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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 --FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 1777
A letter, of the 4, from Governor T. Johnson, at Annapolis, with a letter from Darby Lux, was read, which was taken into consideration;1 Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
[Note 1: 1 The letters are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folios 221 and 225.]
It having been represented to Congress, that Darby Lux, Amon Butler, Nicholas Haite, Thomas James, and Nathaniel Owings, of Baltimore county, in the state of Maryland, gentlemen, have in company undertaken to open a lead mine, and to erect works for smelting the ore, and that the inhabitants in the neighbourhood have refused to permit them to proceed in the prosecution of their design, without credentials from Congress, that they are friends to the United States; and it appearing to Congress, by the representation of the governor and delegates of Maryland, that the said gentlemen are faithful friends to the American cause,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants in the neighbourhood of the lead mine aforesaid, to permit the same to be worked by the above gentlemen, and to give them every encouragement in the prosecution of a work of such public utility, and from which a supply of lead may be drawn for the service of these States.
The Commercial Committee, to whom the petition of Captain James le Maire was referred, report, "that they have enquired into the merits of his claim on the United States, and are of opinion, that the said James le Maire, and his sloop, theMary, were in the continental service at the time she was taken and burnt by the enemy in Chingotegue inlet, and that he ought to be paid a reasonable value for the said sloop, with such reasonable charges and expences as may have arisen to him in consequence of this misfortune;" Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the Committee of Commerce be empowered to make the said James le Maire, a reasonable and just compensation for his losses in the public service, and to despatch him on the business in which he was employed by the Secret Committee.
A letter, of the 3d, from Brigadier Charles Scott, to Benjamin Harrison, Esqr. was laid before Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 135.]
Ordered, To lie for consideration ∥on the table.∥
A petition from William West, major, James M'Henry and Hugh Hodge, surgeons of the 4th and 6th regiments ∥of Pensylvania forces,∥ commanded by Colonels Magaw and Cadwallader, prisoners on parole, praying to be informed, whether, as continental officers holding commissions only revocable by this or a future Congress, they are not entitled to pay while on parole, as well as when in the hands of General Howe:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VIII, folio 167.]
Ordered, To lie for consideration to Monday next.
A letter, from Recules de Basmeireen Raimbeaux, of Bordeaux, 24 March last, was read,
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
A letter, of the 24 July, from Brigadier Hand, at Fort Pitt, to Thomas Wharton, Esqr. president of the council of Pensylvania, with sundry papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
The Medical Committee, to whom the memorial from Dr. J. Morgan was referred, brought in a report.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 177. It is summarized on August 9,post.]
A motion was made, and seconded, that a new commission be made out, and sent to Major General Benedict
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Arnold, giving him the rank of major general in the army, from the nineteenth day of February last:
After debate, a motion was made to amend the motion by adding "On account of his extraordinary merit and former rank in the army:"
Question put, carried in the negative.
Question put on the original motion. Carried in the negative.
At the request of Rhode Island, the yeas and nays were required, and are as follows:
YEAS.
NAYS.
A memorial from J. Jay and Gouverneur Morris was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three: The members ∥chosen,∥ Mr. [Samuel] Chase, Mr. [James] Wilson and Mr. [Jonathan Dickinson] Sergeant.
Ordered, That the said committee sit on the business as soon as possible, and that they confer with General Washington and the memorialists.
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners ∥of claims,∥ the auditor general reports,
That there is due, to Major Samuel Nichols, for himself and a detachment of three companies of marines which he commanded on artillery duty, for which they were to receive additional pay, viz. Captain Porter's company, from let February to let July; Captain Mullen's company, from let February to 1st March; and Captain
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Deane's company, from the 1st February to the 1st April, the sum of 895 15/90 dollars:
That there is due to William Hurrie, door-keeper to Congress, for a balance of his account, being a mistake of the commissioners in the settlement thereof the 1st. instant (his account amounting to 117 42/90 and was reported only 90 72/90) the sum of 26 60/90 dollars:
That there is due to Allan M'Donald, his son and servant, for their allowance as prisoners, from the 18 September, 1776, the 5 August, 1777, being 46 weeks, the sum of 230 dollars:
That there is due to Daniel Smith, of the city tavern, for his bill of expences of Congress, on the 4 of July last, including a balance of an old account, the sum of 729 68/90 dollars; also a bill for materials, workmanship, &c. furnished for the fire works on the 4 July, the sum of 102 69/90 dollars; amounting in the whole to 832 47/90 dollars:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 343.]
That there is due to the Rev. John Hart, chaplain to the 6 Virginia regiment, for his extra services in officiating to the 4 and 5th Virginia regiments, from the 3 November, 1776, to the 28 April last, being 5 months and 26 days, at 41 60/90 dollars, per month, the sum of 243 52/90 dollars:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 345-1.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The Committee of Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon
Resolved, That a warrant issue to the treasurer, to transmit from Maryland to the auditor general, one million of dollars, for which the said auditor is to account.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 345.]
The several matters &c ∥to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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