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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 --SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1779
A memorial from Lieutenants Stediford and Bicker, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Commander in Chief.
Resolved, That three members be added to the committee on the report from the commissioners on General Arnold's accounts:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Forbes, Mr. [William] Sharpe, and Mr. [William] Fitzhugh.
Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole, and after some time, the President resumed the chair and Mr. [Daniel of St. Thomas] Jenifer reported, that the committee have had under consideration the subject and papers referred to them, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again.
Resolved, That on Monday next Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole to consider farther the subjects referred to them.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Treasury Office, October 16th., 1779.
The Committee on the Treasury, having considered a letter, of the 2nd. instant, from Brigadier General Jas. Clinton, Beg leave to report:
That the Revd Mr S. Kirkland, at the beginning of the present contest, was a missionary amongst the Six Nations of Indians, appointed by the Society of Scotland, for the propagation of the
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Gospel, with an annual salary of one hundred and thirty pounds sterling; That Congress sensible of the Zeal and good services of Mr Kirkland did for one year advance him the same sum, For the second year three hundred dollars, and for the third and fourth years four hundred dollars exclusive of three hundred advanced him as a gratuity for extra services; That lately, upon the Western Expedition, while with General Sullivan, by his particular desire, he had several small articles advanced to him by order of General Sullivan and eight dollars a day, That the services of Mr Kirkland amongst the Indian Nations since the commencement of this war, his attendance on treaties with them and the various long and tedious journies he has made at the risk of his health and life (during the greatest part of which time he hath supported himself and his own horse) in the opinion of this Board justly entitle him to the consideration of Congress, whereupon the Committee further beg leave to report:
Resolved, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the Rev. Mr. S. Kirkland, for six thousand dollars, and that the clothier general be instructed to provide him with a suit of cloaths, a hart, linnen, sufficient for four shirts, two pair of stockings, and a pair of shoes, to be in full for his past services and expences.
That the Reverend Mr. S. Kirkland be appointed chaplain to the garrison of Fort Schuyler, and the other posts established in that quarter, with the pay and subsistence of a brigade chaplain, continuing at the same time to pay as great attention to the Oneidas, and other Indians contiguous to them, as may be consistent with the above-mentioned appointment.1
[Note 1: 1 The last two paragraphs are in the writing of George Bond. The report, dated October 16, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 733. It also contained the paragraph on Marsteller, printed under October 21, p. 1194, post.]
The Committee appointed to prepare a letter to the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of France, brought in a draught, which was agreed to as follows:
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In Congress, Philadelphia,
16th October, 1779.
Sir:
Congress have appointed the Honble John Jay, Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary, for negotiating a treaty of amity and commerce and of alliance between his Catholic Majesty and the United States of America. And the Hon'ble John Adams, Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary to treat with his Britannic Majesty.
William Carmichael, Esq. is appointed Secretary to the first, and Francis Dana Esq., Secretary to the last abovementioned embassy.
Mr Jay and Mr Carmichael will embark on board the Confederacy, Continental ship of war, now in Delaware ready to sail for France.
Mr Adams and Mr Dana will probably take their passages on board le Sensible, one of his Most Christian Majesty's Frigates, in the Harbour of Boston.
The salaries annexed to these appointments respectively are £2500 Stg. per annum to the Minister and £1000 Stg. to the Secretaries; and in order to enable these gentlemen to enter without embarrassment upon the duties of their several functions, I am authorized by an Act of Congress of theInst., a certified copy of which will accompany this, to request you, Sir, to take the most effectual means for supplying them with two thousand Louis d'or in distributions proportioned to their respective salaries, and to assure you on the faith of Congress, that speedy and proper measures will be adopted, both for repaying that sum and for establishing a fund for the future support of all the embassies of these United States in Europe.
You will likewise find enclosed a certified copy of an act of Congress of the 4th instant, by which you will be informed that your salary is also to be two thousand five hundred pounds sterling per annum; and that John Laurens, Esq. a member of the house of representatives for the State of South Carolina and lieutenant colonel in the army of the United States is appointed by Congress to be secretary to the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of France.
I have the honor to be &c. &c.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Henry Laurens, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 163. It was printed in the Secret Journals, Foreign, Vol. II, p. 280.]
Adjourned to 10 oClock on Monday.
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