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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, APRIL 4, 1780
A petition of Lieutenant W. Honeyman was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This petition, dated April 3, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 379.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of 3, from Major General Greene, quartermaster general, and
A letter, of 28 March, from Doctor J. Morgan, were read.2
[Note 2: 2 Morgan's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 63, folio 169; that of Greene is in No. 155, I, folio 236.]
The committee, to whom was referred the motion of Mr. [Philip] Schuyler, brought in a report which was read.
The Committee appointed on the motion of Mr. Schuyler, report the following draft of a letter to be sent to the executive powers of the several states.
Congress are obliged to call on the executive powers of several states, to use every possible exertion to expedite the public supplies, the present deficiency is very great, and, if continued must be fatal.
There is no money in the treasury, and scarce any provisions in the public magazines. The states have been are greatly difficient in the quotas of money, they were have been called on to furnish for. More than fifty millions of dollars, of the quotas that have become due to this time, remain unpaid. This failure has Every department is exceedingly embarrassed for want of money every department. Those particularly of the commissary and quartermaster for want of money or ability to extend their credit any farther than they have already done, are come to a stand, both with regard to purchases and transportation. In consequence of which the army begin again to be in want, and without immediate and decisive exertions for their relief they must disband or feed provide for themselves.
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The making provision to feed the army, tho' an object of the most serious and immediate importance is not all that is essential to be done at this time. The arrears of the quotas that have become due, must be brought in that the debts with which they are charged may be paid off, and the public credit saved from total ruin. The treasury must also be supplied for future contingencies or it will be impossible to proceed.
The exertions here called for are indeed great, but they are indispensible. There is no alternative but giving up the public defence or furnishing the means to continue it. And these means must be furnished fully and in season. A dilatory or parsimonious supply is but a waste of blood and treasure; and would be particularly disgraceful in the present contest, considering the objects of it and the strong assurances of support upon which it was undertaken.
By our resolutions of the 23d. [25] of February and of the 18th. of March last, with which the states are furnished we have done everything in the power of Congress to prepare the way for the exertions necessary now to be made. Surely the resources of this country are yet abundantly sufficient, and it cannot be that surely there is not wanting virtue and spirit to draw them forth for her defence; especially upon an emergency so important and so critical as the present. If Congress have presumed too far they ought to be undeceived; and if they are to be furnished only with the means of a partial defence, it is time they knew how to apply them. The case calls for plainness and decision.
It will be necessary that you inform Congress of your proceedings and what they are to depend on both for the army and treasury as speedily as possible.
The recruits also raising in the several states should be forwarded to the army with the greatest dispatch.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, undated, in the writing of Oliver Ellsworth, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 265.]
The committee, to whom were referred the letter from the Governor of New York, and concurrent resolve of the senate and assembly of that State, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Governor Clinton be informed Congress approve the raising a body of eight hundred militia for the
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defence of that State; and that they be entitled to receive continental pay and rations, and be employed under the direction of the Commander in Chief of the continental army for that purpose.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Mathews, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 357.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the motion of Mr. [Philip] Schuyler; and after debate,
Ordered, That it be committed to a committee of three: The members chosen, Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, Mr. [Thomas] Burke and Mr. [John] Mathews.
The committee, to whom was referred the letter from Jacob Cuyler, with the copy of a letter from the president of the State of New Hampshire, delivered in a report.
The Committee to whom were referred the letter from Jacob Cuyler Esq: Deputy Commissary Genl. of purchases at Albany to Philip Schuyler Esq. a Member of Congress and the Copy of a letter inclosed therein from Mesheck Weare Esq. President of the State of New Hampshire to Mr Cuyler, Reports that it appears from the first abovementioned letter, that a quantity of wheat and flour has by virtue of a Law of the State of New York been seized in that State for the use of the Army, that the said wheat and flour as Mr. Cuyler alledges remain undelivered to the Commissary of purchases for want of money to pay for the same, that from the second abovementioned letter it appears that the Commissary having been furnished by order of Congress with two drafts for 300,000 dollars each on the Treasury of the State of New Hampshire caused the same to be presented for acceptance and payment, that the Treasurer of the Said State laid the sd drafts before their General Assembly, representing to them, at the same time that the Treasury was destitute of money, that the sums which Congress had required to be raised by the State up to the 1st day of January last had been assessed and the greatest part of the same paid into the Treasury of that State, that the same have been applied, or are destined to be applied
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to the seperate use of that State, and that thereby the acceptance and payment of the said drafts have been prevented. Upon which state of facts the Committee begs leave to recommend the following resolutions, to wit.
Resolved, that any application of monies raised for Continental uses in either of these United States in consequence of a Legislative Act grounded on any resolution or Resolutions of Congress, to any other use or uses than such as are or shall be directed by Congress is greatly injurious to and necessarily tends to obstruct the public operations of these United States.
Resolved that the Several States be requested not to apply any such moneys as aforesaid unless on express resolution of Congress or drafts by their order.
Resolved, that it be most earnestly recommended to the State of New Hampshire to make provision without delay for replacing such of the said moneys as were raised in that State for Continental uses and may have been applied to other purposes by authority of that State and that for the future they abstain from such applications.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Morin Scott, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 1.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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