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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 --TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1780
Mr. P[hilip] Schuyler, a delegate from the State of New York, attended and took his seat in Congress.
An act of the legislature of the State of New York was laid before Congress and read:3
[Note 3: 3 This act is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folio 250.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, and Mr. [Samuel] Holten.
Mr. R[obert] R. Livingston, a delegate from the State of New York, laid before Congress a resolution of the legislature of that State, extending his delegation until the first day of October next, which was read as follows:
State of New York
In Assembly February 24th 1780.
Resolved (if the Honorable the Senate concur herein) that the special Occasion for which the Honorable Robert R. Livingston
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Esquire Chancellor of this State, was elected a Delegate from this State in Congress will most probably continue after the first day of April next, and therefore that he be further continued in Office as a Delegate as aforesaid, until the first Day of October next.
By order of the Assembly.
Evert Bancker, Speaker.
Attest
John MoKesson Clk
In Senate February 24th 1780
Resolved that this Senate do concur with the Honorable the House of Assembly in their said Resolution.
By Order of the Senate
Pierre Van Cortlandt Presdt
Attest
RobT. Benson Clerk.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, New York, Credentials of Delegates.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the report of the Board of War, respecting Baron Steuben, and thereupon came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, That Major General Baron Steuben be allowed the sum of 250 louis d'ors, in bills of exchange, for reimbursing him the expences of himself and family coming to America.
Resolved, That the further sum of five hundred and forty six louis d'ors in bills of exchange be advanced to him, for which he is to be accountable.
A letter, of 22 January, from W. Whipple, was read, acknowledging the receipt of the act of Congress appointing him a commissioner of the Board of Admiralty, which office, on account of the situation of his private affairs, he is obliged to decline.
A letter of December 2 and one of February 7, from the council of Massachusetts Bay, were read.2
[Note 2: 2 Whipple's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIV, folio 171; the Massachusetts letter of December 2, 1779, is in No. 65, I, folio 416; that of February 7, 1780, on folio 424.]
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Treasury Office March 7, 1780
The Board of Treasury having taken into consideration a letter of yesterday from Charles Pettit Esqr. and another from Mr. Owen Biddle Depy. Comy. of Forage in which the latter strongly urges the necessity of an immediate supply of three hundred thousand for particular uses in his Department, and without which heavy public losses must ensue, beg leave to report
That the present State of the Finances are such that they know not where to supply this demand but upon the Treasurer of the United States who appears to be possessed of about 1,000,000 of dollars only1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 121. Pettit's letter of March 6, enclosing a copy of Biddle's letter, is in No. 192, folio 325.]
At a Board of War March 6, 1780
Present Mr. Peters, Col Grayson
The board have considered the petitions from sundry Soldiers at Wyoming, referred to them by Congress, and beg leave to observe; that if the circumstances therein stated, were well authenticated, which is not the case, neither Capt: Spalding nor any of his Officers having certified them, it would even then be inexpedient to grant the prayer of the Petitions. To admit the principle upon which the men expect to be discharged, would be to depopulate the army, there being thousands of our soldiers who have equal pretensions to the Indulgence of Congress
The Board therefore beg leave to report,
That the Prayer of the Petitions from sundry soldiers at Wyoming cannot be granted2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 211. It is endorsed: "Brought in March 7th, 1780."]
Adjourned to 10 oClock to Morrow.
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