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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 --WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1777
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the commonwealth of Virginia, to appoint proper persons to re-inlist the soldiers of their first nine regiments, whose times of service are near expiring, and, in failure thereof, to take some speedy and effectual course for supplying their places in the continental army; and Congress agree to allow the men inlisting for the war, or three years, the usual bounty given to such recruits.
Resolved, That Monsieur Fleury, in consideration of the disinterested gallantry which he has manifested in the service of the United States, be appointed to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the army.
That Monsr. Du Plessis be informed that Congress entertain a due sense of the spirit and Bravery exhibited by him during Postponed. his being stationed at Red Bank, and will take the first proper opportunity of promoting him agreeable to his merit.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 393. The members of the Board present were Francis Lightfoot Lee, William Duet, Joseph Jones and Francis Dana.]
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The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esqr commissioner of the loan office, for the state of Pensylvania, in favour of Colonel Isaac Melchior, barrack master, for 10,000 dollars, for the purchase of wood, candles, straw, &c. for the use of the barracks; the said I. Melchior to be accountable.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, in favour of the delegates of the State of Connecticut, for 1,000 dollars, the same being advanced to that State on the application of Mr. [William] Williams and Mr. [Richard] Law, two of its delegates; the said State to be accountable:
Ordered, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, in favour of Thomas Hains and Frederick Severs, two invalid soldiers, late belonging to the invalid regiment, discharged at their own request, for 35 48/90 dollars, for two months' twenty-four days' pay due to each of them, as appears by Colonel Lewis Nicola's certificates; the said Colonel Nicola to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 493.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the letter from S. Hopkins, Esqr. &c. when the seventh article was agreed to as follows:
7. And whereas, notwithstanding the large quantities of cloathing which have seasonably been ordered from Europe for the armies of the United States, such have been the obstructions, from British Cruizers a variety of causes,2 that an adequate supply hath not been imported, and it is become necessary that immediate provision should be made to defend the troops from the inclemency of the winter, and to prevent future disappointments in a matter so essential of the like nature, and that, for this purpose, the several states should be called upon for assistance.
[Note 2: 2 These four words were inserted by Laurens.]
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Resolved, therefore, That it be earnestly recommended to the several states, from time to time to exert their utmost endeavours to procure, in addition to the allowances of cloathing heretofore made by Congress, supplies of blankets, shoes, stockings, shirts, and other cloathing, for the comfortable subsistence of the officers and soldiers engaged in the defence of their country of their respective batallions; and to appoint one or more persons to dispose of such articles to the said officers and soldiers in such proportions as the general officers, from the respective states commanding in such army, shall direct, and at such reasonable prices as shall be assessed by the cloathier general or his deputy, and be in just proportion to the wages of the officers and soldiers,1 charging the surplus of the cost to the United States: Provided that for preventing any Competition between the purchasing Agents to be appointed by the States, and the Commissary General of Cloathing and his Deputies and Agents: no greater Price shall be given for any Article than such as shall be limited by the said Commissary General of Cloathing and his Deputies. And that this proviso shall remain in Force untill the Regulation of Prices herein before directed shall take effect and no longer.
[Note 1: 1 These four words were inserted by Laurens.]
And all Cloathing hereafter to be supplied to the officers and soldiers of the Continental Army out of the publick stores of the united States: beyond the Bounties already granted, shall be charged at the like Prices, the surplus to be defrayed by the united States. A particular Regard in the Distribution of such Continental Clothing being paid to the Wants of the Troops of such States, who from the obstruction of their commerce cannot with equal advantage cloath their respective Troops with equal Facility with these States wh. enjoy the Blessings of Commerce and peace.2
[Note 2: 2 The canceled part of this paragraph is in the writing of William Duer.]
Provided that Measures be adopted by each State for preventing any Competition between their purchasing Agents and ye Cloathier General or his Agents, who are severally directed to observe ye direction of ye Legislature of such State Instructions of ye respective States relative to ye prices of Cloathing which they may purchase therein and each State shall purchase within its own limits only purchased within such State.3
[Note 3: 3 This paragraph is in the writing of Elbridge Gerry. These amendments are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folios 165--167. The vote, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is on folio 163½.]
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On the yeas and nays being required,
{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the further consideration of the report be postponed till to morrow.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,∥
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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