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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, OCTOBER 11, 1777
A letter, of the 6th, from General Putnam, at Peeks Kill, and one, of the 4th, from Peter Colt, were read.2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of Putnam is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 159, folio 103.]
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Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire of the commissary general of purchases, the measures adopted by him for obtaining the necessary supplies of provisions for the ensuing year, and report thereon to Congress:
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, and Mr. [Richard] Law.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
That Captain Silas Talbot of the State of Rhode Island be promoted to the Rank and have the Pay of Major in the Army of the United States, in Consideration of his Merit and Services il, a spirited Attempt to set Fire to a Man of War, supposed to be the Asia in the North River last Year, and that he be recommended to General Washington for Employment agreeable to his Rank.1
[Note 1: 1 Adopted on the 10th,]
That Captain Silas Talbot make an Estimate of the Expence and Loss incurred by him in that Attempt to destroy the said Ship of War, to be laid before the Treasury Board for their consideration.1
Resolved, That the commissary general of issues, his deputies and assistants, and all persons employed under him or them, deliver over, on demand, to the commissary of hides, all hides, tallow, feet, and offal of all cattle killed for the use of the army, taking a receipt for the same, any order or direction of any person or persons, to the contrary notwithstanding:
Resolved, That the said commissary of hides be supplied with money for carrying on the business of his department, from time to time, [upon his application to Congress, and that]2 he shall settle his accounts once a year. or oftener, if required, with the Treasury Board:
[Note 2: 2 The words in brackets were inserted by John Hancock, in place of "by the Treasury Board, with whom."]
That he or his deputies, at any principal department or post, be authorized to hire or impress one or more waggons or carriages for the use of his department, as
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occasion may require, which shall not be subject to be impressed for any other service by any officer of the army, unless by special direction of the commander in chief for the time being; and, if any officer shall (except as before excepted) on any pretence whatsoever, impress, without his consent, any waggon, cart, or carriage, in the service of the said commissary of hides, he shall immediately, on application to the commanding officer nearest the place where the transaction happens, be put under arrest, be liable to pay all loss the states sustained by such impressment, and suffer such other punishment as shall be deemed proper by a court martial.
That the commander in chief, and the commanding officer of any department post or detachment, be directed to supply the commissary general of hides and his respective deputies with guards for their waggons, when the said commissary shall apply for the same, and they shall appear to be necessary:1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph was an amendment by Elbridge Gerry, taking the place of the following: "That he or his Deputies and Assistants shall have Power and Authority to call on any Officer commanding a Regiment or Company for a Guard when Occasion shall require, and if any such Officer without sufficient Reason refuse a Guard on such Application being made, he shall be arrested and tried by a Court Martial in Manner aforesaid, pay all Loss the Continent sustains by such Refusal and be liable to such further Punishment as the said Court Martial shall direct."]
That the said commissary of hides shall make a return, once in every three months, to the Board of War, of his whole transactions, specifying the number of workmen employed, the quantities of hides on hand, the quantities exchanged for leather and shoes, what quantity made up into shoes, and what otherwise disposed of; and to enable him to do this, his deputies and assistants, (whose names, occupations and pay or wages he is also to return,) shall make monthly returns to the said commissary of hides:
That the said commissary of hides shall receive and take care of the tallow, and all other useful offal of the cattle
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belonging to the United States, and see that the said tallow is properly rendered and made fit to be manufactured into candles and soap for the use of the army, and shall deliver the said tallow, so rendered, to the commissary general of purchases, or his order, taking receipts for the same, reserving so much of the said tallow, as may be necessary for the manufactory of the leather and the use of his own department:
That the commissary of hides have the appointment of all deputies and assistants to be employed under him, for whose conduct he shall be responsible, and have authority to displace them at pleasure.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated October 10, and in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 363.]
The Board of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,
Ordered, That there be advanced to George Ewing, Esqr. commissary of hides, eight thousand dollars, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable.
Whereas, it is represented that Mons. du Coudray had in his pocket-book, the day he was unfortunately drowned, the order of Congress of the 15 September, for paying to him 1,500 dollars for the use of the gentlemen who accompanied him from France, named in the said order, and that the said order has never been paid, but is lost,
Ordered, That the money mentioned in the said order be paid to Mons. le Brun, for the use of the gentlemen therein named; and for which he is to be accountable:
Ordered, That there be paid to Thomas Heyward, Esqr. one of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 29 84/90 dollars advanced by him to an express for bringing despatches to Congress.
Ordered, That there be paid to Silas Talbot the sum of 433 2/3 dollars, in full for his account of expences and
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losses, in consequence of his taking the command of a fire-ship in the North River, and attempting to burn one of the British ships of war in the said river.
Congress having been informed that the enemy have frequently obliged the American soldiers in their possession as prisoners of war to labour in erecting works or fortifications, and that they are now against their consent employed in such business,
Resolved, That General Washington be directed to send in a flag to General Howe to inquire of him the truth of be true, give such of orders as they think proper, respecting british prisoners.1
[Note 1: 1 In the margin is written "false intelligence."]
A letter and memorial from Archibald, Allan, and Reynold M'Donald, (prisoners,) were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A memorial from Colonel la Balme, inspector of cavalry, was presented to Congress, and read, wherein he entreats Congress to accept his resignation, and to order him the payment of what is due to him: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the resignation of Colonel la Balme be accepted, and that the arrears due to him be paid.2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, dated October 3, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 142; a translation is on folio 144.]
Ordered, That the committee appointed to prepare a quota for the several states for raising an immediate tax, sit on that business, and report thereon on Tuesday next. Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Congress resumed the consideration of the 9 article of the confederation and the amendments proposed; and after debate,
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Resolved, That the farther consideration be postponed to Monday next.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday next.
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