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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, DECEMBER 11, 1778
A letter, of 27 November, from Marquis de la Fayette, in favor of the Chevalier de Fontevieux; another of the same, in favor of Mons. des Inars; and a third of the same date, in favor of the Chevalier de Treusson, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The three letters of Lafayette are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 156, folios 65--73.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
Resolved, That two members be added to the committee on the memorial from Lieutenant Colonel Oswald:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane and Mr. M[eriwether] Smith.
The Board of War reported a new form of a commission to officers in the army of the United States, which was agreed to as follows:
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The United States of America in Congress Assembled:
To
We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to bein the army of the United States; you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty ofby doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders as; and you are to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shah receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or a committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, or a committee of the states, or commander in chief for the time being of the army of the United States, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress, the committee of Congress before mentioned, or a committee of the states.
Dated attheday of17; and in theyear of our independence.
WitnessPresident of Congress.
Entered in the war office.
A report from the Board of War, to whom was referred a memorial from Colonel Swoope, was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the memorial of Colonel Swoope, relative to his demand for payment of moneys due for a number of arms taken by the enemy from the men of his regiment at Fort Washington, be referred to the Board of Treasury.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated December 5, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 395. The members present: Sherman, Peters and Lee.]
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 their farther 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 o'clock, Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the propositions referred to them.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to report a proper allowance for the honorable gentlemen who have been or may be elected presidents of Congress, to defray the expences incidental to the office:
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [James] Duane, and Mr. [William Henry] Drayton.
The Board of War laid on the table sundry reports.
At a Board of War,11th December, 1778.
Present, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Peters, Mr. Lee.
The Board having considered the memorial of Captains Mott and Walker appealing from a determination of a Board of General Officers appointed to settle their rank, Agreed to report to Congress: That the Memorial of Captains Mott and Walker of Col. Lamb's regiment of artillery be referred to General Washington, who is desired to take such measures thereon as to him shall seem just and proper.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 407.]
Six o'Clock, p. m.
There not being a sufficient number of states to proceed to business,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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