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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 21, 1778
Mr. S[amuel] Adams, a delegate from Massachusetts bay, attended and took his seat in Congress.
A letter of the 27, and one of the 28 April, from the council of Massachusetts bay, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 These letters are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 65, I, folios 304 and 308.]
Ordered, That the latter be referred to a committee of four:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [Samuel] Huntington, and Mr. [John] Witherspoon.
A letter, of 7 May, from Messrs. Otis & Andrews, at Boston, and one, of the 20, from James Mease, at Lancaster, were read:2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of Otis & Andrews is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVII, folio 289; that of Mease is in the same series, XV, folio 343.]
Ordered, That so much of the same as relates to money, be referred to the Board of Treasury; and so much as relates to putting a stop to any further purchases of cloathing by agents or commissioners appointed by the several states, be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 22 April, from John Lucas, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
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A letter, of 19, from the general assembly of Pensylvania, with a petition from sundry inhabitants on the western frontiers, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Lucas is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 221; that of the Pennsylvania assembly is in No. 69, I, folio 519; the petition, dated May 14, is on folio 523.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of 25 April, from the council of Massachusetts bay, with an account of the expences of that State for prisoners, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee to whom was referred the memorial from divers persons, late inhabitants of Nova Scotia, report as their opinion,
"That the wresting of Nova Scotia from the British power and uniting the same to these States is for many weighty reasons a very desirable object; but that the propriety of making this attempt at the present crisis seems doubtful; and upon the whole, it appears most wise to wait a while, until the event of a war taking place between France and Great Britain, and the consequences that [it] may have upon the British force on this continent, shall render an attempt upon Nova Scotia more likely to succeed. If however any concurrence of circumstances should sooner render success in this undertaking probable, it is the opinion of the committee, that the honourable council of Massachusetts bay should be empowered at continental expence to furnish the inhabitants of Nova Scotia with a force, not exceeding two regiments, to assist in accomplishing the purpose proposed in the said memorial."
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
The committee to whom was referred the letter from Colonel F. Johnston, brought in a report; Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the necessary contingent charges of executing the office of commissary general of prisoners be allowed, over and above the present pay.
Whereas Colonel Johnston was taken from the line to execute the office of commissary general of prisoners, upon an information given to Congress that his health would not permit him to continue in the army, and undergo the fatigues of it; and as there is no necessary relation between his office and the line,
Resolved, That Colonel Johnston be permitted to hold his rank, but no command in the line, nor be entitled to receive the seven years' half pay lately granted to the military commissioned officers.
The committee to whom was referred the letters from Brigadier General Wayne, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Rev. Dr. Robert Blackwell be appointed brigade chaplain to the first Pennsylvania brigade, commanded by General Wayne.
A letter, of 14 April, from Thomas White, of the State of Delaware, and an extract of a letter, of May 8, from Mr. President Rodney, of the said State, both directed to Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, were laid before Congress and read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee appointed to provide for the safety of, and prevent insurrections in, the peninsula between Delaware and Chesapeake Bays.
Mr. Josiah Bartlett, one of the delegates from New Hampshire, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read as follows:
State of New Hampshire,
In the House of Representatives, March l4th, 1778.
Voted, That the Hon. Josiah Bartlett and John Wentworth Jun. Esqrs. be, and hereby are, appointed to serve as Delegates to represent
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this State in the Continental Congress, for and during the term of one year from the date hereof, unless sooner recalled: and that they and each of them, in the absence of the other, have full and ample power, in behalf of this State, to consent and agree to all measures which Congress shall deem necessary for the Public good.
Sent up for concurrence.
John Dudley, Speaker pro temp.
In Council, the same day, read and concurred.
E. Thompson, Secretary.
Copy attested,Meshech Weare, President.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, New Hampshire, Credentials of Delegates.]
Resolved, That Major General Mifflin have leave to join the army under the command of General Washington.
The committee to whom were referred the letter of the 11th, from General Washington, enclosing a copy of a letter of the 10th from General Howe, respecting the exchange of prisoners, report,
"That the propositions of General Sir William Howe, for an exchange of prisoners, in his letter of the 10th May, appear so ambiguously expressed and so liable to misconception, that, in their opinion, it is expedient that Congress should, on their part, make proposals for an exchange on principles of equality, and expressed in clear and explicit terms:" Whereupon,
Resolved, That General Washington be desired to inform General Sir William Howe, that Congress, ever anxious to alleviate the calamities of war, are willing to make an exchange of prisoners on the following principles, viz:
That an exchange be made of all officers in the possession of either party, whether on parole or otherwise, as far as rank and number will apply:
That, as General Sir William Howe has the power of exchanging the officers made prisoners under the convention of Saratoga, Congress cannot think of agreeing
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to an equivalent in privates for officers, but are willing to extend this exchange to the officers of General Burgoyne's army:
That an exchange, as far as numbers will apply, be made of all soldiers in the actual possession of either party; and also of all who, having been released on parole,1 are, in the opinion of General Washington, proper objects of exchange:
[Note 1: 1 The original report here added: "and are now living, and have not from the Distress of Imprisonment been rendered incapable of future Military Service." These words were struck out.]
That the officers and soldiers so to be exchanged be mutually delivered at such places in the states of Rhode Island, New York, and Pensylvania, and at such periods of time as the said generals may determine on:
That in case the proposed exchange should unhappily not take place, General Washington be directed to inform General Sir William Howe, that Congress expect that he will, from a regard to the prisoners in the power of these states, take effectual measures that the American prisoners may not suffer any distresses from the approaching hot season, which it is in his power to prevent,2 as the present possession of Long Island and Rhode Island, afford him an opportunity of extending humanity towards prisoners, without a breach of duty to the power under which he acts."3
[Note 2: 2 The original report added: "consistent with the Security of their Persons, and that they are confirmed in their Opinion [Expectation]" and some words that are illegible.]
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of William Duer is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 219.]
Treasury Office, York Town, May 21, 1778.
The Committee on the Treasury beg leave to report the following resolutions:
Resolved, That a Warrant issue on the Treasurer in favor of Mr. Joseph Nourse, Pay Master to the Board of War and Ordnance, for
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five hundred thousand Dollars, to be by him transmitted to William Palfrey, Esquire, Pay Master General, for the use of his department, who is to be accountable.
That a Warrant issue on the Commissioners of the Loan Office of the State of South Carolina, in favor of the Commercial Committee for fifty two thousand Dollars, to enable the said Commissioners to [dis]charge the United States for so much advanced to Abraham Livingston, Esq. Continental Agent in that State, agreeable to a representation of the twentieth of May instant from the Commercial Committee, who are to be accountable.
That [on Application of the Commercial Committee] a Warrant issue in their favor on the Treasurer for sixteen thousand Dollars; And another Warrant on Thomas Smith, Esq. Commissioner of the Loan Office of the State of Pennsylvania, for three thousand four hundred eighty six Dollars and 31/90ths, to enable the said Committee to pay Jacob Winey the valuation of his Ship Lord Camden, Chartered and Insured by the Secret Committee, and Captured by the Enemy: Also the Balance of said Winey's Account for Freight of Goods exported in his Ship King of Prussia to Ferrol, in April, 1776, [for which Sums, amounting to 19,486 31/90 Dollars, the said Commercial Committee are to be accountable.]1
[Note 1: 1 This report is noted as having passed, but it was omitted in the manuscript journals. The words in brackets were inserted by Elbridge Gerry. The report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 301.]
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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