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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, JULY 12, 1777
New York attended at 11 o'clock.
New Jersey.
A petition from Monsieur du Coudray, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 156, folio 511.]
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Ordered, That it be referred to the committee of the whole [Congress.]
A petition from Samuel Culbertson, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.1
[Note 1: 1 The report of the Board of Treasury, dated July 16, 1777, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 333.]
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners ∥of claims,∥ the auditor general reports,
That the amount of Daniel Barry's account, for his services as an interpreter to sundry French officers, from North Carolina to Philadelphia, and for his expences here, and returning home, is £69 13 10, of which he received at Newbern £20, of Governor Henry, of Virginia, £10; that the balance due to him is £39 13 10, equal to 105 76/90ths dollars.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 295.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That, five hundred dollars be paid to Gerard W. Beckman, in discharge of General Washington's draught on William Palfrey, Esqr. pay master general, in favour of Nathaniel Sacket, the said bill being transferred to the said Beckman, to be charged to William Palfrey, Esqr.
That there be advanced to Jacob Blount, Esqr. pay master of the North Carolina batallions, and to be delivered to William Blount, Esq. or his order, ten thousand dollars for the pay of the said batallions, and for which the said pay master is to be accountable; the same to issue by two warrants, one for 6,500 dollars and the other for 3,500 dollars:
That there be advanced to Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hospitals, 8,000 dollars, for which he is to be accountable:
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That Alexander Ross's bill on John Dorsius, in favour of Willing, Morris & Co. dated Boston, June 24, for ten thousand dollars, be taken up by the Secret Committee on the credit of the said John Dorsius, who acts as agent of the said Secret Committee; and that a warrant issue from the president on the loan office of Massachusetts bay, for that sum in favour of the said Willing & Co. the Secret Committee to be charged therewith.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 297.]
Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration ∥the contract made with Mons. du Coudray, and∥ the papers referred to them; and, after some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the papers to them referred, and have come to certain resolutions thereon, which he was ordered to lay before Congress, but, not having had time to come to a conclusion, desired leave to sit again.
The report from the committee of the whole being read:
In a Committee of the whole, July 11, 1777.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that Mr. S. Deane had not any power or authority from Congress to make the treaty with Monsr. Du Coudray and the other French gentlemen therein named, which was by Congress referred to this Committee and fore that Congress are not by any means bound to fulfil the terms thereof.
July 12.Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that the said agreement is inconsistent with the interest, honor and safety of these United States, and therefore ought not to be adopted.2
[Note 2: 2 These resolutions, in the writing of Charles Thomson, are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 129. It is endorsed: "Report from the Comee of the Whole, reported 12 July, 1777. With several Motions respectg. Du Coudray's Contract." One of these motions, in the writing of [?], is as follows:
"And that the Command of Major General Du Condray be at all Times and Places distinct and separate from the Command of Brigadier General Knox.
"That a copy of the Contract between Monsr. du Coudray and Mr. Deane, the Translation of Monsr. Du Coudrays Memorial, the Report of the Committee of the Whole and the Report of the Committee appointed to consider what Proposals ought to be made to Monsr. Du Coudray, be transmitted to Genl. Washington, and that he be required to transmit to Congress his observations thereon and such Objections (if any) as may occur to him to said Report."
Another, in the writing of William Duer, is in the same volume, folio 139, as follows:
"Resolved, nevertheless, That in the opinion of this Committee Congress should ratify such Stipulations in the Agreement entered into betwixt Mr. Silas Deane, and Monsr. Du Coudray, as they shall deem not injurious to the Safety and Welfare of these States, and that they should offer to the said Monsr. Du Coudray such Compensations for the Articles in the said Treaty, which their Duty to their Constituents constraints them not to ratify as they shall deem adequate to the Services which the said Monsr. Du Coudray has rendered to the United States, and to the Merits of the respective Officers who have accompanied him."
Endorsed by Thompson, "Motion, not determined on."]
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Ordered, To lie on the table.
Resolved, That Congress will on Monday next resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the papers referred to them.
A letter, of the 11 and 12, from General Arnold, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 These letters are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 162, folios 106, 108.]
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington be informed that there are about 1,400 men at Philadelphia and Billings-port, ready to march at a moment's warning, but wait his orders; which he will be pleased, on receipt of the express, to transmit to General Nash:2
[Note 2: 2 The original report added: "and as Reinforcements are wanted in the Northern Department, that General Washington be desired to send as many Troops from the Grand Army to Windsor or further on, if he thinks proper. as they can be replaced by the Troops in this Quarter."]
That it be strongly recommended to the governments of the state of New York, and the eastern states, to send such reinforcements of militia to the armies under General Washington, or General Schuyler, as shall be, from time to time, requested:3
[Note 3: 3 The original form of this paragraph was: "That it he recommended to the State of New York and the Eastern States, to hold their militia in readiness to march at a moment's warning to repel any invasions of the Enemy."]
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That Serjeant Nicholas Kent, condemned to be shot for desertion to the enemy, and recommended to the mercy of Congress by General Schuyler, and a number of other reputable persons, be, notwithstanding the atrociousness of his crime, pardoned; as there are peculiar circumstances of mitigation attending his case:
That Congress approve of the Indian commissioners purchasing Indian goods at Boston, as mentioned in General Schuyler's letter of the 5th, and that he be informed no supply of blankets or strouds can be sent him from hence:
That the Governor of the State, of New Jersey be informed, that the Continental Troops now at, Billingsport are under marching Orders to join General Washington, and that it be warmlyTo lie recommended to him to comply with the former Requisition of Congress, to send 500 of [he Militia of the State of New Jersey, to assist in compleating the Works at that place.
That the President and Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsilvania be informed, That the Continental Troops now at Billingsport, are under marching Orders to join General Washington,To lie and that it be earnestly recommended to them, to order such Reinforcements of their Militia to that post, as shall he judged necessary to compleat the works erecting there, with the utmost Dispatch.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated July 12, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 271. The members of the Board present were: John Adams, Benjamin Harrison, Samuel Adams, James Wilson, and William Doer.]
That a continental muster master be immediately ordered to muster the militia employed on the works at Billingsport:
Ordered, That the remainder of the report lie for farther consideration.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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