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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 --THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1778
A letter, of the 13 February, from R. T. Paine, O. Ellsworth, and H. Marchant; one, of the 20 February, from Eleazer Wales; one, of the 2 instant, from Joseph Trumbull, and one from Jonathan Trumbull, Junr. with a letter enclosed from N. Appleton, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Paine and others is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 171; that of Trumbull is in No. 78, XXII, folio 553; that of Wales is in No. 78, XXIII, folio 455.]
Ordered, That the letter from Jonathan Trumbull, with that enclosed, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to examine the correspondence between the commissary general of purchases and his deputies, respecting the supply of provisions and the returns, &c.
The members chosen, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [John] Harvie, and Mr. [James] Forbes.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Captain William Nichols's resignation be accepted.
Resolved, That the report of the committee on the affairs of R[oderique] Hortales & Co. be re-committed.
The Committee of Commerce brought in a report; which was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of the whole.
Resolved, That to morrow the Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole to consider the foregoing report.
Resolved, That a letter be addressed by the president to the respective states, informing them, that the multiplicity and importance of the business of Congress, during
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the war, will require the constant attendance of at least three members from each State; that, from the want thereof, the health of members has been frequently impaired, and the public business greatly obstructed; and that Congress request their immediate attention to this as a matter of great moment.
The Marine Committee laid before Congress a copy of a proposed letter to Captain Barry, among other things empowering him to purchase, for the use of the Continent, and to fit out a vessel which he has lately taken in Delaware Bay:
Resolved, That Congress approve of the purchase being made, and that it be referred to the Marine Committee to give such directions as they judge proper respecting the naming, officering, and manning the said vessel when purchased, and the manner in which she is to be employed.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel William Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department in the middle district; 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 151.]
Four o'Clock, p. m
A letter, of the 4, from George Read, Esq. president of Delaware, and one, of the 9th, from Caesar Rodney both directed to Mr. T[homas] M'Kean, the delegate from that State, were laid before Congress and read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of the 19, from Mr. Colt to Mr. Buchanan, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
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Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the system of the commissary of purchases, and after debate,
Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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