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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 --FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1778
Mr. [John] Hancock, a delegate from Massachusetts bay, and Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder, a delegate from New Jersey, attended, and took their seats.
A letter, of 15, from Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, with a paper enclosed, relative to the conduct of the enemy, was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to prepare a manifesto on the injurious conduct of the enemy.
A letter, of 30 May, from Samuel Freeman, speaker, pro tempore, of the assembly of Massachusetts bay, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 65, I, folio 316.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Ordered, That the letter of 25 May, from General Heath, which was read 15 instant be referred to the Board of War.
A petition from sundry navy officers and declarations respecting Captain Burke, and a petition from four captains and four lieutenants of marines, were read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Marine Committee.
A letter, of the 1st, from John Browner president of the board of war of Massachusetts bay, with a manifest
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of the cargo of the Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Antonio enclosed, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [William] Ellery, and Mr. [Francis] Dana.
A letter, of 6th May, from James Whitefield, speaker of the assembly of Georgia; two letters, of the 13 April, from Major General R. Howe, at Savannah; one, of the 16 April, from Gov. Houston, of Georgia, and the proceedings of the assembly of that State, were laid before Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Browne is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, II, folio 317; that of Whitefield is in No. 73, folio 207; that of Houston is in No. 73, folio 191, and the proceedings are on folio 215.]
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, and Mr. [William] Duer.
The Committee for Foreign Affairs laid before Congress sundry letters from the commissioners at foreign courts, among which,
One of the 6th, one of the 15, and one of 31 January, signed Arthur Lee, directed to the hon. the chairman of the committee of correspondence: and one of 16 January, signed B. Franklin and Silas Deane, directed to the hon. the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the United States of North America, which were read; Mr. [William] Duer also laid before Congress a letter directed to him from R. Izard, dated Paris, 22 December, 1777:
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, and Mr. [Thomas] Heyward.
Mr. [James] Lovell laid before Congress a letter of 21 December, last, from Benjamin Franklin, which was read.
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Three o'Clock, p. m.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer for 1,500,000 dollars; and another warrant on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the loan office in the State of Pensylvania, for 500,000 dollars, in favour of Charles Pettit, Esq. upon an application of Major General Greene, Q. M. G., for the use of his department; General Greene to be accountable:
That 1,700,000 dollars be advanced to Jeremiah Wads-worth, commissary general of purchases, for the use of his department; he to be accountable.
That 100,000 dollars be paid to Joseph Nourse, pay master of the Board of War and Ordnance, to be by him transmitted to Colonel Benjamin Flower, commissary general of military stores, for the use of his department:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 369.]
That 300,000 dollars be advanced to Jeremiah Wads-worth, commissary general of purchases, to be paid to Mr. Frederick Tracy, for the use of the commissary general's department; the said Jeremiah Wadsworth to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated June 18, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 371.]
Treasury Office, June 13, 1778.
The Committee on the Treasury beg leave to report the following resolution:
Resolved, That a Warrant issue on the Treasurer, at the request of the Board of War and Ordnance, in favor of Joseph Nourse, pay Agreed master thereof, for twelve thousand Dollars, to answer the orders of the Board for contingent expences, the said Joseph Nourse to be accountable.
The Committee further beg leave to report:
That they have taken into Consideration a Letter of the Postponed, a. m. and p. m. the 15th 6th instant from Major General Conway to the President, referred to them by Congress.
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That by a Letter from Silas Deane, Esquire, to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, dated the 29th November, 1776, it appears Not considered. that Major General Conway was then a Colonel and an officer of great Merit in France, and that far from exacting of Mr. Dean any condition or Contract as Preliminaries to his engaging in the Service of the United States, "he generously confided in Congress for such Rank and appointment as they should confer." That therefore no gratuity has been allowed him for his time and expences previous to his appointment of Brigadier General by Congress: That he having served with Fidelity and Honor since that appointment, is entitled to a Reward according to his Rank.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 355.]
Resolved, That the sum of eight thousand two hundred and twenty-three livres tournois and four sous, and two hundred dollars, be allowed to Major General Conway, as a gratuity for his time and expences previous to his entering into pay of the United States, and for his return to France; and that bills of exchange be drawn by the President on the commissioners at Paris, in favour of Major General Conway, for 7,792 livres tournois; and that a warrant issue on the treasurer for 321 30/90 dollars, in favor of said General Conway; which sums are the balance of his account with the United States.2
[Note 2: 2 A letter of Conway, dated June 19, asking for a settlement of his accounts, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 489. It is endorsed by Laurens: "Received P. M., at the door, and presented and read immediately."]
Treasury Office, June 15, 1778.
The Committee on the Treasury beg leave to report:
That they have examined the Account of Colonel Mullens, late aid de camp to Major General Conway, and are of Opinion, that the sum of twelve hundred Livres Tournois should be allowed him as a gratuity for his time and expences in and from France; And a further sum of Nine hundred Livres Tournois, to pay his Passage to France, making in the whole two thousand one hundred Livres.
That he has received from Major General Conway nineteen hundred and ninety Livres, which leaves a Balance of one hundred and ten Livres Tournois on that Account due to Colonel Mullens.
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That there should be allowed to him three hundred and forty two Dollars and eight ninetieths of a Dollar for his Pay and Rations, from the 10th October, 1776, the time he entered into the Pay of America, to the 13 May, 1777.
And the further sum of one hundred Dollars for his travelling expences to a port, to take shipping for France, making in the whole four hundred and forty two dollars and 8/90ths:
Resolved, That bills of exchange for one hundred and ten livres tournois be drawn by the President in favour of Lieut. Colonel Mullens, on the commissioners at Paris; and that a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Lieutenant Colonel Mullens, for 442 8/90 dollars, which sums are the balance of his accounts with the United States, and that the same be delivered to General Conway.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 361.]
The Marine Committee brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Captain Peter Landais be appointed to command the new frigate called the Alliance.
Resolved, That Colonel William Malcolm, deputy adjutant general in the army, now under the command of Major General Gates, be permitted to hold his rank in the army, and his regiment, if the same shall be kept up in the new arrangement now making.
Resolved, That to morrow be assigned for taking into consideration the articles of confederation.
Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner of accounts in the northern department, and, the ballots being taken,
Edward Chinn, Esq. was elected.2
[Note 2: 2 A petition from Chinn, dated June 8, asking for this appointment, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 55. It was addressed to Gates, and was sent to the Board of Treasury on June 16.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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