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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, MARCH 27, 1778
A letter, of 20, from the Marquis de la Fayette, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of four:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, Mr. [Samuel] Huntington, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee.
A letter, of the 26, from the council of Pensylvania, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved, That the fortifications and works at Ticonderoga and Mount Independence be demolished, and that the Board of War give the necessary orders for carrying this resolution into execution.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Major John Clark, for 800 dollars, for the purpose of paying the contingent expences of the auditor's office in the army; he to be accountable.
The Board of Treasury having informed Congress that Mr. Joseph Henderson, chosen one of the auditors of accounts for the northern district, for reasons set forth in his letter to the Board, is unable to accept the appointment;
Resolved, That another commissioner be appointed, and that to morrow be assigned for that purpose.
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor general reports,
That the commissioners have examined the accounts of Captain William Scott, for pay due to his officers and men to the end of February, 1778, and subsistence to the
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19th of the same month; also recruiting expences and expences of marching to this place, amounting to 2,747 30/90 dollars, exclusive of 180 dollars which he claims for bounty paid to nine men who have absconded; of which he says he has received from Colonel Thruston 1,400 dollars, and by a warrant on the treasurer the sum of 500 dollars, which two sums deducted from the amount of his account, there remains a balance of 847 30/90 dollars:
That they have examined the accounts of Christopher Ludwig, superintendent of bakers for the continental army, amounting to 5,315 43/90 dollars, including his pay to the 3d instant, of which he has received from Mr. Stewart, commissary of issues, 400 dollars, and from Mr. Buchanan, commissary general of purchases, 3,250 dollars, which two sums being deducted from his account, there remains a balance of 1,665 43/90 dollars, including 100 dollars advanced to Michael Harvey, at Burlington; for which he is hereafter to account:
Ordered, That the said balances be paid.
Ordered, That the said report, so far as relates to Captain Scott's claim of 180 dollars, be re-committed to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved, That in case the State of Pensylvania shall grant to Colonel Thomas Hartley the State bounty for the men that may be inlisted in that State for his regiment, the State shall have credit in its quota of troops for such men.
A report from the Board of War, relative to Captain Ebenezer Sullivan, was read:
At a Board of War, March 26, 1778
Present. Gen. Gates, Gen Mifflin, Col Pickering, Mr Peters.
On considering the papers referred to the Board of War relative to Captain Sullivan, Agreed to report to Congress:
Resolved, That Captn Ebenezer Sullivan be allowed his pay and rations during the time he has been and shall remain a prisoner of
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war; also such a sum as shall be thought reasonable to reimburse him for his expences in his journey hither on the business mentioned in his petition; and that it be referred to the Treasury Board to adjust the same.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 567.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. J[ames] Smith and Mr. [Abraham] Clark.
Resolved, That the propositions moved yesterday, respecting the army, be referred to a committee of the whole Congress.
Congress was then resolved into a committee, and after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. [Francis Lightfoot] Lee reported, that the committee have had under consideration the propositions referred to them, but not having come to any determination thereon, desired leave to sit again:
Resolved, That Congress, this afternoon, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the propositions respecting the army.
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor general reports,
That there is due to Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom, for his and Mr. [Francis] Dana's expences on a committee to camp, and for his expences returning, the sum of 110 57/90 dollars:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 183.]
Ordered, That the said account be paid.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the certificate of Lieutenant Colonel Hubley, of the 22 instant, representing, that Lieutenant James Berwick had performed the duty of judge advocate since the 4th day of February last, in a general court
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martial ordered by the Commander in Chief, in which Lieutenant Colonel Hubley was president, be referred to Major Clark and M. Clarkson, Esquires auditors in the army, who are directed to consult with General Washington and report to him a proper allowance, to be paid out of the military chest, for the services performed by the said Lieutenant Berwick.
Resolved, That John Lawrance, Esqr. judge advocate general, be hereafter allowed seventy-five dollars per month, his former rations, and forage for two horses.
Resolved, That the commissioners, appointed to enquire into the causes of the miscarriage of the expedition against Newport, [exhibit their accounts to the deputy pay master general, or any of his assistants in the eastern department, who are authorized and directed to pay the same.]1
[Note 1: 1 The words in brackets were an amendment to the original report.]
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Derick Ten Broeck, Esqr. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of New York, for 27,313 dollars, in favour of Jonathan Trumbull, Junr. Esqr. pay master in the northern department, for the use of his department; and for which he is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 187.]
A letter, of 24, from General Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, was read.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 415.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
Congress was resolved into a committee, and after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee reported, that the committee have had under their farther consideration the propositions respecting the army, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again:
Resolved, That to morrow morning Congress be resolved
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into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the propositions referred to them.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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