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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, AUGUST 8, 1778
A letter, of 8, from T. Pickering and Richard Peters,1 two of the commissioners of the Board of War, was read. Whereupon, a motion was made, "That Congress do admit the letter of this date, signed Timothy Pickering and Richard Peters, as a sufficient atonement for the letter of the 4th instant, signed "By order of the board, Tim. Pickering."2
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 193.]
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of William Henry Drayton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 199.]
The previous question was called for, and the ayes and noes being required by Mr. [William Henry] Drayton:
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So it passed in the negative.
The Question was then put on the motion:
Resolved in the affirmative.
A letter, of 8, from T. Pickering, Esq. and a letter of the same date from Major General Arnold, were read.
A letter, from B[enjamin] Randolph, appointed to superintend the making of paper for loan office certificates and bills of exchange, was read, wherein he informs that his engagements in the New Jersey will prevent his attendance on the business to which he was appointed, in less than two weeks from this time, and therefore praying, if the business require immediate attendance, that Congress will please to appoint some other person for the present.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Pickering is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 189; that of Randolph is in No. 78, XIX, folio 245; that of Arnold is in No. 162, folio 140.]
The Board of Treasury having recommended sundry persons ∥for∥ signers of the continental currency, Congress proceeded to the election, and the ballots being taken, the following gentlemen were chosen, viz. Samuel Nichols, Colonel Patton, Colonel Joseph Copperthwait, Joseph H. Ellis, Richard Humphreys, James Loughead, Jedediah Snowden, Joseph Walter, Joseph Bullock, William Thorne, Thomas Leiper, John Lardner, Alexander Nesbit, Frederick Phile, John Young, Jun. William Gray, Robert Caither, Colonel Lewis Farmer, John Keppele, William Adcock, Joseph Pennel, Joseph Hubley, John Mease, Peter Stretch, Nathaniel Donald, William Hardy, Joseph Snowden, James Wilson, William Sheaffe, William Shute, William Kenley, and Edward Fox.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 439. At the foot is noted: "The Board of Treasury beg leave to remind Congress that the person appointed to superintend the making of Paper is not in town, and that the stuff now ready for to work will be spoiled if some person is not sent to the mill immediately. George Bright will attend; he is already reported from the Board."]
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The Board of Treasury having also recommended a person to superintend the making of paper for loan office certificates and bills of exchange, Congress proceeded to the election, and the ballots being taken,
George Bright was elected.
Whereas, in pursuance of the recommendation of Congress of 2d March, a volunteer corps of cavalry from the State of Virginia, under the command of the hon. General Nelson, are now in this city, on their way to the army, under the command of General Washington: and, whereas, the removal of the enemy from this State renders the employment of this corps at present unnecessary:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the said corps to return.
Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be returned to the hon. General Nelson and the officers and gentlemen under his command, for their brave, generous and patriotic efforts in the cause of their country.
A motion was made, to add to the foregoing resolution ∥as follows,∥ "and that it be warmly recommended to the inhabitants of the several states to imitate, in public emergencies, the virtuous conduct of the volunteers from Virginia:" Whereupon,
The previous question was called for, and the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William Henry] Drayton,
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So it was carried in the affirmative, ∥and the main question was set aside.∥
Ordered, That the letter of 23 June last, from the council of Massachusetts Bay, so far as relates to their State's cloathing their troops, be referred to the Board of War, and that the Board take such measures and give such orders thereon as they judge proper.
Ordered, That the proceedings in Congress on Thursday, during the audience of the Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary from his most Christian Majesty, be forthwith published, as entered on the journal.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.1
[Note 1: 1 In the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folios 103 and 107, are a letter of Samuel Gollen, dated August 6, and a proposition, dated August 4, respecting salt and minerals. Read August 8, and ordered to lie.]
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