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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, DECEMBER 29, 1779
A report from the Board of War, on the memorial of Lieutenant Colonel Derick, being read,
Resolved, That in consideration of the peculiar circumstances attending the case of Lieutenant Colonel Derick, that gentleman receive the pay and subsistence of lieutenant colonel in the army of the United States from the date of his brevet until the further order of Congress.
A report from the Board of War, on the memorial of Captain Baldesqui, was read;1 Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
[Note 1: 1 These reports are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folios 689, 691.]
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The circumstances of the corps lately commanded by General Count Pulaski not now requiring a pay master, and Captain Joseph Baldesqui, its present pay master, for that reason and from the situation of his private affairs, desiring leave to resign,
Resolved, That his resignation be accepted.
Resolved, That Major General Lincoln be empowered, if he shall think it for the good of the service, to reduce the corps lately commanded by Brigadier Count Pulaski, and to incorporate such of the men as remain, into such of the regiments of horse and infantry under his command, as he shall think proper; the men so incorporated to be, nevertheless, considered as part of the quotas of the states to which they belong.1
Another report from the Board of War, on the memorial of Brigadier General Muhlenberg, was read: Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
The Board having taken into consideration the memorial of Brigadier General Muhlenberg, complaining of injury done him in the promotion of General Woodford; and it appearing to the Board that the memorialist, from a becoming zeal for the Service, would be satisfied with an explanation of the resolution of Congress, passed on the 19th of March, 1778, on the subject, beg leave to report the following explanatory resolution:
Whereas Congress did, on the 19th day of March, 1778, resolve that General Washington call in and cancel the commissions of Brigadiers General Woodford, Muhlenberg, Scott and Weedon, and that new commissions be granted them, and that they rank in future agreeably to the following arrangement, Woodford, Muhlenberg, Scott, Weedon:
And that Congress being informed that uneasiness has arisen with some of those gentlemen, least the arrangements being so materially
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Mathews, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 693. The last phrase is in the writing of Samuel Huntington.]
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altered, may occasion reflexions prejudicial to the characters of those gentlemen who are placed inferior in command,
Resolved, That Congress entertain the most favourable opinion of the merit and characters of the gentlemen mentioned in the resolution before recited.
Resolved, That the arrangement made therein was founded upon principles not affecting the personal characters or comparative merits of those officers.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 685.]
A report from the Board of Treasury, on the petition of Thomas Bentley, was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the case of the petitioner doth not differ from that of many others, whose application for compensation of damages have not been allowed, and that his request cannot be granted.
A report from the Board of War on the letter, of 30 November, from Captain Galvan, was read.
At a Board of War, December 27th, 1779.
The Board having considered Mr. Galvan's letter of the 30th ult, beg leave to state his pretensions to the rank and office he requests.
He came to America in 1776, and arriving at Charles Town accepted a second Lieutenancy in one of the Continental Regiments raised in the State of South Carolina. This he says was the only grade then in the Power of that State to confer. After this, at the request of the President of that State, he undertook a voyage to France to procure military stores; which Commission he appears to have executed to the satisfaction of his employers. Upon his return from France he had some expectations of raising an independent Corps; but being disappointed, and not succeeding in his attempts to introduce a reformation in the exercises used among the Troops at Charles Town, he resigned his commission, and came to the northward to join the main army; which he effected in 1778. From that time he has served as a volunteer, attaching himself at different periods, to the Families of General Gates and General de Kalb. During his whole residence and services in America, he has supported himself without any expence to the United States.
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Mr. Galvan's abilities are acknowledged by all who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance; and his long and particular study of tactics, and his industry, render him particularly fit for the duties of the inspectorship. He has exhibited divers specimens of his abilities as a tactician; particularly of late a Plan of Manoeuvres for the Horse, which he caused to be performed much to the satisfaction of the Commander in Chief. Upon a former occasion when we expected the Affrican Corps would have been raised, we thought he might be very useful in disciplining them, and accordingly reported that he should be appointed a Sub-inspector with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Baron Steuben requests he may now be appointed to the Office of Sub-Inspector. But for this purpose he must have the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The Board, tho' possessing the most favourable opinion of Mr. Gelvan, yet knowing in what estimation rank in the Army was now held, and how difficult it was to introduce an officer not in the usual line of promotion, wrote to General Washington on the subject. His answer we do ourselves the honour to inclose. The General seems to be decidedly of opinion that Mr. Galvan cannot be admitted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, at the same time declaring his conviction of his talents and merit, and that his knowledge, application and industry would render him useful: but thinks the rank that may be given him should not exceed that of a Major, as such, to be employed in the inspectorship as circumstances may make it convenient.
If upon the whole Congress should be of opinion that Mr. Galvan's merit and qualifications intitle him to the rank and office he requests, we would beg leave to report:
That Mr. Galvan be appointed a sub-inspector, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the army of the United States, to be employed therein as the Commander in Chief shall direct.
Should Congress not think proper to agree to the above report, we would beg leave to report:
That Mr. Galvan receive the commission of Major in the army of the United States, and be employed in the inspectorship, as the Commander in Chief shall direct.1
[Note 1: 1 This report. is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, III, folio 619.]
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On the question to agree to the resolution for granting Mr. Galvan the commission of Major, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Mathews;
[Note 1: 1 The vote is endorsed by Charles Thomson on the report. See under January 12, 1780.]
It being suggested by the Board of War that a plan has been proposed to them which they conceive may be advantageous in procuring necessaries for the army which they conceive are not at liberty to mention except to a select committee of Congress;
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to confer with the Board of War on the subject to authorise them either to proceed therein or decline the same. [and report their opinion to Congress whether the plan is practicable and would be attended with advantage:]2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 95. The words in brackets are in the writing of Samuel Huntington.]
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and Mr. [John] Mathews.
A petition of David Bloyde was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This petition, dated the 23d, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, I, folio 193.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order thereon.
The committee appointed to report proper salaries to the purchasing commissaries &e. delivered in their report:
Ordered, That to morrow be assigned for the consideration of the report of the committee on General Washington's letter, of 18 November last.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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