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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 --TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1778
Mr. [John] Henry, a delegate from Maryland, and Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris, a delegate from New York, attended, and took their seats.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to enquire of General Gates, whether he can go to camp, agreeable to his appointment, for the purpose mentioned in the resolution of the 10th instant and when he can set out on that business.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favour of Whitehead Humphreys, for 3,022 61/90 dollars, being the balance of his account for steel he furnished Colonel Flower, commissary general of military stores, as per his deputy, Cornelius Sweer's certificate, and agreeable to a contract made by direction of the Board of War; the said commissary general to be accountable:
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favour of Lawellin Barry, an express rider, for 200 dollars, to be advanced him; and for which he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 27.]
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favour of William Dodd, an express rider, for 200 dollars, to be advanced him; and for which he is to be accountable.
Resolved, That the resolution passed yesterday, repecting the pay of officers of the navy not in actual service, be re-considered.
The Board of War laid before Congress a letter of 8 January, from Governor Livingston, of New Jersey:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Adjourned to 3 o'Clock.
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Three o'Clock, p. m
A letter, of the 29 December, from General Schuyler, was read, wherein, among other things, he presses for a speedy enquiry into his conduct; Whereupon,
Ordered, That the committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, and into the conduct of the general officers in the northern department, proceed immediately on that business, and report to Congress on Monday next.
Resolved, That Mr. [James] Lovell be added to the aforesaid committee, in the room of Mr. [Francis] Dana, who is absent.
A letter, of the 12, from General Washington, and one, of the 17th, from Brigadier General Smallwood, respecting some captures taken in the Delaware, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 263; that of Smallwood is in No. 161, folio 139.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Marine Committee.
A letter, of the 24 December last, from Samuel A. Otis, deputy cloathier general at Boston, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A petition from sundry inhabitants of the western frontiers was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the commissioners appointed to repair to the western frontiers:
The Board of War reported, that they have conferred with General Gates, and that he has offered such strong reasons for his not going to camp as induce them to report their opinion that he should be excused; and that one or two members of Congress be added to the committee. Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Gates be excused:
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The committee who conduct the business of the Board of War until the new commissioners for that Board meet, reported to Congress sundry reasons assigned by General Gates, why the members of the Board of War ought immediately to enter upon the business of their department; Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Gates, General Mifflin, and Colonel Pickering, be excused from attending upon the business recommended to them by the resolution of the 10th, and that General Mifflin, Colonel Pickering, and Colonel Trumbull, be directed immediately to repair to this place.
Resolved, That two more members be added to the committee appointed to repair to the camp, to execute the business prescribed in the resolution of the 10th ∥instant:∥ the members chosen, Mr. [Charles] Carroll and Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris.
A letter, of the 9th, from Thomas Webb, a prisoner at Bethlehem, directed to Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, was laid before Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIII, folio 433.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War brought in a report:
Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration to morrow.
Ordered, That Mr. [Francis] Lewis have leave of absence for eight days.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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