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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, DECEMBER 27, 1779
A letter, of 23; and one, of 24, from General Washington, were read, enclosing intelligence of the sailing of a large fleet from New York:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War, and that the Board be directed to forward on the Virginia troops with all expedition.
A letter, of 20, from J. Beatty, commissary of prisoners; And one, of 25, from Baron Miklaszewicz, were read.
A letter, of 24, from Mr. du Simitière, was read;1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letters are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folios 255 and 261; the enclosure is on folio 267; Beatty's letter is in No. 78, III, folio 425; that of Miktaszewicz, in No. 78, XV, folio 615; that of Du Simitière, in No. 78, XX, folio 483.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on Mr. du Simitière's memorial, of 22 July last; and after debate,
Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till Friday next.
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Congress took into consideration the report of the committee to whom was referred a letter from the president of the State of Pensylvania, to the delegates of that State, dated 15 December instant, and thereupon came to the following resolution:
Whereas it appears to Congress, from the representation of the delegates of the State of Pensylvania, that disputes have arisen between the states of Pensylvania and Virginia, relative to the extent of their boundaries, which may probably be productive of serious evils to both states, and tend to lessen their exertions in the common cause' therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the contending parties not to grant any part of the disputed land, or to disturb the possession of any persons living thereon, and to avoid every appearance of force until the dispute can be amicably settled by both states, or brought to a just decision by the intervention of Congress' that possessions forcibly taken be restored to the original possessors, and things placed in the situation in which they were at the commencement of the present war, without prejudice to the claims of either party.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 63.]
Congress took into consideration the report on the post office; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the post office be so regulated as that the post shall set out and arrive at the place where Congress shall be sitting twice in every week, to go so far as Boston, in the State of Massachusetts bay, and to Charleston, in the State of South Carolina:
And that the weekly post be continued to all other places as at present established.
That the whole expensive system of express riding be totally abolished, except by the particular order of Congress upon very special occasions.
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That as the 40000 Dollars, granted by Congress on the 23d of October last were principally to discharge the arrears of the Post Office, and a further grant being at present absolutely necessary for continuing the functions of the said office, your Committee report that a warrant issue on the Treasurer, in favor of the Post Master General for the sum of 30,000 dollars, he to be accountable.
Your Committee farther report that as the three surveyors of the Post Office are allowed but 20 dollars a day a sum inadequate to their heavy expences in travelling the roads, that they be allowed the sum of 40 dollars a day, to commence from the 28th of August last, and also yearly clothing for themselves only, upon the same terms under which officers of the army draw clothing from the clothier general.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the post master general, for the sum of thirty thousand dollars, to the use of that department; for which he is to be accountable.
That all express riders in the pay of the United States be discharged, and that no established express riders be in future maintained at the public expence:
Resolved, That the three surveyors of the post office be allowed the sum of forty dollars a day, until the further order of Congress:
That as the duties of the post master general and comptroller will henceforward be considerably increased by the above resolutions, the salary of the post master general be five thousand dollars per annum, and the comptroller's be four thousand dollars per annum.
Ordered, That the Board of War and the quarter master, his assistants and deputies in Philadelphia, be informed immediately of the aforesaid resolutions.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Cyrus Griffin, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, folio 463.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee of the whole; and thereupon,
Resolved, That bills to the amount of seventy five thousand pounds sterling of the money directed to be drawn for by a resolution of Congress, passed the 23d day of November last,
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be sold at the rate of twenty five dollars in continental bills of credit, for four shillings six pence sterling, on condition that the persons purchasing the same lend to the United States a sum of money equal to the sum paid for the bills, for which they shall receive six per cent. per annum interest.
Resolved, That one hundred thousand pounds sterling, the residue of the sum for which Congress have determined to draw on Mr. Jay and Mr. Lawrence, be drawn in manner following:1
[Note 1: 1 These paragraphs, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 99. It originally read to call for £100,000 at twenty for one in specie.]
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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