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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 --SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1777
General Gates, to whom the sentence of the court martial, held at Crown Point in July last, against Colonel Campbell, was referred, having reported, that he has considered the same, and has thought proper to reverse the same, and has thought proper to reverse the same "was of opinion, that Colonel Donald Campbell, deputy quarter master general in the northern department, does not deserve to be cashiered for the crime adduced against him in the general court martial referred to."
Ordered, That General Gates' acquittal of Colonel Campbell a copy of the above be sent to General Washington:
That a Committee of three be the memorial formerly received from Colonel Campbell, with the papers enclosed, be referred to a Committee of three:1
[Note 1: 1 This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 364.]
The members chosen, Mr. [George] Ross, Mr. [William] Whipple, and Mr. [Samuel] Adams.
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Resolved, That 6,000 dollars be advanced to Colonel Mackay, for the purpose of paying the non-commissioned officers and privates of his batallion 10 dollars bounty, in addition to the 10 dollars advanced them on their first inlistment, provided they will re-inlist to serve for three years, or during the war, agreeable to former resolutions of Congress; Colonel Mackay to be accountable.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be sent to Governor Trumbull, for the purpose of recruiting the continental army, in the state of Connecticut:
That William Aylett, Esq. deputy commissary general in Virginia, be directed to secure, and safely keep, for continental use, all provisions, agreed to be furnished by the contractors in that State, agreeable to their several contracts: and that it be left to the governor and council of that State, to settle what compensation shall be given to the contractors, by the ration, for their trouble and expence in purchasing the said provisions.
Resolved, That Congress approve of the proceedings of their committee at Philadelphia, in supplying the recruiting officers, appointed by the State of New Jersey, with money; and also of their exertions in furnishing the pay master general, and Mr. Huntington, with what cash they could procure, to answer their immediate demands:
That Congress direct their Committee at Philadelphia to enquire into the State of the Continental Stable there, and to Rejected sell or otherwise dispose of the Continental Horses and oxen therein in the whole or in Part as to them shall seem expedient.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 17.]
That one independent company, consisting of a captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four serjeants, four corporals,
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one drum, and one fife, and seventy six rank and file, be forthwith raised in the continental service, for three years or during the war, and stationed in the borough of Lancaster as a guard over the prisoners of war. and public stores in that place, until they shall be ordered elsewhere:
That the officer commanding the said company afford to the committee of Lancaster, all necessary assistance to carry into execution the resolves of Congress:
That particular attention be paid to the inlisting sober and discreet men into the said company:
That the committee of Congress in Philadelphia, be desired to inform the quarter master general, what number of horses and oxen, in the public stables at Philadelphia, are fit for service:
That they employ a careful person to distribute in the country such of them as are disabled; there to be recruited in the cheapest manner:
That the keepers of the continental stables admit no horses or teams to be received into, or taken out of the same, unless by order of a general officer commanding in the place where the stables are respectively kept; or of the quarter-master or deputy quarter masters general, or waggon master or deputy waggon masters general.
The Board of War, to whom the case of Major Painter was referred, reported, that, upon enquiry into the matter of the uneasiness of some of the captains in Colonel Seth Warner's regiment, at the appointment of Elisha Painter to be major of the said regiment, it appears to have proceeded from an opinion of their prior rank to him as captains, previous to said appointment, and that his continuance in the said regiment will probably obstruct the filling up the same, and be prejudicial to the service; Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the said Elisha Painter be removed from any command in the said regiment, and referred to General Washington for an appointment to such an office, as he shall judge him qualified to fill.
Ordered, That an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independency, with the names of the members of Congress subscribing the same, be sent to each of the United States, and that they be desired to have the same put upon record.
Agreeable to order, Congress proceeded to the election of a pay master in Baltimore; and, the ballots being taken,
Jonathan Hudson was elected.
Resolved, That the salary affixed for the assistant clerk of the Treasury Board of War, at Philada. be continued to Mr. Nourse, and that an additional sum be allowed him at the rate of 266 2/3 dollars per annum on account of his extraordinary expences.
The Committee of Treasury reported, that there is due,
To George Ross, Esq. for the expences of himself, Dr. [John ] Witherspoon, and Mr. [William] Paca, a committee of Congress, sent to New Jersey; and for cash he paid to Mr. ∥Jacob∥ Hier, for keeping an express horse at Princetown, 8960/90 dollars:
To Robert Moore, for 13 walnut and 6 mahogany chairs, a desk and table, for the use of Congress, and the president's office, [£34.17.6] 93 dollars:
To Dr. J[ohn] Witherspoon, for wood supplied the troops at Princetown; for the expences of sick soldiers; and the allowance due to John M'Kinzie, a prisoner from North Carolina, from the 18th October to the 10th January, inclusive, being 12 weeks, 105 78/90 dollars:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 132, I, folio 17.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
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Ordered, That the resolution appointing a committee of seven to enquire into the conduct of the British and Hessian officers, with regard to the treatment by them shewn to the prisoners in their possession, be published, with the names of the committee.1
[Note 1: 1 It appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet, 11 February, 1777.]
A petition from Captain James Campbel was read, praying for leave
Resolved, That a store keeper be appointed to take the charge and care of the continental stores in Maryland:
That Monday ∥next∥ be assigned for electing him.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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