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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 --WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1779
The Marine Committee report, that it is necessary an agent for prizes be appointed for the State of New Jersey; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Okey Hoaglandt, Esq. be appointed agent for prizes for the State of New Jersey.
A letter, of 27 February, and one, of I March last, from J. Adams, Esq. at Paris, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 These letters are printed in theDiplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), III, 69, 71.]
A letter, of 31 August, from the Board of War, was read, informing Congress that Major Scull has signified his intention to resign his office of secretary to that Board, and recommending Captain Benjamin Stoddert to fill that office; Whereupon,
Congress proceeded to a choice; and, the ballots being taken, Captain Benjamin Stoddert was unanimously elected secretary to the Board of War.
Another letter, of 31 August, from the Board of War, was read, enclosing a copy of general orders issued to the troops under his command by Major General Sullivan, reflecting upon the Board; and representing that the characters of the Board are made very free with in General Sullivan's army, who being under a deception, censure the members with great bitterness, and therefore requesting the favour of Congress to appoint a committee to examine into their conduct and proceedings on this subject; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed for the purpose above mentioned:
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The members chosen, Mr. [John] Mathews, Mr. [Jesse] Root, and Mr. [John] Armstrong.
A letter, of 27 August, from the Board of War, was read; Whereupon,
War Office,August 27, 1779.
There has been for some time an unfortunate dispute between Colonel Bland, commanding at the post of Charlottville, and Col Aylett, the D. C. G. of Purchases, in whose district that post is comprehended. Much embarrassment to the business of supplies, as well as in the settlement of the public accounts, is likely to ensue from this misunderstanding. We do not see any method of preventing the like inconveniences but by directing the Commissary General of Purchases to appoint a person solely for the purpose of supplying the convention troops, confining his purchases to places from whence supplies cannot conveniently be drawn for the Army. This plan falls in with the original intention of Congress, as we conceive, in sending the Convention troops to their present place of residence, that they might consume the provisions which could not be of use to our troops, and thereby avoid interfering with the supplies which can be conveniently transported to the Army. The accounts too for the supplies to these prisoners can be in this way kept more distinct and therefore can be more easily settled.
Colonel Bland is exceedingly well calculated for the Station he now fills, but is uneasy under his situation, as it exposes him to infinite trouble and very heavey expence. The dignity of the Nation depends in some degree on our Officers in circumstances like Colonel Bland's not being exposed to the contempt of the British prisoners by an appearance in point of living inferior to the Station they hold. We would not wish them to keep pace with British luxury. But they ought in our opinion to have much more refreshments, as well as common provisions, than the regulations of the Commissaries department hold us out in directing to be delivered. Colonel Bland is obliged to see a great deal of Company, and to make a decent appearance in his quarters as to the Articles of his Table. He has drawn orders on the Commissary for supplies which could not be furnished him or at least were not supplied by Mr Aylett, and when we were consulted on the subject we could not advise Mr Aylett's complying with Colonel Bland's requisition. We will therefore take the liberty of recommending the following resolutions:
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Resolved, That the commissary general of purchases be directed to appoint a deputy, for the special purpose of providing for the troops of the convention of Saratoga and their guards during their stay in Virginia:
On passing this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That he give orders to the said deputy to confine his purchases, to places from whence supplies for the armies of these states cannot conveniently be drawn.
Resolved, That the accounts of supplies for the said convention troops be kept distinct from the accounts of those purchased for, and issued to, the troops of the United States.
That Colonel Bland or Officer stationed at the post for the purpose of directing the business relative to the Prisoners, and having also the Military Command, shall be furnished with such articles of refreshment and extra quantities of provisions for the use of his table as the executive of the State of Virginia shall, on returns made to them of the quantities desired, think proper and necessary: or,
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That the sum ofdollars pr month be allowed to Colonel Bland during his command at the post of Charlottville to defray the extra expence he is necessarily subjected to from his situation there.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 603. Another letter, of the 27th, deals with the construction of barracks for the Convention troops at Charlotteville Va., and is on folio 607. It closes with the following proposed resolution:
"That the sum ofthousand dollars be allowed to Col. John Harvie as an indemnification for his necessary expenditures in the public service during space of six months, while directing the construction of the barracks at Charlotteville, superintending the Convention troops, and managing the whole business at the post."]
Ordered, That the farther consideration of the said letter be postponed.
A letter, of 24 August, from Captain Geddes, of the Holker, a private armed vessel, was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folio 157.]
Congress proceeded in reading Mr. A. Lee's letter of 20th April last, and some progress being made therein,
A motion was made by Mr. [John] Mathews, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] McKean, to postpone the farther reading; on which, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Jay,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Congress proceeded to the consideration of the report of the committee relative to finance:
On motion of Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, seconded by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith,
Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, seconded by Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, in the words following:
Whereas it is inexpedient to derive the supplies for a continuance of the present war from emissions of bills of credit:
Resolved, That Congress will, on no account whatever, emit more bills of credit than to make the whole amount of such bills two hundred millions of dollars:
Nor will they emit the forty millions necessary to compleat that sum, provided a sufficient supply of money for the public exigencies can be obtained by other means.
A division being required, when the question was about to be put on the first clause, the previous question was moved by Mr. [Henry] Laurens, seconded by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith: on which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
{table}
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So it passed in the negative.
The main question was then put, on which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Meriwether] Smith,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the consideration of the second clause be postponed.
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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