| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1780
A letter from his Most Christian Majesty, dated the 25 September, 1779, was laid before Congress and read.
A letter, of this day, from the Board of Treasury, was read.
Treasury Office March 8, 1780
Sir,
The Board of Treasury did themselves the honor to represent to Congress yesterday, that the urgent necessity they were under to
Page 239 | Page image
accommodate the Treasury with convenient Offices, had obliged them to hire Mr. Pemberton's house, and to advance the Rent. The Board hoped that Congress would have been satisfied with, and approved of what they had done; Understanding however, the Report has been read, and nothing decided upon it, they are apprehensive what they have done in this matter is disagreeable to Congress. The Board do not doubt but the House may be readily rented at this time to a citizen for the same money as they gave, or at no great loss, and propose to get it off their hands tomorrow, if Congress should not desire it to be retained1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 123.]
A letter, of 7, from Nat. Ramsay was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIX, folio 303.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the motion of Mr. [Thomas] Burke, brought in a report; Whereupon,
At a Board of War March 7, 1780
Present Col Pickering, Mr Peters, Col Grayson
The board having considered the motions made in Congress by Mr Burke on the 6th instant, referred to them, are of opinion, that the present circumstances of the army under the command of His Excellency Genl Washington will not admit of a larger detachment for the southward, than one Brigade, to consist of about eight hundred men. They will not however undertake to determine decidedly on the subject, but think it would be most advisable to submit the expediency of the measure altogether to the General, who will have it in his power to augment or diminish the reinforcement as circumstances may require;
They therefore beg leave to report,
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the States of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, to have in readiness to act, as the operations of the campaign shall require, a body of five thousand militia or state troops, over and above their quotas of continental troops, in the following
Page 240 | Page image
proportions, to wit' Virginia two thousand, North Carolina fifteen hundred, South Carolina fifteen hundred.
[That the militia directed to be held in readiness by the states of Virginia, North and South Carolina, agreeable to the foregoing resolution, be called into actual service whenever the commanding officer in the southern department shall deem it necessary for the defence of the State of South Carolina or any other of the States within his command.]
That the Commander in Chief be directed to make such detachment from the troops under his command, to reinforce the southern army, as his strength and circumstances will permit.
That the Commander in Chief be authorized to call upon any or all of the State northward of Virginia for such aids of militia as he shall from time to time deem necessary.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 241. Burke's motion is in No. 36, I, folio 61. The paragraph in brackets is in No. 36, I, folio 63, endorsed "Amendment, passd"]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee to whom was re-committed their report on the memorials of the auditors; and thereupon,
The Committee to whom was referred the Memorials of the Commissioners of the Chambers of Accounts, Auditors of the Army, and Clerks of the several Boards on reconsideration report as their opinion,
That in the present state of the currency the Salaries of the Commissioners and clerks of the several Boards, and the auditors of the army, are inadequate to their services and expences.
That a new establishment of salaries ought to be made as soon as conveniently may be, founded on some stable medium or commodity.
That the subject be postponed until Congress have considered and determined on the reports respecting the medium of Trade.
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury report such sums as they may deem competent, to be advanced to the commissioners and clerks of the several boards, auditors of the army, and other civil officers, for their necessary expences, to be
Page 241 | Page image
accounted for toward their salaries, when a new establishment thereof shall be made by Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Roger Sherman, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 145.]
The Committee of Commerce, to whom were referred the letters from William Bingham, the continental agent at Martinique, and also a late memorial from John Benezet, as attorney to the said William Bingham, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be directed to deliver to the Committee of Commerce bills of exchange drawn on the Honorable John Jay, Esq. minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Spain, for a sum equal to £5,000 sterling, to be forwarded by the Committee of Commerce to Mr. Bingham, or delivered to his agent, Mr. Benezet, in Philadelphia, to discharge in part the debt due from the United States to the said William Bingham.
That, in consequence of the request of the said William Bingham, he have leave to return to Philadelphia.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Searle, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 205.]
The Board of Treasury brought in a report, enclosing a letter from the Board of War;
Ordered, That the said letter be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [James] Forbes and Mr. [Philip] Schuyler.
A motion was made by Mr. [Abraham] Clark, respecting unmerchantable arms in the commissary's store in this town, imported into Virginia last summer:
Congress being informed that a large quantity of unmerchantable arms are now in the Commissaries Store in this Town imported into Virginia the last summer.
Ordered, That the Board of War cause a survey to be had of said arms and report a state thereof to Congress with information by
Page 242 | Page image
whom the same were shipped and also enquire into and report the state of all other arms lately imported.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 67.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |