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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 --THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1779
A letter, of 15, from General Washington, was read; Whereupon,1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VII, folio 183. It is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), VII, 363.]
The committee appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and sundry amendments being made,
Ordered, That the report, together with the amendments, be recommitted.
A memorial from the Minister Plenipotentiary of France was read.
A letter, of 5, from Major General Schuyler, was read, desiring a compliance with his request for leave to resign, and also giving information that a part of the Onondagas have separated from the enemy, and joined the Oneidas, &c.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, III, folio 426.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and seconded by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, that the resignation of General Schuyler be accepted.
To which an amendment was moved by Mr. [Thomas] Burke, and seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
That the President be directed to inform General Schuyler, that Congress are very desirous of retaining him in the service, especially in the present situation of affairs; but, if the state of his health is such as that he judges it absolutely necessary to retire, Congress, though reluctantly, will acquiesce and admit his resignation.
On the question, that this be received as a substitute, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Lovell,
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So it passed in the negative.
Another amendment was moved by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith, and seconded by Mr. [Edward] Langworthy,
That the President be directed to acquaint Major General Schuyler, that the situation of the army renders it inconvenient to accept his resignation, and therefore Congress cannot comply with his request.
On the question, that this be received as a substitute, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Lovell,
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So it was accepted.
Upon the question to agree to the amendment as a resolution, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Ordered, That the remainder of the letter from General Schuyler be referred to the Board of War.
Mr. [James] Duane laid before Congress an extract of a letter, of 7th, from Major General Schuyler:1
[Note 1: 1 A copy of this extract, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 175.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War, and that they supply the articles for Indian presents mentioned in the said letter.
The committee, to whom was referred the application of the honble assembly of Pensylvania, for the loan of money, brought in a report:
Your Committee to whom was referred the application of the Honorable Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania for the Loan of money &c, report as follows:
That having taken the said request under consideration, the necessity the State of Pennsylvania is under for the money, and the laudable Purposes for which it is designed, esteemed it necessary to apply to the Board of Treasury for information respecting their abilities to supply the money required, and having received that information in writing, representing that such is the state of the public Treasury, that they are compelled to declare that it is out of their power to promise the said supply,
Thereupon, the Committee are of opinion, that however disposed Congress may be to gratify the State of Pennsylvania in its request, yet for the Reason above it cannot at this time be granted.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing ofis in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 39. The following letters were exchanged by two committees on the subject, and are on folios 49--51.
Philadelphia, March 17th, 1779.
Sir, The Committee to whom the letter from the Speaker of the assembly of Pennsylvania, upon the subject of borrowing a sum of Money of Congress was referred, cannot proceed upon that business until they shall be furnished with a state of the Treasury. I must therefore beg that you will furnish the Committee with such information as you have in your power, and also whether you think it possible for Congress to grant this requisition, and comply with their other engagements.
I am Sir, your Obedient Servt.Geo: Plater
To The Honble. James Duane Esqr.
Sir, Besides the satisfaction it would give the Committee on the Treasury to see a Requisition that a sister State has at Heart, complied with, on principles of Policy, we would wish there should be no other paper currency than Continental. But such is the state of demand on the public Treasury, and such the exertions which must be necessary to preserve the public faith and fulfil our obligations, that we are compelled to declare, that it is out of our power to promise the supply of money requested by the Honorable assembly of Pennsylvania. We are directed to emit 52,000,000, which must be delivered out the 1st. of August, to exchange the two Emissions called of May, 1777, and April, 1778, and for other purposes. There are 15,000,000 in arrear, for a great part of which warrants are issued. The supplies on opening the Campaign are to be provided for and will be large, and it will be with the utmost difficulty and by the most strenuous exertions, that money can be emitted in time for these great and various demands.
I am Sir, Your Most Obedient ServantJas. Duane.
for self, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Carmichael, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Langworthy and Mr. Frelinghuyson, the Committee on the Treasury
Philada. 17th. March, 1779.
The Honble. George Plater, Esqr.]
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Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
On motion by Mr. [Henry] Laurens, seconded by Mr. [Edward] Langworthy,
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the circumstances of the southern states, and the ways and means for their security and defence, and report thereon to Congress without delay.
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [Henry] Laurens, Mr. [Thomas] Nelson, Mr. [John] Armstrong, and Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer.
Adjourned to 10 o Clock to Morrow.
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