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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 --PREFATORY NOTE
In 1779 Congress, desiring greater publicity to its proceedings, provided for the issue of its Journal in weekly parts, and the experiment was continued till the end of the year. The expense was great, and the purpose of the publication could hardly have been attained, as the distribution was on a small scale, and, in truth, the general interest in what Congress did was not strong. The rarity of these weekly parts is eloquent on the subject, for there are hardly five complete sets in existence. Some matter appeared in them which was not included in the fifth volume of the Journal series.
Indeed, in the publication now made, at least one-half of the formal record of proceedings are printed for the first time, and, as usual, the reports will bring the new material to about three-fifths of the contents. Nearly all the warrants directed to be issued by the Board of Treasury and much of the Board of War resolutions were omitted, as well as matter which was regarded as of a temporary interest. The Secret Journals, foreign and domestic, were kept as records distinct from the ordinary journal of proceedings, and what they contained has been incorporated under the proper dates, thus swelling the contents. This has resulted in a duplication of the formal entries introducing the secret proceedings, a duplication explained by the necessity of showing what was recorded in all the Journals. The extracts from the Secret Journals are indicated by special indentation of type.
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The incidents of the year were of high importance. Differences were threatened between Congress and the State of Pennsylvania over the conduct of Major General Arnold, requiring much skill to solve; the New Hampshire Grants were still alive with a spirit of opposition, and New York's pride and jealousy were involved; the western lands came forward as a delicate question through the action of Virginia, and the military events in South Carolina created grave anxieties in Congress. That body was still involved in its financial troubles, aggravated by a supposed need for calling in much of the paper money already issued, which had been counterfeited in quantities. This step, however well intentioned, produced much confusion without relieving in any degree the stress imposed by the rapid depreciation of all outstanding issues. The bills of credit and bills of exchange were the only sources of confederate revenue, and the increasing expenses, nominal rather than real, of carrying on the war compelled Congress to undertake the framing of a financial system that should promise development and permanency. The tendency was to throw every possible burden of supplies on to the States, and mere requisitions were proving an uncertain and dangerous support for the feeding and clothing of the army. The Congress was rapidly drifting toward bankruptcy, and only taxation, reduction of the outstanding currency or Federal sources of revenue could prevent such a catastrophe. The States were not prepared either to honor the requisitions, to tax themselves, or to create funds outside of their control. Their own situations were strong inducements against parting with any possible revenue they could obtain.
Progress was making toward better administrative machinery. The boards still had in their membership members of Congress, but the trend was more and more
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toward bodies independently constituted and subject to the control of Congress. This meant greater efficiency and relieved Congress of much detail. The Marine Committee becomes the Board of Admiralty, and the powers of the Treasury officers are increased. The adoption of Steuben's Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States marked a decided step toward an improved army. In military matters there was an increasing dependence on Washington, and the more serious problems concerning the army were considered by "Committees of Conference," who consulted the General, and reported to Congress. One record of these conferences exists, as follows:
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