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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 --MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1780
Mr. Joseph Jones, a delegate for Virginia, attended and took his seat.
A letter, of 24th March, from Major General Lincoln was read, with sundry papers enclosed.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 347.]
A memorial from Captain John Paul Schott was read:4
[Note 4: 4 This memorial, dated April 24, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IX, folio 111.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Charles Pettit, assistant quarter master general, approved by the Board of War, a warrant issue on the president and supreme executive council of the commonwealth of Pensylvania, in his favor, on account of Major General Greene, quarter master general, for two hundred thousand dollars, part of the monies raised in the said commonwealth, for the use of the United States, to be
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applied in the department of the said quarter master general; and for which he is to be accountable.
That on the application of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the Board of War and Ordnance, approved by said Board, a warrant issue on the managers of the United States lottery in his favor, for fifty thousand dollars, on account of the said paymaster, for the contingent expences of office; and for which he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 219.]
That on the application of Charles Pettit, assistant quarter master general, approved by the Board of War, a warrant issue on the commissioner of the continental loan office in the commonwealth of Pensylvania, in his favor, for five hundred thousand dollars, on account of Major General Greene, quarter master general, for the use of his department; and for which he is to be accountable.
That on the application of the Board of War, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favor of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the said Board, for fifty thousand dollars, for the purpose of providing cloathing for the troops now on their march to South Carolina; and for which the said paymaster is to be accountable.
That on the application of Mr. J[ames] Lovell, a delegate from the State of Massachusetts Bay, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in his favor, for six thousand dollars; for which the said State is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 221.]
The member, to whom was committed the letter to the states to re-draught the same brought in another draught, which was read and agreed to, as follows; viz.
It is the duty of Congress to be as full and explicit in their requisitions as the publick exigencies are great and pressing; and they are confident that the citizens of these states are not more desirous to be informed of their affairs, than they
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are ready and willing to afford the most vigorous assistance. It is unnecessary to mention our embarrassments. They are known to you. To the means of relieving them we wish your attention.
The whole of the monies due on the quotas of taxes to the first of March last, are become of immediate and indispensable necessity. Numerous debts have accumulated on the public departments, and justice requires they should be forthwith discharged. Large sums are also requisite for the purposes of transportation, and to continue the purchases of supplies for the army until the states are prepared to furnish them. On these quotas drafts are now making, and must continue to be made to the whole amount, nor can a doubt be admitted of their being punctually answered. If any State should be unprepared, if the collections are incomplete, not a moment is to be lost. Delay will be disappointment, and may involve consequences too interesting, too fatal, to be hazarded. Should the public operations, through languor and inattention, be retarded and stopped; should those exertions, which have hitherto rendered this contest conspicuous to the world, be intermitted, the fairest prospects and the most promising occasion may be irretrievably lost. Urge, therefore, the instant execution of every measure which has been adopted, and the speedy adoption of such as yet remain to be taken.
The specific supplies required by the resolutions of the 25th of February last, will forthwith become matter of equal urgency and importance. These must be relied on in future, as the principal, not to say the only resource from which the army is to be supported. From the obvious propriety of adopting the mode there described, as best suited to the ease and convenience of the respective states, as making a just apportionment of the burthens of the war, and as necessary for correcting abuses in the expenditure of
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public money, Congress have the fullest confidence that the measure will be approved and successful, and by seasonably and amply providing for the army, enable them to act and co-operate as circumstances may require, with vigor and decision, through the ensuing campaign.
The resources of our country, even after a five years obstinate and wasting war, are still abundant; and, in articles the most essential, scarcely impaired. The spirit of the people is free to produce them. All that is wanting is an established medium of negotiation to be applied in effecting it. Such we are firmly persuaded will be secured by a proper attention to the resolutions of the 18th of March last, from which, as the object is not confined to the purchase of public supplies only, but extends to the various transactions of the community, the most extensive benefits may be justly expected.
The crisis calls for exertion. Much is to be done in a little time. And every motive that can stimulate the mind of man presents itself to view. No period has occurred in this long and glorious struggle, in which loitering and indecision could be so destructive; and on the other hand, no conjuncture has been more favorable to great and deciding efforts.
We detain you no longer than to mention the necessity of early and frequent communications on the subjects of this address; and to remind you how much they contribute, on all occasions, to the success of arrangements for the public safety.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Churchill Houston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 269. It was also entered in the manuscript Secret (Domestic) Journal.]
A report of the Board of War relative to providing for the relief of persons taken not in arms, and now in possession of the enemy, was read.
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Ordered, That the same be re-committed.
On motion of Mr. [James] Lovell, seconded by Mr. [Frederick A.] Muhlenberg,
Resolved, That the resolutions of the 17th instant, respecting Lieutenant Colonel Derricks, be repealed.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret (Domestic) Journal.]
Ordered, That to morrow be assigned for the further consideration of the report of the committee on loan office certificates.
Mr. [William Churchill] Houston nominated Mr. William Denning for the office of Commissioner of the Board of Treasury, and Mr. Joseph Nourse, for the office of Commissioner of the Chamber of Accounts.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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