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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, AUGUST 9, 1777
Congress took into consideration the report of the Medical Committee which was read, as follows:
"The Medical Committee to whom the memorial of Dr. John Morgan to Congress was referred, beg leave to report, that they find from the journals of Congress, that Dr. Morgan was appointed director general and chief physician of the hospital, in the room of Dr. B. Church, October 17, 1775; that, on the 9 January, 1777, he was dismissed from said appointment; that though no cause is assigned for his discharge, yet, your committee on enquiry, find, that the general complaints of persons of all ranks in the army, and not any particular charges against him, together with the critical state of affairs at that time, rendered it necessary for the public good and the safety of the United States, that he should be displaced, and were the reasons of his dismission; that the doctor's memorial appears to your committee to be a hasty and intemperate production; notwithstanding which, as he conceives himself injured, and requests an enquiry into his conduct, your committee are of opinion that he ought to be heard, and that a committee of Congress should be appointed for that purpose:"
Resolved, That Congress concur in the said report.
The Medical Committee, to whom was referred the letter from Dr. William Rickman, also report, "that as the establishment of the military hospital in Virginia, by a resolution of Congress of the 18th of May, 1776, is entirely distinct from, and independent of, the general establishment of hospitals in the other States, they are of opinion, the same was not affected by the new regulations of the 7th day of April last, and that Dr. Rickman still continues director of that hospital;"
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Resolved, That Congress concur with the foregoing report.1
[Note 1: 1 See note under august 8,ante.]
Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing report and concurrence of Congress be sent to Dr. Shippen, and that he be directed to withdraw from Virginia such physicians, surgeons, or assistants, as he may have sent thither.
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be directed to order Mr. Hillegas, the treasurer, together with the treasury printing press under his care, to remove to Philadelphia as soon as they judge the state and situation of public affairs will admit:
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be directed to take into consideration, and report, a proper compensation to Mr. Hillegas, for his past and future services.
Congress proceeded to the election of a deputy commissary general of purchases, in the room of Jeremiah Wadsworth, Esqr. resigned; and, the ballots being taken,
Peter Colt, Esqr. was elected.
A letter of this day, from General Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, IV, folio 455.]
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to confer with Mr. Boudinot, the commissary of prisoners, and report, as soon as possible, on the manner in which the prisoners under his charge ought to be treated.
The Board of Wax brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That such troopers of the North Carolina light-horse, under the command of Captain Martin Phifer, Captain Cosmo Medici, and Captain Samuel Ash, as shall inlist for three years, or during the war, be furnished with horses, and be properly accoutred, and that those men who will not so inlist, return home to North Carolina under proper officers.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 303.]
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The several matters &c. ∥to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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