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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 --SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1779.
A letter, of this day, from the honble Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary of France, was read.
On motion of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
Resolved, That the request of the Minister of France be complied with; that his letter be referred to the committee for superintending the departments of the quarter master
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and commissary general; and that the committee be directed to take the necessary measures for this purpose, and inform Congress thereof.
A petition of Robert Martin was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This petition, dated August 19, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 106.]
The committee to whom was referred the report of the Board of War on the letter from Major General Phillips, report as their opinion, that as the imprisonment of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton was the act of the executive power of the State of Virginia, to whom it properly belonged to decide on the treatment suitable to his conduct: and as the American prisoners of war in New York have been hitherto denied the liberty of communicating to any public body within the United States the severities exercised upon them, Congress ought not to indulge Major General Phillips with forwarding his letters and papers respecting the said Hamilton:
Resolved, that Congress ought to advise General Washington, to whom the board of war have referred the application for two other British officers to go to Canada expressly to dissent from the proposal, favors being then only asked with propriety by an Enemy when he himself has first shewn a disposition to depart from a rigid exaction of the rights of war, or at least has not offended against the mild usages, adopted by civilized nations to soften the horrows of such state.
Resolved therefore that the President be requested to inform Major General Philips that Congress cannot gratify him, andAmended to desire General Washington to refuse his assent to the officers to go into Canada.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Edmund Randolph, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 57, folio 361.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the report of the committee.
Resolved, That the President signify to General Washington the sense of Congress, that he refuse his assent to the request
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of Major General Philips, that two officers of the convention troops be allowed to go into Canada.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to signify to the officer commanding the guard of the convention troops, that he do not hereafter suffer any of the officers of those troops to remove from the place or places assigned for their residence in Virginia, without permission first obtained from the Board or the Commander in Chief.
A petition of Captain William Mackey was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This petition is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 159.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury, who are directed to take order thereon.
The committee to whom was re-committed their report on the resolution of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, relative to an embargo, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon, Congress come to the following resolution:
Resolved, That it be recommended to such of the states as have embargoes existing within them, respectively to continue such embargoes until the first day of January next, and if such embargoes do not comprehend the whole of the following articles, viz. wheat, flour, rye, Indian corn, rice, bread, beef, pork, bacon and live stock, to extend their embargoes respectively to the aforesaid articles, and also to all other kind of provisions not herein enumerated; and to such other of the states as have not embargoes in existence, to take the most effectual and immediate measures to lay on embargoes for the purposes before mentioned.
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the several States to repeal all laws or other restrictions laid on the inland trade between the said states.
Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to extend to prevent the taking on board any provisions that shall be deemed necessary for the stores only of any ships or vessels of war, or others trading to and from these states.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of John Mathews, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 9.]
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When the question was about to be put on the first part of the resolution, as far as "enumerated," inclusive, the previous question was moved by Mr. [John] Armstrong, seconded by Mr. [William] Sharpe, that the question be not now put.
On which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Armstrong,
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So it passed in the negative, and the main question was thereupon put, and ay resolved in the affirmative.
An adjournment being called for, the remainder of the report was postponed.
Adjourned to 10 oClock on Monday.1
[Note 1: 1 At this point the entries are by George Bond.]
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