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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 --WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1778
Mr. Cyrus Griffin, one of the delegates from Virginia, attended, and produced credentials of the appointment of delegates from that State, which were read as follows:
In the General Assembly of Virginia, May 29th, 1778.
Resolved, That Thomas Adams, John Harvey, John Banister, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Meriwether Smith, Richard Henry Lee, and Cyrus Griffin, Esqrs. be appointed delegates to represent this commonwealth, in Congress, for one year from the eleventh day of Aught next.
Archibald Cary, Speaker of the State.
Benjamin Harrison, Sp. H. D.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Virginia, Credentials of Delegates.]
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A letter, of 16, from General Washington, enclosing copy of one of 13, from General Sullivan, at Rhode Island, was read:
A letter, of 17th, from Joseph Nourse, secretary of the Board of War and Ordnance, enclosing a monthly return of military stores, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 263; that of Nourse is in no. 147, II, folio 193; that of Sullivan is in No. 160, folio 149.]
The Marine Committee having informed Congress that a fleet of the enemy is now in the river Delaware, their strength and destination unknown:
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be empowered and directed immediately to equip and despatch, with all possible expedition, all the armed vessels now in port, to aid the frigate Chimère, and to annoy the enemy.
On motion, Ordered, That the cloathier general make a return to Congress of the issues of cloathing made by him, or any of his agents, to the several regiments in the continental service, from the 1st day of October last.
The committee to whom was referred that part of General Washington's letter of the 4th, respecting the department of the cloathier general, brought in a report, which was read:
The Committee to whom was referred that part of General Washington's letter of the 4th. of August which respects the Department of the Clothier General, are of opinion that it will be best for the future that the several States do make provision for cloathing their respective Quotas of Troops for the Continental Army, agreeably to the Articles of Confederation. And therefore submit to the consideration of Congress the following Resolutions:
Resolved, that no more Purchases be made by Mr. Mease, the Clothier General, or any of his Agents.
That a proper person be appointed by Congress to receive of the said Clothier General all the Cloathing and Goods of every Kind in his Custody belonging to the United States, with Invoices of the same,
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specifying the Quantity and Cost of each Article; And that Mr. Mease deliver the same accordingly to the Person so appointed.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several States to appoint proper Persons who shall reside at or near the Army to receive and issue Cloathing to their respective Quotas of Troops.
Resolved, that the Cloathing now belonging to the United States, or that shall be imported in consequence of Orders already given, be divided and delivered to the several States, or their Agents, in such Proportion as Congress shall hereafter direct.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several States to take effectual Measures for supplying their respective Quotas of Troops in the Army with sufficient Cloathing from Time to Time, and such Parts thereof as are due to the Soldiery by way of Bounty, agreeably to the Resolutions of Congress, shall be paid for by the United States at a reasonable Estimate for Cloathing each Man, so that equal Justice may be done to all the States.
Resolved, That General Washington be directed to appoint a Court of Enquiry into the Conduct of James Mease in his Office of Clothier General, his Deputies and Agents; that it may be known whether the grievous Sufferings of the Army for Want of Cloathing have been owing to his or their Misconduct or Neglect of Duty. And that Mr. Mease be suspended until the Result of such Enquiry shall be transmitted by General Washington to Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Adams, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 49. With other papers it was referred to another committee on October 5, whose report is printed under October 9, 1778, post.]
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
Ordered, That Mr. Deane be informed, that Congress do not expect his attendance this day, but that he attend on Friday next, at ten o'clock, to proceed in his information.
Congress proceeded to the election of two members to the navy board in the middle district, and the ballots being taken,
Captain Nathaniel Falconer and James Searle, Esq. were elected.
The Marine Committee brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the respective navy boards be authorized and empowered to appoint and constitute courts of enquiry and courts martial, under the direction of the Marine Committee, to examine and determine all offences and misdemeanors in the marine department, according to law martial, in the same manner as by a resolve of the 6th of May last is prescribed in certain cases therein mentioned, and that this resolve continue in force until the 6 day of May next, and no longer.
Resolved, That application be made to his excellency the Count d'Estaing, vice admiral of France, to purchase of him all such prize ships and other vessels which he may take on the coasts of these states, as he may not choose to retain in his hands or send into port:
That the Marine Committee take proper measures to execute this resolution, and make monthly reports to Congress of the several vessels that may be so purchased, and the cost thereof.
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be instructed to stipulate for the payment of such vessels as shall be so purchased in continental currency or provisions.
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor general reports,
That there is due, to Gifford Dalley, for providing an entertainment on the reception of Mons. Gérard, minister plenipotentiary from the court of France, on Thursday, the 6 instant, the sum of 1424 dollars:
That there is due, to Richard Ross, for riding express from January 15, 1777, to November 1st, 289 days, a balance of 195 dollars.
The auditor general also reports,
That there is due, to James Millegan, Esq. for his pay as commissioner of accounts at the Board of Treasury, from 16 March to 19 August, inclusive, 157 days, at five dollars ∥per day,∥ 785 dollars:
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That there is due, to William Turnbull, Esq. for his pay as commissioner of claims at the treasury office, from 3 December, 1777, to the 4th February, 1778, 64 days, at four dollars per day, 256 dollars; and from 5 February to 18 August, inclusive, 195 days, at five dollars per day, 975 dollars; in all, 1231 dollars:
That there is due, to Mr. Thomas Ewing, for his pay as clerk to the Board of Treasury and commissioners of claims, from the 28 of December, 1777, to the 28 July, 1778, seven months, at 75 dollars per month, 525 dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 469.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That upon application of the Board of War and Ordnance, a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pensylvania, for six thousand dollars, in favour of Mr. Joseph Nourse, pay master to the said Board, to be advanced by them to Thomas Maybury, of New Jersey, in part of the sum of thirteen thousand three hundred and thirty three and one third dollars, which he is to receive on a contract for iron between him and Colonel Flower, commissary general of military stores, dated at Lebanon, 28 May, 1778; the said Joseph Nourse to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 467.]
Commercial Committee, 19 August, 1778.
Whereas in the Laws or Proclamations which have been lately enacted or issued in several of the United States, laying an Embargo on Provisions, no provision has been made for exempting from such Embargo Vessels loading on account of the United States, or of the Government of the respective States, with rice, for the purpose of making remittances for supplies of Arms, Ammunition and Clothing, which have been shipped for the public Use: Whereby great Detriment is likely to accrue to the Public, not only by the loss of Cargoes
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of a perishable nature, but likewise from the Tendency, which the Detention of Remittances has to injure the Public Credit, and thereby endanger their supplies in future: Therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Executive, or Legislative authorities of the respective States, where such provision has not hitherto been made, forthwith to Exempt from Embargo, such Vessels as may be loading with Rice for the purpose of making Remittances either on Account of the United States or of the Government of the respective States for the payment of arms, ammunition, or other Military Supplies, which have been shipped for the public use.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 185. No entry is found in the journals.]
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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