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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 --WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1777
Sundry letters were read, viz: 1 from Doctr. Franklin, dated Nantes, October 8 (instead of December 8th), 1776.
One, from Mr. Atlee, ∥of Lancaster,∥ with the plan of stockade and barracks ∥in that place;∥ was read, and referred to Board of War.
One, from General Ward, dated Boston, March 4th, 1777; 1 from Monsr. Roche, 1 from Monsr. Faneuil, 1 from Monsr. --; 2 from Governor Livingston, ∥of New Jersey∥; one from General Mifflin; a letter from Henry Fisher, ∥at Lewestown,∥ to the council of safety of Pensylvania, was read, and referred to the Board of War.
A memorial from Jonathan Hastings respecting his salary as postmaster,1 was read:
[Note 1: 1 This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 13.]
Ordered, To lie till the report on the post office be taken up.
A letter from General Washington, dated 14th March, was read and referred to Board of War.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, III, folio 595. It is printed in Writings of Washington, V, 285. The letter of Franklin is printed in Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), II, 220. The Atlee letter and plan are in No. 60, folio 445; those of Livingston are in No. 68, folios 243, 247, and 251; that of Fisher is in No. 78, IX, folio 55; and that of Faneuil in No. 78, IX, folio 65.]
A letter, from colonel Morgan, agent at Fort Pitt, dated March 2d and 9th, 1777, was read, and referred, with the inclosures, to the commissioners for Indian affairs.
A petition from Thomas Henegan was read and referred to the salt petre committee.
Resolved, That the sum of 100,000 dollars be advanced to the State of New Jersey; the said State to be accountable.
Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to the State of Pensylvania; the said State to be accountable.
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Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the state of the French officers, and that all applications of foreigners for employment in the army be referred to them:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Lovell, Mr. [Thomas] Heyward, and Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau.
The Board of War brought in a report, Whereupon,
Resolved, That the sum of ten thousand dollars be advanced to Colonel William Grayson, according to his request, in his letter to the secretary of this board of the 7th instant; to be sent by the hands of Mr. Thompson, as desired in the same letter; Colonel Grayson to be accountable:
∥Ordered, That the said sum be advanced.
In consequence of a farther report from the Board of War,∥
That the baron de Arendt be appointed to the command of the German battalion in the room of Colonel Haussegger.
Ordered, That the Committee of Secret Correspondence write a respectful letter to the General de Kalb, thank him for his obliging offer, and decline accepting it at present.
That the Prayer in the Petition of Lewis Prahl be granted, and that Stephen Smith and John Bay be discharged from the Continental Service, upon Condition that they repay to the Secretary of this Board, for the Use of the United States, the Money they have received for Bounties, Cloathing and Pay.
That a Commission be sent Mr John Trumbull as Deputy Adjutant General for the Northern Department, bearing Date the Ordered to lie 28th. day of June, 1776, that being the Time when he was appointed to that Office by General Gates.
That Major General Lord Stirling be informed, that, as no losses sustained by officers have hitherto been repaired by the public, Congress cannot grant his request, lest a dangerous precedent should be established.
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That the part of General Schuyler's letter of the 15th of February last, relating to ship carpenters wanted in the northern department, be referred to the Marine Committee.
That an extract of General Schuyler's letter of the 4th of February last, relating to stores wanted from the eastern department, be transmitted to General Washington, and that he be directed to give orders for the supply of such stores as are wanted in the northern, and which can be procured from the eastern department, and are not already appropriated.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 107.]
That John Schrop be appointed second lieutenant, and Bartholomew Van Heer, adjutant, in the corps commanded by Major Ottendorf.2
[Note 2: 2 This was based upon a report of the Board of War, in the writing of Richard Peters, in No. 147, I, folio 109.]
A petition from William Garnett, George Patton, and Robert Brown, praying for leave to return to some of the West India Islands, was read;3
[Note 3: 3 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 187. It is endorsed seven ayes, two noes.]
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted.
Resolved, That Mr. [Jonathan Dickinson] Sergeant be excused from serving on the Marine Committee, and that Mr. [Abraham] Clark be added ∥to the said committee∥ in his room.
Resolved, That the extract of Mr. Deane's letter, relative to Dr. Williamson, be referred to a committee of five, who are empowered to send for Dr. Williamson and examine him:
The members chosen, Dr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [Jonathan Bayard?] Smith, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. [Thomas] Heyward.
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The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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