| 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 --TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1779
A motion was made by Mr. [Henry] Laurens, seconded by Mr. [George] Frost,
That an advertisement be published in the several newspapers printed in this city, informing the public that a proper person is wanted to take upon him the office of cloathier general for the army, that persons who are desirous of engaging in the duties of that office give information thereof in writing, directed to the Secretary, to be laid before Congress on the 20th instant.
A motion was made by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Holten, to amend by adding,
"None need apply but such as can produce good recommendations."
On which amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William Henry] Drayton,
{table}
Page 424 | Page image
So it passed in the negative.
On the question to agree to the original motion, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
{table}
So it passed in the negative.
A letter, of 5, from Christopher Hele, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the letters from Admiral Gambler.
A petition from Gideon Olmstead and Artemas White, in behalf of the claimants of the sloop Active, was read:
Page 425 | Page image
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the joint committee of the general assembly and council of Pensylvania, and that they be directed to report thereon.
A petition from George Pierce was read:
Ordered, To lie on the table.
A memorial from John Connolly was read:1
[Note 1: 1 The petition of Pierce is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, folio 204; the Connolly memorial in No. 41, II, folio 69.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, and that they take order thereon.
Congress proceeded to the election of deputy commissaries general of musters in the room of Messrs. Bradford and Noarth, resigned; and, the ballots being taken, Mr. Henry Rutgers, jun. and Mr. Azariah Horton were elected.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the memorial of Lieutenant William Macpherson, report,
"That being apprehensive the bringing Mr. Macpherson into the line would cause much disquietude among the officers, and be detrimental to the service, they consulted the Commander in Chief, who coincided with them in sentiment as to the impropriety of it; but that as by the captivity of Colonel Ward, the commissary general of musters, his duty will devolve on Colonel Varick, the next senior officer in the department, and consequently a post of deputy commissary general of musters will be vacant till the release of the commissary general of musters; and as the Commander in Chief has expressed his opinion that no bad consequences will arise from the nomination of Mr. W. Macpherson to that post: they therefore nominate the said William Macpherson to be elected a deputy commissary general of musters in the service of the United States."2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated April 3, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 177. With it is a letter of Washington to the Board of War, dated March 29, 1779.]
Page 426 | Page image
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
Mr. Henry Wynkoop, a delegate from Pensylvania, attended, and took his seat in Congress.
Congress, according to order, took into consideration the report of the committee of thirteen on foreign affairs, &c. and the same being read, after some debate thereon,
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |