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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 --MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1778
Applications from Mrs. Wilson, Fanny Raden, and Maria Barrell, for leave to go to New York, were laid before Congress and read:2
[Note 2: 2 The application of Mrs. Wilson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIII, folio 541; that of Mrs. Raden, in XIX, folio 265; and that of Mrs. Barrell, in III, folio 107.]
Ordered, To lie on the table.
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Mr. Deane attending according to order, was introduced, and proceeded to give the information required, and, having made some progress therein, he had leave to withdraw, and accordingly withdrew.
Ordered, That Mr. Deane attend on Wednesday morning, at ten o'clock, to proceed in his information.
A letter, of 11 August, from General Washington, enclosing one, of the same date, to him from William Palfrey, Esq. pay master general; and one from the said W. Palfrey of the same date, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 243.]
Ordered, That the letters from W. Palfrey be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of this day, from Major General Mifflin, was read, enclosing his commission, which, for reasons set forth in the said letter, he begs leave to resign:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 161, folio 52; that of the 15th is on folio 48.]
Ordered, That the said letter, together with his letters of the 10 and 11, be referred to a Committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris, Mr. [Richard Henry Lee, Mr.[Joseph] Reed, and Mr.[John] Witherspoon.
The committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Thomas Towson on behalf of himself and other inhabitants of the island of New Providence, report:
"That having made enquiry into the matter of the said memorial, they are informed and believe that the said Thomas Towson and also John and William Baldwin, John Frazer and John Outen in the said memorial named are natives of the State of Maryland, from whence they departed previous to the commencement of the present war: That James Gould, another person therein named, is a native of the State of Rhode Island, but hath resided
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in the island of New Providence for many years; and that Thomas Dunscomb, John Bunch and John Hunt are not natives of either of these United States but that all the said persons are well attached to the cause and rights of America and willing and desirous to become subjects of the United States and to support their freedom and independence." Whereupon,
Resolved, That passports be given to Thomas Towson, John Baldwin, William Baldwin, John Frazier, John Outen, James Gould, Thomas Dunscomb, John Bunch and John Hunt, inhabitants of the island of New Providence, signed by the president and countersigned by the secretary of Congress in the following form:
To all to whom these presents shall come; We the congress of the United States of America send greeting: Know ye that we being well satisfied of the fidelity and attachment ofnow an inhabitant of the island of New Providence, and being notified of his design to remove from the said island to some place within the jurisdiction and authority of the said States with intent to become subject to the same, now therefore by these presents, we do advise, request and require all captains and commanders of ships and vessels of war, whether public or private, holding commissions under us and all other persons whom it may concern, whether subjects of the said states, or either of them, or of princes their allies, to permit the said, his family and property, safely to pass to these states unmolested, and to give them such aid and assistance as may be proper and convenient. Given at Philadelphia theday ofIn the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be signed by our president on the day and year aforesaid.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 47.]
The committee to whom was referred a letter from General Washington, of the 28 July, respecting Major General Putnam, and the report of the court of enquiry on the subject of the posts in the Highlands, on Hudson's
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river, taken last year, which was transmitted to Congress, report,
That, upon a careful examination of the facts stated by the court of enquiry, and consideration of the evidence taken and transmitted, it appears that those posts were lost, not from any fault, misconduct, or negligence, of the commanding officers, but solely through the want of an adequate force under their command to maintain and defend them.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Titus Hosmer, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 299.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the assistant auditor general reports,
That there is due to Charles Cist, for his services in attending the making of paper, by order of the Treasury Board, the sum of 418 dollars, including his expences while on that service:2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph formed part of the report presented August 13, and passed the 15th.]
That there is due to Timothy Barrell, for polishing and planishing two copper plates for engraving, by order of the Board of Treasury, the sum of 21 30/90 dollars:
That there is due to the following persons, for boarding and funeral expences of General Du Coudray, deceased, the sum of 695 60/90 dollars, viz.
To Mary House, for board and lodging himself and family, the sum of 400 dollars, and for sundries furnished for the funeral, the sum of 137 dollars, making together the sum of 537 dollars:
To Amelia Taylor, for crape for the funeral, the sum of 74 60/90 dollars:
To Martin Jacques [Juqui's] and James Gillingham, for coffin and furniture, the sum of 80 dollars; and to the Rev. Ferdinand Farmer, for his attendance, &c. at the
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chapel, the sum of four dollars, making in the whole 695 60/90 dollars:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 461.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pensylvania, in favour of Isaac Melcher, Esq. barrack master general, for fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department; for which he is to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Dr. Witherspoon, one of the delegates of the state of New Jersey, for five hundred dollars, it being advanced upon his application; the said state to be accountable:2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated August 15, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 459.]
That a warrant issue on the treasurer for sixty-three thousand dollars, in favour of Charles Stewart, Esq. commissary general of issues, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable:3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 465.]
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pensylvania, in favour of the Commercial Committee, for 5,555 50/90 dollars, to enable them to pay Jonathan Williams the freight of 180 bales of merchandise, imported on public account from France; the said committee to be accountable:4
[Note 4: 4 These two paragraphs formed part of the report of the Board of Treasury presented on August 14, ante.]
That, upon the application of the Board of War and Ordnance, a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Joseph Nourse, pay master to the said Board, for one hundred thousand dollars, to enable the Board to pay for
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the transportation of and making up cloathing, and to continue the purchase of stockings, shoes, hats and blankets, for the army; the said Joseph Nourse to be accountable.
Resolved, That so much of the report of the Board of Treasury as respects the grant of money to James Mease, Esq. cloathier general, be re-committed, and that the Board report specially thereon.
Resolved, That all the loan office certificates struck by resolutions of Congress of the 3d day of October, 1776, 14 January and [22d day of February, 1777, and eight hundred and sixty certificates of one thousand dollars each, numbered from N. 1, to 860, of the emission ordered by Congress the 17 day of January, 1778, which have been signed by Michael Hillegas, Esq. treasurer, or Samuel Hillegas, be good and valid, notwithstanding some of the said certificates may be issued by the several commissioners of the continental loan offices, after the date of the resolution of Congress, appointing Francis Hopkinson, Esq. treasurer of loans.1
[Note 1: 1 These two paragraphs formed part of the report of the Board of Treasury presented on August 14, ante.]
Resolved, That each officer in the department of the quarter master and barrack master general attending Congress, be directed, from time to time, to render to the several members accounts of the articles supplied them respectively, according to the cost thereof: That such accounts be paid to the pay master of the Board of War and Ordnance, who shall give to the respective members duplicate receipts for the money so paid, one of which to be left at the Board of Treasury.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated August 14, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 455.]
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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