| 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 --SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1779
A letter, of the 6, from the Rev. Henry Miller, chaplain to the Germans in the army of the United States, was read, requesting leave to resign:
Resolved, That his resignation be accepted.
A letter, of 6, from Lieutenant Colonel Simms, of the 2d Virginia regiment, was read, requesting leave of absence from the army for some time on account of his private affairs:2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of Miller is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 481; that of Simms, in No. 78, XX, folio 447.]
Ordered, That a copy thereof be transmitted to the Commander in Chief, and that he take order thereon.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter of 7 July, from Major General Phillips, with sundry papers enclosed, having reported thereon,
At a Board of War,August 5, 1779.
Present, Col Pickering, Mr. Peters, Genl. Spencer and Col Atlee.
The Board taking into consideration Major Gen(1). Phillips letter to the President of Congress with its Enclosures on the subject of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton's confinement in Virginia, beg leave to report:
That General Phillips be informed, that Congress will readily attend to any of his representations on the subject of the officers and men of the Convention Troops; but as to the affair of Lieutenant Governor
Page 934 | Page image
Hamilton, the conduct thereof lies entirely with the Government of the State of Virginia, and Congress do not therefore now choose to take any measures therein.
N. B. The Board did not report on the affairs of Capt. Edmonstons and the 2 officers requested by General Phillips to go to Canada, having referred the same to the opinion of General Washington, whose answer we wait; mean time Captain E is sent to Mt Holly in New Jersey on parole.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 57, folio 365.]
Ordered, That the report of the Board of War and the papers on which it is grounded be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, Mr. [Samuel] Huntington, and Mr. [John] Mathews.
A letter, of 2d, from General Washington, with a paper of intelligence enclosed, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the standing committee appointed to correspond with the commanding officer in South Carolina.
A memorial from Lieutenant Colonel Knobelauch was read;2Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This memorial is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIII, folio 527.]
The committee on a former memorial from the said Lieutenant Colonel, brought in a report, which was read:
The Committee, to whom the Report of the Board of War, of the 15th April, 1779, was referred, report:
That it appears Colonel Knaublauch was earnestly persuaded and strongly encouraged by Doctor Franklin and William Lee, Esq. to make a voyage to America, and to offer his service as an officer in the army of these States.
The certificates which Colonel Knaublauch has produced and other testimony evince that he is an experienced, skilful, gallant and brave officer, and equal to a high command in any army, and the Committee are fully persuaded, he is particularly well qualified for the office of Inspector, or for that of Muster Master General; but inasmuch as there are no vacancies in the Army for employing Colonel Knaublauch, either
Page 935 | Page image
in the Line or staff, in a station equal to his merits, the Committee concur in opinion with the Board of War "that the sum ofbe paid to him for defraying his expences to Europe, and also to reimburse expences which he has already incurred.
That Colonel Knaublauch receive the thanks of Congress for his zeal in the cause of America, and his willingness to serve in the Armies of the United States, and that he be informed, that although Congress entertain a high opinion of his merit, it is impracticable to employ him in any rank suitable to his expectations.
The Committee have received from Colonel Knaublauch the following estimate of his expences from May, 1777, to the 9th July, 1779:
Colonel Knaublauch has assured the Committee that he had an offer made to him by the British Ministry in London of the command of two battalions in the English-American Army, which he refused to accept from a determination to serve the United States, particularly encouraged thereto by Doctor Franklin.
The Committee beg leave to observe to Congress that the present circumstances of Colonel Knaublauch appear so truly deplorable, he has been obliged to sell his horse and furniture, his gold epauletres, sword and pistols, gold buttons and part of his wearing apparel, to the amount of £1493,,8 to pay for board and diet and other unavoidable expences; thus reduced and in danger of being stripped of all his clothes, and reduced to the extremest penury, he humbly implores
Page 936 | Page image
Congress to take his case under their consideration, without further delay, and to determine according to their wisdom and justice.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Henry Laurens, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 369. It is endorsed: "August 12. Referred to the Board of Treasury, and that they take order thereon. Passed the Board, August 25."]
Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on Monday.
The Board of War, to whom was referred a letter from Captain Colombe, requesting the rank of major, having reported specially thereon:
At a Board of War,August 6, 1779.
Present, Col. Pickering and Mr Peters.
The Board taking into consideration the application of Monsr. Colombe to be appointed a Major by brevet in the Army of the United States, cannot perceive any thing in his caseas an officer which should induce them to be of opinion that he is entitled to such promotion under the exception in the Resolve of the 24(th) November, 1778, which directs. "That no brevets be for the future granted except to officers in the line or in cases of very eminent services." Upon a comparison of his character with others, who have when rank was too lavishly distributed obtained promotions, we think him entitled to it. But as we have not been lately instrumental in promotions of foreign Officers, because we know such promotions give much Offence to our Officers, we have not thought our selves justified in recommending Monsr. Colombe merely because he is a Foreigner, and we believe one too of a good character. We have however agreed to state Monsr Colombe's case, that Congress may do therein as they are pleased to think proper.
Monsr Colombe arrived in South Carolina from Spain, in the service of which he was a Lieutenant, in October, 1777. He went from Charleston to Georgia, where he was by the government of that State appointed a Lieutenant of Dragoons on Continental establishment, and from this rank he succeeded by regular gradation to that of a Captain, in which capacity he was taken prisoner by the British troops under Colonel Campbell, and during his captivity was maltreated by the enemy, insomuch that being reduced to the last extremity (as he alledges, for we have no farther information than his own allegations as to all our accounts of him, tho' we have no reason to disbelieve his
Page 937 | Page image
assertions) he entered into an engagement with General Prevost not to serve in America under theStandard of the United States during the War. Under this parole as aFrench Man, he thinks himself justifiable in serving, if his King should give him employment in this Country. But on this subject we are not clear. Nor are we so on the propriety (politically considering it) of a gentleman, holding an American Commission, relinquishing it on account of the enemy' s cruelty; however justifiable he might be as aMan on the principle of self preservation. He says in excuse for this that he thought it best to gain a chance of serving us as a French Man, rather than die as an American prisoner. He lost his baggage twice and he will not consent that we report a recompense to be given him by Congress.
Our doubts arise on three points:
We have however to expedite the business, if Congress should differ with us, drawn the form of a report.
That Monsr Colombe, in consideration of his sufferings and services in the Army of the United States, be promoted to the rank of Major by brevet.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 561.]
Congress took their report into consideration: and, thereupon,
Resolved, That the request of Captain Colombe be not granted.
Congress proceeded to the consideration of the report of the committee on the letters from A. Lee, Esq. and the communications of the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, and some time being spent thereon,
Congress resumed the consideration of the proposition under debate on the 5th; and the same, as amended,
Page 938 | Page image
being set aside by the previous question, a motion was made by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Burke,
That, if contrary to the humane wishes of the United States, Great Britain should obstinately persist in the prosecution of the present unjust war, the Minister of these United States be empowered and directed to solicit a subsidy from his Catholick Majesty, and to consult with the Ministers of the said King, and of his most Christian Majesty, and with them prepare such article or articles of treaty, as the situation and conjuncture of affairs may render necessary; and transmit the same to Congress for their consideration.
After debate, a motion was made by Mr. [Thomas] Burke, seconded by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, to strike out the words "and of his most christian majesty, and "with them prepare such article or articles as the situation "and conjuncture of affairs may render necessary," and in lieu thereof to insert, "on the consideration which "he may be willing to receive from the United States in "return for such subsidy." And on the question, Shall the words moved to be struck out, stand, the vote passed in the negative.
On the question, Shall the words moved, be inserted, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
{table}
Page 939 | Page image
So it was resolved in the affirmative.1
[Note 1: 1 These proceedings were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |