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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 --WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1779
A memorial from Colonel Sheldon and other field officers of the second regiment of light dragoons, and also a memorial from Captain John Paul Schott, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
The honble Mr. [William Henry] Drayton communicated to Congress an extract of a private letter to him from Pierce Butler, Esq. of Charles town South Carolina, dated February 6, 1779, in the following words; viz,2
[Note 2: 2 Sheldon's memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, folio 237; that of Schott, dated February 23, is in No. 41, IX, folio 80; that of Butler, in No. 78, III, folio 295.]
"The election for governor, lieutenant governor, &c. came on yesterday. Mr. J. Rutledge was chosen governor, T. Heyward, lieutenant governor. The delegates to represent the State in Congress are Mr. H[enry] Laurens, A[rthur] Middleton, E[dward] Rutledge, Thomas Bee, and John Matthews. The people say they so sensibly feel the want of their chief justice at home, that they cannot consent to let him be absent any longer. You must, therefore,
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my good Sir, return to us as soon as you can; indeed we stand in much need of you at this critical juncture, therefore pray lose no time." On which Mr. [William Henry] Drayton desired the determination of the House, whether after such information, he ought to attend as a delegate in Congress; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the said private letter does not vacate Mr. [William Henry] Drayton's seat, and therefore, that he ought to attend as a delegate in Congress.
The committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Resolve Smith, Esq. for one thousand dollars, it being in full for his salary as commissioner of the chamber of accounts, from the 3 November, 1778, to the 2d March, inclusive.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of James Milligan, Esq. for one thousand three hundred and seventy five dollars, it being in full for his salary as commissioner of accounts, from the 20 August, 1778, to the 2 March, 1779, inclusive.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of William Geddes, Esq. for one thousand dollars, it being in full for his salary as commissioner in the chamber of accounts, from the 3 November, 1778, to the 2 March, 1779, inclusive.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated March 9, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 163.]
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Doctor Jonathan Potts, deputy director of the general hospital, on the application of the Medical Committee, for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated March 9, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 157.]
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The committee to whom were referred the letters from Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, to the Commander in Chief, brought in a report: Whereupon,
Resolved, That Colonel Wigglesworth's resignation be accepted, and that General Washington give him such certificate of his past services as he shall have merited.
The committee appointed on the 1st instant, to confer with a committee of the general assembly of Pensylvania, brought in a report:
The Committee, appointed the 1st. Instant to confer with a Committee of the General assembly of Pennsylvania, having attended that business, have agreed to the following Report:
Whereas it is represented to Congress that a great proportion of the Bills emitted the 20th. May, 1777, and 11th. April, 1778, and applied to the purpose of supplying the Continental army whilst the Enemy were in possession of Philadelphia, were issued to the Inhabitants of this State, and that many of them possessed of such Bills are very indigent;
Resolved, That the Treasurer be directed to pay to Thomas Smith, Esqr., Commissioner of the Continental Loan office in Pennsylvania, 500,000 Dollars of the new Emission, to be by him advanced to the order of the General assembly of the said State, for the purpose of exchanging the said Bills; that he take Receipts from the person or persons receiving the money, Specifying that equal sums are to be returned to him in Bills of the Emissions first mentioned, and that he be charged with the sum to be paid him by the Treasurer as aforesaid.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 45.]
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
Congress was resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider farther the report of the communications from the Minister of France, &c. and after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. F[rancis] L[ightfoot] Lee reported, that the committee have had under their farther consideration the report to them referred, and made some progress therein, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again.
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Resolved, That to morrow Congress be resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider farther the report of the committee on the communications, &c.
Adjourned to 10 o Clock to Morrow.
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