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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 --THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1780
A memorial of Peter Hysler was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
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A representation from the general officers of the army was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This representation, dated July 11, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 43, folio 259.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of six:
The members chosen, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Samuel] Adams, Mr. [Henry] Laurens, Mr. J[oseph] Jones, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [Thomas] McKean.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Treasury Office July 28. 1780
The Board having considered the memorial of William Turnbull dated July 6, 1780, and referred to them by Congress beg leave to report
That they are unacquainted with the transactions of Abraham Livingston Esqr. in South Carolina, and do not know by what authority he drew bills of Exchange on the Marine Committee. That they are uninformed of the necessaries furnished the Ships of War in the Harbor of Charlestown, as well as of the provisions purchased by order of the Commissary General which are mentioned in said memorial, and the accounts of which are said to be before the Board of Admiralty.
Ordered, That the memorial of William Turnbull be referred to the Board of Admiralty, and that the Board either accept or refuse the bills mentioned in the said memorial, as they may deem just and reasonable; and if the said bills, or any of them, be accepted, that the Board of Treasury be required to provide the means of payment.
Resolved, That for the payment of interest due on loan-office certificates, the sum of 456,000 dollars be prepared, under their direction, agreeably to a resolution of Congress, dated the 28th of May, 1778, in serfs of exchange, on the commissioners at Paris, of the following denominations, viz.
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 453.]
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Ordered, That on the application of Mr. [Isaac] Motte, a delegate for the State of South Carolina, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for eleven thousand dollars; for which the said State is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 457.]
Whereas the present invaded situation of the States of South Carolina and Georgia, renders it expedient that the loan offices in the said states, respectively, be removed to some place of security, until such time when they may be reestablished with safety:
Resolved, That all monies, books, and papers, appertaining to the continental loan offices in the States of South Carolina and Georgia, be deposited and remain in some place of safety, as contiguous as possible to the said states, to be approved by the executive authority of such states respectively, until the said offices may be re-established in the aforesaid states, respectively, with convenience and safety:
That until such offices shall be so fixed, and public notice given thereof, and also a notification to the Board of Treasury, the treasurer of the United States be empowered to pay all interest that is or shall be due on certificates issued from either of the offices aforesaid, in the same manner that such interest is directed to be paid by the commissioners of the continental loan offices.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 437.]
The committee, to whom was re-committed their report on the letter, of 26 July, from Major General Greene, brought in another draught, which was read; and after some debate,
That notwithstanding the danger and inconvenience which may accrue from the change of the head of so important a Department at the moment of action, when the campaign is opened, the enemy in the field, our ally waiting for co-operation and our honour and safety at stake, yet the peremptory and positive manner in which General Greene refuses to act under the present arrangement principally because "his feelings are injured" leaves Congress no choice but to
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accept his refusal, and as the state of the campaign requires that his place should be immediately filled,
Therefore,
Resolved, That Congress are not insensible of the gross insults thrown upon offered them by General Greene, in the abrupt manner in which he has declined to accept of the office of Q. M. G. under the new establishment, and the very exceptionable manner terms in which he has expressed himself in his letters, yet willing to suppose that a conduct so contrary to what might be expected from an officer of his rank, has originated from insinuations of ill designing men, or from intemperate passions resolutions in an unguarded moment, Congress at this time omit delay to take any further notice of this transaction until time be allowed for further information from to General Greene confidently supposing that on reflection he will to see, acknowledge, and retract his error.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Henry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folios 455 and 459. It is indorsed by Thomson: "Motion by Mr. Henry, 2(d) by Mr. Ingersol Aug. 3, 1780. Postponed N. H., Mass., R. I., Conn., N. J., D., V., N. C., Georg. ay; Penn., Mar., S.C., no."]
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
Ordered, That the Committee of Foreign Affairs be discharged from reporting on the letter, of 23 March, from the honorable J. Adams; and that it be referred to the committee on Mr. Adams' letter, of 24, of the same month.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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