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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 --THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1779
A letter, of 25th, from General Washington, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 41.]
The honble Mr. [Henry] Laurens informed Congress that there was a person in town, who, he had good reason to believe, was possessed of very important intelligence which he would willingly communicate:
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to examine the said person, and that it be in their discretion either to report the intelligence to Congress, or take immediate order thereon:
The members chosen, Mr. [Henry] Laurens, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, and Mr. [William Churchill] Houston.
A letter, of 29th, from the Board of War, was read, enclosing the letter, of 19th, from Major General Greene, which on the 25th was referred to them.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 507.]
Ordered, That the letter of General Greene, with the papers enclosed therein, be returned to the Board of War, and filed in their office until further order.
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A letter, of 29, from the president of the State of Pensylvania, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, II, folio 153.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Mercer, Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, and Mr. [James] Lovell.
A memorial of John Ely was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, folio 21.]
Ordered, That it be dismissed.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. [Henry] Wynkoop, one of the delegates for the State of Pensylvania, on his application, for fifteen hundred dollars; for which the said State is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of George Bond, assistant in the secretary's office of Congress, on his application, for two thousand dollars; for which he is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Thomas Edison, assistant in the secretary's office of Congress, on his application, for two thousand dollars; for which he is to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, dated September 30, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 685.]
A report from the Board of War was read:
At a Board of War, September 28, 1779.
Present, Colo. Pickering, and Mr. Peters.
The Board taking into consideration the letter from Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, with the certificate of General Washington enclosed therein, and having conversed with Lieutenant Colonel Fleury on the subject, find that he wishes a Furlough more enlarged. The merit and extraordinary services of this gentleman entitle him to every reasonable mark of attention and indulgence. It is unnecessary for us to say any thing in favor of Monsr: Fleury after the most honorable and ample certificate from General Washington. We are happy however in joining our testimony to the General's as we are convinced by
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an intelligence from all quarters of information of the gallantry and great activity of Colonel Fleury. We therefore beg leave to report,
That the Furlough granted to Lieutenant Colonel Fleury who expresses a desire to return to France on business of an interesting nature to his private affairs, be on his application in France for the purpose, extended for so long a time as the Minister Plenipotentiary of these States at the Court of Versailles shall deem proper, Congress being willing to grant every mark of their indulgence and regard to so gallant and meritorious an officer.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 505.]
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
The committee on the departments of the quarter master and commissary general, to whom were referred the letters of 24 August from General Washington, and the 5th September from J. Wadsworth, brought in a report; Whereupon,
The Committee for superintending the Commissary and Quarter Master's Department, to whom was referred the letters of General Washington and the Commissary General respecting bread for the army, beg leave to report:
That your Commissaries have on hand not more than a sufficiency of bread and flour for the Army to subsist upon until the 1st of next month.
That the exertions of the Commissaries aided with all the assistance your Committee could give them, for some time past, have been attended with little success, owing as your Committee suppose to an objection the farmers have to threshing their grain in this busy season, the prospect of getting more for it hereafter, and an idea they entertain that if they part with their wheat, they will be less able to procure salt, sugar, &c. which articles they want.
That the Commissary general, pressed by the necessities of the army, has been induced to promise the people of New York State Salt, sugar, &c. in exchange for wheat and flour. Which Pream. negatived mode of purchasing, your committee are of opinion, will have an ill influence on the credit of our money if generally adopted, and can be justified only in eases of extreme necessity.
That the State of New York for more than three years past hath been deprived of all her seaports, by the operations of the enemy, and the Inhabitants been wholly dependant on the other States for
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supplies of salt and other foreign commodities, whereby they have laboured under many disadvantages peculiarly distressing.
That the United States have been much served by the vigorous and continued efforts of that State in the common cause, and therefore its inhabitants may justly expect Congress should regard their particular situation, and as far as may be consistent with the principles of equality and public good endeavor to alleviate the distresses peculiar to it.
Wherefore, to manifest the sense Congress entertain of their exertions under all their difficulties, and to encourage and enable them to persevere in the same line of conduct, and the better to supply their present wants,
Your Committee submit the following resolutions to the Consideration of Congress--
Resolved, That Mr. J. Bradford, continental agent at Boston, be directed to sell and deliver out of the stores of these States there, to the State of New York, on or before the first day of January next, or to such person or persons as shall be authorized by them for the purpose, any quantity of sugar and rum not exceeding five hundred hogsheads of the former, and fifty hogsheads of the latter, at the current wholesale price of those articles in cash: and that it be recommended to the legislature or the executive powers of the said State, to cause the said rum and sugar to be sold and distributed among the people in such manner, as that all may partake of the benefit intended them, and at no higher price than will raise the amount of the prime cost and charges:
That the Marine Committee be directed to give the necessary orders to enable the commissary general to perform his engagements actually made with the people for sugar, &c.
On passing this resolution, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
That the commissary general be informed, that although the necessity of the case may justify his using the expedient in this instance, yet Congress cannot approve of his making any purchases in ordinary cases, otherways than for money:
Resolved, That the Commercial Committee be directed to take care that a sufficient quantity of salt be procured for the army, and Postponed for that purpose that they have liberty to export flour as soon as the exigencies of the army of our allies are provided for.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Jesse Root, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 101.]
Resolved, That a member be added to the Committee on the Treasury, in the room of Mr. [William] Carmichael:
The member chosen, Mr. [Roger] Sherman.
A letter from the Minister of France was read: Whereupon,
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Resolved, That the President inform the Honorable Sieur Gérard, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, that Congress are much obliged by his polite offer to detain the frigate Sensible, for the accommodation of Mr. Adams and his secretary on their passage to France; and that they accept the same on condition Mr. Adams can be prepared for his departure in such reasonable time as that it may not be too great an inconvenience to detain the vessel.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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