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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 11, 1780
A letter, of February 4, from Captain Seth Harding of the Confederacy, at Martinique; and
A letter, of 9th, from Major H. Lee, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of Admiralty to take order.
A letter, of 9th, from J. Cox, assistant Q. M. G. to the Board of War, was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Board of War cause enquiry to be made concerning the state of the horses referred to in the letter from J. Cox, and take order for the preservation of such as are the property of the United States; and, for that purpose, that the Board request of the president and supreme executive council of the State of Pennsylvania, so much of the forage, to be furnished by the said State, agreeably to the resolution of Congress of 25th of February last, as the Board may think necessary.
A letter, of 4, from the president of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania to the delegates for that State was laid before Congress and read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of 10, from General Washington; and
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A letter, of 29 February; one of 4, and one of 14 March from Major General Lincoln, were read.1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 511; Lincoln's letter of February 29 is in No. 158, folio 331; that of March 4 is on folio 339, and that of March 14 on folio 343.]
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Treasury Office April 10, 1780
The Board of Treasury Report--
That until the further order of Congress the Deputy Pay Masters General under the Pay Master General of the armies [of the] United States be allowed at the Rate of one and a half pr. cent on the monies which they may pay out respectively, agreeably to the arrangement of that department; and that this Commission have Retrospect, to commence from the 29th. day of May 1779 when the pay office was last regulated.
That the said allowance be in full payment for the services of themselves and assistants and in full compensation of all Expences except one Ration allowed agreeably [to the Resolutions of Congress now in force, and the necessary contingent charges of the Office per day while in Camp.
Ordered, That the following warrants, amounting in the whole to five millions eight hundred and forty thousand six hundred and sixty six dollars and sixty ninetieths of a dollar, issue in favour of Ephraim Blaine, commissary general of purchases, for the use of his department; and for which he is to be accountable.
One on Gerardus Bancker, treasurer of the State of New York, for six hundred thousand dollars;
One on John Stevens, Jun., treasurer of the State of New Jersey, for one million and seventy seven thousand three hundred and thirty three dollars and 30/90;
One on the president and supreme executive council of the State of Pennsylvania, for one million nine hundred and forty thousand and eight hundred dollars;
One on Thomas Harwood, treasurer of the State of Maryland, for one million eight hundred and twenty two thousand
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five hundred and thirty three dollars and 30/90, being part ofthe monies raised in the said states, respectively, for the useof the United States;
One on Joseph Borden, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of New Jersey, for two hundred thousand dollars; and
One on Thomas Harwood, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Maryland, for two hundred thousand dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 191. It is endorsed: "Part passed; part relative to Deputy Pay Masters referred to Mr. [Samuel] Holten, Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody and Mr. [Thomas] Burke." See post April 13.]
The draught of instructions to the committee to be appointed to repair to camp were taken into consideration. The first paragraph being read, viz.
"You are to consult him about the propriety of reducing the number of regiments; and if on such consultation, he shall agree with you, or a majority of you, that such a step would be adviseable, you are invested with full powers to carry it into execution; and as a compensation to the reduced officers, may promise them a continuance of their pay as originally established in 1776 during the war; and the same emoluments after it, which shall be allowed to those who shall continue in service till the termination of the controversy. You may further with his advice reduce, incorporate or unite to State lines the several additional corps."
After debate, the previous question was moved, which passed in the negative. A division was then called for; and on each clause, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery, the determination of the House was as follows:
On the first clause, as far as "regiments," inclusive,
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{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
On the second clause from "regiments" to "execution," inclusive,
{table}
So it passed in the negative.
The third clause from "execution" to "war," inclusive, passed in the negative, the members answering as on the 2d.
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On the 4th clause, from "war" to "controversy," inclusive,
{table}
So it passed in the negative.
On the 5th clause, from "controversy" to the end,
{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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