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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, APRIL 4, 1778
A motion was made, that on Monday next Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole to consider the situation of the affairs of the United States:
Whereupon, it was moved, that the consideration of this motion be postponed; and the yeas and nays being required,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
A report from the Board of War and Ordnance was read: Whereupon,
At a Board of War April 3d 1778
The Board beg leave to lay before Congress a Report of the former Board of War which has never been acted upon--
"That Daniel and Samuel Hughes of the State of Maryland, should be released from their former Contract for supplying the United
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States with Cannon at the Rate ofper Ton, and that it should be referred to Arbitrators to be respectively appointed by Daniel and Samuel Hughes, and by the Board of War and Ordnance, in Behalf of the United States, to settle the Accounts for Monies advanced to the said Daniel and Samuel Hughes; and if they should judge it equitable to make such additional Allowance to the Contract Price for Cannon already cast as they shall deem sufficient to ensure a reasonable Profit to the said Daniel and Samuel Hughes for the Trouble they have been at in carrying on their Works for the Public Use.
"That the works of Daniel and Samuel Hughes should be engaged for the public use from theday ofto theday of177, and that a contract should be made forthwith to allow them for what cannon, mortars and other ordnance or stores, they may east during that term at the same averaged price p ton as potts shall bear at quarterly periods at any two furnaces, which the Board of War and Ordnance, shall think proper to point out in said contract. The price of carriage to be allowed from the furnace of the said Daniel and, Samuel Hughes to the places where they are to be delivered at the Customary Rates."
In addition to the above report the Board beg leave to subjoin the following proposals of Messrs Hughes for the consideration of Congress.
That the depreciation of the currency be left to arbitration, and Daniel and Samuel Hughes allowed such price for their cannon as the said Arbitrators may adjudge to be equal to the original price contracted for.
That the proof of the guns be lowered in proportion as they are shorter than the British cannon.
That the guns be delivered on the furnace bank, as no private authority or influence can at this time command carriages sufficient to transport them any distance, let the price be ever so great. The Carriage to be deducted from the Value of the Guns, if delivered at Baltimore, the place specified in their contract.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 1.]
Resolved, That Daniel and Samuel Hughes, of the State of Maryland, shall not be held to make any more cannon on their present contract:
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That it be referred to the commissioners of claims to settle the accounts of Daniel and Samuel Hughes against the United States, agreeably to their contract:
That the Board of War and Ordnance be directed to report to Congress such an allowance per ton as they shall deem sufficient to ensure a reasonable profit on [all the cannon which Daniel and Samuel Hughes have cast, and which have sustained or shall sustain due proof, as well those that have not, as those that have been delivered according to contract:]1
[Note 1: 1 These words, in the writing of William Ellery, and in the form of an amendment, are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 3.]
That the Board of War and Ordnance be authorized to enter into a contract with Messrs. Daniel and Samuel Hughes, for such a number of battering cannon and mortars, and such quantity of shot and shell, as they shall deem necessary for the public service.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph, in the writing of William Duer and as an amendment, is on the same folio.]
A report from the Board of War. relative to Count Pulaski's corps, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three: The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton and Mr. [Francis] Dana.
Resolved, That the fifteen men inlisted and lately brought to Yorktown by Captain Scott, be annexed to Colonel Hartley's regiment, and that Captain Scott and the subalterns of the said company be dismissed.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Nathaniel Appleton, Esqr. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of the Marine Committee, for 40,000 dollars; one other warrant in their favour for 30,000, dollars, on John Lawrence, Esqr. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of
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Connecticut; and one other warrant for 30,000 dollars in their favour, on Nicholas Gilman, Esqr. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of New Hampshire; for which sums the said Marine Committee is to be accountable, the same being advanced on their application for the use of the navy board in the eastern department.
Resolved, That one million of dollars be emitted under the direction of the Treasury Board, and on the faith of the United States:
That the bills shall, excepting the numbers, be of the same tenor and date as the emission directed on the 5th of March last, be numbered from the last number of each respective denomination of that emission progressively, and consist of the following denominations, viz.
That all powers and duties of Michael Hillegas, Esqr. and of the inspectors of the press, signers and printers of the emission directed on the 10 May last, shall extend to the one million to be emitted, subject, however, to such directions and instructions as the Board of Treasury may judge expedient.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 199.]
The committee to whom the report of the Board of War was referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington be empowered, if he shall deem it necessary, to call upon the states of Maryland, Pensylvania and New Jersey, for five thousand of their militia, in such proportions from the respective
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states as he shall think proper; to remain in service for such time as General Washington shall recommend; the said militia to be armed and accoutred by the respective states to which they belong, to whom it is earnestly recommended to use every exertion in complying with the General's request.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.
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