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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 21, 1780
A letter, of 17th, from the governor of New Jersey, was read, enclosing an address of the council and assembly of the said State to Congress:
Ordered, That the address be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of 25 February, from E. Blaine, commissary general of purchases, and
A memorial of James Wilson and William Lewis, advocates for Gideon Olmstead and others, claimants, of the sloop Active and cargo, were read.2
[Note 2: 2 The governor's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 529; the address on folio 525. Blaine's letter is in No. 165, folio 345; the memorial, dated March 15, 1780, is in No. 78, XXIV, folio 191.]
A report of the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Joseph Nourse, assistant auditor general, for five thousand dollars, on account of his salary, and for which he is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of William Geddes, one of the commissioners of the chamber of accounts, for ten thousand dollars, on account of his salary, for which he is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, one of the delegates for the State of New Hampshire, on his application, for six thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.
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That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. [George] Partridge, one of the delegates for the State of Massachusetts Bay, for ten 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, folio 143.]
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred the petition of Thomas Mayberry and James Morgan, brought in a report:
That they have considered the petition of Thomas Mayberry and James Morgan Iron Masters, and cannot discover that any thing therein comes within the description of Balances of accounts liquidated, of partial payments of such accounts, or of advances for public service; and therefore humbly conceive it is not regularly within their Department to make any report thereon, and that the matters therein contained are proper for the consideration of other Departments who are conversant with the Ordnance supplies.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 147.]
Ordered, That the same, together with the petition, be referred to the Board of War and Ordnance.
A report of the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, March 20 1780
Present Mr. Peters, Col Grayson
The Board had the honor to transmit Baron Steuben's opinion upon the proposed reduction of the Regiments in the army.
Congress can best judge of the expediency or inexpediency of the measure. If they should be of opinion that no reduction should at present be attempted, there will be a deficiency of subaltern officers; but as few of those as possible should be created, as multiplying them will occasion embarrassments should a reduction be thought of at a future day. Yet some addition to the numbers of these Officers will be necessary. The board therefore beg leave to report,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the governments of the several states, to suspend making new appointments of officers in the regiments of their respective lines, except where the Commander in Chief or commanding officer in the southern
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department shall deem such appointments indispensably necessary.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 259.]
On motion of Mr. [Roger] Sherman, seconded by Mr. [William] Ellery,
Ordered, That the report of the committee, on motion respecting the payment of the principal and interest of loan office certificates, be re-committed.
That a member be added to the committee, in the room of Mr. [James] Forbes, who is absent;
The member chosen, Mr. [Phillip] Schuyler.
A letter, of this day, from F. Lewis, commissioner of the Board of Admiralty, was read, representing that two of the commissioners appointed to the Board, having declined to accept the office, and Mr. [James] Forbes by reason of his present sickness being unable to attend, no Board of Admiralty has been held since the 4th instant.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 309.]
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
On motion to proceed to the order of the day for taking into consideration the disputes and differences relative to the jurisdiction of the states of New York, Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, or such of them as have passed laws, agreeably to a recommendation of Congress of the 24 of September last, on the one part, and the people of a certain tract of country called the New Hampshire Grants, who claim to be a seperate jurisdiction, on the other part;
Ordered, That the same be postponed, nine states, exclusive of those who are parties to the question, not being represented in Congress.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee appointed on the memorials of Gideon Olmstead, &c. to confer with a committee of the general assembly of Pensylvania,
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respecting the carrying into execution the decree of the Court of Appeals in the case of the sloop Active, which is as follows:1
[Note 1: 1 The report is here entered in the Journal. It may be seen ante, Vol. XV, p. 1194.]
In debating the resolution, a motion was made by Mr. [James] McLene, seconded by Mr. [James] Searle, to strike out the latter part, viz. "And that the State of Pensylvania be charged," &c. to the end. And on the question, shall the words moved to be struck out stand, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Frederick A.] Muhlenberg,
Passed in the negative, every member present answering no. So the words were struck out.
On the question to agree to the former part of the resolution, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Searle,
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So it passed in the negative.
A letter, of 17, from General Washington was read, with sundry papers enclosed:2
[Note 2: 2 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 435.]
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Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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