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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 17, 1780
A letter, of 5, from Colonel C. Febiger was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 329.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Treasury Office, August 15th. 1780
The Board beg leave to report
That the escorts intrusted with the warrants drawn in pursuance of the resolutions of Congress of the 19th. May and 29th. June last on the Treasurer of the State of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, have presented the warrants aforesaid to be discharged, and are returned with following answers of the respective Treasurers:
The Treasurer of the State of New York in his letter dated the fifth instant writes that he has paid the messenger all the money he could command, being three hundred nineteen thousand, one hundred and ninety one dollars in part of one of the warrants on him. The Legislature of that State having some time since authorized the Quarter Masters and Commissaries in that department to issue their certificates in discharge of the debts they have contracted and directed him to receive such certificates in payment of Taxes, and that he has already received one million of dollars in those certificates.
The Treasurer of Rhode Island says he has paid the escorts forty seven thousand seven hundred and forty seven nine hundred and nineteen dolls. and wishes it had been in his power to pay the whole.
The Treasurer of the State of Massachusetts Bay writes "I am sorry to inform you that it is not in my power to transmit the whole or any part of the two orders," and attributes his inability to the exertions of the State for sending the militia to cooperate with the allies.
The Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire writes that the amount of the warrant for three hundred and twelve thousand four hundred and fifty dollars (being the full proportion of the Ten Millions) was on the 16 June last by order of the President of the State sent on by Lieut: Colo. Henry Dearborn with orders to deliver the same to the Board of Treasury. The reason why the other
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warrant cannot be paid will be given by the President of the State in his letter to the President of Congress. It may be necessary to observe that the sum above mentioned has been received by the Pay Master General.
Mr. Hillegas informs the Board "that the escorts have brought neither money nor letter from Connecticut, but say the Treasurer informed them that he would lay the matter before the Governor and Council of that State, and as soon as he was enabled to discharge the warrants, he would write this way."
The warrants on the State of Pennsylvania in pursuance of the Resolution of Congress of the 19th May and 29th June last, have also been presented for payment; for information on this subject, the Board beg leave to refer Congress to the letter from the President of the State herewith transmitted.
This representation will shew that no immediate supplies of money for the Treasury of the United States, are to be expected from the several States above mentioned.
The Board having considered that part of the letter from T. Pickering Quarter Master General dated the twelfth instant referred to them by Congress, which applies to the advance of money, beg leave to report
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Colonel T. Pickering, Q. M. G., for one million and fifty thousand dollars, to enable him to continue the business of transportation and the purchase of forage and camp equipage; and for which the said Colonel Pickering, Q. M. G., is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 517.]
Treasury Office August 15, 1780
The Board of Treasury report
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 Postponed. in his favor on account of Benjamin Flower Commissary General of Military Stores for three hundred and eighty thousand dollars to be applied to the purposes mentioned in said estimate, and for which the said Benjamin Flower is to be accountable.
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That on the application of Francis Hopkinson Treasurer of Loans a warrant issue on the Treasurer in his favor for six Postponed. thousand dollars on account of his salary.
The Board beg leave to submit to Congress an Extract of a letter from Major Genl. Lincoln dated Boston July 23d 1780 which accompanies his return of bills of exchange drawn on the President of Congress, on which they submit the following report,
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be, and hereby are, authorised to honor, without further advice, such bills of exchange as shall, in the opinion of the Board, appear evidently to have been drawn by Major General Lincoln on the President of Congress, although not contained in any letter of advice, agreeably to the terms prescribed by the resolutions of Congress of the 23d of March and 10th of July last.
The Board of Treasury having considered the letters of his Excellency President Weare of New Hampshire dated the 17th and 25th ultimo, with the several acts of that State relative to supplies, referred to them by Congress beg leave to report
That as the President's letter of the 17th relative to supplies raised agreeable to the specific supplies called for by the resolution of Congress of the 25th. of February last and for the raising of Troops to fill up the quota of that State in the field, it be referred to the Board of War. That a letter be written to President Weare by the Board of Treasury informing that the money sent by Lt: Col. Derborn has been received and carried to the credit of the State of New Hampshire.
That as President Weare's letter of the 25th ulto. relates to the balance of the quota of that State up to the first of March last, drawn for in consequence of the resolution of the 29th. of June last, this Board are of opinion, it is fully considered in their report of this date relative to warrants on the different States under similar circumstances
The Board having considered the letter from Governor Rutledge of the 15th inst: referred to them by Congress beg leave to report
That a warrant issue on George Brooke Treasurer for the State of Virginia for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in favor of John Rutledge Esqr. Governor of the State of South Re-committed. Carolina (being part of the monies raised in said State of Virginia, for the use of the United States) and
for which sum the said State of South Carolina is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 513.]
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Ordered, That so much of the report as relates to the letter of 15 from Governor Rutledge, be re-committed.
The committee to whom was referred the letter of 3d from the Count de Rochambeau, brought in a report: Whereupon,
Resolved, That Congress have a just sense of the vigilance and prudence of the commanders of the fleet and army of our ally, in taking the precautions mentioned in the letter of Monsieur the Count de Rochambeau, of the 3d of August, as well as of his attention to the ease and convenience of the militia of these states. The spirit, good order, and discipline of the troops under his command, deserve their warmest approbation.
The committee to whom were referred the petition of John Patrick Lynch, and the report of the court of appeals thereon, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That John Patrick Lynch, now confined in the state's prison, as a prisoner of war, be discharged.
On motion of Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, seconded by Mr. [Roger] Sherman,
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to devise means to prevent the farther issues of certificates by the officers of the staff departments of the army, to supply the same with money, and to carry into effect the resolutions of Congress, of the 18th of March last.
The members chosen, Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, Mr. [Roger] Sherman and Mr. [William Churchill] Houston.
Congress resumed the consideration of the proceedings of the court martial on the trial of Doctor W. Shippen, director general; and some time being spent thereon,
Treasury Office August 17, 1780
The Board having considered the petition of Henry Hollingsworth referred to them by Congress Beg leave to Report,
That they are ready to proceed to hear Henry Hollingsworth aforesaid, on his appeal from the report of the Commissioners of Accounts.
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That so far as respects the supposed forgery they do not consider themselves authorised to enquire, or decide concerning it, without the particular instructions of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 523.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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