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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 --FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1778
Mr. [Thomas] Stone, a delegate from Maryland, attended, and took his seat in Congress.
The Committee of Commerce laid before Congress a letter of 18, from Mr. Stephen Steward, which was read:
Ordered, That it be returned to the Committee of Commerce, and that they be empowered and directed to act thereon as they shall judge proper.
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A letter, of 24th, from S. Deane, Esq. was read, intimating, that he is informed "that letters from Mr. Izard, reflecting on his character and conduct whilst in the service of the public abroad, have been read in Congress," and requesting "to be furnished with copies thereof, and that he may be permitted to wait on Congress, and to be heard in his vindication:"
Ordered, That Mr. Deane be furnished with extracts of all such parts of Mr. Izard's letters, read in this house on the 19th, as relate to his public conduct.
A letter, of this day, from John Connolly, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 229.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the letter of the 15th, from Colonel Beatty, commissary general of prisoners.
A letter, of 24, from Jonathan Brewer, captain lieutenant of artillery, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No 78, III, folio 193.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A petition from Hezekiah Stoakes, pay master of the 8 Virginia regiment, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This petition, dated September 25, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VII, folio 67.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Harvie, Mr. [Henry] Marchant, and Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry.
A letter from Seth Harding was read.4
[Note 4: 4 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XI, folio 333.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the report under debate yesterday; Whereupon,
The Committee to whom were referred the proposition in aid of South Carolina and Georgia, report,
That whereas there is reason to believe a formidable attack is meditating by the Enemy against South Carolina, and probably against Georgia also, and every precaution ought to be taken to guard against it,
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Resolved, That His Excellency Governor Caswell be requested, with all possible despatch, to march with 3000 Men, and the State of Virginia be also requested to cause 1000 Men, comprehending the Continental troops not embodied, without loss of time, to be marched to the assistance of South Carolina and Georgia; the whole to be marched at the Continental expence and commanded by the Continental Officer intitled to the command.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Henry Drayton, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 359.]
Resolved, That the executive powers of Virginia and North Carolina be requested, without loss of time, to give all possible aid to the states of South Carolina and Georgia; Virginia by marching into South Carolina one thousand men, comprehending all the continental troops in that State; North Carolina, by marching into South Carolina, 3000 men, including the levies and all the continental troops in that State: each body to be properly officered by the government embodying it. The militia and levies to continue in the service and pay of the United States for the space of five months from the time of their marching from each State respectively, if it shall be found necessary: the whole to be commanded by the continental officer entitled to command; and that their excellencies Governor Henry and Governor Caswell be requested to take the most vigorous measures to carry this resolution into full and immediate effect.
Resolved, That, in case Governor Caswell shall find it consistent with the duties of his station, and shall be inclined to march to the aid of South Carolina and Georgia, at the head of the North Carolina forces: he shall, while on this expedition, have the rank and pay of major general in the army of the United States of America.
Resolved, That the militia of South Carolina and Georgia, called forth on the present emergency, be in the pay of the United States.
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Three O'clock p. m.,
Resolved, That Major General Robert Howe, be, and he is hereby directed to repair immediately to General Washington's head quarters.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 229.]
Resolved, That Major General Lincoln take command in the southern department; and repair immediately to Charleston, South Carolina.1
A motion being made to order Count Pulaski immediately to March with his legion to South Carolina,
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Marine Committee under debate, 15th: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the new frigate building at Norwich, in Connecticut, and now nearly ready to be launched, be named theConfederacy.
Congress proceeded to the election of a captain of the said frigate,Confederacy, and the ballots being taken, Captain Seth Harding was elected.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Major William Dark, for six hundred dollars, in discharge of a bill of William Palfrey, Esq. pay master general, in favour of the said Major Dark, for that sum, dated 15 September, 1778, and expressed to be for the use of the forces of the United States of America; for which the said pay master general is to be accountable:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 577.]
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Alexander Baugh, for two thousand dollars, it being so much received of him by Lewis and Charles Cope, deputy commissaries, (as per their receipt appears) for James Rae,
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Esq. deputy commissary general of purchases in Georgia, who is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated September 24, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 571.]
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter of the Baron Steuben, relative to Mons. John Ternant, having reported thereon, Congress took into consideration their report; and whereupon,
Resolved, That Mr. John Ternant be appointed a lieutenant colonel in the service of the United States, and be ordered to repair to South Carolina forthwith, to perform the duties of inspector to the troops in the service of these states in South Carolina and Georgia: that he report his proceedings as inspector, from time to time, to the Board of War and inspector general, conforming himself to such regulations as are or shall be established by Congress for the inspector general's department; and, until he shall be duly notified of the plan of the department being arranged and confirmed by Congress, that he govern himself as near as may be by the rules and practice pursued by the Baron Steuben, during his having executed the office of inspector general with the grand army, procuring the approbation and authority of the officer commanding the troops of the United States in the said states of South Carolina and Georgia, in all matters relative to the discipline of the troops, and the police of the camps, garrisons or quarters, previous to their being put in practice by him as inspector.
Resolved, That Mr. Ternant be allowed the pay and subsistence of a lieutenant colonel from the 26 March last.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, prepared by Richard Peters, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 277.]
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be authorized to employ a secretary for their board, on the most reasonable terms they can.
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The Board of War brought in a report,1 which was taken into consideration: Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolutions:
[Note 1: 1 From this point to the end of these resolutions the entries were made by Thomas Edison.]
Whereas Congress, by a resolve passed on the 26th of August, 1776, made provision for commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the army and navy, as also for private soldiers, marines, and seamen, who should thereafter lose a limb in any engagement, or be otherwise so disabled in the service of the United States of America, as to render them incapable afterwards of getting a livelihood; and, whereas, divers officers, and others, have lost limbs, or been otherwise disabled as aforesaid, before the said 26th of August, to whom the like relief ought equitably to be extended:
Resolved, That all provisions and regulations contained in the said resolve of the 26th of August, 1776, shall extend to all persons who lost a limb or were otherwise disabled as aforesaid in the service of the United Colonies or States of America, before the said 26th of August, and since the commencement of hostilities on the 19th of April, 1775.
And whereas doubts may arise in some cases, whether certain persons maimed or disabled and claiming pensions, were at the tune in the service of the said colonies or states: for removing the same,
Resolved, That every commissioned and non-commissioned officer and private man who, since the commencement of hostilities, as aforesaid, has been, or hereafter shall be, drawn forth for the common defence, (and not for the service of any particular State,) or who has turned out, or shall hereafter turn out, voluntarily to oppose the enemies of the said United Colonies or States, upon any
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sudden attack or evasion, or upon any enterprize carried on under their authority, and in such service has lost or shall lose a limb, or has been or shall be otherwise disabled as aforesaid, shall be entitled to the pension allowed in the said resolve of the 26th of August, 1776; provided, that any such commissioned or non-commissioned officer or private man, being found capable of doing guard or garrison duty, shall be subject thereto, and serve in the corps of invalids when required, or on refusing so to do, shall be struck off the list of pensioners; unless the person so refusing have a family, or be otherwise peculiarly circumstanced, and the governor or president and council of the State he belongs to, or in which he resides, are of opinion an exception should be made in his favour, and an exemption granted him from such service, a certificate of which opinion he shall produce, previous to his receiving his pension.
And whereas it may happen, that many persons, maimed or disabled as aforesaid, by reason of their falling into the hands of the enemy, the deaths of their officers and surgeons, or other accidents, may not have it in their power to procure the certificates required by the aforementioned resolve, to entitle them to their pensions,
Resolved, That in such cases application be made to the governor or president and council of the State to which any person maimed or disabled as aforesaid belongs, or or in which he resides, and upon shewing to him or them satisfactory proof, that he was maimed or disabled in the manner before mentioned, and producing his or their certificate thereof, he shall be entitled to and receive a pension in like manner as if he produced the certificates required by the said resolve.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated September 21, and prepared by Timothy Pickering, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 273. The members present were Peters, Pickering and Duer.]
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Congress took into consideration a report of the Committee of Commerce respecting Messrs. Hewes, Smith, and Allen, ∥and after debate,∥
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed, and that the Committee of Commerce be directed to call on Mr. Hewes to produce an account of the continental property that came into his hands as commercial agent, and how the same has been disposed of.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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