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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 29, 1780
A letter, of 26, from General Washington was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Thomas] Burke, and Mr. [James] Searle.
A letter, of 27 February, from Colonel Broadhead, directedto the Board of War, was laid before Congress and read:2
[Note 2: 2 Washington's letter of March 26 is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 459; it has been printed in part in the Writings of Washington (Ford) VIII, 224; Brodhead's letter is in No. 78, III, folio 441.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Cyrus] Griffin, Mr. [Philip] Schuyler, and Mr. [James] Searle.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
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Ordered, That the following warrants issue on the treasurer,viz.
One in favour of Richard Phillips, steward to the President of Congress, for three thousand dollars, on account of his salary, &c.; for which he is to be accountable.
One in favour of Mr. [William] Ellery, one of the delegates for the State of Rhode Island, for six thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.
One in favour of William Govet, one of the commissioners of the chamber of accounts, on his application, for ten thousand dollars, on account of his salary; and for which he is to be accountable.
One in favour of the delegates for the State of New Hampshire, for five thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.
One in favour of Charles Thomson, secretary, for ten thousand dollars, on his application; and for which he is to be accountable.
One in favour of Robert Patton, messenger, for one thousand dollars, to be applied in the purchase of fire wood, for the use of Congress; and for which sum he is to be accountable.
And one in favour of John L. Clarkson, Junior, clerk to the Board of Treasury, for five thousand dollars, on account of his salary; and for which he is to be accountable.
The [Board] beg leave further to report
That they have taken into consideration the letter referred to them from John Lewis Gervais and George Abbot Hall of South Carolina dated the 21 of February who were appointed by a Committee of Congress Agents for the purchase of Rice in South Carolina for the supply of the army and the Count D'Estaing's Fleet, are of opinion that as no vouchers are produced the account referred to in the said letter cannot be liquidated in the ordinary mode, and therefore the Board cannot report that payment be made of the Bills mentioned as a balance of account or partial payment
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That they are of opinion the charge of five per cent Commissions in the said account is too high for the service, but as injury or inconvenience might arise from protesting the Bills, the Board beg leave to report
Ordered, That the bills drawn on the President of Congress by John Lewis Gervais and George Abbot Hall, of South Carolina, agents appointed by a committee of Congress for the purchase of rice in that State, viz.
One in favour of Don Miguel Lorenzo y Inard, for one hundred and twelve thousand dollars.
One in favour of Don Lewis Landa for thirty seven thousand one hundred and ninety dollars.
One in favour of the Honorable John Mathews, for sixty one thousand six hundred dollars, and another in favour of the same, for forty eight thousand dollars, the whole amounting to two hundred and fifty eight thousand seven hundred and ninety dollars, be accepted to be paid by a warrant on the loan office for the State of Pensylvania, and charged to the account of the said agents.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 157.]
Mr. Charles Lee was nominated by Mr. [Thomas] Burke for the office of secretary to the Board of Treasury; Mr. John Nicholson was nominated for the said office by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody.
According to order, Congress was resolved into a Committee of the Whole; and after some time, the President resumed the chair and Mr. [George] Plater reported, that the committee have had under consideration the report referred to them and have made some progress, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again.
Resolved, That to morrow Congress be resolved into a Committee of the Whole, to consider farther the report referred to them.
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A letter, of 27, from General Washington was read; Whereupon,1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 471.]
Resolved, That Brigadier General du Portail be directed to repair, with all possible despatch, to the southern army, and put himself under General Lincoln, or the commanding officer in the southern department.
Ordered, That so much of the letter as relates to supplying Brigadier General Duportail with money be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of Admiralty beg leave to lay the enclosed papers before Congress, and to receive their instructions thereon.
By Mr. Langdon's letter and estimate it will appear that to compleat the 74 gun ship building under his agency he requires an immediate supply of money. That his funds are totally exhausted and by letters of a late date from the Commissioners of the Navy Board in the Eastern Department this Board are also informed that they "will soon be drained of the last shilling."
The Board would also inform Congress that the Bourbon building in Connecticut is almost ready for launching, and her sails, and a principal part of her rigging and other materials provided; and that unless they can have a supply of money she must remain on the stocks unfinished to the great injury of the Public.
In this situation the Board can conceive no other mode of supply than by warrant issuing on the Continental Treasurer or upon the State Treasurers of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire payable out of the money arising from taxes; or that part of the sugars and rum in the hands of the Continental Agent in Boston should be sold and the monies arising from the sale be applied for fitting out the Bourbon and to prepare the 74 Gun Ship for launching.
Beside the injury the 74 Gun Ship will receive by remaining on the stocks from the weather, she is, from her situation exposed to be destroyed by the Enemy unless a guard is constantly kept up at considerable expence for her protection. Whereas if she can be so far compleated as to be launched, she may then if we should not be in a capacity to fit her for sea be moved up the River to a place of safety.
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As the Board conceive the last will be the most eligible mode of supply, they therefore beg leave to report, That the Board of Admiralty be authorized to cause such part of the sugars and Rum in the hands of the Continental Agent at Boston to be disposed of as shall be necessary to compleat the 74 Gun Ship now building at Portsmouth for launching, and also for fitting out the Bourbon.
March 29th. 1780.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 211. It is endorsed: "Read March 29," but is not mentioned in the Journal.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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