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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 --FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1777
A letter, of the 17th inst. from J[ohn] M'Kinley, speaker of the assembly of the State of Delaware, with sundry resolves of that assembly, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee of Congress, at Philadelphia.
John Taylor, Esq. being appointed major in Colonel Hazen's regiment,2
[Note 2: 2 A letter of Edward Antill recommending Taylor, dated Lancaster, January 20, 1777, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, 42, I, folio 25.]
Resolved, That a commission be granted to him, and that the same be dated the 13th November, 1776.
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Resolved, That 1,000 dollars be paid to Major John Taylor, for the purpose of raising recruits for the regiment whereof he is major, and that the same be charged to the account of Colonel Moses Hazen, this being in full of an order of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antil, ∥of col. Hazen's regiment,∥ in favour of the said J[ohn] Taylor, dated 20 January, 1777.
The Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the means of supplying state of the treasury, &c. and after some time spent, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Thomas] Nelson reported, that the committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, but have come to no resolution thereon:
There being no delegates attending from the state of Delaware, and but one from the state of New York, who, ∥according to the instructions given by that state to their delegates,∥ is not empowered to give the vote of that State,
Ordered, That Mr. President write to the States of New York and Delaware, requesting them immediately to send to Congress representations of their respective states, and to provide, that for the future, applications of this kind may be rendered unnecessary.
Whereas by a resolve of Congress of the 5th of November last, all accounts for services done, or articles supplied the armies of the United States in New York, New Jersey, and in the northern department, are to be presented to the commissioners of accounts for the respective armies; and so much thereof, as is approved by them, and confirmed by the respective generals, is ordered to be paid by his [their] warrants on the pay master, after the said commissioners have certified thereon, that the accounts and vouchers are returned to them by the
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persons receiving such warrants; and, whereas, it may frequently happen, that the absence or engagements of the generals aforesaid, may occasion a delay in ordering the payment of such accounts, whereby individuals, having demands against the united States, may suffer inconveniences; it is, therefore,
Resolved, That the commander in chief in each department be empowered, when absence or hurry of business shall prevent his revising the accounts passed by the commissioners, to direct the pay master to discharge such accounts, upon certificates from the commissioners; observing to order the pay master, when circumstances will permit, to lay the accounts and certificates before him, for his approbation, and to return them to the commissioners to be filed in their office.
Resolved, That if General Schuyler and General Gates be ∥both∥ absent from the northern department at the ∥same∥ time that the pay master there shall receive this resolution, the said pay master be empowered and directed to discharge accounts upon the certificates of the commissioners, during such absence; and upon the return of either of the said officers, to lay the accounts and certificates before the same for his approbation.
The committee to whom was referred the letter from the council of safety of Pensylvania, with sundry papers therein enclosed, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
Whereas Congress are informed that certain tribes of Indians, living in the back parts of the country, near the waters of the Susquehanna, who are within the confederacy, and under the protection of the Six Nations, the friends and allies of these united States, are, upon motives friendly and peaceable, now on their way to
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Easton, in the state of Pensylvania; and whereas, such may be the poor and necessitous circumstances of these Indians, as to demand the attention of Congress; it is therefore,
Resolved, That the committee of Congress at Philadelphia, deliver to George Walton and George Taylor, Esqrs. or to either of them, 1,000 dollars; who are directed to purchase therewith, such presents as may be suitable for the said Indians: and that one or both of them forthwith repair to Easton, and, in the name of this Congress, inform the said Indians, that although, in the opinion of Congress, it is altogether improper for them to kindle a council fire at that place, as they have already done the same at Albany, where, by their commissioners, they hold their councils, and communicate every matter of importance to their good friends the Six Nations, and their allies, of which these tribes are a part, yet, in regard to the good and peaceable conduct of these nations, and in consideration of their wants, which this Congress are much inclined to relieve, and also in token of their friendship for them, as well as for all other Indians, who are at peace with these states, they, the said G[eorge] Walton and G[eorge] Taylor, Esqrs. are directed to deliver those presents to them; and they are, at the same time, to signify to the said Indians, that this Congress have an entire confidence, that the same peaceable and friendly conduct will be observed by them, which they have hitherto regarded.
Ordered, That the said Messrs. Walton and Taylor be furnished with a copy of the foregoing resolutions for their direction.
Resolved, That the pay of the commissary of military stores, to be appointed to take the charge and care of the continental stores in Maryland, be 40 dollars per month:
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That the delegates of Maryland direct the quarter master to look out for a proper house, wherein to deposit the powder, in this town, belonging to the Continent; and that they desire the captain of the guard to see that a trusty guard be kept over the powder.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock Monday next.
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