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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 --SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1779
A letter, of 29th, from General Washington, was read, with an extract of a letter from Governor Clinton enclosed,2 representing, "that after the loss of the forts in the Highlands, a part of the army was detached on the west side of the river, which, joined by a part of the militia, were under his command; that the river being the bounds between the different purchasing commissaries, none could be found to supply the troops; in consequence whereof he was reduced to the necessity of taking from the inhabitants the necessary supplies of flour and cattle, which were delivered to the issuing commissaries,
[Note 2: 2 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VII, folio 49; that of Clinton is on folio 53.]
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who passed their receipts to the owners; that similar measures were taken by the quarter masters to obtain forage; that different applications have been made to have these accounts settled and paid, but without effect:" Whereupon,
Resolved, That the quarter master and commissary general be authorized and directed to pay such of the said accounts as are certified by Governor G. Clinton.
A letter, of 29, from General Washington, was read, with a copy of a letter from Brigadier du Portail enclosed, relative to the fortifying the town and harbour of Boston:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from General Washington, read yesterday; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Commander in Chief have leave to return to the army, agreeable to his request.
Resolved, That two members be added to the committee of conference for the purpose of consulting the General on the measures necessary to be taken for the defence of Georgia and South Carolina:
The members [chosen], Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, and Mr. [Richard] Hutson.
A letter, of 11, and one of 13, from Mr. J. Harvie, directed to the Board of War, with sundry papers enclosed, were laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
In consequence of an adjustment by the commissioners of claims, the auditor general reports:
That there is due to his excellency, Joseph Reed, Esq. for monies advanced by him, and the honble John Jay Esq. to David Vleet, Abraham McKinny and Matthew Hunter, who were ordered to attend a committee of Congress at camp, in October last, on public business, one hundred and forty eight and 60/90 dollars.
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That there is due to Edward Fox, his pay as clerk to the Board of Treasury, from 18 November last, to 25 instant, inclusive, two hundred and twenty six and 60/90 dollars.
That there is due to Daniel Burrell, for beef delivered to a detachment under the command of General Greene, when on a march, and in great want of provisions, in February, 1778, one hundred and forty six dollars and 60/90.
That there is due to Lieutenant Colonel William Davidson, of the 3d. North Carolina regiment, for extra services from the 23d. April, 1777, to 29 October, 1778, eight hundred and thirty five and 30/90 dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 Against this paragraph is written by Jay, "Postponed 30 January. 9 February, committed to Treasury."]
That there is due to the Rev. John Cordell, late chaplain to the 11 Virginia regiment, for a ballance of pay during his captivity, between the 11th September, 1777, and the 12 instant, when he was exchanged; and for one year's pay and mileage to Virginia, allowed him by resolve of Congress as a supernumerary discharged, nine hundred and thirty and 60/90 dollars.
That there is due to Captain John Stotesbury, of the 11th Pennsylvania regiment, a balance of pay and subsistance during his captivity from the 8th of April to the 31st of December, inclusive. And for extra services before he was taken prisoner, five hundred and one and 24/90 dollars.2
[Note 2: 2 Against this paragraph Jay has written: "Postponed 30 January. Agreed 4 February."]
That there is due to John Pursell, late a private in the 11 Pensylvania regiment, his pay during his captivity, from the 11 September, 1777, to the 26 August, 1778, seventy-six and 60/90 dollars.
That there is due to Major Thomas Hogg, of the 3d North Carolina regiment, for extra services in 1778, four hundred and thirty eight dollars.3
[Note 3: 3 Against this paragraph Jay has written: "Postponed 30 January. 9 February, committed to Treasury."]
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That there is due to Colonel Thomas Proctor, for bounty and inlisting six men in his regiment of artillery, one hundred and fifty two dollars:1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated January 26, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 63.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Ordered, That so much of the report as relates to Lieutenant Colonel William Davidson, Captain John Storesbury and Thomas Hogg be postponed.
The Committee on the Treasury, to whom was re-committed their report of the 22d, brought in another report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That all accounts for back rations of the army to the last day of December, 1776, inclusive, be exhibited to the auditors of the army for settlement, by the 1st day of June next, or not afterwards allowed:
That such accounts due to any officers or soldiers in the regiments or corps now in service, be collected in the following form:
Account of rations due to officers and soldiers of the regimentor corps commanded by
{table}
and that in the column of casualties the names of all absentees, except those on command or furlough, be inserted:
That the accounts formed into such abstracts be attested before the commanding officer of the brigade, and that warrants issue for the amount of them in favor of the pay masters of the respective regiments, and that they pay out the moneys received thereon.2
[Note 2: 2 See note under January 27, p. 119, ante.]
The Committee on the Treasury brought in another report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Thomas Burke and Whitmill Hill, Esquires,
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two of the delegates of the State of North Carolina, on their application for one thousand dollars, the State to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the delegates of the State of North Carolina, for two thousand dollars, for discharging the pay rolls of sundry militia officers in camp, the expence of which is not to be charged to the Continent, but the said State to be accountable.
That on the application of the Board of War, a warrant issue in favour of Joseph Carleton, their paymaster, for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to be advanced by them, from time to time, to the commissary general of hides, the said paymaster to be accountable.
The committee farther report that they have considered the petition of Robert Hardie, of the 4 December last, referred to them, and are of opinion,
That the prayer of the petition ought not to be granted.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated January 28, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 67.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a farther report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Joseph Carleton, paymaster of the Board of War and Ordnance, for one million of dollars, of which five hundred thousand dollars are for the recruiting service, agreeably to a resolution of Congress, of 23 instant, and the residue for the payment and current expence of the army, to be by him transmitted to William Palfrey, Esq. paymaster general, who is to be furnished with a copy of this resolution, and to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Charles Thomson, secretary, on his application, for five thousand dollars, to be charged to his account.
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Resolved, That three commissioners be appointed to examine with the treasurer of loans, and destroy the bills of credit of these United States of the emissions of May 20, 1777, and April 11, 1778, under the direction of the Board of Treasury.
The Committee having considered the representation of Richard Sewell and Frederick Kuhl, Commissioners of the County of Philadelphia, together with their account for the use of the new Jail in this City from the 20th. July, 1776, to 20th. January, 1779, being two years and six months at £1800 currency per year, Report
That as the Jails in each State have been more or less appropriated to the use of the Continent since the War began, it will be improper to take up any partial demands, until a general Principle shall be adopted for regulating the same, and that an annual Rent £1800 pr year for the use of the said jail, appears to your Committee very unreasonable, and more so, as the Enemy were in possession of the City nine months of the time mentioned in the said account.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 71.]
Ordered, That so much of the report as relates to the account of the commissioners of the county of Philadelphia, be re-committed.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letter from Mr. A. Clark, respecting the conduct of Brigadier Maxwell:
Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed to Monday.
Ordered, That the consideration of the report of the committee on General Washington's letter of 1st, and Major General Schuyler's letter of 3, be postponed to Monday.
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