PREVIOUS

NEXT

NEW SEARCH

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875

Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1779

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1779

Mr. T[homas] Nelson, a delegate from Virginia, attended, and produced his credentials, which were read, as follows:

Virginia, to wit,In General Assembly,
Thursday, December 10th, 1778.

Resolved, that Thomas Nelson, junior, Esquire, be elected a Delegate to represent this Commonwealth in Congress until the eleventh Day of August next, in the room of John Harvie, who hath resigned.

Teste,Archibald Cary, S. S.

Benja Harrison, Sp. H. D.¹

[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Virginia, Credentials of Delegates.]

A letter, of 4, from Jeremiah Powell, president of the council of Massachusetts bay, was read,² enclosing copy of a letter from J. Ward, a prisoner on Long island, and of a petition of Addison Richardson, captain; Nathaniel Cleaves, lieutenant; and Gibson Clough, ensign:

[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 65, I, folio 372.]

Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee on the petition from Brigadier Thompson and others.

On motion, Resolved, That the deputy paymaster in South Carolina do pay to Matthew Irwin & Co., or order, the sum of five hundred pounds Pensylvania currency, equal to 1333 1/3 dollars, being the freight of the schooner, Count d'Estaing, loaded on account of the United States, and now bound for South Carolina, the said freight to be paid on the arrival of the said vessel at South Carolina and delivery of the cargo.

Page 196 | Page image

Ordered, That Monday next be assigned for taking into consideration the letter of 29 January &c, from the president of the executive council of Pensylvania.

Congress took into consideration the reports of thecommittee, appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief; and, thereupon, agreed to the following

Plan for the Department of Inspector General:

Resolved, That there be an inspector general to the armies of the United States, with the rank of major general, who, in all future appointments, shall be taken from the line of major generals:

That the duty of the inspector general shall principally consist in forming a system of regulations, for the exercise of the troops, in the manual evolutions and manoeuvres, for the service of guards and detachments, and for camp and garrison duty:

That the inspector general, and his assistants, shall review the troops at such times and places, and receive such returns for that purpose, as the Commander in Chief, or commanding officer in a detachment, shall direct; at which reviews, he or they shall inspect the number and condition of the men, their discipline and exercise, and the state of their arms, accoutrements, and cloaths; observing what of these articles have been lost or spoiled since the last review, and, as nearly as possible, by what means; reporting the same, with the deficiencies and neglects, to the Commander in Chief, or the commanding officer of a detachment, and to the Board of War.

That all new manoeuvres shall be introduced by the inspector general, and all old ones performed according to the established principles, under his superintendency: but he shall not introduce or practice any regulations relative

Page 197 | Page image

to the objects of his department, save such as are made and established in manner following:

All regulations whatsoever to be finally approved and established by Congress. But the exigence of the service requiring it, temporary ones may, from time to time, be introduced by the inspector general with the approbation of the Commander in Chief. These regulations to be communicated to the army through the adjutant general, and to be transmitted to the Board of War with all convenient despatch, that, being examined and reported by them to Congress, they may be rejected, altered, amended, or confirmed, as Congress shall deem proper:

That in the main army, when circumstances require it, or in a separate department, there shall be an assistant inspector general, either taken from the line of brigadiers, or appointed with the rank, pay and rations of a brigadier, as Congress shall deem expedient.

That there be as many sub-inspectors as the Commander in Chief, or commanding officer in a detachment, shall, on consideration of the strength and situation of the army, from time to time, deem necessary,¹ to be taken from the line of lieutenant colonels, and to receive their instructions relative to the department from the inspector general:

[Note 1: 1 The original report here inserted: "These officers to be nominated by the Inspector General, or assistant Inspector General, with the approbation of the Commander in Chief, or commander in a separate department, and reported to the Board of War."]

That there be one brigade inspector to each brigade, who shall be one of the majors in the brigade; and that the office of brigade inspector shall in future be annexed to that of major of brigade. He shall accordingly keep a roster of the battalions of his brigade, regulate the details and take care of the formation and march of all guards, detachments, &c. from the brigade. He is to receive the general orders, and communicate them to the commanding

Page 198 | Page image

officers of the brigade and regiments, and through the adjutants, to all the officers of the brigade. He is so far as concerns his brigade, to inspect the police of the camp, the discipline and order of the service. In time of action he is to assist in executing the necessary manoeuvres of the brigade, according to the orders of the brigadier or officer commanding. He is to do no duty in the line:

9. That each Brigadier be allowed an Aid de Camp for the despatch of his orders. That he be taken from the Line under the rank of Captain, and hold the same rank as in the Line. This regulation not to be extended so as to injure the present Brigade Majors, who shall act as Aids de Camp to their respective Brigadiers, with their present rank, pay and rations; and those who have rank in the line shall not be deprived of their right of succession and promotion in their Regiments as usual. That each of such Aids de Camp be allowed subsistence and rations for himself and a servant and Forage for two horses.

That all the officers of the inspectorship having appointments in the line, shall retain their rights of command, succession, and promotion, in the same manner as if they had not assumed the office. But as the duties of this department are sufficient to employ their whole time, they are to suspend the exercise of their respective commands, except on particular occasions, when the Commander in Chief, or commanding officer in a detachment, may deem it necessary to invest them with command. They are to be exempted from all common camp and garrison duty, that they may attend the more carefully to those of the inspection; and in time of action they are to be employed in assisting in the execution of the field manoeuvres.

Nothing herein mentioned to be construed to the prejudice of the Officers undertaking the duties of the Inspectorship, who shall retain their ranks and places in their respective Corps, and their right of succession and promotion in the same manner as if they had not assumed the Office.

Page 199 | Page image

That the inspector general, so far as relates to the inspection of the army, be subject to the orders of Congress, the Board of War, and the Commander in Chief only: but the sub-inspectors shall also be subject to the officers commanding the divisions and brigades to which they are attached, on the principles herein established.

That there be allowed to the inspector general, in consideration of the extraordinary expences which attend the execution of his office, 84 dollars per month, in addition to the pay and rations of a major general, heretofore provided.¹

[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 83. It differs in wording from the printed form, but the essential differences are noted above. The preamble is printed under January 23, p. 111, ante.]

War Office, January 22nd, 1779.

The Board having frequently conversed with the Baron Steuben are clearly convinced, not only from the little value of our money and the extraordinary expences to which he is liable, but from his positive assurances that he has been obliged to draw a very large sum from his estate in Europe, which, altho, sufficient for his moderate support there, will not afford a diminution of the capital. He has, however, been obliged to draw such an amount as to decrease his capital, and from all circumstances there appears a probability of losing this valuable Officer unless some allowance is made him sufficient for his support.

He appears to be frugal and moderate in his expences, and by no means of an extravagant turn. He desires either to have his expences borne, of which he will render an account, and in that case he will throw in his pay; or that Congress will be pleased to ascertain the sum they will allow him for his support. He also seems to expect some indemnification for the expences of his voyage and other extra expences. As he is a foreigner of estimation in Europe, it cannot be expected that he will make those pecuniary sacrifices American Officers submit to, and more especially as he has inducements to return to Europe, where from his character and connexions he will not be at a loss for employment. The Board therefore thought it their duty to represent this matter to Congress, and as his case may be properly considered as an exception, any thing done for him need not be expected by future Inspectors General. The Board therefore with submission,

Page 200 | Page image

propose that the pay of the Department shall be fixed without reference to the Baron, and that in consideration of his expence and the services he has rendered it be resolved,

That the Baron Steuben (besides the pay established for that Office by Congress) be allowed the sum of 84 dollars pr Month while in the service, as Inspector General of the Army of the United States, and that the sum of 4000 dollars be paid him, he to be accountable.¹

[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 197. It bears an indorsement in the writing of Charles Thomson:
"In Congress, April 12, 1779.
'Congress resumed the consideration of the letter of 22 January and 2 April, 1779, relative to an allowance to be made to Baron Steuben for his expences, and to Lientenant Colonel Fleury and others, for extra services in assisting the Baron in forming regulations for the order and discipline of the army. After debate, Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury."]

A letter, of this day, from Brigadier Count Pulaski, was read;² Whereupon,

[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 164, folio 94.]

Resolved, That the Board of War inform Count Pulaski that Congress direct him to join the southern army without loss of time, and to enable him so to do, that the sum of 15,000 dollars be advanced to him out of the money lodged with the Board of War for the use of his legion; for which he is to be accountable.

That the paymaster of the said legion repair to the main army and settle the accounts of the said legion with the auditors, and then proceed to join his legion.

That the Board of War also advance to Count Pulaski bounty money to recruit his legion to its full complement of infantry, and Count Pulaski make report thereof to the Board of War, that Congress may then, if necessary, give orders for raising an additional number of recruits to be added to the said legion.

Congress proceeded to consider the reports of the committee appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief; and, thereupon, agreed to the following

Page 201 | Page image

Arrangement of the Department of Ordnance:

Resolved, That the commanding officer of artillery of the United States,¹ for the time being, shall, under the general orders, and with the concurrence of the Commander in Chief, arrange and direct all business of the ordnance department necessary to be done in the field. The ordnance, arms, and military stores in the fixed magazines to be drawn out only by the orders of the Board of War and Ordnance; unless, in the course of the service, circumstances should occur, in which the procuring such orders from the Board would, in the opinion of the Commander in Chief, and commanding officer of artillery, occasion improper delays; and, in such cases, the commanding officer of artillery shall have the power to draw from the nearest magazines the supplies wanted for the army: and the different commissaries and directors of the magazines and laboratories shall, in such cases, immediately obey the orders of the commanding officer of artillery, informing the Board of War and Ordnance of the same. And, that the Commander in Chief and commanding officer of artillery may know, in such cases, where to send for necessary supplies, the Board of War and Ordnance shall cause monthly returns of all ordnance, arms, and military stores at the magazines and arsenals of the United States, to be made to the Commander in Chief, who will communicate to the commanding officer of artillery the whole or any part of them, as he shall judge the good of the service requires. And as it may frequently happen, that parts of the army may be detached to such distances as to render their obtaining supplies, in the circumstances above mentioned, by the immediate orders of the Commander in Chief and commanding officer of artillery,

[Note 1: 1 From this point the entry is in the writing of Thomas Edison.]

Page 202 | Page image

inconvenient; in such cases, the Commander in Chief and commanding officer of artillery shall give to the commanding officers of the detachment, and of the artillery annexed to it, proper directions for furnishing the detachment with the necessary supplies of ordnance, arms, and military stores; and the orders of the said commanding officers of the detachment, and of the artillery annexed to it, given pursuant to the said directions, shall be obeyed by the commissaries and directors at the magazines and laboratories, as if given immediately by the Commander in Chief and commanding officer of artillery of the United States. Each commanding officer of artillery making these extraordinary draughts, shall immediately give information thereof, and of the occasion of them, to the Board of War and Ordnance.

• 2. That there shall be a field commissary of military stores, to be appointed by the Board of War and Ordnance, who shall receive and issue all ordnance, arms, and military stores, in the field, pursuant to the orders of the Commander in Chief and commanding officer of artillery; all orders for this purpose from the Commander in Chief, to be directed to the commanding officer of artillery. The field commissary shall have so many deputies, conductors and clerks, to be likewise appointed by the Board of War and Ordnance, as, in the opinion of the Board, the Commander in Chief and commanding officer of artillery, the service shall, from time to time, require.
• 3. That the commanding officer of artillery, with the concurrence of the Commander in Chief, shall, from time to time, lay before the Board of War and Ordnance proper estimates, (which are by the Board to be transmitted to Congress) of all ordnance, arms, and military stores, necessary to be made and provided for the use of the army of the United States, that the necessary orders may be given concerning them.

---

Page 203 | Page image



• 4. That whenever the said commanding officer of artillery shall judge any particular directions necessary for, or alterations and improvements to be made in, the construction or preparation of ordnance, arms, and military stores, of any kind, he shall communicate the same to the Board of War and Ordnance for their consideration; who shall thereupon give such orders for the artificers and laboratory men, as they shall judge the good of the service requires.
• 5. That the field commissary of military stores, his deputies, conductors, and clerks, shall be independent of the commissary general of military stores; and the said field commissary shall make monthly returns of all ordnance, arms, and military stores, received, issued, and remaining on hand, to the Board of War and Ordnance, the Commander in Chief, and the commanding officer of artillery. His deputies and conductors also having the chief care of the military stores, with any detached parts of the army, shall make the like returns to the Board of War and Ordnance, the respective officers commanding those detachments, their commanding officers of artillery, and the field commissary; and the latter shall draw the whole into one general return monthly, one copy whereof he shall transmit to the Board of War and Ordnance, one to the Commander in Chief, one to the commanding officer of artillery, and a fourth to the commissary general of military stores.
• 6. That all moneys necessary for the department of the field commissary of military stores, shall be drawn out of the military chests by warrants from the Commander in Chief, and officers commanding detached parts of the army respectively; and the accounts of expenditures adjusted and settled by the auditors of accounts, once in every three months, and finally transmitted to the Treasury Board.

---

Page 204 | Page image



• 7. That, when it shall be thought necessary, the commanding officer of artillery shall send officers of artillery to visit the laboratories, founderies and manufactories, to the intent that they may thereby gain an insight into the mechanical branches of their profession. And such number of artillery officers, as, in the opinion of the commanding officer of artillery, with the concurrence of the Commander in Chief, can be spared from their duty in the field, shall, at every convenient season, be stationed at all or any of the principal laboratories, to be instructed in the laboratory art, that a knowledge thereof may be disseminated through the corps.¹

  [Note 1: 1 At this point Charles Thomson resumes the entries.]

• 8. That the deputy field commissaries and conductors shall apply for and receive all ordnance, arms, and stores issued from the fixed arsenals and magazines. And to prevent any that are insufficient being carried into the field, the said commissaries and conductors shall receive none apparently unfit for service. And whenever any articles in the ordnance department in the field shall be so damaged that they cannot be there repaired, and are, by order of the commanding officer of artillery, with the army, or with any detachment of it, sent to the commissary general of military stores, or any of his deputies, he and they shall receive the same, at such place as shall be most convenient; and either immediately cause them to be repaired, or replace them with others fit for service, as shall be most conducive to the public interest.
• 9. That the appointments of the said field commissary and his subordinate officers, be as follows, viz.

  {table}

---

Page 205 | Page image



• 10. That there shall be one surveyor of ordnance, to be appointed annually from the colonels, the appointment to be made by the Board of War and Ordnance, until Congress shall direct otherwise. The officer thus appointed shall retain his rank in the artillery, and all the benefits arising from it; but during the time of his surveyorship, he shall not, except in extraordinary eases, or when called for by the Commander in Chief, perform any duty in the line. His duty as surveyor shall be to examine into the construction, qualities, and condition of all cannon, carriages, arms, and the materials for, and preparation of, every species of warlike stores, and to visit all the different arsenals, founderies, laboratories, and workshops, belonging to the ordnance department of the United States, carefully noting every error and defect he shall discover; which, together with a general state of the department, he shall report immediately to the Board of War and Ordnance, as well as the commanding officer of the artillery, with his ideas of any alterations and improvements proper to be made thereon. He shall also examine all ordnance and military stores in the field, and report the state of them to the commanding officer of artillery, and the Board of War and Ordnance; and for the purposes aforesaid, the commissary of military stores, as well in the field as elsewhere, shall make returns to the said surveyor, and expose to his view all the ordnance, arms, and stores, and all materials for the ordnance department in their custody. And the surveyor shall examine the said stores, to ascertain whether the quality, quantities, and numbers agree with the returns, and make report to the Board only. He shall likewise examine into the number of workmen employed in each branch of the ordnance department; and the principal in each branch shall make monthly returns of all work done within the month, one to the said surveyor of ordnance, and one to the commissary general of military stores; and

  ---

  Page 206 | Page image
  
  each of the latter shall transmit copies thereof monthly to the Board of War and Ordnance.

• 11. For executing the duties before mentioned, and any others relating to the ordnance department, which the good of the service may, from time to time, require, the Board of War and Ordnance shall give to the said surveyor such instructions as they shall think proper.
• 12. For defraying the expences of the said surveyor in the exercise of his office, he shall be allowed 70 dollars per month. besides his appointments as a field officer of artillery.
• 13. That the commanding officer of artillery of the United States, for the performance of his duties therein before prescribed, shall be allowed 75 dollars per month; and the commanding officer of artillery with any detached part of the army, shall have a like allowance. in proportion to his pay in the line.

The committee to whom was referred the memorial of W. Stewart brought in a report, which was read.

Resolved, That all officers, civil and military, in the service of the United States are bound, both in duty and respect, to attend upon the executive and legislative authority of any State, when required to enable such authority to make enquiry into any publick abuses, or the reprehensible conduct of any officer, civil or military, in the service of said States.

Resolved, That M. Clarkson, Aid de Camp to Major General Arnold, having refused to attend a summons of the Honble Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania on an enquiry into a violation of the Resolve of Congress of the 21st of August, and a usurpation of the authority of the said Council, has been guilty of a breach of duty, and that he be suspended from all employment and pay in the service of the United States, for his indecent and insolent answer of January last to the summons of the said Council until further order be taken herein.¹

[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Daniel Roberdeau, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 577. It is endorsed, "February 18. Set down for Monday 22."]

Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.

PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR

PREVIOUS

NEXT

NEW SEARCH