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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, DECEMBER 1, 1778
Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder, a delegate from New Jersey, produced a letter dated November 6, directed to him from John Hart, chairman of a meeting of the council and general assembly of the State of New Jersey, held for the election of delegates, informing him, that he, said Nathaniel Scudder, together with the Hon. Dr. John Witherspoon, John Fell, John Neilson, and Frederick Frelinghuysen, Esqrs. were on that day elected delegates to represent that State in Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of John Hart is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 421.]
A letter, of 11 November, from Elisha Sheldon, colonel, Samuel Blackden, lieutenant colonel, Benjamin Tallmad[ge], major, and Josiah Stoddard, captain, of the second regiment of light dragoons, was read,2 representing, "that Lieutenant John Simonet de Valcour has served with reputation in the second regiment of cavalry since its first establishment; that the rupture between France and England beginning to grow serious and interesting, Lieutenant Simonet is desirous of rejoining the army of his most Christian majesty, and therefore humbly requesting that Congress would promote Lieutenant Simonet to a captaincy in the cavalry, on condition of his leaving his present service, as an honorary compensation of his attachment and fidelity, with a saving to all his present senior officers their superiority of rank and command:" Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 337.]
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Resolved, That Lieutenant John Simonet de Valcour be promoted to the rank of captain by brevet, on the condition and with the saving in the above letter.
A letter, of 25 November, from Brigadier Count Pulaski, was read,1 enclosing the commission of Count Julius de Montfort, major in Brigadier Count Pulaski's corps of horse and foot, called the Legion, informing that he has given him leave to quit that corps:
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 164, folio 68.]
Resolved, That the commission of Count Montfort be accepted.
A letter, of 25 November, from Governor Livingston, respecting cloathing for the New Jersey troops, and one of 29 of the same month, from G. Morgan, agent for Indian affairs, respecting lands purchased of the Indians on the west side of the Ohio, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of 28 November, from Baron Steuben, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, who are directed to pay an immediate and particular attention to the matter referred to in the letter, that the same may be carried into effect without delay.
A letter, of 29 November, from Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 Morgan's letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 163, folio 321; Steuben's, in No. 164, folio 154; and Fleury's, in No. 78, IX, folio 213.]
Ordered, That a copy of the said letter be sent to General Washington, and that he be desired to express his sentiments thereon.
A letter, of 28 November, from Colonel George Morgan, was read; Whereupon,
Congress took into consideration a report of the Board of War of 14 August last, wherein the Board sets forth,
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"That Colonel George Morgan, purchasing commissary for the western department, has represented to the Board the necessity of preparing immediately for the laying up such magazines of provisions as shall be sufficient for the troops maintained for the defence of the western frontiers: that for the supply of 1300 men for ten months, 617,500 lb. of flour, a like quantity of fresh beef, or 494,000 lb. of pork, will be necessary: the cost of which, with 1500 gallons of whiskey, will amount to 204,000 dollars: that on account of the hostile Indians to the westward, and the northern tribes, particularly the Senecas, the number of men above stated will be necessary, including 150 for garrisoning Fort Randolph;" Whereupon,
Resolved, That Colonel George Morgan, commissary of purchases for the western district, be furnished with two hundred and four thousand dollars, to enable him to form magazines of provisions for the use of that department the year ensuing.1
[Note 1: 1 See under September 3, 1778,ante.]
A letter, of 30 November, from Silas Deane, Esq., was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That after to morrow Congress will meet two hours at least each evening, beginning at six o'clock, Saturday evening excepted, until the present state of our foreign affairs shall be fully considered.
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:
Resolved, That to morrow, at one o'clock, Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the propositions referred to them.
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At a Board of War,1st December, 1778.
Present, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Peters and Mr. F. L. Lee.
The Board having considered the papers referred to them by Congress relative to a Fort built and provisions supplied by Mr. Thomas Galbreath, beg leave to report:
That as the fort erected at Ligonier in the State of Pennsylvania was not built by virtue of any order from the Continental General officer commanding in the Fort Pitt department, nor the provisions issued to the Troops at that place delivered under any direction of the said General Officer; but the whole was undertaken for the particular defence of the said State or a part therof, without authority from Congress, or any person acting under their directions:
Resolved, That the Petition of the said Mr. Thomas Galbreath praying to be paid certain expences incurred by him in building a Fort at Ligonier in the State of Pennsylvania, and issuing provisions to the Militia at that post, be dismissed; as the said expences ought not to be paid out of the Continental Treasury.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 393.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to morrow.
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