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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 --FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1778
Thomas M'Kean, a delegate from the Delaware State, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which are as follows:
In Council, Wednesday, p. m. December, 17, 1777.
Whereas, Cæsar Rodney, Nicholas Vandyke, and Thomas M'Kean, esqrs, have been chosen by joint ballot of the two houses of assembly to represent Delaware state in the Continental Congress: Resolved, That they, or any one or more of them, are hereby fully authorized and empowered, for and in behalf of this state, to concert, agree to and execute any measure which they or he, together with a majority of the Continental Congress, shall judge necessary for the defence, security, interest, and welfare of this state in particular, and America in general; with power to adjourn to such times and places as shall appear most conducive to the public safety and advantage.
Extract from the minutes,
Benjamin Vining,
Clerk of the Council.
Sent up for concurrence.
In the house of assembly, eodem die.
Read and concurred in,
Samuel West, Speaker.
I do certify, that the foregoing is a true extract from the minutes of the council.
Benjamin Vining,
Clerk of the Council.
The Committee of Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Resolved, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director general of the hospitals in the northern department, for twenty thousand dollars for the use of his district; the said deputy director general to be accountable.
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A letter, of the 30th, from Edward Stevens, desiring leave to resign his commission, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 183.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter of the 26, from General Washington directed to General Gates, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 The draft of this letter is in the Washington Papers, A, III, folio 201. See Pennsylvania Archives, VI, 200, 201, 214.]
Ordered, That the same be returned to the Board of War, and that the Board be directed to enquire minutely into the number and rank of the commissioned and noncommissioned officers who have come out of Philadelphia with cloathing for the prisoners taken from the enemy, and into the conduct of all the persons who compose the escort, whilst they have been on the route, and that they report specially to Congress the result of their enquiry.
Three o'Clock, p. m
A letter, of the 17th, from Brigadier General Hand, with one enclosure, was read:
Resolved, That the consideration of the said letter and its enclosure, be postponed.
A letter, of this day, from Dr. Rush, requesting leave to resign, was read;3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIX, folio 205.]
Resolved, That his resignation be accepted.
A letter, of this day, from Brigadier Fermoy, and one from Monsieur Kermovan, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
An account of Archibald Steel was presented:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of Treasury brought in a report:
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
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The Board of War brought in a report, accompanied with sundry papers:
At a Board of War, Jany. 28th 1778
Present. The President [Gates], Genl. Mifflin, Mr. Peters.
The Board taking into consideration the situation of the Quarter Master Genls Department, which should immediately be organized, and put in full vigour and motion: beg leave to Report.
That large sums of money are immediately wanted, for the business of this Department; without the speediest supply whereof, as well for the payment of arrears, as for procuring articles wanted for the next Campaign, the Department must irretrievably suffer, and the Army of consequence be reduced to the greatest distress, and retarded in its operations the ensuing season. The want of Cash, the Board cannot help mentioning is not peculiar to this Department, but is a complaint made, by almost all the Officers in the civil Departments in the Army.
[Motion]1 That (either) an Officer of rank, Activity and well acquainted by experience, with the business of the Quarter Master Genl., be immediately appointed to that Office; with power to arrange the Department, with the approbation and concurrence of the Board of War; or the following plan be adopted for carrying this important business into immediate execution, and the necessary Officers appointed agreeable thereto.
[Note 1: 1 A word not in the original report.]
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The Board have sent the estimates furnished by the late Quarter Master General for the inspection and information of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 The last paragraph is in the writing of Richard Peters.
This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 457. It is endorsed by Charles Thomson, "Postponed. The last plan proposed by the Board, adopted February 5."]
Resolved, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
On motion, Ordered, That the quarter master general immediately prepare and render an account to Congress of all his public expenditures.
The committee to whom was referred the report of the committee appointed to consider of the proposals contained in a letter to General Washington, from a committee lately sent to the camp, brought in a report, ∥which was read;∥ Whereupon,
Resolved, That it be re-committed, and that Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean be added to the said committee.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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