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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 --MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1778
On motion,Resolved, That Congress meet on Wednesday evening, at six o'clock, to consider the proceedings of the courts martial on the trials of Major General Lee, Major General Schuyler, and Major General St. Clair.
A letter, of 23, from General Washington, was read, enclosing a memorial and letter from Major Whitcombe, and sundry other papers relative to the attack on Cherry Valley:1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 545; that or Whitcomb, dated November 16, in No. 41, X, folio 370.]
Ordered, That the memorial and letter from Major Whitcombe be referred to the Board of War.
Two affidavits, relative to the convention troops, were laid before Congress:
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three; and that the said committee be directed to take measures for collecting evidence relative to the infractions made by the enemy on the convention of Saratoga; and that all the evidence heretofore collected be committed to the said committee.
The members chosen Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [William] Carmichael, Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris.
A letter, of 24, from the Board of War, was read, desiring an advance of 50,000 dollars:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter from R. Downman and G. Hancock, brought in a report: Whereupon,
Ordered, That the said letter be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A report from the Board of War was read, respecting the quartering officers of the convention troops:
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War Office,October 17, 1778.
The Board request you will be pleased to obtain, immediately, the sense of Congress whether Genl. Burgoyne's officers are to be quartered within the Picketts surrounding the Hutts to be built for the Men in Virginia, or whether they are to be separated from them and stationed in the most convenient Towns or Places in the Neighbourhood on parole. The Board are endeavoring to get proper Information to form an Estimate for making the Contract directed by Congress, and it will make a very considerable Difference in the Estimate both as to Time and expense, if the Officers are disposed in the Manner last mentioned.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the form of a letter from Richard Peters, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 335.]
Ordered, That it be re-committed, and that the Board be empowered and directed to give such orders in the premises as they in their judgment shall think most for the public interest and safety.
A letter, of 26, from the secretary of the Board of War, was read, enclosing a list of the brigadiers and the regiments composing the several brigades:2
[Note 2: 2 These lists are in the Library of Congress,United States Revolution, IV. They were recommitted to the Board of War, and again reported December 3, 1778, though dated by Peters December 4.]
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
A letter, of 20 October, from the Board of War, was read, enclosing a letter of 11th of the said month, from General Washington, and a letter of 8 October, from Samuel Nicholas, relative to the necessity of making provision for cloathing the officers:3
[Note 3: 3 Washington's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 581; that of Nicholas is on folio 585.]
Ordered, That the letters enclosed be referred to the committee on the cloathier's department.
Resolved, That Mr. [James] Searle be added to the said committee.
The Board of War having transmitted to Congress a copy of the agreement entered into with them by George
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Rice, for a tract of land, and erecting barracks for the convention troops in Virginia, together with a plan of the said barracks:
Ordered, That the copy of the agreement and plan be lodged with the Board of Treasury.
A report from the Board of War, on the letter of 26 October, from Major General Sullivan, relative to the high price of forage, was read: Whereupon,
Resolved, That in all cases where forage is wanted for the troops, and cannot be purchased by the commissaries at reasonable rates, application be made to the executive or legislative authority of the State wherein the forage is required, or to some person or persons properly authorized by them for that purpose, for their interposition and assistance in procuring the necessary supplies:
That it be recommended to the governments of the states, wherein the army or any detachment or part thereof now is, or hereafter shall be, to take such measures, in aid of the forage masters, who shall first use every endeavour to purchase the same, for the procuring sufficient quantities of forage, at reasonable rates, as shall, in their opinion, be effectual, and most likely to procure a speedy supply.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated November 10, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 363. The members present: Sherman, Mathews and Peters.]
A report from the Board of War, was read, on a letter of 30 October, from Major General Schuyler, on the subject of cloathing in the store at Fort Schuyler, directed to be sold to the friendly nations of Indians in the vicinity thereof: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the cloathing now in store at Fort Schuyler, purchased for account of the United States, be either sold at such reasonable prices as shall be deemed satisfactory to the Indians, or distributed gratis among such
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of them as are and have been faithful and steady in their attachment to these states, in such proportion and in such manner as shall be thought proper by the commissioners of Indian affairs in the northern department:
That the commissioners be directed to inform the Oneidas, our friends and allies, that Congress, ever mindful of their necessities, have ordered from France, a considerable time ago, and are in expectation of the speedy arrival of, a large assortment of Indian goods, suitable for, and adequate to the supply of their wants; and that due notice will be given of the arrival of these goods, and proper places appointed for disposing of them on reasonable terms to our brethren of the friendly nations:
That, in the mean time, it is expected that they will continue to bear with us with their accustomed fortitude and patience, the evils of this unjust war on the part of Britain, as they will enjoy with us all the benefits of that peace and security which will speedily be the result of our virtuous and successful endeavours.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 367. The members present: Mathews, Sherman and Peters.]
A report from the Board of War, on sundry letters and papers from Brigadier M'Intosh, was read:
Ordered, That the same be re-committed.
A letter, of 7th October, from Colonel G. Morgan, relative to damaged provisions in the magazine at Fort Pitt, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 163, folio 309.]
Ordered, To lie on the table.
Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole, and after some time the President resumed the chair, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee reported, that the committee have had under consideration the propositions referred to them, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again:
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Resolved, That to morrow, at one of clock, Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the propositions referred to them.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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