| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1780
A letter, of 17th, from General Washington was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 527.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Another letter, of 17th, from the General was read.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 515. It is printed in part in the Writings of Washington (Ford), VIII, 249.]
A report from the Board of War [Treasury] was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Jonathan Burral, on account of William Palfrey, paymaster general, a warrant issue in his favour on the president and supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania, for twenty thousand dollars, part of the monies raised in the said State for the use of the United States, to be applied in the department of the said paymaster general; and for which he is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of James Stevenson; one of the clerks in the War office, for five 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 Mr. O[liver] Ellsworth, one of the delegates of the State of Connecticut, for six thousand dollars, on his application; and for which the said State is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. N[athaniel] Folsom, one of the delegates of the State of New Hampshire, for ten thousand dollars, on his application; and for which the said State is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Jacob Hiltzeimer, for forty thousand dollars for the purchase of forage for the horses under his care; and for which he is to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 217.]
Page 379 | Page image
The draught of a letter to the states, reported by a committee, was taken into consideration; and after debate,
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Abraham] Clark.
The report of the committee on the report of the Board of Treasury, respecting an allowance to the deputy paymasters was taken into consideration, and the original report of the Board of Treasury being debated and amended to read as follows:
The Committee to whom was referred the report of the Board of Treasury relative to the deputies Pay Master General beg leave to report the following resolution viz:
Resolved, That the Deputy Pay Master Genl of the Main Army of these United States shall be entitled to receive the same pay subsistance and other emoluments in all respects as a Lieut Colonel in the line of the Army. And the other deputys Pay Masters General each the pay, subsistence and other emoluments of a Major in the Line of the Army, and the assistants, or clerks, necessarily employed in this Department, the number of which to be from time to time determined by
shall be entitled to receive each the pay subsistence and other emoluments of a Captain in the line of the Army, the pay and allowances made by the foregoing resolutions to commence on theday oflast past.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Nathaniel Peabody, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 119.]
That until the further order of Congress, the deputy paymasters general under the paymaster general of the armies of the United States be allowed at the rate ofper 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 29 day of May, 1779, when the pay office was last regulated.
Page 380 | Page image
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 a day while in camp.
Ordered, That the same as amended be referred to the Board of Treasury.1
[Note 1: 1 This report as an "extract from the minutes" is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 117. It is endorsed "T[reasury] B[oard] April 27, blank filled up and reported. Passed May 3, 1780." See post May 3, 1780.]
The Board of Admiralty reported the form of a commission for the naval officers in the employ of the United States, which was agreed to as follows:
The United States of America in Congress assembled to Greeting:
We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your valour, conduct and fidelity, do by these presents constitute and appoint you to bein the navy of the United States, to take rank from theYou are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duties ofby doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers, marines, and seamen under your command to be obedient to your orders asAnd you are to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from Congress, a committee of the states, the Board of Admiralty, Commander in Chief, for the time being, of the navy of the United States, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of the navy, and the usage of the sea. This commission to continue in force until revoked by Congress or a committee of the states.
Witness,President of the Congress of the United States of America, attheday ofin the year of our Lordand in theyear of our independence.
Entered in the Admiralty Office, and examined by the Board.
Attest,Secretary of the Board of Admiralty.
On a report from the Board of Treasury,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer in favour of Robert Patton, messenger of Congress, for five hundred dollars, for the purchase of fire wood for the use of Congress; and for which he is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 217.]
Page 381 | Page image
On a report from the Board of Treasury,
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be authorised to negotiate, at the current rate of exchange, bills of exchange drawn on the honorable John Jay, pursuant to a resolution of Congress of the 23d. of November last, to the amount of five million dollars, continental currency, no greater part of which than to the amount of one million of dollars to be negotiated in the present month.1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph was entered only in the manuscript Secret (Domestic) Journal.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |