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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, MARCH 21, 1778
A letter, of the 7, from George Clymer, Esqr.; one, of the 2d, from Colonel G. Morgan; one, of the 8th August, 1777, from Bernardo de Galves, governor of New Orleans; one, of the 19 November, from Francis Crurati, commandant at Illinois; also, a letter, of 17 instant, from General Washington, enclosing an extract of a letter of 7th, from Brigadier Parsons, and copies of two letters, one dated 2, and the other 27 December, from General Putnam, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Clymer is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 53, folio 93; that of Washington is in No. 152, V, folio No. 393.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War on the General's letter; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the command of all the troops which now are, or shall be collected and stationed in the State of New York, and in the whole northern department, be vested in one general officer; that this officer have in charge all the forts, posts, and passes therein, and authority to erect and make such fortifications2 as he, with the advice of Governor Clinton, and the general officers there, shall judge necessary for securing the same, and to execute all the powers lately given by Congress and the Board of War, relative to the defence of the North River.
[Note 2: 2 The original report here added "and obstructions."]
That Governor Clinton be requested to yield to the said general officer all the aid in his power in erecting and making the fortifications and obstructions aforesaid:
That, for the more speedy defence of the North River, the said general officer, or, in case of his absence or sickness, the officer next in command, in the district above described, be directed forthwith to draw together, at the
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Highlands, such of the troops therein as he shall deem expedient.
And as the works would be greatly expedited if most of the continental troops now at Albany were employed therein; to enable him to do this, the said general officer is hereby authorized to ask of the government of the State of New York such numbers of their militia as he shall judge necessary, to serve at Albany, for the security of the arsenal and magazines there, until the obstructions at the highlands are in such condition as to render any sudden attempt upon Albany by that pass impracticable:
That, for manning the gun boats and floating batteries built or building on the North River, the said general officer have power to engage the necessary officers and men, for such time, and on such terms, as he shall judge proper.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated March 20, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 563. The members present were Gates, Pickering and Peters.]
Five o'Clock, p. m
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of William Stanton, Esqrr. for 8,670 dollars, in discharge of a draught by William palfrey, Esqr. pay master general, dated 15th instant on the President, in favour of the said Stanton, for that sum, expressed to be for the use of the army of the United States; for which the pay master general is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 173.]
A petition from James Norris was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This petition, dated March 9, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 453.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Cornelius] Harnett, Mr. [Edward] Langworthy, and Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean.
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Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to nominate a proper person to serve as town major in the town of York, or such other town as Congress shall sit in, and to give proper orders that all strangers arriving at or passing through such town, shall be duly examined, and report duly made touching such matters as may any way relate to the public safety; also, to order proper guards to be stationed at all the ferries on Susquehanna river, from the mouth thereof to Harris' Ferry, inclusive, and to give proper instructions to the officers commanding such guards relative to the examinations, (and arrest, if necessary) of all persons who shall attempt to cross the said river.
The committee to whom was referred the memorial of Alexander Forster, &c. report,
"That having examined the account of the said Alexander Forster, and gained the best information they were able of the prices of the salt, rum, and sugar taken or bought by the commissary for the use of the army, the latter end of October and beginning of November last, in New Jersey, they find the same to be as follows: good imported salt, [£7.10] 20 dollars per bushel; rum, [50s] 6 2/3d dollars per gallon; sugar, [£40.] 106 2/3d dollars per hundred; they are therefore of opinion, that the commissary or deputy commissary general of purchases should settle the account with A. Forster & Co. at the price and rate aforesaid, and allow them lawful interest after the time that payment ought to have been made; and that the flour Mr. Forster has received in payment, be estimated at the then current price :"1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Edward Langworthy, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 311.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
The committee to whom were referred the letters of the
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11th and 12, from the Marquis de la Fayette, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare the draught of a letter, to be signed and sent by the President, to the marquis, in answer to the said letters:
The members chosen, Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee, Mr.[Thomas] Burke, and Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean.
Resolved, That the powers given to Major General M'Dougal, by General Washington, mentioned in his letter of the 16th, be confirmed by Congress:
That Colonel Van Schaick's and Colonel James Livingston's regiments be ordered to Peeks Kill:
That Governor Clinton and Governor Trumbull be requested to give every assistance in their power to General M'Dougal for perfecting the defence of the North River.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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