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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, APRIL 12, 1777
Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Shippen, director general, for the use of the hospitals; he to be accountable.
A letter, of the 9, from Commodore Hotham, on board the Roebuck, in old Hoarkill road, directed to R. Morris, Esqr. was laid before Congress, and read.
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Marine Committee.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to devise ways and means of aiding the recruiting service, and preventing abuses therein:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee.
Congress proceeded to the election of commissioners to examine such claims against the United States as may be presented to Congress for payment; and, the ballots being taken,
John Benezet, Robert Ritchie, and Thomas Fitzsimons, were elected.
Resolved, That the surgeons general and physicians general of the hospitals, shall, each of them regulate the practice of both physic and surgery, and do the duty of physician and surgeon general in the hospitals respectively committed to their charge, and that the director and deputy directors general take proper care to keep the sick and wounded in separate departments.
A memorial from Robert Levers was read;1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 43, folio 165.]
Resolved, That Mr. J. Mease be directed to advance to Robert Levers, pay master of the 12th Pensylvania batallion, the sum of nine hundred and nineteen pounds, 14 9
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equal to 2,453 57/90 dollars; and that the same be charged to his account, and his receipt transmitted to R. Dallam, Esqr. that he may account for the same at the settlement of his accounts.
The Committee on the Post Office brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the post master general be authorized to make an additional allowance to the deputy post masters, of any sum not exceeding 200 dollars per annum, when he shall find the same to be absolutely necessary.
That 2,000 dollars be advanced to the post master general; he to be accountable.
Resolved, That 500 dollars be allowed for erecting the monument to General Warren, and the like sum for erecting the monument to General Mercer.
That it be recommended to the executive powers of Massachusetts bay and Virginia, to take the most effectual measures for carrying into execution the resolves of Congress, passed the 8 instant, respecting Generals Warren and Mercer.
Resolved, That the commissioners "to examine such claims against the United States, as may be presented to Congress for payment" shall take an oath of office and fidelity to the United States, to be administered by the president, and a certificate thereof filed in the treasury, previous to their entering upon the duty of their appointment.
A memorial from Major Romand de Lisle; and
A memorial from Mons. Imbert,
And one from Mons. de Bordes, were read;1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 The memorial of Romand de Lisle is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, V, folio 179. That of Imbert is in No. 41, IV, folio 384. That of De Bordes is in No. 42, I, folio 129. A second petition of De Lisle, without date, is in No. 42, IV, folio 106. A letter from De Lisle, dated April 6, 1777, is in the same volume, folio 126, and one from Imbert, of the same date, on folio 122.]
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Resolved, That the sum of 64 dollars be advanced to each of the memorialist, for the purpose of paying their passage to St. Domingo.
Resolved, That the Count de Vrecourt be appointed an engineer in the service of the United States of America, with the rank and pay of a colonel.
Resolved, That the report of the committee on departments, brought in the 8th, be re-committed, and that General Schuyler be added to the said committee.
The committee appointed to consider the means of introducing better discipline in the army, brought in a report, which was read.
The committee of Congress at Philadelphia, ∥which acted∥ during the time Congress sat at Baltimore, laid before Congress a state of their accounts and expenditures, and also a copy of the letters and papers received, and of those written by them; Whereupon,
Ordered, That the accounts be referred to the Board of Treasury, and that the other papers be lodged in the secretary's office.
The committee on appeals having reported, that they have heard the appeal, entered on the part of Jonathan Burnel, and others, owners or claimants of the brigantine Sherburne, &c. from the verdict found, and sentence of condemnation passed in the court of admiralty for the port of Philadelphia, in the state of Pensylvania, against the said brigantine, fully argued, proceeded to give judgment thereupon, and the opinions of the said committee, to wit: James Wilson, Jonathan D. Sergeant, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Thomas Burke, and William Ellery, being delivered, the said committee was equally divided, by reason whereof no judgment could be given:
Whereupon, in order that no failure of justice may ensue,
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Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to rehear and determine the said appeal:
The members chosen, Mr.[Thomas] Heyward, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. [Benjamin] Rumsey.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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