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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 28, 1778
A letter, of this day, from Count Pulaski, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 164, folio 1.]
Congress took into consideration a report of the 19, from the Board of War; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Count Pulaski retain his rank of brigadier in the army of the United States, and that he raise and have the command of an independent corps to consist of sixty-eight horse, and two hundred foot, the horse to be armed with lances, and the foot equipped in the manner of light infantry: the corps to be raised in such way and composed of such men as General Washington shall think expedient and proper; and if it shall be thought by General Washington that it will not be injurious to the service, that he have liberty to dispense, in this particular instance, with the resolve of Congress against inlisting deserters.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 557. The members present were Gates, Pickering and Peters. In the same volume, on folio 549, are "Thoughts about the objections made against Inlisting Deserters of the Enemy," but not in Pulaski's writing.]
A letter, of 15, from Major General Schuyler, at Albany, with a copy of the minutes of a conference held by the commissioners of Indian affairs of the northern department, with a number of Sachems and Warriors of the Six Nations at Johnston, the 7 of March, 1778; and a letter of 16, from Mr. [James] Duane, were read:3
[Note 3: 3 The letter of Schuyler is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, III, folio 286.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
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The committee to whom were referred the petitions of William Bell and James Gallagher, brought in a report, which was read.
The committee to whom were referred the extract of General Washington's letter of 27 February, and the letter of 6 March, from William Patterson, attorney general of New Jersey, brought in a report:
That General Washington be directed to order a Court of Enquiry to be held upon Major General Schuyler, Major General Sinclair, Brigadier General Poor, and Brigadier General Patterson, previous to a trial by Court Martial, and that the Committee at Camp be directed to state the Subject matters of Inquiry.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 233.]
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Monday next.
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 referred to them, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again:
Resolved, That this afternoon Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the propositions respecting the army.
Four o'Clock, p. m
A letter, of 24, from General Washington, and one, of 26, from Charles Lewis, colonel of the 14 Virginia regiment, desiring leave to resign his commission, were read:2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 419; that of Lewis is in No. 78, XIV, folio 211.]
Resolved, That the resignation of Colonel Charles Lewis be accepted.
Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole, and, after some time, the president resumed the chair,
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and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee reported, that the committee have had under their farther consideration the propositions respecting the army referred to them, and have made some farther progress therein, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again:
Resolved, That on Monday Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the propositions respecting the army.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.
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