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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 --SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1780
A report of the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the resignation of Ensign John M'Guire, of the 3d Maryland regiment, be accepted.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 365.]
Whereas it appears to Congress, by a representation from the Commercial Committee, that thirteen invoices of goods have been shiped in the years 1777 and 1778, from Bilboa, by Messrs. Gardoqui and sons, by order of Arthur Lee, Esq. in the following vessels, viz. the Lydia, Captain Andrews, Alexander, Captain Williamson, Charlotte, Captain Sinclair, Success, Captain Gerrish, Neptune, Captain Lee, Tabby, Captain Hodges, John, Captain Woodberry, Wennesly Deal, Captain Vickory, Nancy, Captain Ingersol, George, Captain Knight, Lively, Captain Dupee, Hawk, Captain Smith, and Scorpion, Captain Ivis:
And whereas the said goods were expressed by the invoices to be on account of Elbridge Gerry, Esq. and such part thereof as arrived safe has been received by James Warren, Esq. the public agent, to whom they were addressed:
Resolved, That the said Elbridge Gerry, Esq. be indemnified by the United States from any cost or charges that have been or shall be made against him on account of the goods so shipped, and that any claims relative thereto be exhibited to the Commercial Committee of Congress.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to confer with the honorable the Minister of France; and thereupon,
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The Committee appointed to confer with the Minister of France on the subject of supplies and other matters mentioned in their appointment humbly Report.
That in their first conference with the Minister he mentioned his solicitude to procure the necessary provisions for the fleet and army of his Most Christian Majesty That he wished to render every step that he should take on this subject conformable to the designs of Congress, and conducive to the support of the combined forces. That he would therefore lay before the Corn. the measures that he had already entered into and was desirous to agree upon any plan for our mutual benefit which we should think it proper to adopt.
That previous to our appointment the moments being precious he had despatched an agent to consult the Commander in Chief and Genl. Greene on the subject of supplies, and would inform us of their sentiments at his return.
That lest his purchases might interfere with those which the States should make on account of the Continent he had thought it most adviseable to let the whole business pass through their hands, and had accordingly written to Gov. Trumbull for a limited supply of beef pork and mutton leaving it to his option either to be paid in bills upon France, Specie, or Continental bills of credit.
The Committee have stated this information that Congress may if they should End it necessary give them their directions before they digest any plan with the Minister of France on the return of his agent.
The Committee conceive the establishment of Posts and expresses who shall bring the earliest intelligence of the arrival of the fleet of our ally and the motions of the Enemy as so necessary to the right application of our force that they submit the following Resolution.
Resolved, that the Committee of Intelligence be directed to establish regular Posts to and from the different parts of the Sea coasts of this Continent from Charlestown to Boston in such manner Postponed. as will most effectually procure information of theapproach of the fleet of our ally, and the movements of the enemy in consequence thereof.
The Committee are further of opinion from the representations of the minister of France that every means should be used to add to the strength of the fleet of our Ally on their arrival, particularly by completing the Ship America, since it is highly probable that the naval force which the enemy may send to this Coast in order to frustrate the friendly endeavors of our ally in our behalf will be adapted to that
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of France without taking into the calculation any additions which it may receive here. They therefore submit the following resolutions.
Resolved, That the Board of Admiralty be directed to fit for sea, with the utmost expedition, the several ships of war and frigates now in port:
That it be earnestly recommended to the respective states, within whose ports any of the said ships or frigates may be, to afford every assistance to the Board of Admiralty, on their application for artificers, labourers and materials for preparing the same for sea, and for compleating their complement of men.
Resolved, That Congress will defray every necessary expence which any State shall incur in consequence of the above resolution.
Resolved that the Board of Admiralty be empowered if they shall think it adviseable to dispose of the Saratoga and to apply the proceeds thereof to complete the America or any of the Frigates which may by that means be shortly fitted for Sea.
And whereas it is proper to make provision for repairing (as far as our circumstances will admit) any damages which the fleets of our allies may sustain in their or after in their or after their arrival by storms or otherwise:
Resolved, That the Board of Admiralty be directed to cause as many masts, yards and spars as they shall deem necessary for the above purpose, and can conveniently be procured to be prepared and laid up for use in some ports to the eastward of Pennsylvania to be procured:
That the Board of Admiralty be also directed to settle signals with the commanding officer of any ship or ships of our ally, which may now or shall hereafter be, upon the coasts of the United States. And,
For the promoting of harmony and forwarding the common views of France and America:
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It was farther agreed between the Minister of France and your Committee that they should suggest to Congress the propriety of adopting measures to prevent desertion from the fleet and army of our allies. In which view they humbly submit the following Resolution.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislatures of these United States to pass laws for the punishment of such persons as shall encourage desertions from the fleets or armies of any foreign power who shall prosecute the war in America in conjunction with these United States, and for recovering such deserters as shall endeavour to conceal themselves among the inhabitants.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 197. It was transcribed in part in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Committee Book, 1780, Proceedings of the Committee appointed the 13th of April, 1780.]
Ordered, That so much of the report as relates to the disposal of the Saratoga be referred to the Board of Admiralty, and that the remainder be postponed.
A report from the Board of Admiralty was read, wherein they propose,
Board of Admiralty May 26th 1780.
The Board beg leave to Represent to Congress, that the hull of the seventy four gun ship now building at Portsmouth in New Hampshire might if money could be procured for that purpose, be completely finished the ensuing summer and in that case, if the expected fleet of our ally could furnish out the stores necessary for her equipment, she might cooperate with the said Fleet, and give it a decided superiority over the Enemy.
The Board would further represent that they have the best reason to believe, that it is the earnest wish of the Honble the Minister of France, that the hull of the said ship might be finished and such materials collected for her as may be in the power of the Board to procure, and also that our frigates may be prepared for sea with all possible expedition.
In order to accomplish these important objects, the Board beg leave to propose the following resolution.
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That the Board of Admiralty be authorised to receive three hundred hogsheads of the sugar and thirty hogsheads of the ram remaining in the hands of John Bradford, Esquire, continental agent in Boston, and to dispose of the same in such manner as they shall judge proper for compleating the hull of the 74 gun ship building at Portsmouth in New Hampshire, and collecting such materials for her equipment as can be procured, and also for finishing and equipping the Bourbon, and fitting the other frigates for sea with all possible dispatch.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 247.]
The same being read, and for some time debated,
A motion was made by Mr. [James] Duane, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Burke, to postpone the farther consideration thereof, and on the question for postponing, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. [James] Duane, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom,
Resolved, That 300 hogsheads of the sugars in the hands of John Bradford, continental agent at Boston, be by him converted into money, and the same transmitted to the continental
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treasury, without loss of time; notwithstanding any former resolution of Congress to the contrary.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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