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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 9, 1779
A letter, of 30th August from Admiral Arbuthnot, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 Arbuthnot's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, I, folio 313.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
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Mr. James Mercer, a delegate for the State of Virginia, attended and took his seat in Congress.
A letter, of 8th, from the Board of War, was read:
Sir: The Board have been sundry times made accountable for the monies granted by warrants from Congress for the purposes of purchasing necessaries for the army. They have complained of this to the Treasury Board, but the form of the warrants continues the same. It is most distressingly hard that we should not only be obliged to continue in the clothing business contrary to our request made long ago to Congress, and we fear also, owing to our other engagements, contrary to the public interest, but also that we should be made accountable for monies of which we never touch a dollar, and have neither profit or pleasure to indemnify us for any losses. Congress will be pleased to excuse this representation; but we are constrained to make it as we cannot think of making our persons or the small remainder of the property the war has left us liable for deficiencies (if any should arise) which we can neither prevent or remedy. If Congress will be pleased to alter the late warrant for one million of dollars making it payable to our paymaster who alone receives the money, and should be accountable, we will be answerable for the propriety of our warrants on him, and we are humbly of opinion we ought not to be further responsible.
We beg leave further to represent to Congress, that we find it impossible to procure a sufficient quantity of clothing for the Troops under the present circumstances of our Finances. We have most industriously endeavored to procure sufficient supplies, but we find it out of our power, and we beg to be permitted to add, that unless some measures are taken, beyond the common mode of dealing, the Troops will experience the greatest distress. The articles of shirts, shoes, blankets and hats are the most scarce, and without the speedy and indefatigable exertions of the States, no quantities of these necessaries, adequate in any considerable degree to the wants of the Troops will be procured. We have directed the Clothier General to write most pressingly to the Governments of the several states requesting their assistance, and at our desire General Washington has also written circular letters on the subject.
Our feelings for our private characters require us to declare that it will be only our deference to the positive orders of Congress which will induce us to give any farther direction about purchases. When we
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began the direction of the purchases of clothing, the advance on the sterling cost of the articles was at an average about 15 for 1. It proceeded gradually up to forty for one, till within these 3 months, since which period the depreciation has been so rapid as that at this time, one hundred pounds currency are demanded and given by private persons, and some State purchasers in the price of Dry Goods for the original cost of one pound sterling. Considerable quantities may be procured--the Army will want more than can be had, but we have not yet given this price. Yet our purchases must cease unless we come nearly if not entirely up to it. We therefore desire the favor of explicit directions as to our conduct. But if Congress will be pleased totally to take out of our hands this disagreeable business we shall acknowledge ourselves personally obliged to them, and we believe the public will be better served. In our opinions it would be most expedient either for every State to provide for its own quota of Troops, or that some person be appointed to superintend the purchases who had no other business. What should be done we leave to the wisdom of Congress, with the melancholy remark, that whoever undertakes this business, will find but a choice of difficulties as the money is not an object with many Proprietors of Goods, and we hope we are not too much under the influence of our fears, when we declare that we believe in a very short period, unless some extraordinary event takes place, the present currency will cease to be a medium of commerce. Our more immediate connexion with purchases drew from us tiffs latter observation. If it is improper or out of the line of our duty we beg that our anxiety for the public good may be our excuse. We have the honor to be &c.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is an the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 453.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Treasury, who are directed to report on Monday next.
Resolved, That Mr. [Cyrus] Griffin, at his request, be discharged from the Committee on the Treasury, on account of his ill state of health.
Resolved, That a member be added to the Committee on the Treasury, in the room of Mr. [Cyrus] Griffin, until commissioners of the Board of Treasury shall be appointed:
The member chosen, Mr. [Henry] Marchant.
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Mr. William Denning, was nominated by Mr. [John] Fell, to be elected one of the commissioners of the Board of Treasury.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the delegates for the State of Virginia, on their application, for fifteen thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office, for the State of Pensylvania, in favour of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the Board of War and Ordnance, on the application of the said Board, for twenty thousand dollars, in loan office certificates, to enable the said Joseph Carleton to discharge in part a bill of exchange drawn on the said Board by Messrs. Otis & Henly, deputy cloathiers, at Boston, in favour of Henry Mitchel, Esq. which bill is endorsed by the said Henry Mitchel to Mr. Thomas Barclay.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated September 8, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 619.
This report, dated September 9, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 623.]
The Committee on the Treasury, to whom was referred the petition of Benjamin Pollard, of the State of Virginia, setting forth that in the month of May last, when the enemy invaded that State, they took or destroyed sundry loan office certificates, as appears by the depositions accompanying the said petition, which were the property of him, the said Benjamin Pollard, and praying the interposition of Congress for relief, brought in a report, which was read:
Ordered, That the same be re-committed.
The commissioners of claims at the Board of Treasury, report,
That there is due to the officers and privates of the invalid regiment commanded by Colonel Lewis Nicola, for their pay
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and subsistance, for the month of July last, two thousand four hundred and nineteen dollars and 54/90, to be paid to Captain Robert Campbell, paymaster to the said regiment.1
Ordered, That the same be paid.
Another report from the commissioners of claims at the Board of Treasury, on the claims of the heirs of the late Monsr. du Coudray, against the United States was laid before Congress, and read:
Ordered, That the same, together with a copy of Mr. Grand's accounts, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee appointed to prepare a letter to his most Christian Majesty, brought in a draught, which was read twice and debated by paragraphs, and being amended was unanimously agreed to.
The Committee for Foreign Affairs laid before Congress a declaration of his most Christian Majesty, concerning the abolition of the droit d'Aubaine, agreed upon between France and the United States of America, dated Versailles, 26 July, 1778:
Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [Henry] Marchant, and Mr. [Jesse] Root.
The committee, to whom was referred the memorial of the 16 August, from Mr. Deane, brought in a report:
Ordered, That Monday next be set apart for taking the same into consideration.
Congress resumed the consideration of foreign affairs, and some time being spent thereon,
Congress resumed the consideration of the motion made on the 7th August. After debate,
On motion of Mr. [John] Dickinson, seconded by Mr. [John] Mathews,
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated September 9, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 623.]
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Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.
A motion was then made by Mr. [John] Dickinson, seconded by Mr. [John] Mathews, as follows:
That if his Catholick Majesty shall determine to take part with France and the United States of America, in such case, the minister plenipotentiary of these United States be empowered, in their names, to conclude with the most Christian and Catholiek Kings, a treaty or treaties, thereby assuring to these states, Canada, Nova Scotia, Bermudas, and the Floridas, when conquered, and the free and full exercise of the common right of these states to the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland and the other fishing banks and seas of North America; and also the free navigation of the Mississippi into the sea. That the said minister be instructed to endearour by all means in his power to procure the assurance of the said countries and navigation to these states; but if his Catholick Majesty shall positively insist upon the Floridas being ceded to him, and upon the exclusive navigation of the Mississippi from that part thereof which lies in latitude thirty-one degrees north from the equator to its mouth; in such cases, the said minister be instructed to agree to such propositions, to assent to mutual guarantees, to wit, of the Floridas and the navigation aforesaid to the king of Spain; and of Canada, Nova Scotia, Bermudas and the fisheries aforesaid to these states; and to procure, if possible, the establishment of a free commerce for the inhabitants of these states with some port or ports on the said river below the said degree of latitude, except for such articles as may be in the treaty particularly enumerated. That the said minister be instructed, that it is not the desire of Congress
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to continue the war for the acquisition of the countries beforementioned; and therefore, if his Catholick Majesty shall obtain the Floridas from Great Britain, by cession, or by war, with, or without the assistance of these states, they will guarantee the same to his Majesty; but that, in such case, the said minister be instructed to endearour strenuously to obtain for these states the assurance of the fisheries and commerce aforesaid. That the said minister be instructed to procure an article to be inserted, contracting for the delivery of masts for the royal navy of Spain, at some convenient port or ports in these states; providing therein, that no greater quantity be stipulated for than these states can spare with convenience to themselves. That the said Minister be instructed to endeavour, by all means in his power, to procure from his Catholick Majesty the annual payment to these States, of a certain sum of money, either in compensation for their exertions or for the equivalent beforementioned.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion was entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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