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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 --WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1780
A letter, of 22, from General Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of June 30th, from Brigadier General Moultrie was read:3
[Note 3: 3 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IX, folio 47; Moultrie's letter is in No. 158, folio 477.]
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Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Samuel] Adams, Mr. [Henry] Laurens and Mr. [Thomas] Bee.
The Medical Committee, to whom was referred the memorial of Joseph Brown, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Joseph Brown, surgeon to the 7th Pensylvania regiment, have leave of absence for eight months.
Ordered, That so much of his memorial as respects his pay be referred to the Board of War.
The committee, to whom was referred the letter of 17th, from the supreme executive [council] of the State of Pensylvania, and the letters and papers enclosed, brought in a report, which was read.
The Committee to whom was referred the representation of the State of Pennsylvania of 17th July, and the letters enclosed, report,
That upon an examination of the papers and letters referred to them, it appears that the government of the State of Pennsylvania in this critical conjuncture of our public affairs has manifested her usual zeal and activity, and that the letter from the Committee at Camp of the 13th day of July contains sentiments improper to be addressed to the supreme executive authority of any of the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Adams, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 83.]
The committee to whom was referred the letter from the Minister of France, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the frigates Trumbull, Confederacy, and Deane, and the sloop of war Saratoga, be put under the direction of General Washington, to be employed in cooperating with the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty, commanded by Admiral the Chevalier de Ternay, in any naval enterprizes on the coasts of North America.
Ordered, That the President inform the honble the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, that the frigates, Trumbull and Deane, are expected to be in the port of Philadelphia some time in the next week; immediately after which, they and
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the Saratoga will be ordered to join the French squadron, which it is hoped may be effected, by the fifteenth of next month, and it is expected that the Confederacy will be manned and ready to sail with, or in a few days after, them.
That the signals on the approach of any of the above vessels of war to the French squadron be communicated by the Board of Admiralty to the Minister of France.
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the Board of Admiralty, for seven hundred thousand dollars, for the use of their department; for which the said Board of Admiralty is to be accountable.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War, which was read on the 12, recommending a repeal of the act, of 28 June, 1779, respecting promotions in the army; and the question to agree to the report, passed in the negative. A motion was made by Mr. [Abraham] Clark,
That a brigadier general be appointed, in the room of Brigadier General Maxwell, resigned:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of this day, from the honble. the Minister Plenipotentiary of France was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the Americas Revolution (Wharton), IV, 11.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The Board of War laid before Congress an estimate of stores to be purchased for the use of the army:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, I, folio 149. The "Amount of the Number and Value of the Stores to be purchased agreeable to estimate for the use of the army" is in No. 34, folio 291.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War July 17. 1780
Present. Col. Pickering, Mr. Peters, Col. Grayson, Genl. Ward
The Board having made inquiry into and considered the state of the department of military stores at Springfield in the State of Massachussetts
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Bay, are convinced that it is and has long been so very ill conducted that the benefits derived from it have been very inadequate to the expense of supporting it. Sensible of this, the board more than six months ago requested Col Lamb (who had been appointed Surveyor of Ordnance) to visit that post, to examine into abuses, and report such arrangements as the good of the service should, in his opinion require. His report will be transmitted to Congress herewith. The most important matter recommended by him is the appointment of "a person capable of managing the department, who should have the superintendence of the whole." This coincided with and confirmed the opinion the Board had previously formed on the same point. The board at that time endeavored to procure a fit person for such superintendence, and received encouragement that a gentleman every way qualified for the office would accept it, but were disappointed. We are now satisfied it would be better to break up the post entirely than continue it on its present footing. For, such has been the negligence and mismanagement for some time past, we cannot think it our duty to furnish any more money for the post, while the present principals there are in office: yet without money business must wholly cease, and the department be dissolved. An immediate reformation of it therefore appears to be absolutely necessary: for as the post is well situated, as many Stores are there collected, and buildings provided for their reception, we think it ought to be maintained, provided, abuses are reformed, useless officers removed and proper arrangements made: and if this be done immediately some important advantages may be derived from it during the present campaign
We beg leave farther to observe, that in order to obtain the most satisfactory evidence respecting the post at Springfield, we directed Mr. Hodgdon Deputy Commy. Genl. of Military Stores, who is personally acquainted with it and with every officer there, to lay before us the fullest information in his power respecting it. His answer is enclosed together with extracts from letters to him from divers officers in the department at Springfield: all which clearly evince the absolute necessity of reforming it, especially by removing those who now claim to be its principal directors. We also find that there are some improper and unecessary officers at other posts in this department who ought immediately to be removed. We therefore beg leave to report,
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Resolved,1 That Ezekiel Cheever Esqr and Lieutenant Colonel David Mason, who have been employed at Springfield in the State of Massachusetts Bay, in the Department of the Commy. Genl. of Military Stores be excused from farther service at that post but that they continue to receive their pay and subsistence money respectively, until the farther order of Congress.
[Note 1: 1 The next two paragraphs are entered in the Journal in the writing of George Bond.]
That the Board of War and Ordnance be authorised and directed to remove any unecessary officers at that and any other post in the department of the Commy. Genl. of Military Stores, and to arrange the affairs of the whole department in such manner as they shall deem most conducive to the public service: reporting their proceedings to Congress.
The Board are aware that the business now reported upon is included in the commission of the committee at camp; but as they are likely to be detained there during the campaign; as the Board are well acquainted with this department, from its having ever been under their more immediate direction: and at the present time, have received as full and satisfactory information respecting it, as perhaps can ever be obtained: and as the public service is suffering greatly for want of the arrangements now proposed; we thought it our duty to wait no longer, but to ask the immediate decision of Congress thereon.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 444.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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