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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 19, 1780
A letter, of the 14th, from General Washington, was read, with sundry papers enclosed.1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 405.]
A letter, of the 5th, from Jabez Brown, Esquire, deputy governor of Rhode Island, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Admiralty.
A petition from Jeduthen Baldwin was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition, dated February 16, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, I, folio 209.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the memorial of Captain Ebenezer Green, brought in a report; Whereupon,
That the subject of the memorial will be most properly discussed at the settlement of the proposed cartel for an exchange of prisoners and therefore recommend that it be
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Ordered, That the memorial of Captain Ebenezer Green, one of the hostages at the Cedars, be referred to the Commander in Chief, who is hereby authorized and directed to take such measures relative to the said hostages as he shall judge most expedient.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 163.]
Congress proceeded to the farther consideration of the report of the committee for estimating supplies. On the question to agree to the following paragraph, viz. "Indian corn, per bushel, three fourths of a dollar,"
The yeas and nays were required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
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So it passed in the affirmative.
On the question to agree to the following paragraph, viz. "Oats well cleaned, half a dollar per bushel ",
The yeas and nays were required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
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So it passed in the affirmative.
A motion was made to postpone the consideration of the report;
On the question for postponing,
It passed in the affirmative.
A letter of this day from Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folio 219.]
At a Board of War Feby 19. 1780.
Present Col Pickering, Mr Peters, Col Grayson
The Board having considered the motion made in Congress for a reduction of the army, and the letter from His Excellency Genl Washington, of the 23d of January, beg leave to inform Congress, that in every point of view in which the subject can be placed, they can only discover a choice of difficulties. Whether the advantages to be derived from the measure, will be equal to the disgusts that will be created in the course of its execution, remains with Congress to determine.
In investigating the subject, they discover numberless embarrassments by pursuing any general system for the accomplishment of the
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end proposed, and yet it seems to be indispensable, that the reduction should be effected upon general maxims, without regard to particular persons, or comparative merit.
Should Congress determine to carry the measure into execution, the board are of opinion, that a Committee should be appointed for the purpose, (with ample powers to pervade the whole business) to go to Head quarters and consult with the Commander in Chief on the most proper steps to be taken for a new arrangement of the army. By being on the spot, they would not only have the best information as to facts (which is a matter of very great consequence) but also an opportunity of taking advantage of any circumstances that might occur in advancement of the measure. There is no doubt but many Officers would of themselves chuse to retire, if it could be done consistent with their honor, and the good of their country; And others might be induced to the measure if they had such a provision made for them as it might be prudent and just in Congress to bestow.
Such a Committee would have an opportunity of conversing with the Officers, and knowing the disposition of the army, and if the arrangement was found to be inexpedient, might give it over altogether, or only execute it in those cases where it could be effected without uneasiness.
If any general rule of conduct was adopted in the first instance, it would be essential to the dignity of Congress not to recede from it on account of any opposition it might meet with. Congress well know that the reduction of armies even in absolute Governments is attended with great difficulty. In our particular circumstances it would require the utmost delicacy and circumspection.
'Tis a piece of justice due to the army, that they should be in some measure compensated for the sacrifices they have made for the good of their country. Their virtuous exertions in the general cause while many others have been engaged in the advancement of their private fortunes, should not be unrewarded. The board are of opinion that full pay and subsistence during the war, and the same emoluments after its conclusion, as those are to receive who continue in service, will be but a small compensation for the officers who shall be found supernumerary. There not being sufficient commands to enable them to remain in the army, is not a circumstance which depends on themselves, but on the inability of the country to furnish them.
The Board therefore beg leave to report,
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That a Committee be appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief on the means of reducing the number of regiments in the army.
That the said Committee in conjunction with the Commander in Chief, be empowered (if a reduction be by them found expedient) to fix the number of regiments to be kept up, and arrange the Officers therein in such manner as they shall judge most conducive to the public good, and to establish the terms on which the officers for whom there are no immediate commands, may be permitted to absent themselves from the army.
That the Committee repair immediately to Head quarters and on their return, report their proceedings to Congress.
That it be recommended to the Governments of the several States to suspend filling up vacancies of officers in their respective lines.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 167. It does not appear to have been acted upon at this time.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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