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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, AUGUST 20, 1778
A letter, of 19, from Major General Arnold, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, and that the Board be directed to report their opinion on the necessity of an additional number of troops to the corps of invalids, for the purpose of guards in the city of Philadelphia; and if an additional number is, in their opinion, necessary, how many and for what purposes.
A letter, of 23 June, from Major General R. Howe, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 160, folio 461; that of McKinley, in No. 70, folio 655.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. [Edward] Telfair, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, Mr. [Cornelius] Harnett, Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder, and Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry.
A letter, of 20, from J. M'Kinley, Esq. late president of Delaware, was read, soliciting to be exchanged for William Franklin, Esq. late governor of New Jersey; Whereupon,
[Note 3: 3 The letter of Arnold is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 162, folio 145.]
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A motion was made, that the sense of the house be taken, whether it is consistent at present with the interest of the United States to consent to the exchange of William Franklin, Esq. late governor of the State of New Jersey:
The previous question was moved that that question be not now put; and the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Duer,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative, and the main question set aside.
On motion, That the sense of the house be taken, whether W. Franklin, Esq. late governor of New Jersey, is a prisoner of the United States.
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Question put,
Resolved, That W. Franklin, late governor of New Jersey, is a prisoner of the United States.
A motion was made, that Congress consent to the exchange of Governor M'Kinley for Governor Franklin.
The previous question was moved, and the yeas and nays required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative and the main question set aside.
A letter, of 23 July, from John Wereat, Esq. of Savannah, in Georgia, was read, accompanied with an appeal against the judgment of a court of admiralty on the libel against the armed brig Hinchinbroke:
Ordered, That the said letter with the appeal be referred to the Committee on Appeals.
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A letter, of 14 July, from John Sanford Dart, of South Carolina, with an invoice of cloathing enclosed, was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of this day, from Capt. J[osiah] Stoddard, was read;1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 Wereat's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIII, folio 517; that of Stoddard, in XX, folio 283.]
Ordered, That to morrow be assigned for taking into consideration the report of the Board of War on the petition of Captain Stoddard and others.
A letter, of 22 July, from Raymond Demeré, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on a former letter from the said Mr. Demeré.
Resolved, That a member be added to the said committee:
The member chosen, Mr. [James] Forbes.
A memorial from the honorable Sieur Gérard minister plenipotentiary from the Court of France, was read, informing that a French sailor, taken on board of an English privateer by an American ship, is confined in the prison of Philadelphia, and requesting that the Congress of the United American States would be pleased to give orders that the said sailor be delivered to his disposal, on the assurance of an equal return in a similar case:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Marine Committee, and that they be directed to comply with the said request.
The committee to whom was referred the letter from General Washington, relative to Baron Steuben, brought in a report:
The Committee to whom General Washington's letter relative to the Baron Steuben, &c. &c. was committed, beg leave to report that they have had an Interview with the Baron, and have examined and attended to the proposals laid before them by that Gentleman, and having fully considered the Nature and Necessity of a well regulated Inspectorship for the Army of the United States; do Recommend the following
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Resolutions to be adopted by Congress; but as the well being of the Army in their opinion greatly depends on this important Office being established on the best military Principles, the Committee recommend that the said Resolutions previous to their being finally Passed by Congress, be sent to the Commander in Chief for his perusal and observations thereon, and those of any General Officer to whom he may think proper to communicate them.
Resolved, That an Inspector General of the Armies of the United States be appointed, with the Rank, Pay and Rations of a Major General.
Resolved, That the Duty of the Inspector General shall consist in forming a System of Rules and Regulations for the Exercise of the Troops in the Manual Manoeuvres and Evolutions, for the purposes of Service in Guards and Detachments, and for Camp and Garrison duty. That he shall also Review the Troops, Regiment by Regiment, once a Month while in the Field and Collected, or once in Three Months while in Garrison or Detachment, the former in Person, and the latter by his Assistants when he cannot personally attend; that at such Review he shall inspect the Number and Condition of the Men so far as regards the Health and apparent fitness for Service, examining into the Losses sustained by Sickness, Battle, Desertion or otherwise; the Recruits received, inspecting them and discharging such as are unfit for Service; he shall also upon the Recommendation of the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, discharge any Soldier who, by Infirmity, Wounds or length of Service, is become unfit for Service, Certifying their Reward or Title to any public Provision. It shall be his Duty also to inspect the State of the Arms, Accoutrements, Tents, Camp Equipage and Clothing, observing what Arms have been lost or spoiled since the last Review, and as near as possible by what means.
If any Regiment is Deficient in Clothing, Arms, Accoutrements, Tents, or Camp Utensils after due Allowance for Wear and Use, he is to report to the Commander in Chief and Board of War, such deficiency, with the causes of it, so far as have come to his knowledge, at the same time advising in what manner these deficiencies may be supplied, and future Waste or Loss as much as possible prevented. For this purpose he is to be Authorized to call on the Commanding Officers of Regiments for exact returns of all these particulars. At the first Review and as much as possible afterwards, he must endeavor to ascertain the exact Strength of each Regiment, whether the Men are present, or on any out Duty, in Hospitals, on Furlow, or otherwise;
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he must furnish the Officers with Forms of all Returns he may require of them, and when any Error or Defect appears in the Administration or Discipline of the Troops, he is to report it to the Commander in Chief with the means of Redress.
It shall be the duty of the Inspector General to observe how far the present Articles of War are sufficient for the Discipline and good Government of the Army, and to Report with the approbation of the Commander in Chief, to the Board of War, fresh Alterations and Additions as may be necessary in order that Congress may adopt them if thought proper.
The Exercise and Manoeuvring will be always under the direction of the Inspector General, all the new Manoeuvres to be introduced by him, and old ones performed according to the established Principles under his Direction.
In the Performance of these several Duties, the Inspector General and his Assistants are Authorized to have the Troops under Arms when they desire.
Resolved, That there be an Assistant Inspector General appointed with the Rank, Pay and Rations of a Brigadier, and that such Assistant be always a Native of America.
Resolved, That there be one Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry, one Lieutenant Colonel of the Light Troops, and four Lieutenant Colonels of Infantry appointed as Sub-Inspectors, all of whom are to Receive their Instructions, relative to the Discipline, Order and Exercise of the Army from the Inspector General, or in his Absence from his Assistant.
Resolved, That the Office of Brigade Inspector shall in future be annexed to that of Major of Brigade, who shall be one of the oldest Majors of the Brigade, appointed by the Commander in Chief: his Duty shall be to collect lists &c of all the Battalions of his Brigade, to Keep the Details, and take care of the formation and March of all the Guards, Detachments, &c.; he is to Receive all the Orders and Communicate them to the Commanding Officer of the Brigade and Regiment, and thro' the Adjutants, to all the Officers of the Brigade. He is to inspect the Police of the Camp, the Discipline and order of the Service. He is to do no duty in the Line, except the whole Brigade is ordered into action.
Resolved, That each Brigadier be allowed an Aid de Camp for the Dispatch of his orders; that he be taken from the Line, under the
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Rank of Captain, and hold the same Rank as in the Line; that he be allowed Rations for himself, a Servant and two Horses.
Resolved, That the Inspector General, the Assistant Inspector General and Sub-Inspectors, hold Command in the Line according to their several Ranks and appointments, but that they shall be exempt from all common Camp and Garrison Duties, that they may attend more carefully to those of the inspection.
That the Inspector General be allowedDollars per Month; the Assistant Inspector GeneralDollars per Month, in addition to their Pay as Officers in the Line for their Special Services as Inspectors.
Resolved, That the Inspector General and his Assistants be subject to the orders of Congress, the Board of War and the Commander in Chief only, so far as respects the Inspection of the army.
That all Rules and Regulations under this System be first approved and Authorized by the Commander in Chief, and either Published, or otherwise communicated thro' the Adjutant General to the Several Divisions of Brigades; that such Rules and Regulations be also transmitted to the Board of War with all convenient Dispatch.
Resolved, That all the Officers of Inspection are to be respected while in the Exercise of that Office according to their Function, and not their Rank; so that no Superior Officer is to refuse to have his Regiment mustered or Examined by an Officer of the Inspection, tho' of Inferior Rank: the Sub-Inspector is to attend the Major General of the Day, in examining whether the Duty of the Guards is performed according to Rule. When the Inspector is not present, the Brigadier or next Officer in Command is to Exercise and Manoeuvre the Troops agreeable to the Principles and Rules laid down by the Inspector General. In Camp or Garrison when there is a Parade, the Inspector General, if present, or in his absence his Assistant, or the Sub-Inspector of the Day, is to exercise the Parade; but as soon as the General is beat, the Inspector leaves the further Direction to the General of the Day, or, if in Garrison, to the Commandant of the Place.
Resolved, That during a Review by the Inspector General or his Assistant, each Soldier shall have the privilege of leaving his Rank and presenting any Complaint or Grievance he may have, to the Inspector General or his Assistant; the Officers also, thro' the same Channel may prefer their Complaints, which are to be laid before the Commander in Chief.
Resolved, That the Baron de Steuben be appointed Inspector General of the Armies of the United States.
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Resolved, That -- be appointed Assistant Inspector General of the said Armies.
Resolved, That General Washington be desired to appoint the Sub-Inspectors before mentioned, and that he add to their Number, or diminish them, as future Circumstances and his Judgement shall direct.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 255. It is endorsed: "Referred to General Washington, who is desired to consider the same, and to return it to Congress with his opinion and observations thereon.
" Returned, 15 Sept., 1778. Read and referred with observations thereon to Committee of Arrangement, who are directed to report a plan of regulation for inspectorship, agreeable to the said report and observations of the General."
See under February 18, 1779, post.]
Ordered, That it be referred to General Washington, and that he be desired to consider the same, and return it to Congress, with his opinion and observations thereon.
A letter from John Campbell [dated August 3] was read, setting forth that he is settled on islands independent, and in a country deemed neutral and independent, and, looking on himself in that light, he desires that permission may be granted him for a free trade with the United States:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 189.]
Ordered, To lie on the table, and that Mr. Campbell be informed that Congress do not think it expedient to give any decision on the matter.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,3
[Note 3: 3 From this point to the end of this day's proceedings the writing in the MS. Journals is that of Thomas Edison.]
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer for 3000 dollars, in favour of the Committee of Commerce, to be by them transmitted to Messrs. James and Adam Hunter, of Fredericksburg, in Virginia, to pay the wages due the seamen on board the brigantine Morris, now under their care, laded with tobacco on public account, and other charges attending that vessel; the said committee to be accountable:
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That a warrant issue on the treasurer for 500 dollars, in favor of the Hon. John Wentworth, Esq., one of the delegates from the State of New Hampshire, advanced him upon his application; the said State to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer for 250 dollars, in favor of James Green, Jun. in discharge of a bill drawn by Samuel Johnston, treasurer of the northern district of the State of North Carolina, and dated 16th March, 1777, for that sum, in favor of said James Green, Jun. the said State to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pensylvania, on the application of the Board of War and Ordnance, for 17,786 dollars, to be paid to Joseph Nourse, their pay master, and to be by him forwarded to Brigadier Count Pulaski, for the equipping his legion; the said Brigadier Pulaski to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 473.]
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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