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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 --MONDAY, JULY 3, 1780
A letter, of 28 June, from Governor Jefferson of Virginia was read, enclosing a copy of a letter, of 25, from Governor Nash; and one, of 26, from Colonel Monroe at Crosscreek.
A letter, of 30 June, from the committee at headquarters was read, enclosing a copy of a letter, of 27, from General
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Washington, and of their letter, of 28, to the president of the council and speaker of the house of assembly of Maryland.1
[Note 1: 1 The Virginia letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, I, folio 367.
The letter from the committee at headquarters is in No. 39, I, folio 96, and a transcript of the letter and of the enclosures is in Committee Book, 1780, Proceedings of the Committee appointed on the 13th of April, 1780, folios 28, 201, and 334.]
A letter, of 1, from H. Laurens was read, enclosing invoice and bill of lading of indigo, taken out of the Adriana, and reshipped on board the Peggy, Captain Bryan, for Cadiz, and a note wherein Mr. Laurens expresses a wish, if it be agreeable to Congress, that the indigo may be on his own account and risque:2
[Note 2: 2 Marginal note by Thomson: "See March 23."]
Ordered, That so much of the said letter, with the note, as relates to the indigo, be referred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, and that they confer with Mr. Laurens and report thereon:
That the remainder be also referred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
A letter, of 27 June, from Governor Clinton, of New York, was read, enclosing a copy of his letter, of 24, to the committee at headquarters.3
[Note 3: 3 Clinton's letter of 27 is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folio 270; a copy of his letter, of 24, is on folio 274, and it is also transcribed in the Committee Book, 1780, Proceedings of the Committee appointed on the 13th of April, 1780, folio 78.]
A letter, of 29 June last, from Joseph Bullock was read, informing that he is under the necessity of declining the honor Congress intended him by appointing him a commissioner of the extra chambers of accounts.
A letter, of 29, from President Rodney, of Delaware, was read, enclosing copies of an act passed by the legislature for raising supplies, and of an act for raising 315 militia.4
[Note 4: 4 Rodney's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 745; that of Bullock in No. 78, III, folio 489]
A report from the Board of Admiralty was read; Whereupon,
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Admiralty Office July 3, 1780.
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 29th. ultimo relative to the inclosed bill drawn by Captain Whipple on your Excellency for 7,350 Dollars, for the purpose explained by Captain Whipples order, also, inclosed, which we beg may be laid before Congress, and
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the Board of Admiralty, for seven thousand three hundred and fifty dollars, to enable them to discharge a bill drawn on the President of Congress by Abraham Whipple, in favour of John Gaborial, for a like sum, dated at Charlestown, May 10, 1780, expressed to be for two thousand four hundred and fifty gallons of beer supplied to the continental frigates under the command of the said A. Whipple, viz. the Providence, Boston, Queen of France and Ranger.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 255.]
Ordered, That so much of Governor Jefferson's letter, as relates to the navigation of Chesapeake Bay, be referred to the Board of Admiralty to take order.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of the Board of War, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Joseph Carleton, pay master to the said Board, for the sum of fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of paying certain artificers; and for which he is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 407.]
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred the petition of Charles Freeman, report:
That it is not in their power to relieve the grievance therein set forth, and that John Mitchell the deputy quarter master general in the city of Philadelphia, is fully competent to the settlement of that account:
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
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June 30, 1780
Whereas an order of the Board has been delivered to the treasurer of loans which is now unexecuted, and the Board finding it expedient that it should not be executed, have ordered it to be Committed. returned, which order is not obeyed, under the opinion that the Board have no right to recall an order that may have been delivered in due form--
The Board of Treasury beg leave to report that Congress take the premises into consideration, and determine thereon.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 379.]
Ordered, That so much of the report of the Board of Treasury, as relates to the treasurer of loans, be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [William Churchill] Houston and Mr. [Samuel] Holten.
On motion of Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, seconded by Mr. [James] Searle,
Resolved, That the line of communication by expresses formed by Governor Jefferson be continued by the Board of War, from Philadelphia to headquarters.
A memorial from Josiah Hewes was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, dated July 3, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 119.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury, to take order:
Ordered, That two members be added to the committee, appointed to confer with the directors and inspectors of the proposed bank, in the room of Mr. [James] Duane and Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, who are absent:
The members chosen, Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston and Mr. Houston, [Samuel] Adams.
Mr. [Francis] Kinloch, one of the committee appointed on the 12th of April, to prepare the bills to be struck, in pursuance of the resolutions of the 18 March last, reports,
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That the committee have regulated the shape and ornaments of the bills and the type to be used, and that his colleague being absent, he desires the committee may be discharged; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the said committee be discharged, and that the farther execution of the business be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of this day, from the Board of War was read, enclosing a letter, of 30 June, from H. Hollingsworth:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, I, folio 133.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The report of the committee, to whom were referred the instructions of the general assembly of Maryland to their delegates in Congress, respecting the Articles of Confederation, and the declaration therein referred to; the act of the legislature of New York on the same subject; and the remonstrance of the general assembly of Virginia, being read:
Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on Wednesday next.
On motion of Mr. S[amuel] Adams, seconded by Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, Congress came to the following resolution:
It being of the utmost importance, more especially at this critical juncture, that the most speedy and accurate intelligence should be had of the movements of the enemy, by sea as well as by land: therefore,
Resolved, That the Board of Admiralty be and they are hereby directed to take the most effectual means in their power for obtaining, from time to time, certain intelligence of the arrival of the enemy's ships of war into any port or ports of North America, the number of their guns, and the condition they may be in, together with such movements as
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they may make from one port to another, that so this Congress may be duly and exactly informed of the naval strength and situation of the enemy, and be able to communicate such information to our ally as the common welfare shall require: and the said Board are particularly directed to obtain the earliest intelligence of the arrival of any ships of war in or near the port of New York.
Adjourned to ½ past nine o'Clock to Morrow.
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