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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, SEPTEMBER 12, 1778
A letter, of this date, from Mr. R[esolve] Smith, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to prepare a manifesto on the injurious treatment our prisoners and faithful citizens receive from the enemy, and that the committee be directed to confer with Mr. Smith, and report respecting him.
Resolved, That Mr. [William Henry] Drayton be added to the committee appointed to confer with Major General Arnold:
That Mr. [Samuel] Chase be added to the committee appointed to confer with the Minister of France.
A letter, of 2, from Major General Heath, at Boston, was read, informing of the enemy's fleet appearing off that harbour.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 157, folio 194.]
On motion,Resolved, That Captain Nathaniel Falconer be appointed superintendent of the presses for striking bills of credit, bills of exchange, and loan office certificates, in addition to those already elected.
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The committee on the memorial from E. Blaine and the letter from Colonel Hollingsworth, brought in a further report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the quarter master general be directed to order the commissary of forage to give immediate directions to his deputies and assistants not to purchase any wheat for forage, except in the vicinity of camp, unless in cases of absolute necessity; and when such cases arise, that the reasons for deviating from this order be transmitted to the commissary of forage, and by him submitted to the opinion of the quarter master general.
Resolved, That the commissary general of purchases be directed to give orders to his deputies and assistants, forthwith to deliver to the commissary of forage, and his deputies, the bad wheat and offals of wheat, which they at present have, or hereafter may have, in their respective possession; and further, that the said commissary general issue orders to the purchasers to be careful not to purchase, in future, damaged wheat, as the same is found by experience, extremely injurious, even for the purposes of forage.
Resolved, That the quarter master general be directed to consult with the Commander in Chief, whether a reduction of the stationary teams cannot be made consistently with the good of the service, or whether ox-teams cannot, in the present seat of war, be substituted in a great measure for horse-teams; and if General Washington shall be of opinion that both or either of these measures are advisable, that the quarter master general take measures for carrying the same into execution, in such manner as shall be deemed most consistent with the good of the army, and a regard to public OEconomy.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Duel is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 271.*]
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Ordered, That the committee have leave to continue to sit on the business.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter, of the 2, from General Sullivan, having reported thereon, Congress took the report into consideration and there-upon,
Resolved, That the governments of the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts bay, and New Hampshire, be requested, on the application of General Sullivan, [with the concurrence of the legislature or council of war of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,] to call out of their respective states such number of militia as he shall require, in cases of great emergency, to check the ravages of the enemy, or to repel any invasion they may attempt into any of the eastern states.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated September 12, and prepared by Richard Peters, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 255. The words in brackets were added by Henry Laurens. A vote of 10 ayes and 2 noes is noted by Thomson.]
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Mr. A[ndrew] Adams, one of the delegates of the State of Connecticut, for 1600 dollars, advanced upon his application, for which the said State is to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Mr. Jonathan Elmer, one of the delegates of the State of New Jersey, for 500 dollars; for which the said State is to be accountable:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 551.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the memorial of Captain Harper, and after some time spent thereon,
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock on Monday.
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