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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 30, 1778
Mr. [John] Wentworth, [Junr.] a delegate from New Hampshire, attended, and took his seat in Congress.
The committee to whom was referred the letter of 24, from General Washington, with the papers enclosed, relative
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to Captain Vance, brought in a report, which was read:
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
Resolved, That Tuesday next be assigned to take into consideration the articles of confederation.
The committee to whom was referred the letter of 28 April, from the president and council of the State of Massachusetts bay, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That for the reasons assigned by the president and council, Congress approve of their placing about five hundred of the British troops of the convention at Saratoga in the barracks at Rutland, and the erecting temporary barracks at that place for the remainder of the British:
That Congress approve of the Hessians being continued in their present stations, if no other places more safe and convenient at a greater distance from Boston can be had; but do not think it of public utility to permit these troops to proceed immediately to Great Britain:
That the president and council of Massachusetts bay be requested to cause the barracks, in which the troops of the convention may be stationed, to be picketed in, and to take effectual measures to render an escape impracticable.
Congress took into consideration a report from the Board of Treasury, relative to the managers of the lottery; ∥and after debate,∥
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, and Mr. [Francis] Dana.
Ordered, That Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee have leave of absence.
Ordered, That Mr. [John] Henry have leave of absence.
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The Board of War, to whom was referred a petition from John Shearman, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be advanced out of the public treasury to Mr. John Shearman, on a loan for two years, free of interest, to enable him to prosecute his business; and that Mr. Shearman execute a bond to the treasurer, for the use of the United States, for the payment of the above sum, in such warlike implements or stores, and at such prices and periods of delivery, as shall be contracted for between the Board of War and the said John Shearman; and in default of such contract, the money to be repaid on demand.
The commissioners of claims, with the approbation of the auditor general, report,
Mr. Millegan one of the Committee of Claims, agreeable to Order of the Board of Treasury, having Reported the following Account to the Auditor General, he begs leave to present the same for the allowance of Congress:
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated May 22, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 309.]
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That they have liquidated the accounts of Captain Harman Courter's expences while in the public service, and that there is a balance due to him, amounting to 214 18/90 dollars:
Ordered, That the said sum be paid.
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury report a proper sum as a compensation for the Captain Courter's time and trouble in bringing despatches from the commissioners at Paris to Congress.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to report to Congress a plan for the payment of the sums that may, from time to time, be due to officers and soldiers of the United States, for their pay and rations whilst in captivity.
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, for seven thousand one hundred and ninety 56/90 dollars, in favour of Parson Jones and Enoch Ilsey, in discharge of a draught of his Excellency R. Caswell, governor of North Carolina, dated Newbern, 4 May, 1778, for £2,876 5s North Carolina currency, in favour of Richard and James Ellis, expressed to be for cloathing purchased for the use of the army; the said State to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 333.]
Resolved, That for the space of one month, commencing on Monday next, Congress meet at ten o'clock and sit till one, and on the same day, except on Wednesdays and Saturdays, meet at three and adjourn at six o'Clock P.M., and that Congress be not on any account whatever, continued over the times fixed, if any one State insists on adjourning.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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