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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, MAY 16, 1778
A letter, of this date, from I. Melcher, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 337.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, who are directed to enquire into the state of the barrack master's department, the number of deputies employed and the places where, and report thereon.
A report, from Governor Livingston was laid before Congress and read, wherein he informs, that in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 19 February he has removed Gifford Daily, deputy quarter master at Morristown, in that State, for "misbehaviour and neglect of duty," and appointed in his place Benjamin Lindsey, Esq. during the will and pleasure of Congress, or such his superior officer as is or may be authorized to remove him; that he has reduced the number of assistants employed by Joseph Dewees, deputy commissary in the same place, from four to three;2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated May 9, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 357.]
Ordered, That the said report be referred to a committee of three;
The members chosen, Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. [William] Ellery.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report: Whereupon,
Ordered, That 100,000 dollars to be paid to Dr. Thomas Bond, Jun. to be by him delivered to Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director general, for the use of the hospitals of the middle district; the said Dr. J. Potts to be accountable:
That 20,000 dollars be advanced to the Committee of Commerce, to enable them to discharge four bills drawn
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on them by Abraham Livingston, Esq. continental agent at Charleston, dated the 18, 19, 20 and 21 of March, for that sum.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated May 15, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 289.]
Resolved, That the invoice of articles to be imported from France, together with the list of medicines, approved by Congress, be signed by the Committee of Commerce, and transmitted to the commissioners of the United States at Paris, who are authorized and directed to apply to the house of Roderique Hortalez & Co. for such of the said articles as they shall not have previously purchased or contracted for.
Ordered, That copies of the invoices be delivered to Mons. de Francy, agent for Roderique Hortalez & Co. together with a copy of the foregoing resolution.
Resolved, That the articles to be shipped by the house of Roderique Hortalez & Co. be not insured, but that notice be given to the Commissioners in France, that they may endeavour to obtain convoy for the protection thereof.
Resolved, That a copy of Governor Livingston's letter of the 27 April, respecting the horses purchased for the use of the continental army, at the request of the committee of Congress in camp, be transmitted to the quarter master general; and that he be ordered immediately to pay for such horses and settle the accounts with the persons employed to make the purchases, agreeably to the terms upon which the governor engaged.
Resolved, That the Committee for Foreign Affairs report such alterations in, or additions to, the instructions and commissions given to the commissioners at the courts of Berlin, Vienna, and Tuscany, as they may think expedient.
Resolved, That Colonel Ethan Allen be entitled to all the benefits and privileges of a lieutenant colonel in the
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service of the United States during the time of his late captivity.
A number of intercepted letters were laid before Congress:
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three, and that the said committee be empowered to take such steps, and pursue such measures as they judge necessary for the interest of the United States:
Members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [James] Lovell, and Mr. [John] Witherspoon.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.
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