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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, OCTOBER 28, 1779
A letter, of 27, from the Board of War, was read; Whereupon,
The Board find that there will be but a scanty supply of leather for immediate purposes obtained in this quarter, and therefore think it best to draw an addition to the stock from South Carolina, where we are informed it can be obtained in abundance and at reasonable rates. If any is purchased it may at this time be transported by water, and unless some means of this kind are used, the troops will suffer in the articles of shoes and military accoutrements. A great saving might also be made in the Quarter Master's Department from a supply obtained in this way. The Honble Mr. Laurens' going to the Southward affords us an immediate opportunity of Executing our plan and he has been pleased to undertake to give his assistance. We would wish to buy One hundred thousand weight, vizt. 60,000 Seal, 20,000 upper and the like quantity of Harness leather. The mode of payment we propose to be by monies from the loans and taxes raised in the State of South Carolina. We therefore beg leave to report:
That the Board of War be authorized to purchase a quantity of leather not exceeding one hundred thousand pounds weight in the State of South Carolina, and that the Commercial Committee be directed to afford the means of transportation for the said leather by water from the said State.
That warrants issue on the Govr. of the State of South Carolina in favor of the Paymaster of the Board of War, or the order of the said Board for the sum ofDollars to enable the Board to comply with their engagements for the purchase of the said leather.
That in case a sufficient sum shall not be in the Loan Office of the Said State to pay for the leather bought by the Board in virtue of the directions aforesaid, the Government of the said State be requested to advance to the order of the Board out of the taxes raised
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on Continental account such sums as will be necessary for payment of all deficiencies in the purchases of leather which cannot be supplied out of the Loan Office, and that the said State shall be credited on account of taxes with all monies so advanced.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 547.]
Resolved, That the Board of War be authorized to purchase a quantity of leather, not exceeding one hundred thousand pounds weight, in the State of South Carolina:
That the Board of War be authorized to draw upon the governor of the State of South Carolina for such sum or sums as will be necessary to pay for the said leather, and that the governor of the said State of South Carolina be requested to advance out of the taxes raised on the continental account, such sums as shall be drawn for by the Board of War for that purpose.
On motion of Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder, seconded by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
Resolved, That the resolutions of yesterday, respecting the officers of the hospital department of the United States, be re-considered; and together with the report of the Medical Committee on the hospital department, be re-committed.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Board of War respecting the quarter masters' artificers; and after debate,
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
A memorial of Hendrick Smock was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, dated September 30, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IX, folio 96.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Mr. James Milligan was put in nomination by Mr. [Roger] Sherman, for the office of auditor general.
According to order,
Congress took into consideration the report of the Marine Committee respecting the navy department; Whereupon,
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Resolved, That a Board of Admirality be established, to superintend the naval and marine affairs of these United States; to consist of three commissioners not members of Congress, and two members of Congress, any three of whom to form a board for the despatch of business; to be subject in all cases to the control of Congress:
That there shall not be more than one member of the said Board at any time belonging to the same State:
That there shall be a secretary to the said Board, to be appointed by Congress:
That the Board have power to appoint a clerk to assist them in the execution of the business of the department:
That the said Board of Admiralty be, and they are hereby authorized, empowered and directed, to form proper plans for increasing the naval force of the United States, and for the better regulating the same, and lay them before Congress:
That they have the ordering and directing the destination of all ships and vessels of war; that they superintend and direct such navy boards as are now established or may at any time hereafter be established by Congress; cause fair entries to be made and proper accounts kept of all business transacted by them; examine the accounts of the several navy boards, and all agents and other persons who have transacted or may transact any business relative to the marine department, where such accounts have not been finally settled; report the same to Congress, and make proper entries in their books, so that the whole matters may be comprehended in one view; keep an alphabetical and accurate register of the names of all officers of the navy in the service of the United States, with their rank and the date of their commissions, which commissions shall be signed by the President of Congress and countersigned by the secretary to the said Board of Admiralty; publish annually a register of all appointments; obtain regular
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and exact returns of all warlike stores, cloathing, provisions and all other necessary articles belonging to the marine department; take the care and direction of all marine prisoners; execute all such matters as shall be directed, and give their opinion on all such subjects as shall be referred to them by Congress, or as they may think necessary for the better regulation and improvement of the navy of the United States; and in general to superintend and direct all the branches of the marine department:
That the said Board shall sit in the place where Congress shall be held, and no member of the Board shall absent himself without leave of Congress, or the committee of the states in the recess of Congress:
That all the proceedings of the said Board shall be inspected by Congress, or a committee by them appointed for that purpose, as often as may be thought proper and convenient; and every member of Congress may have free access to the records and papers of the said Board, excepting such as are in their nature secret:
That all navy and marine officers and other attending upon or connected with the admiralty department, be, and they are hereby required and enjoined to observe the directions of the said Board in all such other matters as they may be directed, or may tend to facilitate the business of the department.
Resolved, That the salary of each of the three commissioners who shall conduct the business of the Board of Admiralty, be 14,000 dollars per annum, and the salary of the secretary of the said Board be 10,000 dollars per annum;said salaries to be annually, or oftener if Congress shall judge it expedient, revised and altered agreeably to the appreciation of the continental currency.
Resolved, That Monday the 15 day of November be assigned for nominating the officers aforesaid.
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That whenever a Motion is made to recall or discharge any person who may hold an office under these United States, the question shall be put, whether the said person shall be continued in office, and if it is not consented to by a majority of the States present, he shall be recalled or discharged as the case may be.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry (seconded by James Mercer), is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 35. It is endorsed: "October 28, 1779."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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