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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, MAY 14, 1778
A letter, of the 12, from General Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 31.]
Ordered, That so much of the said letter as relates to the destruction of the frigates in the Delaware, be referred to the Marine Committee, and the remainder to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 9th, from Lieutenant Colonel Ethan Allen, was read; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 35.]
Resolved, That a brevet commission of colonel be granted to Ethan Allen, in reward of his fortitude, firmness and zeal in the cause of his country, manifested during the course of his long and cruel captivity, as well as on former occasions.
A letter, of the 11th, from General Gates, at Reading, was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a deputy adjutant general be appointed for the army in the northern department, under the command of General Gates:
The ballots being taken, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Troup was elected.
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A letter, of the 12, from Thomas Wharton, Junr., Esqr., president of the council of Pensylvania;
A letter, of the 13th, and one of the 18 April, from Mr. President Lowndes, of South Carolina; and one, of the 20 April, from Brigadier General Moultrie, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter from Wharton is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 509; that of Lowndes is in No. 72, folio 445; and that of Moultrie, in No. 158, folio 453.]
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three;
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Henry, Mr. [Thomas] Adams and Mr. [John] Mathews.
An application from Baron Bose was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This application is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 489.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of this day, from the Board of War, enclosing a letter of the 10th, from John Penn and Benjamin Chew, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 These letters are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folios 25 and 29.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, Mr. [Charles] Carroll, and Mr. James Smith.
Ordered, That the Committee for Indian Affairs, to whom the letter of the 2 from the council of Pensylvania was referred, be discharged from proceeding on that business, and that the said letter be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 16, from William Gibbes, William Parker, and Edward Blake, commissioners of the continental loan office in the State of South Carolina, to the continental treasurer, was laid before Congress, and read.4
[Note 4: 4 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 59, III, folio 11.]
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Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce, who are to report thereon.
Ordered, That the memorial from sundry inhabitants of Nova Scotia, which was read the 6th, be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee and Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris.1
[Note 1: 1 This memorial, dated March 3, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, folio 21.]
A representation of the bishops and elders of the United Brethren settled in Pensylvania, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, and Mr. [Charles] Carroll.
The Committee of the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That 11,000 dollars be advanced to Edward Langworthy, delegate from the State of Georgia, on his application, for the use of that State, which is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 287. It was to discharge a bill drawn on him by William O'Bryen, treasurer of Georgia, in favor of George Nichols. On this report Thomson has noted the votes for a committee: R. H. Lee, 4; G. Morris, 3; Duer, 7; Mathews, 1; Plater, 3; F. L. Lee, 4; Dana, 3; Sherman, 2; Hutson, 1. This committee can only answer to that appointed on the Nova Scotia memorial, by assuming that Duer declined to serve, and a new ballot was taken.
On the same report is noted the vote for the committee on the representation of the United Brethren: Ellery, 6; McKean, 6; Carroll, 6; G. Morris, 5; J. B. Smith, 2; Scudder, 2; Dana, 1; Mathews, 1; Sherman, 1.]
The State of South Carolina having transmitted a state of their accounts against the United States,
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee to whom were referred the letters and certificates respecting Mons. de la Neuville, report, "that they have duly examined the same, and find that Mons. de la Neuville, the elder, is recommended by Baron de
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Wurmser, Lieutenant General in the French service, as an officer of great zeal, activity and knowledge, and as one who may be usefully employed in all military operations; that he is recommended to General Washington by the Marquis de Bouilley, governor of Martinico, as an intelligent officer, not only acquainted with the theory, but practice of war, having served several campaigns in Germany; that he is also recommended to General Washington by Mons. Merlet, quarter master general of the French army, and pointed out in that recommendation as a proficient in the science of tactics, and consequently very capable of forming and disciplining bodies of infantry; that these recommendations are further strengthened by the favourable testimonies of the Marquis de la Fayette and Major General Conway;" Whereupon,
Resolved, That it is the interest of the United States to employ Mons. de la Neuville as inspector of the army under the command of Major General Gates: and that the faith of Congress be engaged to promote the said Mons. de la Neuville to the rank of Brigadier General [Colonel] by brevet, after two [three] months service, provided he shall obtain at the end thereof, from General Gates, or the commanding officer, in the northern department, sufficient testimonials of his having discharged the duties of an inspector with honor to himself and advantage to the public.1
[Note 1: 1 The cancelled words were in the original report.]
∥On putting this question, the yeas and nays being required,∥
{table}
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That Monsr. de la Neuville's pay as inspector be 105 dollars a month, and six rations a day; his pay and rations to commence from the time of his entering into the service of the United States, as well from the consideration of the great delay he has met with, in waiting the determination of Congress, and of his heavy expences, occasioned by a long and perilous voyage to and sejour in a foreign and very dear country, as from the nature of the office it is proposed he shall execute, which requires unremitted assiduity, and will be attended with great fatigue both of body and mind.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Henry Laurens, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 69. The cancelled words were in the original report.]
Resolved, That Monsr. la Neuville be informed, that Congress will be disposed, after an experience of his services of an inspector to the army under General Gates, for the space of three months, to confer on him such rank as his merits may justly entitle him to.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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