporal punishment to be inflicted as he may think proper, not exceeding one hundred lashes, unless from some circumstances, the commander in chief, or such general officer, shall see cause to pardon the offence.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Philip Schuyler, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 145.]
A petition from James Norris, with two affidavits enclosed, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to General Washington.
At a Board of War, 15th May 1777
Agreed to Report to Congress.
That Major Gen. Schuyler be directed forthwith to proceed Agreed to the Northern Department, and take upon him the Command there.2
[Note 2: 2 See under May 22, 1777, post.]
That, a Letter be written by the President to Major General Gates, informing him, that Major General Schuyler is order'd to take upon him the Command in the Northern Department; and that Congress are desirous that Major General Gates should make his own choice, either to continue in the Command in the Northern Department, under Major General Schuyler; or to take upon him the Office of Adjutant General in the Grand Army immediately under the Commander in Chief, with the rank he now holds, and the pay and Appointments mentioned in his Letter to the President of theDay oflast.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 165.]
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The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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