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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, MARCH 22, 1780
A letter, of 10, from the governor of Connecticut, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 66, II, folio 170.]
Ordered, That so much thereof, as relates to expresses, be referred to the Committee on the Post Office.
A memorial of John Lloyd, Junior, late of Queens county on Long Island, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, dated March 11, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 397.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of 10, from Jonathan Trumbull, Junior, was read, declining the office of commissioner of the Board of Treasury, to which he was elected.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXII, folio 665.]
A report of the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the Board of War and Ordnance, 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 the delegates for the State of New York, for ten thousand dollars on their application; and for which the said State is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of John Nicholson, one of the clerks in the chamber of accounts, for four thousand dollars, on account of his salary; and for which he is to be accountable.4
[Note 4: 4 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 149.]
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
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At a Board of War, March 20, 1780
Present Mr Peters, Col. Grayson
The board agreeable to the resolve of Congress of March the 2d. 1779 have continued in office Mr. Ralph Pomery, Commissioner of Clothing Accot. for the year 1777: but they find the business done by that Gentleman, has not answered their expectations, not from want of attention to his duty on the part of Mr. Pomery, but from the negligence of some officers, and the death, resignation and removal of others few accounts were exhibited for settlement. Altho' the business of this officer is not equal to the expence, the board think the appointment has satisfied the army of the rectitude of the intentions of Congress, and if the officers have not taken advantage of, or could not benefit by the opportunity given them, no fault can be imputed to Congress. On political motives it would be proper to fix a time for the settlement of those accounts and to declare that all persons not exhibiting their claims within the period limited for the purpose shall be precluded from any farther demand. The Board therefore beg leave to report
Resolved, That the office of commissioner of cloathing accounts, established by resolve of Congress of the 2d of March, 1779, be discontinued, after six months from the date hereof; and that all persons having cloathing accounts for the year 1777, and who do not exhibit them to the said commissioner within that period, shall not receive any compensation for any arrearages they may thereafter claim to be due to them.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 263.]
In pursuance of instructions from their constituents, the delegates of Massachusetts Bay moved certain resolutions:
That upon the adjustment of the accounts of the State of Massachusetts Bay, they be allowed the reasonable expences incurred by them in endeavouring by a land and Naval Armament to dislodge the Enemy who had actually invaded the said State and fortified themselves at Penobscot.
That a warrant issue on the Treasurer of the State of Massachusetts Bay in favor of the Said State forDollars being part of
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their quota of Continental Taxes, for which sum the said State is to be accountable.
That an Expedition be forthwith adopted for dislodging the Enemy from Penobscot, and that Centl. pay and rations be allowed to any body of Militia not exceeding 800 men which the State of Massachusetts Bay may judge necessary to be raised by them for the defence of the Eastern part of that State.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of James Lovell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress. No. 65, I, folio 436.]
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, and Mr. [Abraham] Clark.
Resolved, That a member be elected for the Board of Admiralty, in the room of Mr. [James] Forbes, who by reason of sickness cannot attend.
Congress proceeded to an election, and the ballots being taken,
Mr. [James] Madison was elected.
A motion was made by Mr. [Cyrus] Griffin, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Burke,
That the resolution passed on the third day of December last for the adjournment of Congress from the city of Philadelphia be repealed.
A motion was made by Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, seconded by Mr. [Phillip] Schuyler, that the consideration thereof be postponed. On the question for postponing, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery,
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So it passed in the negative.
On the question to agree to the resolution, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery,
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So it passed in the negative.
A motion was made by Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, seconded by Mr. [John] Mathews,
That a committee of three be appointed to report a proper place where buildings may be provided for the reception of
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Congress, together with an estimate of the expence of providing such buildings and the necessary offices for the several boards.
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The members chosen, Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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