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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 --WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1780
A letter, of December 8th, from Arthur Lee, Esquire;
Also one from Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, of September 30th, were read, and returned to the Committee for Foreign Affairs.
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A memorial from Ebenezer Green was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This memorial, dated February 21, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, 465; Lee's letter is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton) III, 419; Franklin's on p. 354.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A petition from Major General Arnold was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Colonel Armand, Marquis de la Rouerie, having applied for promotion to the rank of brigadier in the service of the United States; and Congress, (though conscious of his merit, and that he has upon all occasions exhibited undoubted and distinguished proofs of his great zeal, activity and vigilance, intelligence and bravery; and in the last campaign particularly, rendered very valuable services) not thinking it expedient under the present circumstances of the army to comply with his request, as it would too much interfere with the arrangements lately established, and be injurious to the rights of other colonels who have been longer in service than Colonel Armand; and being desirous, as well to promote the public interest as to testify their good opinion of Colonel Armand, by affording him an opportunity of continuing in the service of the United States;2
[Note 2: 2 This preamble was passed on February 25, but in the printed journals it was inserted in its proper place before the resolution.]
Resolved, That the remains of the legion of the late Count Pulaski be incorporated with the corps of Colonel Armand, Marquis de la Rouerie, in such manner as the commander in chief of the southern army shall think proper: the united corps to be formed into a legion to be commanded by Colonel Armand; provided, however, that General Lincoln has not already entered into measures for complying with the resolution of Congress of December 29th, 1779.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favor of Colonel Armand, for twenty thousand dollars, to enable him to proceed on his march to join the southern army; for which he is to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 175.]
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A letter, of the 18th, from the governor of Maryland to the delegates of that State, was laid before Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 343, endorsed, "Reported & Delivered on Feby. 24th. Thos Burke."]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee for estimating supplies, and the same having been debated by paragraphs, a motion was made by Mr. [James] McLene, seconded by Mr. [Abraham] Clark, in the words following; viz.
"Resolved, That when the articles of supply procured in any one township, town or hundred, are collected into one place within the same, the said articles shall be transported to the magazine to be appointed by the Commander within the State, at the expence of the United States."
On the question to agree to the same,
The yeas and nays were required by Mr. [James] McLene,
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So it passed in the negative.
Ordered, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed till to morrow.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favor of Mr. C[yrus] Griffin, one of the delegates for the State of Virginia, on his application, for eight thousand dollars; for which sum the said State is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 99.]
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esquire, commissioner of the continental loan office, for the State of Pensylvania, in favor of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the Board of War, for one million five hundred thousand dollars, to be applied under their orders for the purpose of making further purchases to supply the deficiencies of cloathing in the continental army; and for which sum the said Joseph Carleton is to be accountable.
That on the application of Charles Pettit, Esquire, assistant quarter master general, a warrant issue in his favor on Thomas Smith, Esquire, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, on account of Major General Greene, quarter master general, for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department; and for which he is to be accountable.
The Board having considered the memorial of the several Gentlemen acting as Clerks in the different Offices under Congress of the 14th. inst. referred by Congress to them beg leave further to report
That they are thoroughly convinced of the truths of the Facts set forth in the said memorial, and are of opinion that the salaries of the Gentlemen aforesaid should be augmented, but view it as a subject for deliberation which the necessities of the memorialists will not with conveniency admit of, and the Board being well assured of their necessities therefore report--
That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favor of the memorialists, viz. for three thousand dollars each, to answer their present pressing
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demands which may enable them to wait a thorough investigation of the matter, and for which sum they are respectively to be accountable.
That on the application of Charles Pettit, Esquire, assistant quarter master general, a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esquire, commissioner of the continental loan office, for the State of Pensylvania, on account of Major General Greene, quarter master general, for one million five hundred thousand dollars, for the use of his department; 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 103.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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