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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 22, 1780
A letter, of 21 July, from Thomas Burke was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, III, folio 513.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee, to whom was referred the report on the letter from Governor Trumbull.2
[Note 2: 2 A marginal note says: "See 13 July."]
A letter from Doctor W. Shippen, director general, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Frederick A.] Muhlenberg and Mr. [Roger] Sherman.
A memorial of J. Holker was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This memorial, dated August 22, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 127.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [John] Henry and Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston.
A memorial of Major Christian Holmer was read:4
[Note 4: 4 This memorial, dated August 22, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 135.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The delegates for the State of Virginia laid before Congress instructions from their constituents, which were read:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee on the extract of Mr. Jay's letter, of 26 May.
The delegates for Virginia laid before Congress farther instructions, which were read:5
[Note 5: 5 This instruction, dated July 13, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, I, folio 391.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee appointed to superintend the printing the Journal.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
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Ordered, That on the application of Charles Pettit, assistant quarter master general, approved by the Board of War, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, on account of Major General Greene, late Q. M. G. for eight thousand dollars, for the purpose of paying for a horse furnished Major Galvan, in consequence of the orders of General Washington; and for which the said Major General Greene, late 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 455.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee to whom was re-committed the report on the extract from the letter from W. Denning, and thereupon came to the following resolution:
Whereas it is of the utmost importance effectually to prevent the destruction, waste, embezzlement and misapplication of the public stores and provisions, upon which the existence of the armies of these United States may depend, and no adequate provision hath been made for the just punishment of delinquents in the departments of the quarter master general, commissary general of purchases, commissary general of issues, cloathier general, commissary general of military stores, Director General purveyor of the hospitals, and hide department; therefore,
Resolved, That every person in any of the said departments, intrusted with the care of provisions, or military or hospital stores, or other property of these United States, who shall be convicted, at a general court martial, of having sold, without a proper order for that purpose, embezzled, or wilfully misapplied, damaged or spoiled, any of the provisions, horses, forage, arms, cloathing, ammunition, or other military or hospital stores, or property belonging to the United States of America, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as shall be directed by a general court martial,
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according to the nature and degree of the offence, at the discretion of such court; [and every person in any of the said departments, intrusted as aforesaid, who shall be convicted at a general court martial of having, through neglect, suffered any of the articles aforesaid to be wasted, spoiled or damaged, shall suffer such punishment as the said court shall, in their discretion, direct, according to the degree of the offence.]1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Timothy Matlack, except the portion in brackets, which is in the writing of Samuel Huntington, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 57. The indorsements show that it was read July 21 and ordered for consideration for July 25. On August 21 it was re-committed and brought in the same day.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letter from Mr. Lotbiniere; and thereupon,
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury make such an adjustment of the account of the Rev. Louis Lotbiniere, as that he may receive the full benefit of the stipulation made to him by General Arnold, on the 26th of January, 1776, and confirmed by Congress on the 10th of August following.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Lovell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, 613.]
The committee on salaries brought in a report, which was read.
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred the letter, of 12, from Colonel Pickering, Q. M. G. delivered in a report, which was read:
Ordered, That the consideration thereof be assigned for to morrow.
A memorial of Redmond Burke was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This memorial, undated, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, folio 107.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
The committee, to whom was re-committed part of their report on the memorial from the general officers, brought in a report.
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Ordered, That the consideration thereof be assigned for to morrow.
A motion was made by Mr. [Thomas] Bee, seconded by Mr. J[oseph] Jones, respecting the line of expresses established by Governor Jefferson.
Resolved, That the line of expresses established by Govr. Jefferson and approved by Congress on the 29th. June last for communicating intelligence between the Southern and Northern Armies, be kept constantly employed. That the Board of War take order for carrying this measure into execution and forthwith inform Govr Jefferson thereof and endeavour with his assistance and advice so to arrange and fix the several stages and riders for the Southern Department as that advices may be communicated from either the Southern Army to Congress as quickly as possible and not to exceed once in every ten at farthest and back again without delay, and that the days Board take the necessary measures for intelligence with respect to the Northern Army.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Thomas Bee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 93.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Post Office.
Sundry resolutions being moved by Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Folsom,
Whereas it is necessary in order to provide for the discharge of such foreign debts as the United States have already contracted and to enable them to procure such farther credit as the public exigencies may require to have certain stated funds assigned for these purposes.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Legislatures of each of the United States to impose a tax upon all exports equivalent to two and one half pr cent for the said purpose, and to provide such means for the collection thereof as will be least liable to fraud, vesting the appointment of the officers employed therein in the Congress.
Resolved, That such duties be paid in specie or in kind and applied solely to the payment of the principal and interest of such debts as have been and may hereafter be contracted by the United States
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with their Most Christian and Catholic Majesties or their subjects, by the United States and cease when the same shall be fully discharged.
Resolved, That it be further recommended to the Legislatures of the respective States to impose a duty of five 2½ per cent on all vessels and cargoes captured from the Enemy and brought into any of the United States, the money arising from such duty in captures to be paid into the hands of the Board of Admiralty and applied to the equipment of ships of war, and the maintenance of the Navy of the United States, and to no other use whatsoever.
Resolved, That a Com: be chosen to form and report the draft of a bill for these purposes, that the same may be sent to the Legislatures for their concurrence, and one general system be uniformly adopted.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective States to repeal all embargoes and other restrictions upon the trade internal and foreign of the Country except so far as to those which prevent all commercial intercourse with enemies of the United States or of their allies.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 89.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee appointed to prepare an estimate, &c.
Ordered, That Mr. [Robert R.] Livingston be added to that committee.2
[Note 2: 2 A marginal note says "See 11th."]
The delegates for Massachusetts Bay laid before Congress an extract of a letter to them from the council of the said State, and on motion by them,
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Lovell, Mr. [James] McLene, and Mr. [John] Henry.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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