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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, FEBRUARY 12, 1780
A letter, of 8th, from General Washington, was read.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 401.]
A letter from General Lee was read, in the words following,
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Berkeley County, January the 30, 1780.
Sir,
I have this day received your letter with my dismission from the service of the United States, nor can I complain of it as an act of injustice. The greatest respect is indisputably due to every public body of men and above all, to those who are the representatives, and at the same time, the legislature of a free people, and I ingenuously confess that the note which I dictated was so far from being dressed in terms properly respectful, that they were highly improper, disrespectful and even contumacious. But altho I do not mean to justify the measure, I flatter myself that I shall be able to extenuate the offensiveness, by relating the circumstances which gave birth to it. I, unfortunately, Sir, received letters from two friends, whose zeal for my service seems to have been greater than their intelligence was authentic, informing me that the same men, who by art and management had brought about in a thin house, the confirmation of the absurd and iniquitous sentence of the court martial, were determined to pursue the matter still further, and on the pretence of oeconomy to make a motion for the final removal of me from the army as an encumbrance. It happened that at the very moment these letters came to my hands, I was very much indisposed, so much as not to be able to write myself, and at the same time, my horses were at the door to carry me down the country, where business called me. The bodily pain I was in, joined to the misinformation I received, ruffled my temper beyond all bounds, and the necessity of setting out immediately prevented me giving myself time to consider of the propriety, or impropriety, of what I was about. And thus, these two circumstances concurring gave birth to the note which I dictated, which no man can more sincerely reprobate than I do myself, and for which I most sincerely beg pardon of the Congress. But, Sir, I must entreat that in thus acknowledging the impropriety and indecorum of my conduct in this affair, it may not be supposed that I mean to court a restoration to the rank I held. So far from it, that I do assure 'em, had not this incident fallen out, I should have requested Congress to have accepted of my resignation, as from obvious reasons, whilst the army is continued in its present circumstances, I could not have served with safety and dignity. My present acknowledgments therefore of the impropriety and indecorum of the measure, I suffered myself to be hurried into, and my submission without a complaint, to the
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consequent decision of Congress, will, I hope, be attributed to the real motive, the conviction of having really done wrong. I shall now, Sir, conclude with sincerely wishing that Congress may find many servants ready to make as great sacrifices, as I have made, and possessed with the same degree of zeal for their service, as has from the beginning governed all my actions, but with the good fortune never by one act of imprudence to incur their displeasure, and I can without arrogance assert on self examination, that this is the only step, in the whole line of my conduct, which could justly furnish matter of offence to that honourable body. I am, Sir, with the greatest respect
Yr most obedient humble servt
Charles Lee.
His Excellency, the President of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 147.]
A report of the Board of War was read, respecting Major Lee's corps:
At a Board of War Feb: 12. 1780
Present Col. Pickering, Mr Peters Col Grayson
The Baron Steuben having certified to the Board that in his judgement an augmentation of the Infantry of Major Lee's Corps will enable the major to operate in the line of duty prescribed to him with more safety and effect; and that as the Corps is already formed on the legionary plan, it is essential to its perfection, that the number of infantry be at least equal to that of the cavalry; a system on which it would in the opinion of the Board be proper to form all the cavalry in the service of the United States, and it being alledged that men can be easily procured to serve in the Corps, and which being a Corps out of the line will not affect the arrangement thereof Agreed
That recruiting money be furnished Major Lee to enable him to enlist seventy privates to serve as dismounted dragoons in addition to those now in the Corps, the whole to be formed into three troops.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 141.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Commander in Chief.
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred a motion, relative to the supply of money to the southern department, brought in a report; Whereupon,
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That though the highest confidence is deservedly placed in the Officer now Commanding in Chief in that Department, and there is not the least objection on account of risque, to vest him with the power proposed, yet as a precedent will thereby be established which may operate disadvantageously hereafter, and it is altogether uncertain how long any particular Officer may command there, and moreover being doubtful whether subjecting the Governor to the Drafts of any such Officer would be well received they are of opinion it would be preferable to take proper conveyances as they occur and draw orders on the Governor in the usual way--They therefore propose it be resolved
That on the application of Jonathan Burrall Assist to Colo Palfrey Pay Mastr Genl a warrant issue in his favor on his Excellency John Rutledge Esqr Governor of the State of South Carolina for one million of dollars being part of the monies raised in the said State for the use of the United States to be transmitted to Joseph Clay Esqr Dy Pay Master Genl in the Southern Department for the supply of the military chest there and for which the said Dy Pay Master Genl is to be accountable.
Resolved, That the commanding officer in the southern department be authorised to draw on the Governor of the State of South Carolina.1
[Note 1: 1 The next paragraph is in the hand of George Bond.]
Resolved, That the governor and privy council of the State of South Carolina be requested to advance, from time to time, to the military chest, such sums of money, being part of the taxes raised in the said State, for the use of the United States, as they, on consulting the commanding officer in the southern department, may find necessary for the public service there, advising the Board of Treasury thereof: and that, on receipt of the documents shewing such payments respectively, the said Board credit the State with the same, from the dates when they were severally made, according to the resolution of Congress of 6th October last.
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred the extract from the report of the committee, relative to an advance of
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money to the State of Georgia, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of the governor and executive council of the State of Georgia, a warrant issue in their favour, on George Webb, treasurer, of the State of Virginia, for three hundred thousand dollars, being part of the monies raised in the said State, for the use of the United States, and that the Board of War take proper measures for the safe conveyance thereof to the Governor and council of the said State.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of John Foster, on account of Captain Clement Nash, charged with dispatches to Congress from the executive of the State of Georgia, for six thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable, and that the said executive be furnished with a copy of this order.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. W[illiam] Floyd, one of the delegates for the State of New York, on his application, for six thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folios 85--87.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the proceedings of the court martial on the trial of Major General Arnold, and the same being gone through;
A motion was made by Mr. [James] Forbes, seconded by Mr. [Allen] Jones, that the sentence of the court be confirmed, on which the yeas and nays were required by Mr. [James] McLene,2
[Note 2: 2 At this point Thomson began to enter the proceedings of the court martial, but, after filling twenty-four pages of the Journal, he stopped, and drew his pen through them. As only a small part of the proceedings were thus copied, I have not included it in this edition.]
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[Note 1: 1 At this point the entries were made by Thomas Edison.]
So it passed in the affirmative.
At a Board of War Feby 12th 1780
Present Colo Pickering, Mr Peters, Col.o Grayson
The Board having considered the petition of Mr Wheelock, President of Dartmouth College, relative to the maintenance of some Indian Youths from the Tribes in Canada, with the other papers referred therewith, and inquired into the condition and population of the new settlements on Connecticut river, near the centre of which settlements Dartmouth College is situated; They beg leave to observe That in these settlements there are about 2,500 families in an extent of about 140 miles, one fifth part of which are within a tract from about 100 to 140 miles only distant from Montreal.
That the passage from Canada to these settlements would be extremely easy to the Savages--that the safety of these settlements from the inroads of the Indians depends only on their friendship--
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that before the war the youths abovementioned were placed at Dartmouth College for instruction--that hitherto the tribes from whence they came have discovered a uniform friendship to the United States--that the interest of the latter as well as the security of the considerable settlements above mentioned, do in the opinion of the Board require that the friendship of those tribes be still cultivated and preserved--that the support and education of these youths who are of the principal families of those tribes will have the best tendency to this end (and the same policy extended towards other tribes would doubtless produce effects equally beneficial), that the funds of that College destined for the support and instruction of Indian Youths being raised and fixed in Great Britain Mr Wheelock is deprived of almost the only means of maintaining them--that he and his Father have incurred a great expence on account of the youths educated at the College and can not longer support those now there without some aid. The Board therefore beg leave to report
That a Warrant issue on the Treasurer in favor of Bezaleel Woodward Esqr one of the Trustees of Dartmouth College for 5000 Dollars towards the expences of supporting and instructing several Indian Youths of the Caghnawaga and other northern tribes at said College; the said sum to be by him delivered to and disposed of for the purposes aforesaid, by the Trustees of said College.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 135.]
War Office Feb: 12. 1780
Present Col Pickering, Mr. Peters, Col Grayson
The Board having considered that part of Gen.l Lincoln's letter of 22d Decr. last, respecting the supplies to the forces of Count d'Estaing, beg leave to report
That the Deputy Quarter Master General and principal purchasing Commissary in the Southern army, ascertain in the best manner circumstances will admit, the quantities of forage and provisions supplied by the inhabitants to the forces of his most Christian Majesty while the armies lay before Savannah last September and October and pay for the same what they were reasonably worth--Keeping exact and separate accounts of the sums so paid, and transmitting the same to the Treasury Board as soon as may be 2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 145.]
Adjourned till 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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