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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 --WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1778
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That 200,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director general for the middle district, for the use of his department; he to be accountable.
N. B. Dr. Potts applies for 300,000 Dollars; but as he has already had that sum advanced him since February last, and as the Treasury is at present very low, your Committee judged it improper to report so large a sum. They beg leave further to inform Congress, that from an examination of the estimates given them by Dr. Potts, they conceive the expences that accrue in his Department are exorbitant; they have therefore laid them before Congress for their Inspection.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 349.]
The committee to whom was referred the letter of the 3, from General Gates, with the papers enclosed, reported
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the draught of a letter to the several states, which was agreed to as follows:
Sir: Authentic intelligence, received by Congress from many quarters, leave it no longer doubtful in what manner the enemy mean to conduct their plan of conciliation. Under delusive appearances of pacific acts and peacemaking commissioners, already their military reinforcements begin to arrive, and already they have commenced the campaign, in many places, with acts of cruelty and devastation. Indian irruptions, and burning houses, in the moment of dispersing propositions for peace, evince the insidious designs of the enemy, and demonstrate the necessity of wisdom in council, of strength and vigour in the field.
The former may be employed to distress the enemy greatly, by withholding from them the provisions of America, and the latter by quickly collecting powerful armies to take advantage of their present weakness.
In duty, therefore, to their constituents, Congress earnestly call upon you, sir, and your State, to adopt the most effectual and vigorous measures for speedily reinforcing the continental army with your quota of troops.
The present moment unimproved, may be productive of most pernicious consequences, and the public safety demands strong and united efforts. Experience hath shewn that the marine force of our enemies enables them to secure for the support of their armies almost the whole of our exported provisions; and therefore Congress, impressed with the necessity of preventing the supplies derived to our foes from this source, and desirous of supplying the armies of the United States, have, upon mature deliberation, laid an embargo upon provisions of all kinds, and they earnestly request the vigorous exercise of the powers of your State to carry into effectual execution this most necessary measure.
That what relates to the reinforcing the continental army be left out in the letters to North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; and that, in the letters to Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, the following clause be added:
The urgent necessity for the provisions with which your State is to furnish the army, induces Congress to press upon you, sir, immediate
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and constant attention to this important business, and the present absence of the enemy's ships from the bay of Chesapeake may be improved by seizing the opportunity of water conveyance to the Head of Elk.
The committee to whom were referred the letter from Caron de Beaumarchais, to the Committee of Commerce, and the letter from Mr. Chevallie to Congress, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Governor Henry be requested to purchase, for the United States, the articles contained in the list hereto annexed, being part of the cargo of the French ship le Fier Roderique, as cheap as he can, not exceeding the price following, to wit. £450 Virginia money for every one hundred pounds sterling, to be paid in tobacco, at ten dollars per hundred, and that a letter be written to his excellency, explaining the principles of such limitation:
List of Articles.
Leaden bullets of different size; men's silk and woollen stockings; woollen caps; the different kinds of buckles; uniform buttons for officers and soldiers; sleeve buttons; red cadis for the lining of uniform; coarse and fine shirts; woollen blankets; soldiers' hats; cloths fine, for officers; ditto coarse for soldiers; and light ditto for soldiers; brass ink-stands; white flannel, sewing thread; linen spatterdashes for soldiers; soldiers' cloathing ready made; an assortment of handkerchiefs; gun powder; wristbands for shirts; flints; serget of different colors, viz. scarlet, sky-blue; brown and white, for linings; an assortment of sewing silks; men's shoes, soldiers' knapsacks; an assortment of brown and white linens; white Malaga in eases; red Burgundy in eases, 12 groce; claret in casks, 20 casks; white wine vinegar.
A letter, of this day, from Colonel Morgan, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Indian Affairs.
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A petition from William Cochran, of Cumberland county, and Thomas Swathe, of the same place, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This petition, dated June 1, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, II, folio 40.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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