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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, JANUARY 26, 1779

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1779

The Board of War laid before Congress a letter, of 11, from Brigadier McIntosh, at Fort Pitt, with a letter enclosed from Colonel Gibson, which were read:

Ordered, That they be returned to the Board, with direction to furnish General Washington with a copy of the same for his information

A letter, of 25, from his excellency J. Reed, president of Pensylvania, was read:

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of five:

The members chosen, Mr. [William] Pace, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [William] Floyd, Mr. [Samuel] Holten, and Mr. [Jesse] Root.

Ordered, That the committee proceed thereon, and, having conferred with the president and council of this State on the subject of the said letter, make report with all convenient speed.

A letter, of 8, from the Board of War of Boston, and,

A letter, of 13, from Juan Garlix [Garcia] Duarti, with sundry papers relative to the snow, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Antonio, were read:¹

[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 44, folio 71.]

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Ordered, That they be referred to the committee on a former letter on that subject.

The honble Mr. M[eriwether] Smith laid before Congress sundry papers, which he informed the House contained matters of public information, and which the delegates of Virginia were instructed to lay before Congress: the papers being read, are,

• 1. An account, headed "Sums advanced for the State of Virginia, by the honble Arthur Lee, Esq. dated September 3, 1778," and undersigned "a true copy, H. Ford, secretary;" on which is endorsed as follows, "the delegates from the State of Virginia are instructed to lay this paper before Congress, with a view to inform them that Hezekiah Ford, who signs it as secretary to the honble Arthur Lee, hath been and is considered by the governor and council of this State as an enemy to the American cause of independence, and by no means a fit subject to be near the person of an American commissioner in Europe, or entrusted with any of the secrets of the United States or of their allies. January 25, 1779."

  Ordered, That the Committee of Foreign Affairs communicate to the honble Mr. A. Lee, by the first opportunity, the purport of the above endorsement, that he may be acquainted with the character of Mr. Ford.

• 2 paper. A resolution of the general assembly of Virginia, dated December 18, 1778, "for the more effectually enabling Congress to comply with the promise of a bounty in lands to the officers and soldiers of the army on continental establishment."
• 3. A resolution of the general assembly of Virginia, directing the governor to give Congress information respecting the state of the treasury of that State.

Ordered, That this be referred to the Board of Treasury.

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A letter, from Mr. President Reed, to the delegates of the State of Pensylvania, was laid before Congress, and read:¹

[Note 1: 1 This letter, dated January 20, 1779, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 575.]

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to inquire into the right of Pensylvania to an additional number of brigadiers.

That three members be added to the said committee:

The members chosen, Mr. [William] Paca, Mr. [Jesse] Root, and Mr. [John] Henry.

Resolved, That the Secretary of Congress, or one of his deputies, be directed to attend the committee, appointed to take into consideration the foreign affairs of these States, &c., with the papers respecting their appointments, from time to time, as they shah require.

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.

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