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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 --SATURDAY JULY 29, 1780
Sundry letters from Holland, of March and April last, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 Letters of Charles W. F. Dumas from The Hague, dated March 15 and 21 and April 13 are printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), III, 549, 565, and 611.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs. A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Mr. [John] Armstrong, a delegate for the commonwealth of Pensylvania, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for ten thousand dollars; for which the said commonwealth is to be accountable.
That on the application of Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, a delegate for the State of Rhode Island, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in his favour, for five thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.
That on the application of Mr. [William] Few, a delegate for the State of Georgia, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for five thousand dollars; for which the said State is to be accountable.
That on the application of Mr. [John] Hanson and Mr. J[ohn] Henry, delegates for the State of Maryland, a warrant issue on the treasurer in their favour, for twelve thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 451.]
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A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War Office. July 28. 1780
Sir,
The board have been honored with a reference from Congress on the CaSe of Doct: Brown Surgeon to the Seventh Pennsylvania Regiment who prays that his pay may be granted him to enable him to return to Europe. The receipt of pay due him being a matter of course we did not think it necessary to report on the subject. But we have received an application from the Doctor desiring his pay or a considerable proportion of it in specie, or the exchange in continental currency. His pay having accrued as an officer of a regiment, he cannot be treated in any respect differently from other officers of the army, there being no motives of national policy to make his case an exception. We therefore could not consent to report a compliance with his request: tho' from his good character and the sacrifices he has made we have a private wish in his favor. We hope on this score to be excused for recommending his case to the wisdom of Congress, that he may be gratified in his request, if any mode can be discovered whereby the Doctor can receive a sum of money to enable him to prosecute his voyage to Europe without creating an embarrassing precedent. The Doctor has mentioned to us that Fifty pounds sterling would be sufficient for his purpose and if the pay due him were to be reckoned in specie, nearly double that sum would be owing to him from the public.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 471.]
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Doctor Joseph Browne, surgeon of the seventh Pensylvania regiment, for the sum of eight thousand dollars, advanced to him; and for which he is to be accountable.
A memorial of Daniel Broadhead, Junior, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, undated, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 305.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War to report specially.
A letter, of 27, from General Washington was read.
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A letter, of 26, from Major General Greene, Q. M. G. was read:1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, IX, folio 61; Greene's is in No. 155, I, folio 399.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Henry, Mr. [Thomas] McKean and Mr. [Artemas] Ward.
The committee, to whom was referred the letter of May 1st, from Governor Trumbull, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Jeremiah Wadsworth, late commissary general, be directed to make sale of the public sugars stated in the letter of 1st May, 1780, from Governor Trumbull, to be in his hands; and report to Congress the amount thereof.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 20, I, folio 261.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the proceedings of the general court martial on the trial of Doctor W. Shippen; and some farther progress being made,
At a Board of War, July 29. 1780
Present Col. Pickering, Mr Peters, Col Grayson, Genl Ward
In order to keep up an adequate supply of military stores for the southern army, the board are of opinion that, a magazine should be established near Richmond in Virginia, and proper persons employed to take charge of the same, and to carry on the various branches of business requisite in the department of Military Stores. With this view the board have engaged Capt: Irish of Col. Flower's regiment of artillery artificers to undertake the direction of such an establishment, in the character of Commissary of Military Stores; which appointment they will give him if Congress approve of the proposed establishment,
The board therefore beg leave to report
That the board of war and ordnance be directed to establish near Richmond in Virginia a magazine for military stores and to procure the necessary workmen for carrying on at that place the various branches of business requisite for furnishing a competent supply of military stores to the southern army.
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That the person whom the said board shall appoint to be commissary of military stores for that post be allowed fifteen hundred dollars per month.
It may be proper to inform Congress that in addition to the 1500 dollars per month, Capt Irish expects to be allowed to retain his commission in the corps of artillery artificers, with its emoluments, which the board do not think unreasonable. He has served more than three years as a Captain in that regiment and thro' the insufficiency of his pay has been obliged to sell a great part of his estate for the support of himself and family; and the pay above proposed together with his pay as a Captain of Artificers will not purchase thirty dollars in coin per month. He is very capable of conducting the business which the board propose to commit to his direction, and they know not where to find a substitute as well qualified, even on higher terms.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 475.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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