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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 --THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1777
A letter, of 16, from General Washington, from the camp, near the Clove, and of this date from Monsieur du Coudray, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folio 351.]
The committee appointed to confer with Monsieur du Coudray, reported verbally, that they have executed that business, and communicated to him the resolution of Congress:
Ordered, That the said committee take into consideration, the situation of Monsieur du Coudray, and report what proposals, in their opinion, it will be proper for Congress to make him:
Resolved, That two more members be added to the said committee:
The members chosen, Mr. [Robert] Morris and Mr. [James] Wilson.
A memorial from the committee of the trustees of the college of New Jersey, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, dated Princeton, July 15, and signed by John Witherspoon, Elihu Spencer, and Richard Stockton, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, folio 6.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
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Monsieur du Coudray, having applied by a letter to the president for the articles of agreement entered into between him and Mr. Deane, and the bundle of original papers referred to in his account, which he delivered to the Committee on Foreign Applications, and which were by them laid before Congress:
Ordered, That the said papers be delivered to him by Mr. [James] Lovell, one of the members of the Committee for Foreign Applications.
Ordered, That a letter be sent to the executive powers of the States that are not represented in Congress, informing them, that the confederation of the States, and several other important matters, are put off for want of a full representation of all the States; and that it be earnestly recommended to them, to send a sufficient number of members to represent them as soon as possible.
Congress took into consideration the memorial of Monsieur du Portail, and the other engineers; and, thereupon,
Resolved, That the prayer of the said memorial, for a rank higher than that agreed on in the treaty made between them and Messrs. Franklin and Deane, at Paris, be not complied with.
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury examine the accounts of the said engineers, and report a draught of money in their favour.
A memorial from Baron Holtzendorf, together with a treaty made with him by Mr. S. Deane, Esqr. at Paris, the 25 November, 1776, were laid before Congress and read,1 and, the same being taken into consideration, it was, thereupon,
[Note 1: 1 This memorial is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XI, folio 191.]
Resolved, That the said treaty be agreed to so far only as to make the said Baron Holtzendorf, a lieutenant colonel
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in the service of the United States, and that his pay commence from the date of the said agreement.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That in lieu of the advance ordered on the 12 instant to be made to Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hospitals, an order be drawn on the loan officer of Connecticut, in his favour, for 8,000 dollars, for which the said Dr. Shippen is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I. folio 305.]
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners ∥of claims,∥ the auditor general reports,
That there is due to Captain Jacob Fauns, [Fantz] of Lieutenant Colonel John Lawrence's batallion of the flying camp, for subsistence of the recruits of his company while recruiting, from the 27 August, to 20th September, 1776, the sum of 56 37/90 dollars:
That there is due to James Aitken, his pay and rations as chaplain to the 4th North Carolina regiment, from the 1 July to the 14 August, being one month and an half, at 41 1/3d dollars per month; also, an allowance of 2 dollars per day for 30 days, allowed him for his expences returning to North Carolina, the sum of 122 dollars:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 307.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War of the 2d and 3d instant;3 Whereupon,
[Note 3: 3 The members of the Board present on July 2 were: John Adams, Francis foot Lee, and George Clymer. On the 3d: John Adams, Samuel Adams, Charles Carroll, Francis Lighttoot Lee, George Clymer, James Wilson, and William Duer.]
The Board taking into their Consideration the great scarcity of Salt and the large quantities that will be necessary for the supply of the Army, the improbability that too much can be imported,Referred to the Committee of Commerce and the Certainty that what may not be wanted for the use of the Army will be very acceptable and may very well be disposed of to the good people of these States, beg leave to recommend to Congress, That the Commissary General be immediately
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directed to take the earliest and most effectual measures for importing into different parts of this Continent, large Quantities of Salt for the Use of the Army.1
[Note 1: 1 See below, p. 562.]
Resolved, That General Spencer be informed, in answer to his letter of the 20th May, that Congress confirm the appointment made by him of William Peck, Esqr. deputy adjutant general to the militia and State troops of Rhode Island, kept in continental pay; that, for money to pay the said troops, he is to make application to Ebenezer Hancock, Esqr. at Boston, deputy pay master general to the troops in the eastern department; and that, as the quarter master general has the appointment of all his deputies, application is to be made to him for the appointment of a deputy quarter master general.
That a Foundery be established at Springfield, in theTo Lie Massachusetts Bay for the Casting of Brass Field Pieces, Howitz and Mortars.
That Colonel Harrison's Regiment of Artillery remain in Virginia and be under the Command and Direction of the Governor and Council of that Commonwealth, until the farther Orders of Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph was struck out.]
That Congress approve of General Schuyler's conduct as to Captain Whitcomb's corps of rangers, and that 3,066 2/3d dollars, the sum the general has paid over the usual bounty allowed by Congress, be charged to the State of Massachusetts bay; and that the corps be considered as part of their quota of continental troops:
That Congress approve and ratify General Schuyler's engagements, to the men draughted out of the regiments at Ticonderoga, to act as artillery men:
That all Vacancies happening in the Army of the United States by Death or otherwise be filled up by Congress, and that theTo lie General Officers commanding in the several Departments be directed to send regular information to Congress of all Vacancies as they happen together with a List of such Officers as stand next in the Line of promotion.
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That a Copy of that part of General Schuyler's Letter relative to the Resolves of Congress regulating the Commissary's DepartmentAgreed be given to the Secretary of Congress with Directions to furnish General Schuyler with Copies of those Resolutions of Congress and all others required by him in the said Letter.
That General Schuyler be directed to inform the French gentlemen mentioned in his letter of the 25 June last, that Congress will promote them, when they receive authentic intelligence of their meriting promotion by some signal services; and that, in the mean time, General Schuyler be empowered to grant them such pay as he shall think they respectively deserve, not exceeding that of a captain.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 247.]
Ordered, That in consideration of the scarcity of salt, and the quantity necessary for the supply of the army, the Committee of Commerce take the most effectual and speedy measures for importing, into different parts of this Continent, large quantities of that article, and that the commissary general of purchases be informed of this order.
Congress took into consideration a report of the Board of War, of the [June 4] respecting the rank of officers in the service of the United States:
Ordered, That a copy of the said report be transmitted to General Washington, who is desired to peruse the same, and give his sentiments thereon and objections, if he has any, to Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 See under June 5, 1777,ante.]
The several matters &c ∥to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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