| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1777
A letter, of the 12, from General Washington, at the Cross Roads; one of this day, from the Marquis de la Fayette; a letter of the 12, from W. Buchanan, C. G. P. with a list of provisions stored by J[oseph] Trumbull, Esqr. ∥were read:∥1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 168, IV, folio 477. That of Lafayette is in No. 156, folio 1; and that of Buchanan, in No. 78, II, folio 223.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
A motion was made and seconded. After debate, another motion was made as an amendment to the first, "That the execution of the Order of Congress relative to the removal of John Penn and Benjamin Chew Esqr., be suspended until such time as the Board of War shall deem essential to the public safety to carry it into execution. And that in the mean while they be authorised on an
Page 635 | Page image
application in writing from these gentlemen to admit them to such paroles as they shall deem necessary to secure the public safety." After a long debate, the previous question was moved and carried in the negative.
A motion was then made and seconded as follows:
"Whereas it is represented to Congress that the honble John Penn Esqr and Benjamin Chew Esqr who were ordered yesterday to be conveyed by the board to Fredericksburgh in Virginia are now willing to give their parole, Ordered that the Board of War take such parole from the said gentlemen.
On information that the honbleJ Penn and Benjamin Chew Esquire were willing to give their parole, A motion was made and seconded for superseding the resolve passed yesterday relative toJohn Penn and B. Chew esqrs, and remanding them to the executive council of Pensylvania: after a long debate a motion was made and seconded for the previous question. Whereupon a debate ensued, and as an amendment to the first motion, a new proposition was moved and seconded as follows: "Whereas it is represented to Congress that the honourable John Penn Esqr and Benjamin Chew Esqr, who were ordered yesterday to be conveyed by the Board of War to Fredericksburgh, in Virginia, are now willing to give their parole,Ordered, that the Board of War take such parole from the said gentlemen as they may think proper, and thereupon that the order of yesterday for their removal to Virginia be suspended."
After debate it was moved and seconded as an amendment of the two former propositions: "That the execution of the order of Congress relative to the removal of John Penn and Benjamin Chew Esqrs. be suspended till such time as the Board of War shall deem essential to the public safety to carry it into execution, and that in the
Page 636 | Page image
mean while they be authorised, on an application in writing from those gentlemen, to admit them to such paroles as they shall deem necessary to secure the public safety."
After debate the previous question was demanded on the first motion, but information being given that the council having transferred the prisoners to Congress did not chuse to have anything more to do with them,1 the first motion was withdrawn. The previous question was then moved and seconded on the last proposition, and the same being put it was carried in the negative.
[Note 1: 1 Against this paragraph is written: "On motion ordered to be expunged, Friday Aug. 15."]
The previous question was then moved on the second proposition and the same being put, the States were equally divided, there being twelve present. The question being then put on the second proposition, the States were equally divided.
At the request of Maryland and New Jersey, the yeas and nays were called for and are as follows:
A motion was then made to adjourn. Carried in the negative.
Page 637 | Page image
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was read ∥taken into consideration;∥ Whereupon,
Ordered, That 200 dollars be advanced to Chevalier du Portail, 150 dollars to Lieutenant Colonel de la Radière, and 150 dollars to Major Gouvion; for which they are respectively to be accountable:
That 2,000 dollars be advanced to Viscount de Mauroy, for himself and his suite, for which he is to be accountable:
That 2,000 dollars be advanced to Baron de Kalb, for himself and his suite, for which he is to be accountable:
That 30,000 dollars be advanced to William Buchanan, Esqr. commissary general of purchases, for the use of his department, for which he is to be accountable:
That a warrant issue for 150,000 dollars, in favour of Anthony Butler, agent to Major General Mifflin, quarter master general, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable, agreeable to his application to Congress by letter, dated the 9th instant:
That there be paid to Elbridge Gerry, Esqr. 114 45/90 dollars, for t. he expence of a committee of Congress to the army in this present month of August:
That there be advanced to Jacob Blount, appointed by the state of North Carolina, pay master to the continental troops raised in that, State, and to be delivered to William Blount, his agent, 2,000 dollars, for arrears of pay to the said batallions, incurred while he officiated, and before the appointment of regular regimental pay masters; for which he is to be accountable:
That there be paid to Dr. Elmer, 35 dollars, for his expences in visiting the hospitals, agreeable to the directions of the Medical Committee:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 355. The remainder is printed under August 16,post.]
Resolved, That the remainder of the report be postponed till to morrow.
Page 638 | Page image
The Committee on Foreign Applications brought in a report:
The Committee on foreign applications report as their opinion that a Commission of Lt. Col. be immediately given to theAgreed Chevalier de failly, and that he be paid as in that Rank from the 1st of December last and ordered to repair forthwith to the Northern army.1 Agd.
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph is printed under August 21,post.]
That the thanks of Congress be given to the Baron de Kalb with his suite, and to the Viscount de Mauroy with his suite for their zeal in passing over to America to offer their talents in theTo lie service of the United States, It being impossible for Congress to avail themselves of the offers of service, made by those gentlemen in any way suited to their rank, and the circumstances of the American Union.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph was the basis of the resolve passed September 8,post.
The report, in the writing of James Lovell, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 18.]
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
The Board of War brought in a report:
At a Board of WarAugust 12th, 1777
Agreed to Report to Congress:
That one thousand Dollars be paid into the Hands of Mr. Christopher Ludwick, Superintendant of Bakers and Director of baking for the Purpose of erecting Ovens at Suitable Places.
That Mr Ludwick have a Right to demand of the Commissary General of Purchases or Issues, their Deputies or the Commissaries and keepers of Stores, next to any Division of the Grand Army, as may be most convenient, and receive from them or any of them as much Flower as shall be necessary for the Supply of such Division or part of the Army, for whose Use Mr Ludwick may require it, with Bread; and the Said Commissary General of Purchases or issues, and their Deputies, Agents or Storekeepers are directed to comply with the Requisitions, of the said Superintendent of Bakers.
That he, the said Mr Ludwick, shall himself pay the Bakers employed by him and be furnished with Money for this Purpose by the Pay Master General, rendering an exact Account of the Expenditure of all Sums so received and producing proper Vouchers therefor.
Page 639 | Page image
That the said Mr Ludwick or the Persons employed by him deliver the Bread when baked to the Commissary General of Issues or his Deputy or Agent with the Division of the Army where the Bread is baked.
That he employ and pay on extraordinary Occasions any Persons ultho' not Bakers whose Services shall be deemed necessary towards promoting and carrying on the Business of his Department.
That the Quarter Master General be directed to Supply the Commissary General of Issues with a sufficient Number of covered Waggons, with tight bodies, capable of being locked or fastened up, and large and Strong enough to carry a Ton for the Purpose of transporting Bread for the Use of the Army.
At a Board of War13th August 1777
Present Mr John Adams, Mr Wilson, Mr S. Adams and Mr Lee
Agreed to Report to Congress:
That the Memorial of Monsr Du Pertail be referred to Gen Washington, who shall he directed to make such Regulations with regard to the three Persons who are the subject of the Memorial as he shall think proper.
That the sum of two hundred Dollars be advanced to Monsieur Du Portail, 150 Dollars to Monr. Delaradière and the like sum to Monsieur De Gouvion, they to be accountable.
Captain Joy wants three hundred Dollars for the Use of the Cannon Department.
300 Dollars wanted to defray contingent Expences by the Board of War.1
[Note 1: 1 These reports are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 305. All is in the writing of Richard Peters, except the two paragraphs on the French officers. This paragraph was struck out, and in the lower corner of the folio Thomson has drawn nine lines, probably the vote upon it,]
Ordered, That, the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |