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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 --FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1780
Mr. John Collins, a delegate from Rhode Island, attended and took his seat in Congress.
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Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Board of War, relative to filling up the army, and upon apportioning the quotas of the several states.
A motion was made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [George] Partridge, to strike out the quota of Massachusetts Bay, viz. 6070, in order to reduce it; and on the question, shall that number stand, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,1
[Note 1: 1 The vote was entered by George Bond.]
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Some time being spent,
Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
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The committee, to whom was re-committed their report on General Greene's letter, respecting Mr. Moore, and the Board of Admiralty, delivered in reports.
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from Gen1 Greene, and the papers respecting the quantity and value of the wood cut on the farm of Mr Stephen Moore at West Point, for the purpose of supplying the Army with wood, and for the erecting of fortifications, beg leave to report, that in the opinion of your Committee it will be for the interest of the United States to purchase the said farm of Mr Stephen Moore, who will agree to sell the same, for a sum of money equivalent to what shall be deemed to have been the value thereof in the year 1774, and a sum equivalent to what shall be deemed to have been the value of two years rent for the said farm; by such persons as Congress shall hereafter appoint for that purpose; provided Congress will advance to him at present forty thousand dollars in part of the purchase money to be paid him for the said farm. If Congress should judge it expedient to purchase the said farm, Your Committee would propose the following resolution, to wit,
Resolved, That whereas Congress have agreed with Mr Stephen Moore for the purchase of his farm at West Point containing 1080 Acres, for the use of the United States, for a sum of money equivalent to what shall be deemed to have been the value of the said farm in the year 1774 and also the value of the rent thereof for two years, by such persons as Congress shall hereafter appoint for that purpose, at which time the said Stephen Moore is to make sufficient conveyances for the said farm to such person or persons as Congress shall direct for the use of the United States, and whereas Congress have agreed to advance to the said Stephen Moore 40,000 dollars in part of the purchase money to be paid him for his said farm, Ordered that the two following warrants issue in his favor for the said sum to wit, One on Michael Hillegas Esqr Continental Treasurer for ten thousand dollars, and one on Richard Caswell Esqr Governor of the State of North Carolina for thirty thousand dollars, to be paid out of the monies raised by the said State for the use of the United States, for which the Board of Treasury will take a proper receipt of Mr Moore
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binding him to make the conveyance for his said farm agreeable to the foregoing resolution.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Ezra L'Hommedieu, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 93.]
The Board of Admiralty and Committee of Commerce to whom was referred the consideration of committing the business of the latter to the direction of the Admiralty beg leave to Report.
That from the present very confused State of the Commercial transactions consisting in a variety of complicated accounts to be adjusted with your several agents in Europe, the West Indies and United States, many of which are confusedly blended with the Marine, Navy boards, Commercial Committees &c.
Your Referees are of opinion it will be absolutely necessary that one or more clerks of sufficient capacity with a competent salary be appointed to make a thorough and accurate investigation of all commercial transactions up to the present time, subject to the superintendance of your Admiralty Board. That business compleated the Board may be competent to the future direction of Commercial affairs.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 183. It is endorsed: "Report of the Board of Admiralty respecting settling accounts and the commercial committee. Delivered February 4, 1780; read."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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