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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, MAY 30, 1780
Mr. [John] Armstrong, a delegate for Pensylvania, attended and took his seat in Congress.
A memorial of John M'Allister was read, enclosing a copy of the record of his trial and acquittal by the verdict of a jury, upon an indictment for the frauds mentioned in the resolution of Congress of the 22 June, 1779.2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, dated May 30, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, folio 179.]
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A memorial from the officers of the 5th New York regiment was read; Whereupon,1
[Note 1: 1 This memorial, dated May 25, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, folio 275.]
On motion of Mr. [Thomas] Burke, seconded by Mr. [Allen?] Jones,
Resolved, That it is not expedient at present to make any partial reduction in the army of the United States.2
[Note 2: 2 This resolution was transcribed in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Committee Book, 1780, Proceedings of the Committee appointed the 13th of April, 1780, folio 5.]
Ordered, That the committee, to whom was referred the report of the committee sent to headquarters, be discharged from reporting on so much thereof as relates to the reduction of any part of the army.
A letter, of 29, from W. Govett, R. Smith, W. Geddes, John D. Mercier, commissioners of the chambers of accounts, was read, with sundry papers enclosed.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 58, folio 303.]
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. J[oseph] Jones and Mr. [Abraham] Clark.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, May 30. 1780
Present Col Pickering Mr Peters Col Grayson
The Board having considered the letter of 12th inst: from Col.o. Bailey, Commandant of the fourth Massachusetts Brigade, requesting to be appointed a Brigadier, beg leave, for the information of Congress to observe, that there are already two Major and three Brigadier Generals belonging to Massachusetts Bay. That the infantry of that State are greatly reduced in numbers, the whole four brigades, into which they are now divided, amounting in rank and file but to two thousand four hundred and sixty two, exclusive of Colo. Jackson's additional Regiment of Three hundred and six rank and file. And that the Brigade Commanded by Colo. Bailey, consists but of three Regiments and contains no more than five hundred and fifty five rank and file. Upon considering these facts and the certainty that the infantry of Massachusetts Bay will not exceed the numbers requisite
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to form three Brigades, the Board are of opinion that it is not expedient to appoint another Brigadier of that State, And therefore Report
Resolved, That Colonel John Bailey be informed, that, from a consideration of all circumstances, Congress do not judge it expedient at present to appoint another brigadier from the line of the troops of Massachusetts Bay.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 373.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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