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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, DECEMBER 23, 1779
A letter, of 22, from the honble the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
A letter, of 22d, from the president of the State of Delaware, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 719.]
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter ∥of the 21st,∥ from Mr. Hodgdon, field commissary of military stores, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and thereupon,
Resolved, That instead of the subsistence allowed by an act of Congress, of the 18th day of February last, to the officers
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in the department of the field commissary of military stores, the following sums be allowed, viz. to the field commissary, 400 dollars per month; to a deputy field commissary, 300 dollars; to a conductor, 100 dollars; to a clerk, 100 dollars; and that this increased subsistence commence the 18th of August last, and continue till the further orders of Congress.
This allowance will increase every ten dollars subsistence before given, to a hundred, as was done in the case of Officers in the line.
The Claim of Commissions and rank cannot be admitted, without granting the same to all Staff Officers. Besides, on the 29th. of May, 1778, Congress resolved that no persons thereafter appointed on the Civil Staff of the army should by virtue thereof be entitled to rank.
These Officers are entitled to Clothing by resolves of Congress already passed: nothing more can be done until the clothing is actually provided.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated December 22, 1779, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 677.]
Congress was resolved into a committee of the whole, and after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. [George] Plater reported, that the committee have had under consideration the reports to them referred, and have come to sundry resolutions, but not having yet come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again.
Resolved, That to morrow at 10 o'clock, Congress be resolved into a committee of the whole, to consider farther the reports referred to them.
The report of the committee of the whole was read.
Resolved, That such sums, not exceeding 20,000,000 Dollars of the Continental Bills of credit, as shall be found necessary to aid the supplies Passed in the Continental Treasury, until the taxes now levying in the several States for its supply, can be gathered and brought in, be borrowed on Sterling Bills of Exchange to be drawn on the Commissioners of these United States in France, Spain and Holland.
That said Bills of Exchange be drawn at the rate of 22/6 Sterling Passed for 100 Dollars of the Bills of Credit of these United States that shall be deposited on Loan.
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That the Bills to be drawn for payment of any sum so deposited, be drawn at six different periods, viz., at the expiration of the first year Passed from the time of said deposit for one sixth part of the Passed principal loaned, and so on for one sixth part of said principal annually afterwards, until the whole shall be drawn for.
That the money so deposited shah be on interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum, from the time of the deposit until drawn for as Passed aforesaid; which interest shall also be computed in Passed Sterling, at the rate aforesaid, and included annually in the Bills that shall be drawn for discharge of the principal sum.
That said Loans be received, and proper receipts therefor given, and Bills of Exchange as aforesaid in payment thereof issued, at any of the Continental Loan Offices in these United States.
That any who choose it, may at the time of depositing their money receive their first year's interest in Bills payable in 6 months from Passed the date, deducting three per cent:thereon for the half year they shah be paid before the interest becomes due.
That should any of said Bills of Exchange fail of being honored with punctual payment the drawee or holder shah be paid from the Not Passed Treasury of these United States the amount of such Not passed bills with customary interest and damages in Spanish Milled Dollars at the rate of 4/6.
That the Board of Treasury report the proper forms and give the Passed necessary orders for carrying these Resolves into immediate execution.
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Oliver Ellsworth(?), is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 95.]
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The Committee of Foreign Affairs laid before Congress sundry papers relative to the sloop Chester, of Amsterdam, which was captured by two American privateers and carried into the port of Charlestown, South Carolina, where she was condemned:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee on Appeals.
The Board of Admiralty, to whom was referred the memorial of Baron Miklaszewiez, report, That there is at this time no vacancy for the memorialist in the marine service, as there are many officers in that line who are unemployed for want of ships:
Resolved, That Congress agree to this report, and that the Baron be notified thereof.
Ordered, That the account of Major N. Rice, for his expence from Charlestown to Philadelphia, on which the commissioners of claims reported, and the consideration postponed the 23 July last, be on his request, returned to him, and that he be referred for a settlement to the commanding officer in the southern department.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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