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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, MARCH 14, 17771
[Note 1: 1 The entries in the Journal from March 14 to March 22, inclusive, are in the writing of Jacob Rush, of the Secretary's Office.]
Rhode Island not represented until 11 o'Clock.2
[Note 2: 2 In MS. of John Hancock.]
A letter from John Trumbull, deputy adjutant general for the northern department, enclosing his commission, was read and referred to Board of War; also one from John Lawrence, commissioner of the loan office for Connecticut respecting his salary;
A letter from Mons. Vernejous, with one from General Sullivan, recommending him were read and referred to the Board of War.
A letter from James Price, praying to be authorized to draw on the treasury for the balance of the accounts due to Price and Haywood, were read and referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter from Joseph Trumbull, commissary general, of the 5th March 1777, was read and referred to the Board of Treasury.3
[Note 3: 3 The letter of John Trumbull is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXII, folio 215; that of Laurance, dated February 14, is in No. 78, XIV, folio 155; and that of Vernejous in No. 160, folio 27.]
A letter from Governor Trumbull, 21 February, 1777, was received and read.4
[Note 4: 4 This letter is in No. 66, I, folio 289.]
Ordered, That two months' pay and rations be paid to Monsr. Lotbiniere, as chaplain, from the 10th of January last. Drew an order on Mr. Hillegas for 82 60/90 dollars.5
[Note 5: 5 This last sentence is in MS. of John Hancock.]
Resolved, That the bills drawn by the treasurer of North Carolina on the continental treasury, be paid as part of
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the five hundred thousand dollars ordered to be advanced to that State the 5th of February last.
Ordered, That the bill drawn by Governor Trumbull, for twenty-five thousand dollars, in favour of Nathaniel Shaw, be paid and charged to the State of Connecticut.
Ordered, That Mr. Carpenter Wharton be directed to lay his accounts before the Board of Treasury.
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the conduct of the commissaries,1 and that they be empowered to send for and examine such persons as they may judge necessary to such enquiry:
[Note 1: 1 This phrase is in the MS. of John Hancock.]
The members chosen, Mr. Lewis Morris, Mr. A[braham] Clark, and Mr. J[onathan] B[ayard] Smith.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Mons. Faneuil's scheme for officering, arming and cloathing a corps of Frenchmen, to be raised in the French islands, to serve in the United States, as mentioned in General Washington's letter of the 20th of February, be disapproved:
That General Washington be acquainted, it is the opinion of Congress, no commissions should be granted to foreign officers, to serve in these states, unless they are well acquainted with our language, and bring strong credentials of their abilities:
That a Copy of the Resolution of Congress, passed yesterday, discouraging Foreign Gentlemen coming over to America to serve as Officers in the Army of the United States, without being acquainted with our Language, be transmitted to General Washington.
That General Washington be informed, no provision has been made by Congress for the support of widows, whose husbands have been slain in battle.
Ordered, That the letters to Congress, with the enclosures from General Washington, of the 1st and 6th inst.
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be referred to the consideration of a committee of the whole House.
That the pay list transmitted by the General for the establishment of Colonel Sheldon's regiment of cavalry, be approved of, which is as follows:
That the list of officers and privates transmitted by the General as necessary to compose every regiment of cavalry to be raised for the defence of these United States, be approved of, which is as follows:
For a regiment of horse:
[Note 1: 1 John Hancock has written on the margin: "The papers referred to in these two resolutions sent back to Gen. W[ashington]."]
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∥Note. The pay of the farrier and saddler being less than such persons can be had for, a small stoppage from the men's pay must be made and given in aid, as is usual in the British service.∥
Resolved, That Mr. Nathaniel Barber, junior, deputy commissary of artillery in the eastern department, receive for his pay 331/3 dollars per month, and three rations ∥a day.∥1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 99.]
Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the letters from General Washington of the 1st and 6th inst., with the enclosures, and after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. L[ewis] Morris reported, that the committee has had under consideration the matters referred to them, and had come into a resolution on the subject, which he was ordered to report:
The report being read, was agreed to, as follows:
Resolved, That General Washington be informed, that Congress cannot agree to any alteration in the resolve passed on the 6th of January, 1777. And, as to the complaints of Colonel Campbell, it was never their intention that he should suffer any other hardship than such confinement as is necessary to his security for the purpose of that resolve:
Resolved, That a copy of the above resolve, together with a copy of the letter from Colonel Campbell to General Washington, be sent to the council of Massachusetts Bay:
Resolved, That a copy of the letter from Colonel Campbell to General Washington be sent to Captain ∥J.∥ Bradford.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow Morning.
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