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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 18, 1780
A report of the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, April 17, 1780.
Present Col. Pickering, Mr. Peters, Col. Grayson.
Extract of a letter from Col. Broadhead, to the Board of War, dated March 18, 1780.
"I am sorry to inform you that the savages have already commenced hostilities. Last Sunday they killed five men at a sugar camp on Raccoon Creek in Yoghagania County, and took three girls and three lads prisoners. It is generally conjectured that this mischief was done by Delaware Indians. If the Delaware Indians should declare against us, the frontiers will be greatly distressed as many other nations who have hitherto been neuter, will join them, and my force is by no means sufficient to protect it. I apprehend that the commissioning some of the Delaware Warriors will be attended with good consequences, and I wish Congress may approve of the measure."
The board having considered the above extract beg leave to report--
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Resolved, That six blank commissions be sent to Colonel Broadhead, commanding officer at Fort Pitt, to be filled up with the names of such faithful Indians of the Delaware tribe as he shall judge to be deserving of that honour; but no rank to be given any of them higher than that of captain.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 317.]
The report of the committee on the letter, of 27 February, from Colonel Broadhead was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a copy of Colonel Broadhead's letter and the papers referred to in it be sent to the governor and council of Virginia, and to the supreme executive council of Pensylvania.
and that it be recommended they take measures to enable the said Colo: Broadhead, and his successor or successors in the command of said Fortress to remove any buildings or the Inhabitants occupying the same which may either obstruct the defences of the Fort or cover the approaches of the Enemy.
Resolved, that Congress will Indemnify said Colo Broadhead for any damages he may sustain for having removed Edward Ward and Thomas Smallman from the house mentioned in his letter of the 27th February 1780, provided it shall appear to a Court of Inquiry, to be instituted for the purpose, that it was necessary to occupy the said house by part of the Garrison for the defence of the fort.
Resolved, That the present or any future Commanding Officer of Fort Pitt be directed, on the approach of an enemy in such force as to threaten an attack on said Fort, to remove, occupy or destroy every building which may obstruct the defence of the said Fort, and that Congress will Indemnify him for the same.
Resolved, That Colonel Broadhead shall be supported by Congress in any acts or orders which the nature of the service, and the discharge of his duty as commanding officer at Fort Pitt, hath made, or shall make necessary.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Philip Schuyler, except the last paragraph, which is in the writing of Thomas Burke, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folios 413 and 415.]
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The report of the committee, respecting loan office certificates was taken into consideration, when sundry propositions were moved:
The first being read, viz. That Congress will, as soon as may be, make such provision for discharging or continuing the loans that have been made to these United States on loan office certificates, as that the holders of them shall sustain no loss thereon, by any depreciation of the bills loaned subsequent to the respective dates of said certificates.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Oliver Ellsworth, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 189.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, seconded by Mr. [James] Madison, to postpone the consideration thereof.
And on the question for postponing, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
{table}
So it passed in the negative.
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A division was then called, and on the question to agree to the first clause as far as the word "thereon," inclusive,
Resolved in the affimative.
On the latter clause from "thereon" to the end, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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