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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, AUGUST 8, 1780
The delegate of Rhode Island, &c. laid before Congress a letter, of 22d July, from Governor Greene, which was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 64, folio 478.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A memorial of W. Bingham was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury; and that the Committee of Commerce transmit the accounts of the memorialist, which were referred to them, to the Board of Treasury for settlement.
A memorial of Captain T. Morris was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This memorial, undated, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, folio 189.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
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A letter, of 1st, from the Board of War was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the letter, of 8 June, from the Board of War.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the memorial of W. Clajon, brought in a report; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, August 5. 1780
Present Col. Pickering Mr. Peters Col. Grayson
In the case of Mr. Clajon the Board beg leave to state the following facts. That on the sixteenth day of June 1775 Congress fixed the pay of the General's secretary at 66 dollars per month and that of the Secretary of a Major General acting in a separate department at thirty three dollars per month, that on the 29 of July following the pay of a major was fixed at 331/3 dollars per month. That on the fifth day of June 1776, R. H. Harrison Secretary to the Commander in Chief was vested with the rank of Lieut: Colonel. That it was the common practice at those periods to determine the number of rations Staff Officers were entitled to, by the quantum of the pay respectively, which was usually the same with that of some officer in the line. That the Secretary to the Commander in Chief with the rank of Lieut: Colo. is entitled to but five rations; and the pay fixed for a Major General's Secretary being originally but that of a Major, the Board are of opinion, that four rations only should be allowed him, that nevertheless as no objections have ever been made to Gen(1) Gates' allowance of six rations to Mr. Clajon, he should be considered as entitled thereto untill this time. The Board do not think it expedient that any specific sum should be allowed for putting his chaise in a condition to carry him so long a journey the' the proposed repairs of it seem necessary for that service.
The Board therefore beg leave to report
Ordered, That the sum of 14,000 dollars be paid to William Clajon, secretary to Major General Gates, on account, to enable him to proceed to join the southern army, and for his pay and subsistance money, up to this day.
Resolved, That in future he be allowed four rations, the value of three of them to be paid him in subsistance money, agreeably to the resolution of the 18 August, 1779.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 481.]
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The Board of War, to whom was referred the memorial of Lieutenant Daniel Broadhead, brought in a report; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, August 8. 1780
Present Mr. Peters Col Grayson
The Board having considered the memorial of Lieut: Daniel Broadhead are of opinion that the facts therein stated, as to his being entitled to rank as Captain are true, but from whatever cause his want of actual promotion arose, he can have no proper claim on the United States, but for his pay as Lieutenant to the time of his release from captivity, especially as another officer was appointed in his stead, as Captain, and received pay from the United States in consequence of such appointment. From the time of his applying to the State to enter again into service he is entitled to haft pay as Captain agreeably to the resolution of Congress of Novemr 24, 1778, until the date of the resolve making supernumeraries of all officers in his situation at that time he became entitled to the allowance made to supernumerary officers. As he cannot now receive the Commission of Captain the whole of his demand is matter of account and proper for the consideration of the Treasury Board who will no doubt be of opinion with the board that he should be paid the specie he expended for his support in like manner with other officers whose claims on this account have been allowed by Congress. The Board therefore beg leave to report
Ordered, That the said report, with the memorial of Lieutenant Daniel Broadhead, be referred to the Board of Treasury.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 489.]
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letters of 20 July, from Gen. Washington and Brigadier Gen. Maxwell, report,
"That hitherto, when an officer resigned his commission in our army, he also resigned all pretensions to any rewards or benefits arising from his appointment; nor would it be politic or just that officers quitting the service, before the termination of the war, should receive the like rewards with those
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who continue in service until it is brought to a period' it is however consistent with the intention of Congress, as expressed in the resolution of the 10th day of April last, that officers whose resignations are accepted by Congress, after that resolve, should enjoy all the benefits accruing therefrom, as will appear by the proviso at the close of the resolution, the terms whereof clearly comprehending Brigadier General Maxwell's case, the Board conceive no further act of Congress necessary";1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 487.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
The Board of Admiralty, to whom was referred the petition of Captain Henry Mitchell, report,
"That the vessel and cargo mentioned in the said petition, as having been seized by Captain Nicholson, of the continental frigate Deane, being libelled in the maritime court in the State of Massachusetts Bay, is in course of procedure to bring the legality of the capture to a decision, and therefore, it is the proper way in which the merits of Mr. Mitchell's petition and cause should be determined inexpedient for Congress to interfere in the matter":2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 289.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
A letter, of 1, from Brigadier Muhlenberg, was read:
Ordered, That it be transmitted to the Board of War.
A letter, of this day, from H. Hollingsworth, was read;3 Whereupon,
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XII, folio 55.]
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury enquire into the circumstances of the supposed forgery of Robert Anderson's name to a receipt, offered as a voucher, in support of the accounts of Henry Hollingsworth, and report to Congress.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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