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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 --WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1779
A letter, of 15, from honble Mr. Gérard, was read, with a copy of a letter to him from Brigadier du Portail, and others enclosed.
A letter, of 20, from Marquis de Brétigny, was read; Whereupon,1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, III, folio 243.]
Ordered, That the same, with the report of the committee on the memorial from the Marquis de Brétigny, be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the General.
A letter from Herman Zedtwitz, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter, dated the 7th, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIV, folio 667.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of 31 December last, from Major General Lincoln, giving information of the enemy having gained possession of Savannah on the 29th of that month; also,
A letter, of 19 December, from Brigadier McIntosh, were read:3
[Note 3: 3 The letter of Lincoln is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 181.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief.
A letter, of this day, from Mr. Deane, was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a committee, consisting of one member from each state, be appointed to take into consideration the foreign affairs of these United States, and also the conduct of the late and present commissioners of these states in Europe, and report thereon: the members chosen, Mr. [Abraham] Whipple, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr.
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[William] Ellery, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [John] Fell, Mr. [James] Searle, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, Mr. [William] Paca, Mr. M[eriwether] Smith, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [Henry] Laurens, and Mr. [Edward] Langworthy.
The honble Mr Laurens read, in his place, a postscript to a private letter from the deputy pay master general in Georgia, informing that the military chest is nearly exhausted, and mentioning the necessity of a further supply of one million of dollars for the use of that department:
Ordered, That this be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A petition from William Getteys was read,1 representing that he has lost by fire a quantity of bills of credit:
[Note 1: 1 This petition, dated December 30, 1778, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 201.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee, respecting goods taken for public service, after the evacuation of Philadelphia. After debate,
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
A letter, of 19 December, from Major General Lincoln, was read, with an affidavit [of William Haslam] enclosed:2
[Note 2: 2 Lincoln's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 179; the affidavit is on folio 179.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the General.
The committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Resolve Smith, Esq., for one hundred and eighty dollars, being for his salary, from the 29 September, to the 3 November last, as one of the commissioners of claims.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, dated January 17, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 43.]
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That upon the application of the Committee of Commerce, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in their favour, for sixty two thousand four hundred and sixty dollars, to enable them to pay the following bills drawn on them, for which sum the said committee is to be accountable:
Abraham Livington's bill, in favour of William Turnbull, dated Charlestown, 23 October, 1778, for 10,000 dollars;
Abraham Livingston and Levinus Clarkson's bill, in favour of John Donaldson & Co., dated Charlestown, April 11, 1778, for 32,000 dollars;
John Wereat's bill, in favour of Alexander Rose, and endorsed to William Turnbull, dated Savannah, November 16, 1778, for 20,000 dollars;
James and Adam Hunter's bill, in favour of Amos Strettle, dated Fredericksburg, December 21, 1778, for 460 dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated January 19, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 45.]
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the Auditor General reports:
That there is due to the Rev. Mr. Duffield, his salary as chaplain to Congress, from the first of May, to 31 December, last, inclusive; together with rations and subsistance from the 1 October, 1777, to 31 December last, inclusive, eight hundred and one dollars and 60/90ths.
That there is due to William Trickett, his account for stationery furnished Congress, from 22 June, 1777, to 30th November, 1778, two hundred dollars and 57/90ths.
That there is due to the estate of John Miller, deceased, late Captain in the 6th Pensylvania regiment, for his pay from the 1 September, to 16 November, 1776, sixty six dollars and 60/90ths.
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That there is due to Major William West, in the late 3d Pensylvania battalion for his pay and rations, from 13 July, 1777, to the 9 May, 1778, during which time he was a prisoner, six hundred and ninety five dollars and 70/90ths.
That there is due to Nathan Sellers, his account for a pair of paper moulds, making, &c. five hundred and fifty two dollars.
That there is due to Colonel Lewis Nicola, for the officers and privates of his invalid regiment, their pay and subsistance, for the month of November, 1778, two thousand and thirty three dollars.
That there is due to Gifford Daily, his account, for sundries furnished an entertainment at the city tavern, the 8th instant, fifteen hundred and forty four dollars:1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated January 17, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 39.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The committee to whom was referred the letter from the honble Sr. Gérard, minister plenipotentiary of France, brought in a report:
Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration to morrow morning.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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