| 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 --WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 17792
[Note 2: 2 Thomson resumes the entries.]
A letter, of this day, from the president of the State of Pensylvania, was read.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, II, folio 137.]
Resolved, That a member be added to the Marine Committee for South Carolina, in the room of Mr. [William
Page 977 | Page image
Henry] Drayton, who desires to be excused from attending: the member chosen, Mr. [John] Mathews.
Congress proceeded to the consideration of the report for a further allowance to the officers of the army; when a motion was made by Mr. Mathews, seconded by Mr. [William] Carmichael,
That the clause in the report for extending the half pay to continue during life, which was postponed, be now taken up and considered.
On which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Forbes,
{table}
Page 978 | Page image
So it passed in the negative.1
[Note 1: 1 This vote is recorded by Thomson on Meriwether Smith's memorandum, in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 148.]
Resolved, That until the further order of Congress, the said officers be entitled to receive monthly for their subsistance money, the sums following, to wit, each colonel and brigade chaplain 500 dollars, every lieutenant colonel 400 dollars, every major and regimental surgeon 300 dollars, every captain 200 dollars, every lieutenant, ensign and surgeon's mate 100 dollars.
Resolved, That until the further order of Congress, the sum of 10 dollars be paid to every non-commissioned officer and soldier monthly for their subsistance, in lieu of those articles of food originally intended for them and not furnished.
Moved by Mr [James] Duane, seconded by Mr [John] Mathews.
Whereas many worthy officersof the Battalions commonly called the sixteen Regiments, who have served their Country with fidelity and reputation, have been reduced as supernumerary,and it is reasonable that provision should be made for such reduced officers without which many of them and their families may be exposed to want and distress, Resolved therefore that all such officers, who have been so reduced as supernumerary shall be entitled to and annually receive the half of the present pay annexed to their Commissions during their natural lives; provided, nevertheless, that every such officer shall be holden to take command in the army upon full pay when required, so as not to impair his former rank.
And it is farther resolved, that such of thereduced officers aforesaid, as shall incline to serve and shall leave their names at the Board of War for that purpose, shall be entitled to any vacancies which may happen in any of the said sixteen continental Regiments, and which they can with propriety fill agreeable to the Regulations of the Army.
Resolved that aids de camp and Brigades Major, who shall continue in office during the war, being unprovided for in the Line, shall also be entitled to half pay for their natural lives according to their respective ranks.
That it be recommended to the several States to provide for aids de camp and Brigade Majors who shall continue in office during the war,
Page 979 | Page image
being Inhabitants of the said States, and unprovided for in the line, in the same manner as they may provide for officers of equal rank in their battalions respectively.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of James Duane, except the last paragraph, which is in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 213. It is endorsed as a report, and was referred to the committee named in the text.]
Resolved, That the remainder of the report be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [John] Mathews, Mr. [James] Forbes, Mr. [Meriwether] Smith and Mr. [Jesse] Root.
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |