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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, DECEMBER 18, 1779
A memorial from Meredeth and [George] Clymer, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 The memorial, dated December 13, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41; VI, folio 159. The account of stores furnished is on folio 155.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, Mr. [Roger] Sherman and Mr. [George] Partridge.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
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Ordered, That on the application of Jonathan Burral, assistant to Colonel W. Palfrey, pay master general, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the said Colonel W. Palfrey, for one million dollars to be transmitted to John Pierce, Jun. deputy pay master general to the main army, for the supply of the military chest; for which sum the said Colonel Palfrey is to be accountable:
That on the application of Charles Pettit, assistant quarter master general, a warrant issue on William Armistead, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Virginia, payable to the order of Charles Pettit, for account of Major General Greene, Qr. Mr. General, for one hundred and two thousand dollars, for the use of his department, General Greene to be accountable:
That on the application of Chaloner and White, agents for Jeremiah Wadsworth, commissary general of purchases, the following warrants issue in his favour for one million two hundred thousand dollars, for the use of his department, for which he is to be accountable:
One on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, for one million dollars in loan office certificates:
And another on William Armistead, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Virginia, for two hundred thousand dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated December 18, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 902.]
The committee on the memorial of Samuel Rogers brought in a report; also
The Committee to whom was referred the memorial of Samuel Rogers, Ask leave to report the following Resolution:
Resolved, That Captain Samuel Rogers (late of Sackville in the Province of Nova Scotia) be and he hereby is permitted, to proceed to the Province of Nova Scotia, in any vessel, or boat, as he may find most expedient, to bring off such of his effects as he may think
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proper; and the Commanding Officers of all Armed and other vessels, belonging to the United States, or any of their Citizens, are hereby directed not to interrupt the said Samuel Rogers, or any person or persons employed for or under him, in bringing off his effects as aforesaid.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Holten, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 265.]
The committee on the memorial of Stephen Moore, brought in a report, which being read and considered:
Resolved, That upon the said Stephen Moore producing a certificate from the quarter master general of the quantity of wood cut on the farm mentioned in the said memorial, for the purpose of supplying the army with wood, or for the erecting of fortifications, and of the value thereof, Congress will make such compensation therefor as has been usually allowed in similar cases.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 87. In No. 22, folios 151 and 152, are two reports on the same subject, the first in the writing of John Fell, and the second in that of Roger Sherman:
"Would it not be best for Mr Moore to apply to the State of New York for recompence for his losses at West Point, as they are the best Judges of what he ought to receive, and let it be a charge to the United States to be considered at the conclusion of the War, with other Matters of the same nature." [John Fell.]
"That by a resolution of Congress, of 24th Day of September, 1776, in the Case of Colonel Hazen, all articles taken and used for the benefit of the Continental Army, ought to be paid for. But damages done to Buildings, farms, &c. by our Troops, or those of the enemy, unless General provision be made for compensating all others. who by means of the War, have in like manner, been damnified, which may be a subject worthy to be considered after the close of the war.
"That the Petition of [Stephen] More be referred to the Government of the State of New York, to make such compensation to the Petitioner as they shall think proper, and such part thereof shall be reimbursed by the United States as the Articles that have been applied to their use and benefit shall amount to, at a reasonable Estimate." [Roger Sherman.]]
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on General Washington's letter of 18 November, having amended a proposition so as to read,
"That for the ensuing campaign, the several states be required to furnish, by draughts or otherwise, on or before the
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first day of February next, the deficiency of their respective quotas of 80 battalions of infantry, as apportioned by a resolution of Congress of the 9 March, 1779:"
A motion was made by Mr. [James] Forbes, seconded by Mr. [George] Plater, to strike out the words "as apportioned by a resolution of Congress of the 9th March, 1779:"
And on the question, shall those words stand, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Forbes,
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[Note 1: 1 Altered with leave of Congress,"]
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, to add the words "excepting the State of Massachusetts bay, two of whose battalions shall be recruited by the State of Virginia:"
To which an objection was made as being out of order; and on the question, is the motion in order, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
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So it was determined that the motion was not in order.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, to reconsider the question, shall the words moved to be struck out stand? in order to add after "1779," the following words, "excepting the State of Massachusetts Bay, two of whose battalions shall be recruited by the State of Virginia:"
On the question for re-considering, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
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So it passed in the negative.
Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and Mr. [James] LoveIl, then desired that their ayes on the first question be changed into noes, which was agreed to, the determination of the question not being thereby affected.
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow [Monday].
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