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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 18, 1778
According to order, General Reed laid before Congress a letter from George Johnstone, dated London, 11 April, 1778, and directed to General Joseph Reed; and an extract of a letter from Dennis D'Berdt, intended as a letter of introduction for Governor Johnstone:
Ordered, That the letter from Governor Johnstone be published.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Library of Congress, United States Revolution, III.]
A letter signed Carlisle, H. Clinton, William Eden, George Johnstone, dated New York, 11 July, 1778, and directed "To his Excellency Henry Laurens, the president, and others the members of Congress," was received and read; Whereupon,
Congress came to the following resolution:
Whereas Congress, in a letter to the British commissioners, of 17 June last, did declare that they would be ready to enter upon the consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce, not inconsistent with treaties already subsisting, when the king of Great Britain should demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose; and that the only solid proof of this disposition, would be an explicit acknowledgment of the independence of these States, or the withdrawing his fleets and armies; and, whereas, neither of these alternatives have been complied with; therefore,
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Resolved, That no answer be given to the letter of the 11th inst. from the British commissioners.
Ordered, That the said letter and the foregoing resolution be published.
Ordered, That the letter signed George Johnstone, dated Philadelphia, June 16, 1778, and directed to Robert Morris, Esq. be published.
Ordered, That the extract of the letter from Governor Johnstone to Mr. [Francis] Dana, be published.
A letter, of 17, from Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 391.]
A particular invoice of goods, taken and purchased for the use of the army upon the evacuation of the city of Philadelphia, being transmitted to Congress by the cloathier general,
Ordered, That it lie on the table.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq. auditor general, for thirteen thousand dollars, in favour of the Committee of Commerce, to enable them to pay a bill drawn on them by Messrs. Hewes, Smith and Allen, continental agents for the State of North Carolina, for that sum, dated 30 June last, in favour of Mr. Benjamin Joy; the said committee to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 407.]
Congress being informed that Ludwig Kercher, butcher, who was in the continental employ in the commissary's department, entered into the enemy's employ, and now remains in the city of Philadelphia;
Ordered, That the Board of War issue immediate orders to have him, the said Ludwig Kercher, arrested and secured.
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Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee appointed to report on the time and manner of the publick reception of the Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary, &c. and the same having been debated by paragraphs, and a question put on each paragraph, a motion was made to reconsider it.
And the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Francis] Dana,
{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.
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