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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 --MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1779
A letter, of 29 March, from M. Weare, president of the State of New Hampshire, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 64, folio 78.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the letters from Admiral Gambler.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Belcher P. Smith, for eight hundred dollars, in full of his account as one of the clerks of the Secretary's office.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Cornelius Comegys, for eight hundred dollars, as a compensation for his services as clerk to the commissioners of claims, from the 10th December, 1778, to 19 March, 1779, inclusive.
Ordered, That a. warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of William Young, steward to the President of Congress, for five thousand dollars, the said steward to be accountable.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Frederick Bicking, for fifteen hundred dollars, to enable him to carry on the business of making paper for the continental bills of credit, he to be accountable.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Colonel Bichard Butler, for three thousand
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five hundred and three dollars and 27/90, to discharge the following warrants drawn by General Washington on William Palfrey, paymaster general, who is to be charged with the said sum and to be furnished with a copy of this resolution.
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated April 10, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 231.]
The commissioners report,
That there is due to Colonel Lewis Nichola's regiment of invalids, their pay and subsistence, for the month of February, two thousand one hundred and fifty two dollars and 70/90.
That there is due to William Kinnan, his pay and board for copper plate printing, from the 1 September, 1778, to the 3d April, 1779, a ballance of three hundred and fifty five dollars and 73/90.
That there is due to the reverend Monsr. Lotbinier, as chaplain to Colonel Livingston's regiment, his pay and subsistence, from the 11 of March to the 10 instant, inclusive, sixty dollars.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated April 10, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 237.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
Congress proceeded to take into consideration the report of the committee appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief, recommending the full value of rations allowed to the officers of the army, to be paid them in lieu of the present subsistance money; after some time spent thereon, on motion of Mr. [Henry] Laurens, seconded by Mr. [William] Floyd,
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Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed.
The committee, to whom was referred the letter of 8 December last from the Board of War, respecting an allowance to be made to the commissary of military stores, &c. for travelling expences, brought in a report, which was read:
The Committee to whom was referred the letter of the Board of War of the 8th inst., respecting an allowance to be made to the Comy. of Military Stores &c. for the travelling expences, having duly considered the same are of opinion, that the said Board are, from the Nature of their Office, much better acquainted with the duties and expences of the Commissary of Military Stores than your Committee, and therefore report, that the said letter should be referred to said Board, and that your Committee should be discharged. Otherwise, if this report should not meet the approbation of Congress, your Committee beg leave to report, that the several Commississaries of Stores and persons employed in the Department of Commissary General of Military Stores, whose duty requires that he should travel in the business of the Department, be allowed 4 dollars pr day for their travelling expences, whensoever they shall be necessarily obliged so to travel, until the further order of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 89.]
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed.
A petition of Adam Geyer was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition, dated April 10, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 212.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Marine Committee, to whom was referred an extract of a letter, of February 2, 1779, from W. Bingham, relative to a capture made by the privateer Pilgrim, Captain Hugh Hill, brought in a report: After debate,
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
An extract from the minutes of the general assembly of the State of Pensylvania was read, approving the report of the joint committee of the said general assembly
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and supreme executive council of that State, appointed to confer with a committee of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This extract is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, II, folio 43.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the letters of 22 January and 2 April, 1779, relative to an allowance to be made to Baron Steuben, for his expences, and to Lieutenant Colonel Fleury and others for extra services in assisting the Baron in forming the regulations for the order and discipline of the army; after debate,
On motion of Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith,
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Congress took into consideration a report of the Committee of the Treasury for borrowing a farther sum of four millions of dollars on loan office certificates. After debate,
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
Congress took into consideration a report from the Committee on the Treasury of the 5th; and, thereupon,
Resolved, That the three commissioners for destroying bills of credit to be taken out of circulation by order of Congress, be allowed on every 100 dollars so destroyed 2/90 parts of a dollar, to be equally divided between them.
That John Nixon Esqr Col. Shee, Andrew Doz have been recommended by Francis Hopkinson Esq Treasurer of Loans; Hugh Montgomery by Doctor Witherspoon, and John Miller Esq by Doctor Ewing, as proper persons to be appointed Commissioners for destroying the Bills to be taken out of circulation.
The following gentlemen are nominated as proper persons to be appointed commissioners for destroying the bills to be taken out of circulation, viz. Andrew Doz, by Mr. [William] Paca; John Shee, by Mr. [Samuel] Atlee; Hugh Montgomery, by Mr. [John] Witherspoon.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, dated April 5, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 221.]
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Congress, by general consent, proceeded to an election; and the ballots being taken, Andrew Doz, John Shee, and Hugh Montgomery, were elected.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. Edward Langworthy, delegate from the State of Georgia, on his application for six thousand dollars, the said State to be accountable.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Jonathan Trumbull, Jun., Esq. comptroller of the treasury of the United States, for nineteen hundred and fifty three dollars and 30/90 for his salary to the 13th April, 1779, and cash paid an express to Boston on public service.
Resolved That the loan office certificates which may issue for prizes of the third class of the lottery of the United States shall bear an interest of six per cent per annum, any resolution to the contrary notwithstanding.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 239.]
Resolved That the treasurer of loans be allowed three quarters of 1/90 of a dollar for every 100 dollars which he may receive to be destroyed, in full compensation of all charges for a clerk, office rent, fire-wood, stationary, and other contingent expences.
On the question to agree to this resolution, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith,
{table}
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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