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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 --TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1778
A letter from John Stoddard, lieutenant of the Mermaid, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
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A letter, of 26 August, from Major General R. Howe, and one of 31 August, from his excellency President Lowndes, of South Carolina, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William] Duet, Mr. [John] Mathews, and Mr. [Edward] Telfair.
Another letter, of 5 instant, from Major General Howe, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 Howe's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 160, folio 475; that of Lowndes, in No. 72, folio 465. Howe's letter of the 5th is in No. 160, folio 479.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the foregoing committee.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs laid before Congress a letter of 26 August, from Mr. W[illiam] Bingham, at Martinique, which was read:
Ordered, That it be returned to the Committee, and that they be directed to report thereon.
A memorial from Alexander M'Nutt, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Lovell, Mr. [Henry] Marchant, and Mr. [Josiah] Bartlett.
A letter, of this day, from Lieutenant Colonel Ternant, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 McNutt's memorial is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, folio 67. It is dated September 17. Ternant's letter is in No. 78, XXII, folio 597.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The committee to whom was referred the motion relative to Count Pulaski, brought in a report, which was read:
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to request Colonel Sharp Dulany, Colonel John Bull and Lieutenant Colonel Lutterlogh, to proceed as soon aspossible conveniently they can to German Town, and there inspect the Count Pulaski's Legion, making strict Inquiry by Oath or otherwise, what non commissioned Officers or Privates are Prisoners or Deserters from the Enemy; that all of these Characters in theHorse, and all Prisoners in the Infantry Corps be selected, their
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Horses, Arms and Accoutrements respectively delivered up to the Quarter Masters and Commissary of Military Stores: Thatthe non commissioned Officers and privates 30 selected be such Deserters so selected from the Horse be enlisted incorporated with the Foot and all such as have been Prisoners be immediately marched to Philadelphia, and delivered over to the Commissary of Prisoners for Exchange.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to cause a like Inspection to be had of all the Corps now raising, so that all Prisoners found therein may be delivered over in like Manner to the Commissary of Prisoners for the Purpose aforesaid.
Resolved, That the Board do issue a most positive and express Instruction to all recruiting Officers whatever, not to enlist Prisoners of any Kind or Deserters on any Pretence, under the Penalty of having every such Recruit discharged and the Officer so enlisting held accountable for all the Expences incurred thereby.
Resolved, That the Board of War do in like Manner issue an Instruction to all Officers of Cavalry not to enlist any Prisoner or Deserter in the Cavalry under the like Penalty.1
[Note 1: 1 This report in the writing of Joseph Reed, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 91.]
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Michael Hillegas, Esq. treasurer, be directed to deliver the check books of the loan office certificates, which he has issued to lenders, to Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pensylvania, who is directed to pay the interest arising on such certificates.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 589.]
That Thomas Lawrence be nominated a Manager of the Public Lottery in the room of Mr. Searle, who has resigned.
Resolved, That two per cent. be allowed to the commissioners of the loan offices of the United States, on the amount of interest which has been or shall be paid by
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them respectively, in lieu of all claims and demands which they may have for transacting the said business.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated September 25, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 581. The paragraph on Lawrence was postponed to October 1.]
Resolved, That Thursday next be assigned for electing a manager of the United States' lottery, in the room of Mr. Searle, who has resigned.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pensylvania, in favour of the managers of the United States' lottery, for thirteen lottery office certificates of one thousand dollars each, and one hundred and forty-six lottery office certificates of five hundred dollars each, amounting in the whole, to eighty-six thousand dollars, to enable the said managers to pay off the high prizes drawn in the first class of the said lottery; they to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated September 26, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 585.]
Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner of accounts at the treasury office, and the ballots being taken, Mr. Resolve Smith was elected.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War, of the 8 April last, relative to the contract made with Messrs. Daniel and Samuel Hughes: Whereupon,
Resolved, That Messrs. Daniel and Samuel Hughes be allowed [seventy pounds current money of Maryland] one hundred and eighty six and two thirds dollars per ton for all cannon already cast by them in virtue of their contract, whether delivered or not, and which have stood or shah stand proof, in full of all claims and accounts; the guns not delivered to be taken when proved at the furnace, from whence they are [to be] transported at continental expence.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 5. The members present were Gates, Mifflin, Pickering, and Peters.]
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Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom were referred the letters of 21 and 29 ultimo, from the Board of War, and a letter from Mr. Holker, relative to cannon imported into the State of North Carolina: Whereupon,
That as there are several ships of war now building and nearly completed on the continental Account, and as the procuring of Cannon, either from Europe or within the United States, has been found to be attended with great difficulty and expence, your Committee are there fore of Opinion, that it will by no means be advisable for Congress to part with the property in the said Cannon; but that the States of Virginia and North Carolina be permitted the use by an equal distribution between them of the said Cannon, for the defence of their respective States, until the further order of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Mathews, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 347. The adopted paragraph is in the writing of Richard Henry Lee.]
Resolved, That the cannon mentioned in the said letters be sold to the states of Virginia and North Carolina, the former to have twenty four and the latter State twenty five, dividing them equally as to weight of mettle:
That the said states be allowed to purchase the said cannon on the terms the United States have imported them.
Ordered, That the hearing of Mr. Deane be postponed till the examination of Mr. W. Carmichael is finished, and that Mr. Deane be informed thereof.
Three o'Clock, p. m.
A letter, of this day, from Colonel Wadsworth, and one from Mr. Owen Biddle, with sundry papers enclosed, were read:2
[Note 2: 2 Wadworth's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIII, folio 569; that of Biddle is in III, folio 197.]
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Ordered, That they be referred to the committee on the memorial from Colonel Blaine, and letter from Colonel H. Hollingsworth.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on finance, and after some time spent thereon,
Ordered, That the farther consideration be postponed till Thursday next.1
[Note 1: 1 A petition of Friedrich Wilhelm yon de List, dated September 28, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, V, folio 197. It is endorsed: "Read 29 September. Ordered to lie on the table."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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