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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 --THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1778
A memorial from the Hon. Sieur Gérard was read, respecting Mr. William Straker, taken on board the English ship The Lord Howe, and sent to Philadelphia by his excellency Mons. the Count d'Estaing; commander in chief of his most Christian Majesty's forces on the coast of North America to be at the disposal of the Sieur Gerard.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved, That the commissary general of prisoners, be directed to engage in the continental service, all, or as many as he can, of the seamen sent from New York by Admiral Gambier, who shall appear to be effective, or
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likely to be soon fit for service; and that he furnish such as will so engage, with the means of travelling to Boston, where they are to be delivered to the commissioners of the navy for the eastern department, to be shipped on board the continental vessels of war fitting out at that port:
That the said commissioners be authorized to make such advances to these seamen as is usual in the port of Boston, making reasonable deductions for the expences to that place; provided always, that this resolution shall not extend so as to prevent any particular State from applying in New Jersey for such of the seamen as belong to such State.
Congress took into consideration a report from the Board of Treasury of 15 April last, for the establishment of a new board; after debate,
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [Edward] Telfair, and Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel E. Boudinot, late commissary general of prisoners, for fifteen thousand dollars, to enable him to discharge some arrears of that department: the said Colonel Boudinot to be accountable.
Resolved, That five millions of dollars be emitted under the direction of the Board of Treasury, and on the faith of the United States:
That the bills shall, excepting the numbers, be of the same tenor and date as the emission directed on the 11th day of April last, and be numbered from the last number
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of each denomination progressively, and consist following denominations, viz:
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 427.]
The committee to whom was referred the petition of Richard Marven and Samuel Shaw, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That it is the duty of all persons in the service of the United States, as well as all other the inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the service of these states, which may come to their knowledge.
Whereas, a suit has been commenced by Esek Hopkins, Esq. against Richard Marven and Samuel Shaw, for information and complaint by them and others made to Congress against the said Esek Hopkins, while in the service of the United States:
Resolved, That the reasonable expences of defending the said suit be defrayed by the United States.
Ordered, That the secretary of Congress furnish the petitioners with attested copies of the records of Congress, so far as they relate to the appointment of Esek Hopkins, Esq. to any command in the continental navy, and his dismission from the same, and also to the proceedings of Congress upon the complaint of the petitioners against
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the said Esek Hopkins, preferred to Congress through the Marine Committee, as mentioned in their petition.
The committee to whom was referred the draught of an answer to the intended speech of the hon. the Sieur Gérard, brought in a new draught, which was taken into consideration and agreed to.
Resolved, That Thursday next be assigned for giving audience to the hon. the Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary from his most Christian majesty.
Congress proceeded to the election of two members to wait upon the Hon. Sieur Gérard, and conduct him to the audience:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, and Mr. S[amuel] Adams.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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