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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 10, 1780
A letter, of 9, from Charles Pettit was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Armstrong, Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell and Mr. [Roger] Sherman.
A letter, of this day, from H. Shiell was read:
Ordered, That a suitable passport be prepared.
A letter, of 9, from the Board of War was read, enclosing a letter from President Reed of Pensylvania, and sundry other papers:2
[Note 2: 2 Pettit's letter is in The Papers of the Continental Congress. No. 192, folio 333; Shiell's letter is in No. 78, XX, folio 537; that of the Board of War is in No. 148, I, folio 153.]
Ordered, That the same be referred back to the Board of War to report.
Another letter, of 9th, from the Board of War was read, enclosing a copy of a letter, of 3, from General Washington:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, I, folio 161.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read, respecting public accountants:
Treasury Office Augt 3d 1780
Whereas the "ordinance for establishing a Board of Treasury, and the proper officers for managing the Finances of these United States" dated July 30th 1779 declares it to be among the duties of the Commissioners of the Board of Treasury "To see that the public accounts are regularly stated in the Auditor's office, and all public Debtors brought to account, Frauds detected and Defaulters punished" and whereas it is of the utmost importance that these duties should be discharged with fidelity, the Board beg leave to report their proceedings on that part of these duties that respects the bringing public debtors to account in the execution thereof. Having
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waited perhaps too long in expectation that measures would be taken by the several accountants with the United States for a settlement of their respective accounts; unable to discover any disposition for that purpose, and having too much reason to be persuaded that there would be no settlement in due time without the exertions of the Board, they considered it necessary in the beginning of May last, to transmit the circular order No 1 to the several accountants therein mentioned, which was accompanied by the circular letter No 2, requiring their respective accounts to be produced at the Treasury Office on the first day of June ensuing--In order to induce a compliance with this just and necessary requisition the order No 3, was published in the several newspapers.
Having received the answers of the several gentlemen mentioned in No 1, they deemed it expedient to suspend the operation of No 3, and extend the period of settlement to the first day of August current, which was communicated by their circular order and letter No 4 and 5.
For the further information of Congress it may be necessary to represent, what has been the conduct of the several accountants in consequence of these proceedings of the Board; and what are the sums with which they are charged in the Treasury Books, which will appear from the under written State
{table}
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From this Representation Congress will be enabled to judge and determine on the propriety of the proceedings of the Board, and to give such directions as they may esteem necessary for compelling such accountants to render their accounts as have hitherto delayed and refused.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 475.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, Mr. [Thomas] McKean and Mr. [Nicholas] Van Dyke.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Patrick Ferrall, clerk in the auditor general's office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for six thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Abel Westfall, on account of Major Brigadier General Smallwood, for eighteen thousand dollars, for the purpose of paying for a waggon and three horses impressed by the said Brigadier General Smallwood, for which no satisfaction appears to have been made; and for which sum the said Brigadier General Smallwood is to be accountable.
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred the memorial of D. Lockwood, report,
That provision is made for the case set forth in the said memoriaI by a resolution of the 3d instant, to which the said David Lockwood should have recourse.
The Board having considered the Extract of a letter from John Bradford Continental Agent at Boston dated the twelfth day of July last referred to them by Congress, beg leave to Report,
That the resolution of Congress of the twenty seventh of May last directing the sale of three hundred Hogsheads of Sugar was transmitted to the aforesaid John Bradford in a letter dated the thirtieth of the same month which for the satisfaction of Congress is herewith submitted to their consideration, that if any part of the
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monies arising from such sale has been applied to the demands of the Navy Board, as is intimated in said Extracts, it has been without the consent of this Board and directly contrary to their instructions and the Resolution of Congress above mentioned.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folios 471--3.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of William Geddes, commissioner of accounts, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for twenty thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of William Govett, commissioner of accounts, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for fifteen thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of Cornelius Comegys, clerk in the Treasury office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for six thousand dollars on account of his salary.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 491.]
That on the application of Samuel Hodgson, assistant commissary general of military stores, accompanied with an estimate approved by the Board of War, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, on account of Benjamin Flower, commissary general of military stores, for five hundred thousand dollars, to be applied in the department of military stores; and for which the aforesaid Benjamin Flower, commissary general of military stores is to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 495.]
The committee, to whom was referred the memorial of the general officers, brought in a report, which was read.
Treasury Office August 8. 1780
Every order of Congress being complied with, there remains the sum of fourteen thousand two hundred and thirty one dollars and24/54 to be disposed of, of which ten thousand three hundred and twenty five dollars and 24/54 are in the hands of Mr Smith Coramr of
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the Continental Loan Office for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and three thousand nine hundred and six dollars in the hands of the Tree, surer of Loans.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 493. It is indorsed: "Read August 10."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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