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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 --FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1780
A letter, of 9th, from Governor Jefferson, of Virginia, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, I, folio 355.]
Ordered, That so much thereof as relates to the Post Office be referred to the Committee on the Post Office to take order;
That the remainder be referred to the Board of War.
A petition of Charles Freeman was read:4
[Note 4: 4 This petition, dated June 16, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 57.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Post Office.
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A letter, of 7, from E. Hazard to R. Bache was laid before Congress and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 39, II, folio 118.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee at headquarters.
A petition of Robert Crothers was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition, dated June 15, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, II, folio 760]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War to take order.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, June 14, 1780
Present Colo Pickering, M(r). Peters, Colo Grayson, Genl Scott.
The Board beg leave to inform Congress,
That on the 18th of August 1778, Genl Weedon (by a resolution of that date) was permitted to retire, but allowed to hold his rank, and to be called into service whenever from a change of circumstances the difficulties he then laboured under should be removed; that time seems now to be arrived, and he is desirous of serving again.
We therefore beg leave to report,
Ordered, That Brigadier General Weedon be called into service, and employed in the southern department as Major General Gates shall direct.
The Board beg leave further to inform Congress, That Colo Danl Morgan (who formerly commanded the rifle corps) on the 18th of July 1779, having for the reasons mentioned in his letter to Congress of that date, desired leave to resign, this board to whom that letter was referred, finding his single motive to resign was the injury he supposed to be done him in giving the command of the light infantry to another, and regretting that so valuable an officer should be lost to the service, proposed to him to accept a furlough, untill the Commander in Chief should call for him, or Congress should take order thereon. To this he agreed and still remains on furlough. The Board therefore beg leave to report,
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Ordered, That Colonel Daniel Morgan of the Virginia line be called into service, and employed in the southern army as Major General Gates shall direct.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 385.]
A letter, of 15, from the Board of War was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
A letter, of 12, from the Board of War was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Admiralty to take order.
On motion of Mr. [Thomas] McKean, seconded by Mr. [Edward] Telfair,
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to enquire into the conduct of the quartermaster, respecting the transportation of provisions and stores from Philadelphia to Trenton, and to report thereon to Congress:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. [John Morin] Scott.
A letter from the Baron de Benyousky was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter, dated June 15. 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, III, folio 481.]
Ordered, to lie on the table.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Richard Phillips, steward to the President of Congress, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for eight thousand dollars, for the use of the President's household; and for which the said Richard Phillips is to be accountable.
That on the application of Richard Phillips, steward to the President of Congress, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for four thousand dollars, on account of the salary of the said Richard Phillips and his family?3
[Note 3: 3 This report, dated June 14, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 347.]
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That on the application of William Kinnan, copper plate printer, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for six thousand dollars, for which he is to be accountable.
The Board having Considered the letter from the Board of War dated June 9, 1780 with the papers therein inclosed referred to them by Congress report,
That the several Articles of transportation either by land or water stated in the estimate signed John Johnson A.D. Q. M. General appear only as gross sums and the several particulars are not stated.
The article of Contract by Edward Wright does not shew the quantity, quality, Kind or price of the Forage. The Article of Hay does not state the quantity or Price.
The Article stating purchases of Corn from sundry persons are particular, but the Board of Treasury, not being officially Competent to Judge, cannot say that they were useful and necessary purchases, and therefore cannot report an advance for them. The Board of Treasury are of opinion that the Board of War should order the estimate to be Completed where deficient as above stated, and then certify that the Supplies and services aforesaid are necessary for the public use.
The Board of Treasury decline from these Considerations, to report any advance of public money until such corrected and certified estimates shall be laid before them.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 343.]
That on the application of Resolve Smith, commissioner of the chamber of accounts, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in his favour, for fifteen thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of John D. Mercier, a commissioner of the chamber of accounts, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for fifteen thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of Joseph Scudder, one of the clerks in the War office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for five thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
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That on the application of Gillam Aertson, a clerk in the War office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for five thousand dollars, on account of his salary?1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 325.]
That on the application of Cornelius Comegys, clerk in the Treasury office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for six five thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of William Ramsay, clerk in one of the chambers of accounts, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for eight five thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of Patrick Ferral, clerk in the auditor general's office, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in his favour, for six five thousand dollars, on account of his salary.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 323.]
On motion of Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom, seconded by Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth,
Resolved, That Nicholas Gilman, Esq. and John Taylor Gilman, Esq. be appointed commissioners on the part of the United States, either of them to endorse the bills that shall be emitted by the State of New Hampshire, pursuant to the resolution of Congress of the 18th day of March last.
Resolved, That a member be added to the committee appointed to report and consider a plan for the defence of the southern states, in the room of Mr. [Thomas] Burke:
The member chosen, Mr. A[llen] Jones.
Congress proceeded to the election of two commissioners of the chambers of accounts, in the room of Mr. Eleazer M'Comb and the late Mr. Mumford; and the ballots being taken, Mr. Peter R. Fell and Mr. George Measam were elected, ∥the former having been previously nominated by Mr. [William Churchill] Houston and the latter by Mr. [John Morin] Scott.∥
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Congress farther proceeded to the election of commissioners for the two extra chambers of accounts, agreeably to the resolution of the 12th, and the ballots being taken, the following gentlemen were chosen, viz. Mr. Joseph Bullock, Mr. Jonathan Burrall, ∥the former having been previously nominated by Mr. [James] Searle, and the latter by Mr. [Thomas] Burke.∥
Ordered, That the election of the other two be postponed.
Mr. John Wharton was nominated by Mr. [James] Searle, for commissioner of the Board of Admiralty.
Admiralty Office June 16, 1780.
The Board to whom was referred the letters and other papers relative to the Conduct of John Paul Jones Esq. beg leave to report,
That they have carefully perused said letters and papers wherein they find Honorable mention is made of his Abilities as an officer by the Duke de Vauguyon, Monsr De Sartine and Doctor Franklin, and is also corroborated by that Valour and Intrepedity with which he engaged tits Britannic Majesty's Ship the Serapis of 44 Cannon 12 and 18 pounders, who after a severe contest for several Hours, surrendered to his superior valour, thereby acquiring Honor to himself and dignity to the American Flagg.
The Board therefore humbly conceive that an honorable Testimonial should be given to Captain John Paul Jones, Commander of the Bonhomme Richard his officers and crew, for their many singular services in annoying the enemy on the British Coasts, and particularly for their spirited behaviour in an engagement with his Britannic Majesty's Ship of war the Serapis on the 23d of September 1779 and obliging her to surrender to the American Flagg.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 58, folio 201.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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