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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, FEBRUARY 9, 1779
A letter, of 28 January, from P. Henry, governor of Virginia, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 Henry's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, I, folio 215.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [Samuel John] Atlee.
A letter, of 1, from P. Jackson, of Alexandria, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the delegates of Maryland and Virginia.
A letter, of 6, from J. Clark and James Johnson, auditors, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of 8, from B. Flower, commissary general of military stores, was read.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 249.]
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The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the Committee of Commerce, on their application, for twenty four thousand dollars, advanced for payment of a set of exchange, for one thousand pounds sterling exchange at nine hundred per ct., equal to 22,857 livres 2 sous tournois, drawn by Mr. Holker, junr. on France; the said Committee to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. John Fell, delegate for the State of New Jersey, for five hundred dollars, on his application, for which the said State is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 These items, dated February 3 and 4 respectively, are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 81.]
Resolved, That there be hereafter five auditors for the army, whilst the circumstances of the war shall render it necessary: that the Board of Treasury have power to order the said auditors respectively to repair to and settle accounts in the main army or any detachment, and to give the auditors proper instructions for conducting this business, agreeable to the institution of the office and directions of the Board.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, and dated January 26, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 59. In its original form the auditors were to have power to order any three or a less number of their members to repair to army, etc. This is the supplementary report to that mentioned under January 25, p. 114, ante.]
Congress proceeded to the election of an auditor; and, the ballots being taken, Mr. William Bedlow was elected.
The commissioners of claims report,
That there is due to three companies of volunteers raised in Bedford county, Pensylvania, for the defence of the frontiers, commanded by Captains Thomas Cluggage, Henry Black and John McDonald, their bounty and pay, from theft first inlistments to 31 July, 1778,
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inclusive, amounting to 2,526 68/90 dollars, to be paid to George Woods, Esq., one of the commissioners appointed by General Hand and George Clymer Esq. to raise these companies:1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated February 5, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 87. See under December 14, 1778.]
That there is due to Francis Hopkinson, his salary as treasurer of loans, from 27 October, to the 1 January, 1779, inclusive, and for postage of letters, 609 76/90 dollars.
That there is due to Mark Wilcox, for 46,946 sheets of paper for loan office certificates and bills of exchange, a ballance of 4694 54/90 dollars:
That there is due to Colonel Lewis Nicola's invalid regiment, their pay for the month of December last, two thousand one hundred and two dollars and 26/90 dollars, to be paid to Colonel Lewis Nicola:
That there is due to Lieutenant William Calhoon, a ballance of pay during his captivity, from the 4 October, 1777 to 31 January, 1779, inclusive, with rations or subsistance for that time, four hundred and thirty two and 23/90 dollars:
That there is due to Lieutenant William Preston, of the artificers, a ballance of pay and rations or subsistence during his captivity, from 14 February, 1778, to the 28 January, 1779, to be paid to his wife, Elizabeth, 160 20/90 dollars:2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated February 1, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 75.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Ordered, That so much of the commissioners' report of 26 January, 1779, as relates to the accounts of Lieutenant Colonel Davidson and Major Thomas Hogg, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
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A letter, of 13 September, 1778, from Egbert Benson to Messrs. [William] Duer and G[ouverneur] Morris, accompanied by a quantity of torn bills, was laid before Congress, soliciting that the same be exchanged:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered, That the Committee on Foreign Affairs report with all possible dispatch.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee, on the letters from Joan Guarcia Duarti, &c. and thereupon,
Resolved, That the board of war of the State of Massachusetts bay, be authorized and requested to pay the nett proceeds of the sales of the snow Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Anthony and her cargo, and also to deliver what unsold effects they still have in charge belonging to the same concern to the owner or owners of the said snow and cargo, his or their order, or certain attorney.
Resolved, That the said board be requested to inform such owner or attorney, that remedy may be had at law against the captors or their owners, for any special damages arising from the capture of the said snow.
Ordered, That the remainder of the report be postponed.
Ordered, That the Secretary desire Messrs. Hall and Sellers, and Messrs. Bradford, to send for the use of the members of Congress weekly fifty of their respective newspapers.
The committee to whom was referred the information given to Congress by the hon. H[enry] Laurens, dated the 11 and 16 of January, 1779, and that received from the hon. Mr. [Francis] Lewis, dated 15 January, 1779, respecting the conduct of Robert Morris, Esq. in transacting the commercial business of these United States,
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particularly relating to the ship Farmer, Captain Dashiel, loaded at Baltimore, and captured by the enemy, brought in a report, which was read.
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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