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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 19, 1777
A letter, of the 16, from General Washington, at the Clove, and one, of the 11, from General Spencer, at Providence, were read, giving an account of the capture of Major General Prescot:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IV, folio 355. That of Spencer is in No. 78, XX, folio 129.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
A letter, of the 18, from Colonel Proctor,2 with a list of the officers of his corps, was read, requesting, as the said corps is transferred by the supreme executive council of Pensylvania, and taken into the service of the Continent, that continental commissions and warrants be granted to the officers, in lieu of the commissions formerly issued to them from the council of safety of the said State:
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 58, folio 287.]
Resolved, That commissions and warrants be granted to the said officers, and that they bear the same date as those issued to them by the State.
Resolved, That 1,749 50/90 dollars be advanced to Captain James Henry, of the 5 Maryland regiment, commanded by Colonel Richardson, for the use of the said regiment, and that the same be charged to the account of the said regiment.
Resolved, That an order issue to Major General Putnam to cause, without delay, a return to be made to the Board of War of the troops under his command.
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Resolved, That it be referred to the Board of War, to take into consideration the services performed by Lieutenant Colonel Meigs, and Lieutenant Colonel Barton, and the troops under their command, and report what marks of honour it will be proper to bestow upon them for their gallant exploits and meritorious services.
Ordered, That the report of the committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the enemy, with the affidavits annexed, be published in a pamphlet, and that 4,000 copies in English, and 2,000 in German, be struck off and distributed through the several States.
Ordered, That, the committee aforesaid continue their enquiries, and, in case they come to the knowledge of other facts well attested before the said publication is made, that, they annex them to the said pamphlet by way of appendix.
The Committee on Foreign Applications brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and, after debate, the determination thereof, at the request of the State of New York, was postponed to Monday next.
The Board of War reported, "That they have examined into the matter set forth in the deposition of Thomas M'Arthur, relative to the purchase of horses by a certain Davis, and although it appears from Davis's confession, that the facts, as to taking receipts for more than the sums actually paid, are true, yet, whatever might have been intended by the said Davis, who was of opinion that the horses were intended for the public, it does not appear that Davis was authorized to purchase the said horses for the use of the United States, [nor were the horses ever delivered to any person employed in the service of these States."]1
[Note 1: 1 Words in brackets were added by John Hancock.]
Resolved, That 1,600 dollars be advanced to Mr. Thomas
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Butler, public armourer, for the use of his department, [he to be accountable.]
The Board of War brought in a further report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the memorial of a committee of the trustees of the college of New Jersey, ∥which was committed to [he Board of War,∥ be referred to the quarter master general, [and that he be directed immediately to give such orders, on the premises, as may, for the future, prevent any just cause of complaint.]
∥Resolved,∥ That the petition of Thomas [Joseph] Belton be dismissed.
That for the future, the Regimental Quarter Masters in the Army of the United States, be allowed to hold the Rank andTo lie Commissions of Ensigns; the first Vacancies of these Offices in the respective Regiments, to be given to the Several Quarter Masters.
That William Meyer, a Surgeon in one of the Hessian Regiments, be allowed according to his request, to take the Oath ofTo Lie Allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania, wherein, or in some other of the American States, he be permitted to reside and enjoy all the Privileges of a free Subject, and not to be exchangeable as a Prisoner.
To lie That the Petition of Harman Zedtwitz, be dismissed.1
[Note 1: 1 This report was prepared on the morning and afternoon of July 18, and is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 277. The following members were present in the morning meeting of the Board: John Adams, Benjamin Harrison, Samuel Adams, Francis Lightfoot Lee, and James Wilson; in the afternoon, the two Adams's and Lee.]
Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War of the 10 instant; Whereupon,
That an Expedition be nndertaken against Pensacola and Mobille in West Florida, to facilitate which, that Colonel George Morgan be sent to New Orleans with Power to negotiate with the Governor of
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that Place, and endeavour to gain his interest and assistance in the Business; and, that. one thousand Men will be necessary for thin Service, and the Command of the Expedition be given to General Hand.
Resolved, That the artillery company in the State of North Carolina, be taken into the pay and service of the Continent, as part of the quota of the troops to be raised by that State, and be ordered to march and join General Washington.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 251. With it are the "Plan proposed for an Expedition against West Florida" and "Memoranda" submitted to Major General Arnold by George Morgan, June 28, 1777, and a letter from Arnold dated July 5. The members of the Board present on the 10th were: John Adams, Benjamin Harrison, James Wilson, George Clymer, Samuel Adams, and William Duer.]
Ordered, That the remainder of this report lie for further consideration.
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners ∥of claims,∥ the auditor general reports,
That, there is due to William M'Creigh and Richard Gornell, two deserters from the enemy, for their two muskets, amounting to 28 dollars, delivered to Colonel Moylan, at Woodbridge, of whom they received one dollar, the sum of 27 dollars:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 313.]
Ordered, That the said account be paid.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That there be advanced to Captain Eichelberger, of one of the 16 batallions and commanded by Colonel Hartley, the sum of 800 dollars, to be charged to the said batallion:
That a warrant be drawn by the president on the deputy pay master general in the southern department, in favour of Major Seth John Cuthbert, for 4,000 dollars, to be charged to the State of Georgia:
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That a warrant be drawn on John Gibson, Esq. in favour of Colonel John White, for 15,000 dollars, for the use of his regiment, to be charged to the State of Georgia:
That a warrant be drawn on John Gibson, Esqr. in favour of William Blount, Esqr. acting pay master to the North Carolina brigade, for 5,000 dollars, to be charged to Jacob Blount, Esqr. pay master to the North Carolina troops:
That a warrant be drawn on John Gibson, Esqr. in favour of the delegates of Georgia, for 2,200 dollars, to be charged to the said State:
That there be advanced to Augustus Motrin de la Balme, 307 45/90ths dollars, being for two months' advance pay, as inpector of cavalry, and for a horse:
That 220 dollars be advanced to Captain Vallainais, aid to Mons. de la Balme, for two months' advance pay, and for a horse:
That a warrant be drawn by the president, on the commissioner of the loan office in the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of the delegates of South Carolina, for 100,000 dollars, to be charged to the State of South Carolina.1
[Note 1: 1 These items are based upon two reports, dated July 18 and 19, in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folios 309, 311.]
The several matters &c ∥to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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