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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, JUNE 13, 1778
A letter, of this day, from Captain Robert Smith, lately appointed secretary to the Board of War and Ordnance, was read, requesting to be informed whether the appointment is considered as inconsistent with that which he at present holds in the army, and if it is, expressing a desire to continue in the line, in which he has for some time been engaged;2 Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This letter is the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 223.]
Resolved, That he have leave to resign his appointment as secretary of the Board of War and Ordnance, and that the same be accepted.
Ordered, That Tuesday next be assigned for electing a secretary to the Board of War and Ordnance.
A letter, of 8, from General Greene, Q. M. G., was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, and Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee.
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A letter of this day, From Captain John M'Pherson, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
A paper from Monsr. de Francy was laid before Congress:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
The Board of War, to whom were referred the letters and papers relative to Mons. du Cambray, having reported specially thereon, Congress took into consideration the report and, thereupon,
At a Board of War, the 13th June, 1778
The Board of War to whom were referred sundry Papers relative to Mons. du Cambray, who arrived in North Carolina on board of Capt. Cottineau's Ship, with a view of offering his Service to these States, beg leave to report to Congress,
That it appears by Mons. du Cambray's Commission which he has laid before this board, that he has been a Captain of Artillery in the Polish Service since the 21st August, 1776.
That Mons. du Cambray has been strongly recommended to Doctor Franklin by the Duke de Rochefoucault (a great Judge of military merit) and by several other persons of distinction in France, as an Officer well versed in Artillery and Engineering, on which account, Doctor Franklin in a Letter to Genl. Washington dated Sept: 10th, 1777, expresses his hopes, "that the American Service will be rendered agreeable to him."
That since Mons. du Cambray's arrival in North Carolina, he has employed himself in erecting a fortress at Cape Lookout, with great diligence and fatigue for the space of more than two months, which Fortress (with a very small alteration pointed out to the Board by Mons. du Cambray) will in their opinion effectually command the Entrance of that very important Harbour.
That Mons. du Cambray has declined asking any pecuniary Gratification for the service, he has hereby rendered to the United States.
That in consequence of the services rendered by Mons. du Cambray the Assembly of the State of North Carolina by their resolutions of the 30 April, Resolved, That they entertained a most grateful sense of the disinterested and important services rendered by Mons. du
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Cambray, and requested the Government of North Carolina to recommend him to Congress and to Genl Washington, as a person well qualified for the service of these States.
[Note : 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 93.]
That there is at present a deficiency of skilful Engineers to supply the wants of the Army and the various departments in which such talents are necessary, and that Mons. du Cambray possessing both the talents of an Engineer, and of an Artillerist would, in the opinion of the Board be very usefully employed in accompanying Brigr. Genl. McIntosh on the Western Expedition.
From all which considerations the Board beg leave to recommend to Congress.
Resolved, That Monsr. du Cambray be annexed to the corps of engineers commanded by Brigadier du Portail, with the rank and pay of a lieutenant colonel.1
Resolved, That the delegates from the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, and Connecticut, be requested, in the name of this Congress, to write to their respective states, setting forth the urgent necessity of their immediately raising the quota of troops by them respectively agreed on, to be under the command of Major General Sullivan, for the relief of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and to prevent further depredations of the enemy in that State.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the letter, of the 9th, from General Washington, with the papers enclosed:
During the debate, an express arrived with a letter of the 11th, from General Washington, which was read;2 and, a packet, in which was enclosed, together with other papers, a letter signed "Carlisle, William Eden, George Johnstone," dated at Philadelphia, 9 June, 1778, and directed "to his excellency Henry Laurens, the president, and others, the members of Congress;" which letter was read to the words "insidious interposition of a power
[Note 2: 2 This letter is the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 101.]
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which has, from the first settlement of these colonies, been actuated with enmity to us both; and, notwithstanding the pretended date or present form of the French offers," inclusive; whereupon the reading was interrupted, and a motion was made not to proceed farther, because of the offensive language against his most Christian majesty: debates arising thereon,
Ordered, That the farther consideration of the motion be postponed.
Ordered, That the letter and other papers from the commissioners be sealed up.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Library of Congress, United States Revolution, IV.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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