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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, JULY 11, 1778
The president having informed Congress that a private letter, which he has received from President Lowndes, of the State of South Carolina, contains information of a public nature; a motion was made,
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That the President be requested to communicate to Congress so much of the letter as relates to the public:
The previous question was moved and put, that that question be not now put;
Passed in the negative.
Whereupon, the main question being put,
Passed in the affirmative.
Whereupon, an extract of a letter, from his excellency President Lowdnes, of South Carolina, dated June 17, 1778, was laid before Congress, and read, respecting the cloathier's department in South Carolina, and to some practices relative to loan office certificates.1
[Note 1: 1 This extract is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 72, folio 461.]
Ordered, That so much of the extract as relates to the cloathier's department lie on the table, to be taken into consideration with the report of the committee on the cloathier general's department:
That so much thereof as relates to loan office certificates, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of 7, from Robert Martin, lieutenant in the continental navy, at Snow Hill, was read, informing "that being there on furlough till called to duty, and hearing of a French fleet on the coast, he has presumed to go on board the said fleet without orders, apprehending he may be serviceable there."
A letter, of this day, from William Cross, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of Martin is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 359; that of Cross is in No. 78, V, folio 181.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of this day, from Ebenezer Hazard, was read, Whereupon a motion was made.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Library of Congress, United States Revolution, IV.]
Ordered, That the letter and motion be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [William] Duer, and Mr. S[amuel] Adams.
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The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, for fifteen hundred dollars, in favour of John Hancock, Esqr. it being for the sum of thirteen hundred dollars advanced Baron Steuben, at Boston, to enable him to prosecute his journey to confer with Congress at York town; and for two hundred dollars, the price of a horse delivered to the said Baron, who is to be accountable for the sum of 1,500 dollars:
That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, for three thousand dollars, in favour of Henry Laurens, Esqr. president of Congress, to pay expences of expresses.
Resolved, That the resolutions of Congress of the 19 May last, relative to bills of exchange, be so far re-considered, that the word "North," preceding the word "America," be omitted in the form of the bills; and that, in lieu of the words "To--, of the United States of North America," be inserted "To the commissioner or commissioners of the United States of America at Paris."1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 397.]
A letter, of 10 July, from S. Deane, Esqr. Delaware Bay, was read, informing Congress of his arrival on board the Languedoc, commanded by his excellency the Count d'Estaing, with a fleet of 12 sail of the line, and four frigates, that sailed from Toulon 10 April:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three, and that they be directed to take the speediest measures for furnishing the Count d'Estaing with a sufficient number of skilful pilots:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duer, Mr. J[onathan] B[ayard] Smith, and Mr. [Elias] Boudinot.
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A letter, of the 8, from Count d'Estaing, commander of the French fleet, was read;1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 164, folio 542.]
Resolved, That General Washington be informed by Mr. President, that it is the desire of Congress that he co-operate with his excellency Count d'Estaing, commander of a French squadron now on the coast of North America, and proceeding to New York, in the execution of such offensive operations against the enemy as they shall mutually approve.
His most Christian Majesty the King of France, having thought proper to send on the coasts a powerful fleet, in order to co-operate with the forces of these states, in the reduction of the British army and navy:
Resolved, That General Washington be empowered to call on the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, or such of them as he shall judge proper, for such aids of their militia as he shall think requisite for carrying on his operations in concert with Count d'Estaing, commander of the French fleet; and that it be earnestly recommended to the states above mentioned, to exert themselves in forwarding the force which may be required from them with the utmost despatch.
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury supply Mons. de Chuin, ∥who is on his way from Count d'Estaing to General Washington,∥ with any sum he may stand in need of, not exceeding 20,000 French livres, to be charged to account of his excellency Mons. Gérard, minister plenipotentiary from his most Christian majesty the King of France.
Ordered, That the quarter master supply Mons. Chuin with horses or carriages to convey him to General Washington's head quarters.
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Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to order the commissioners of the navy to the eastward, to fit out as many continental frigates and armed vessels as possible, with the utmost despatch, to join the French squadron in their operations against the enemy.
Ordered, That the Board of War take measures for providing a suitable house for the accommodation of the Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary, ∥who is arrived in the Languedoc;∥ and that they give the necessary orders for receiving Mons. Gérard with proper honours on his arrival ∥in this city.∥
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to wait on Mr. Gérard, on his arrival, and conduct him to his lodgings:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Hancock, Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, and Mr. [William] Duer.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.
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