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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 --MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1780
A letter, of 28 March, from General Washington was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 475.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Committee of Commerce laid before Congress a letter, of 14th March, from Curson and Governeur, which was read, enclosing a deposition by sundry persons, relative to the capture of the brig Eagle at Saba:
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Ordered, That the said deposition be filed in the office of the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, and that a copy of the same, attested by the Secretary, be sent with the other papers on that subject as ordered by the resolution of 25 March last.
The delegates of the State of Connecticut, pursuant to instructions from the legislature of the said State, moved the following resolution, which, at their request, Congress agree shall be entered on the Journal:
"That the several states be authorized, by and with the advice of the Commander in Chief of the army, to reduce their battalions of infantry in the continental army to a number proportioned to the number of non-commissioned officers and privates, according to the establishment made by a resolution of Congress, of the 27 of May, 1778, and to discharge the supernumerary commissioned officers, who shall be entitled to half pay for seven years from the time of their discharge, to be paid in specie, or other current money equivalent; and also to receive grants of land at the close of the war, agreeable to the resolution of the 16 of September, 1776: that preference be given to officers who shall chuse to continue in the service, according to seniority, and that the said reduction be made at such time as the Commander in Chief shall think most expedient; and that it be recommended to the respective states to make such further provision for the said officers as they may judge reasonable."1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Roger Sherman, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 67*.]
Ordered, That Thursday next be assigned for the consideration of the foregoing motion.
A letter, of 27 March, from Jacob Cuyler, enclosing a copy of a letter, of 7 of same month, to him from the president of the State of New Hampshire, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 459.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [John Morin] Scott, Mr. [Allen] Jones and Mr. [William] Ellery.
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A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the Board of War and Ordnance, a warrant issue in his favour, on the managers of the United States lottery, for twenty thousand dollars, for the use of that department, and for which he is to be accountable.
That on the application of Jonathan Burrall, assistant to William Palfrey, paymaster general, a warrant issue on George Brooke, treasurer of the State of Virginia, in favour of Benjamin Harrison, deputy paymaster general, for one hundred thousand dollars (being part of the monies raised in that State for the use of the United States), for the pay of the troops in that department; and for which the said deputy paymaster general is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Resolve Smith, one of the commissioners of the chambers of accounts, for ten 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 Thomas Edison, one of the clerks in the Secretary's office of Congress, for five thousand five hundred dollars, on account of his salary; and for which he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 167.]
A letter, of this day, from E[lbridge] Gerry, was read; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folio 211.]
A motion was made by Mr. [George] Partridge, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
That to morrow, immediately after reading the Journal, the Honorable Elbridge Gerry, Esquire, be heard on the subject of his letter.
On which the previous question was moved by Mr. [Thomas] Burke, seconded by Mr. [Cyrus] Griffin; and on
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the question to agree to the previous question, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
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So it passed in the negative.
The question to agree to the main question, passed in the negative.
A letter, of 9 March, from the governor of New York, was read, enclosing a concurrent resolution of the senate and assembly of that State:
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Mathews, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [James] Madison.
A letter, of this day, from N. Greene, Q. M. G. was read, with sundry papers enclosed.1
[Note 1: 1 The New York letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folio 238. There is a duplicate on folio 242. Greene's letter is in No. 155, I, folio 220.]
Congress proceeded to the election of a secretary to the Board of Treasury, and the ballots being taken,
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Mr. Charles Lee was elected, ∥having been previously nominated by Mr. Burke.∥
The following gentleman was nominated for the office of judge of the Court of Appeals.
Richard Henry Lee, Esquire, by Mr. [William] Ellery.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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