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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, JULY 11, 1780
A petition of Du Maine and Peter Joseph Lion, merchants, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This petition, undated, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 189.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Admiralty.
A letter, of the 10th, from the Board of Admiralty, enclosing a representation signed Isaac All, was read; and
The delegate for the State of Rhode Island laid before Congress instructions from their constituents, which were read:
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Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
Ordered, That the Committee of Intelligence cause to be published the resolution of May 5th, 1778, respecting the 11 and 12 articles of the treaty of amity and commerce between his Most Christian Majesty and these United States, and a copy of the said treaty as finally ratified.1
[Note 1: 1 The various papers relating to the treaties, and the treaties themselves, were printed under May 4 and 5, 1778, ante, Vol. XI, 419, 459.]
A memorial of William Stewart was read.
On motion of Mr. [Roger] Sherman, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] McKean,
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury supply the bills to the president and supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania, pursuant to the resolution of the 6th instant, out of the bills ordered to be drawn by the resolution of the 19th May last.
A report from the Board of Admiralty was read; Whereupon,
Board of Admiralty July 10 1780.
By the depretiation of our money the pay and subsistance of officers, and the pay of the men in the sea Service, as established by Resolutions of Congress, ceases to afford any encouragement to them to enter into it, to remedy this difficulty, the Board beg leave to submit to Congress the following Resolutions
Resolved, that the pay of the officers and men, in the navy of these States as fixed by the act of Congress of the 15th. Novr. 1776, be hereafter considered as and paid in specie or other money equivalent.
Resolved, that the subsistance money of officers of the navy, as regulated by the act of Congress of the 25 of July 1777 be hereafter considered as, and paid in specie or other money equivalent.
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Resolved, that a bounty of twenty dollars in specie or other money equivalent be allowed to every able seaman, and of ten dollars to every ordinary seaman or landsman who shall enter into the sea service for a twelve month, one half thereof to be paid to them before their sailing, and the other half at the expiration of twelve months, to be computed from the time of their entry and inlistment.
Resolved, that forty continental dollars, or one dollar of the bills which shall be issued by the respective states in pursuance of the act of Congress of the 18th. of March last, be considered as an equivalent to a dollar in specie, in the payment of the bounty wages and subsistance mentioned in the foregoing resolutions.
Resolved, that the foregoing resolutions so far as respects their wages shall extend to the officers and the men who entered on board the Trumbull, under the Command of James Nicholson Esqr., the officers and men that have entered on board the Saratoga under the Command of John Young Esqr., the officers and men that have entered on board the Dean, Samuel Nicholson Esqr. Commander for her present cruise and on board the Confederacy, Seth Harding Esqr. Commander for the present cruise.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 261.]
Ordered, That so much of the letter, of 6th, from Mr. [Philip] Schuyler, as relates to subsistance of the army, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee on the letter, of 27, from the Board of War;
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from the Board of War of the 27th. ultimo beg leave to report it as their opinion.
That it is not expedient in the present critical conjuncture to dispose of any money in payment of debts incurred in the Quarter Master's Department, the whole that can at present be brought into the public Treasury being absolutely necessary for the purchase of provisions, immediately wanted for the Army, especially as order has
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been taken for receiving the certificates that have been given by Quarter Masters in payment of Taxes, but that the Board of Treasury as soon as they have it in their power, do furnish the monies stated to be necessary for the purpose of bringing forward to the Army the supplies whether continental or those of the States, collected in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, and that as soon as may be the debts beforementioned be discharged.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Jared Ingersoll, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 107. It is indorsed by Thomson: "Obsolete."]
The committee on the petition of Thomas Jones and others; and,
The committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the quarter master, respecting transportation from Philadelphia to Trenton, brought in their several reports, which were read.
The Committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of the Quarter Master respecting the transportation of provisions and stores from Philadelphia to Trenton, report--
That they have made diligent inquiry into the business submitted to them and find there has been little attention paid to economy in the transportation of provisions and stores from Philadelphia to Trenton: That a certain James Sutter, who was intrusted to Superintend this Department by the Dy. Qr Mr at Philadelphia contracted last summer with Wm Richards the owner of a schooner to be employed in this branch at £330 a month, and the last spring agreed to give him 60 dollars per Hhd, 30 do per Tierce and 10 do per barrel, out of which sums he was to receive a seventh part to his own use: that it is very probable the like engagements were entered into with others, and that the prices given by the Quarter Master raised the prices upon individuals: that your Committee are well assured that this business may be carried on at one third less expence, if not at one half, for an offer has been made to the Quarter Master at Philadelphia since the appointment of this Committee to transport the following articles from Christiana Bridge in the Delaware State to Trenton for the following freights to wit--30 dollars per Hhd, 15 do per Tierce, 12 do per barrel of beef or pork and 10 d per barrel of Flour &c. Your Committee further report, that they are of opinion, the high freights given are to be attributed in
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a great degree to several persons in the Quarter Master's Department being owners of or concerned in the vessels employed in this service. Upon the whole, your Committee propose the following Resolve:
That no shallop or other vessel, wagon, cart, carriage, Team or horse, belonging to any person, in the Quarter Master General's Department, be hereafter hired or employed in the public service, on pain of forfeiture of all pay to be received for the same as well as all wages or salary allowed to such person, and that he be also rendered incapable of any office or appointment under the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Thomas McKean, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 159.]
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 The next three paragraphs were entered in the writing of George Bond, of the Secretary's Office.]
Ordered, That on the application of William Palfrey, paymaster general, accompanied with an estimate of pay due to the army for the month of June, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favor, for seven hundred and eighty three thousand seven hundred and thirty three dollars, to be applied in his department; and for which the said William Palfrey is to be accountable.
That on the application of George Bond, deputy secretary, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favor, for eight thousand dollars, on account of his salary.That on the application of John Levinus Clarkson, clerk in the Treasury office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favor, for six thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
The Board beg leave further to Report,
That John Holker agent for the Royal Marine of France has been supplied with provisions from the commissary general of Purchases at sundry different times for more than two years ago--that the said commissary general of purchases has very lately Postponed. rendered an account, and ascertained a balance in favor of the United States, which John Holker aforesaid now offers to pay as will appear by his letter to the Board of the seventh instant, herewith transmitted for consideration.
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That the conditions of payment therein mentioned making no allowance for depreciation, and bringing the accounts aforesaid to a final settlement, are attended with consequences too considerable to be accepted by the Board without the further direction of Congress,1
[Note 1: 1 A marginal note says: "Mr. Holkers Letter and Mr. Hillegas certificate enclosed, returned to the Board July 12." This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 417.]
July 11, 1780.
The Committee to whom was referred a letter of the 10th May last from the Committee at Head Quarters, and who were directed to confer with the President and Council of Pennsylvania and such Committee as the General Assembly of the said State should appoint,
Report,
That the objects of the appointment of the said Committee, having been provided for by measures long since taken by the State of Pennsylvania, the Committee request to be discharged.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Churchill Houston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 237. It is indorsed: "Delivered in July 11, 1780."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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