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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 --WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1780
Mr. Theodorick Bland, a delegate for the State of Virginia, attended and produced the credentials of the delegates for that State, which were read as follows:
In the House of Delegates.
the 21st of June 1780
Resolved that Theodorick Bland j(r) Esquire be appointed a Delegate to represent this Commonwealth in Congress until the first Monday in November next in the room of Cyrus Griffin Esqr who hath resigned; also that Joseph Jones, James Madison jr, Theodorick Bland jr. James Henry, and Meriwether Smith Esquires be appointed Delegates to represent this Commonwealth in Congress for one Year from the first Monday in November next; they having been so elected by joint Ballot of both Houses of Assembly
Teste
John Beckley C.h.d.
June 22d 1780
Agreed to by the Senate
Will: Drew: C. S.
A Copy.
John Beckley C.h.d.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Virginia, Credentials of Delegates.]
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A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War. Aug. 26. 1780
Present Mr Peters, Col Grayson
The board are not satisfied of their powers under the resolution of the 26. ulto., to remove from the service all the Officers who may be unnecessary in the Department of the Comy. Genl. of Military Stores--those serving by warrant from this board--Commissaries, Deputy Commissaries, Conductors &c. there will be no difficulty in superseding: but there are several persons who hold commissions signed by his Excellency the Presidt of Congress, in Col. Flower's regiment, and who, tho' altogether unnecessary in our present circumstances, the board are uncertain of their authority to dismiss--they therefore beg leave to report,
Resolved, That Major Joseph Eayres and Capt: Nathaniel Chapman who have been employed at Springfield in the department of the Commissary General of military stores, Major Charles Lukens at Carlisle, and Capt: Lieut: William E. Godfrey at Philadelphia be excused from farther service.
And if Congress should be of opinion that these officers are not entitled, under the resolutions for making good to the army, the depreciation of their pay, to the like advantages, the Remainder postponed.Board further beg leave to report.
That Ezekiel Cheerer Esq.r Lt: Colo. David Mason, Major Eayres, Capt: Chapman, Major Lukens, and Capt: Lt Godfrey be entitled each to one year's pay and subsistence.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 516.]
Ordered, That the remainder of the report be postponed.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Cornelius Comegys, clerk in the treasury office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for five thousand dollars, to defray the contingent expences of the treasury office; and for which he is to be accountable.
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That on the application of Charles Pettit, assistant quarter master general, on account of Major General Greene, late quarter master general, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for thirty thousand dollars, to repay a like sum borrowed by Colonel Thomas Smith, A[cting] D[eputy] Q. M. G., to enable him to forward the stores and artillery under the direction of Captain Craig to Fort Pitt; and for which the said Major General Greene, late Q. M. General is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 557.]
Treasury Office August 26th 1780
The Board have considered the extract of a letter from J. Bradford dated Boston 31st July 1780 to the President of Congress, and Referred--
The Board have also considered the Resolution of Congress of the 19th June last relative to John Garcia Duarti--Whereupon they Beg leave to report--
That the sum of eighteen thousand four hundred and forty one pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence current money of Massachusetts Bay, equal to sixty one thousand four hundred and seventy two dollars appears to have been due to the said John Garcia Duarti on the 11th of May 1778, on which sum he was to receive six per cent interest till paid. That the aforesaid sum of eighteen thousand four hundred and forty one pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence equal to sixty one thousand four hundred and seventy two dollars with interest at 6 pr cent calculated up to the 11th September next coming, will according to the rate of depreciation as established by Congress on the 28th. June last amount to twenty nine thousand one hundred and five specie dollars.
Resolved, That bills of exchange on Europe be prepared by the Board of Treasury, to be drawn on the honorable Benjamin Franklin, to the amount of twenty nine thousand one hundred and five dollars specie; and that the same bills be transmitted to John Bradford, to be by him paid to John Garcia Duarti, in full payment of the eighteen thousand four hundred and forty one pounds thirteen shillings and four
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pence due to him in continental money on the 11th May, 1778.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret (Domestic) Journal. The report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 555.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the memorial of Will Murray; and thereupon,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the president and privy council of Delaware, to permit William Murray, master of the schooner Betsey and Nancy, of Bermudas, to export, in said vessel, to the value of the present cargo of salt by him imported into and sold in that State, in flour, Indian corn, or other produce for the use of the distressed inhabitants of the said island; taking security from him that the same shall not be applied to any other use.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the letter, of 21, from Governor Trumbull, and on motion of Mr. [Samuel] Adams, seconded by Mr. [Joseph] Jones,
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from Governor Trumbull of the 21st Inst. with the papers enclosed,
Beg leave to Report,
That a Copy of the Memorial of George Howell, an Inhabitant of Suffolk County on Long Island, praying leave and protection to remove and land his effects either in the State of Rhode Island, or such other part of the United States as upon trial might be found most practicable, without molestation or danger of seizure be transmitted to Governor Trumbull and that he be informed that the passport granted upon said memorial so far as it respected the Governor or others to whom directed, not holding commission, or acting under the authority of Congress, was intended and ought to be considered only as recommendatory, that Congress in granting said passport, which was done upon full persuasion of the justice and propriety of the measure, from ample testimony in favor of the memorialist, did not claim a right, or intend in any manner to contravene the laws, or interfere with the civil police of any State.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 265.]
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Ordered, That the President explain to Governor Trumbull the circumstances of George Howell's application, and the passport granted to him in consequence thereof.
A memorial of Oliver Towles, lieutenant colonel, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This memorial, dated August 30, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, X, folio 109.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, who are to take into consideration the case of all under similar circumstances with the memorialists.
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War on the establishment of the inspector's department; and after debate,
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Artemas] Ward, Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell and Mr. [Theodorick] Bland.
Ordered, That copies of the resolutions for drawing bills on the honorable B. Franklin be transmitted to the Minister of France, and that the Committee on Ways and Means confer with him on the subject.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Mr. B[enjamin] Huntington, a delegate for the State of Connecticut, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for six thousand dollars, for which the said State is to be accountable.
That the Chamber of Accounts No 2, have liquidated the account of General McDougal agreable to a Resolve of Congress of the 25th instant and have reported a balance of eighteen hundred and ninety seven dollars and 75/90 of a dollar due to the General, which sum being founded on a resolution of Congress of the 9th. of December 1775.
That from the pressing necessities of the General, and as the Bills emitted under the Resolution of Congress of the 18th. of March last, cannot be obtained in time, the Board therefore submit the following Resolution.
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That the Board of Treasury be authorised to pay Major General McDougall, one thousand specie dollars, in bills of exchange, [in sixty days bills of exchange on France and Spain] out of those prepared by the resolution, of the 19 May last. And that a warrant issue on the State of New York for eight hundred and ninety seven dollars and 75/90, in bills emitted under the act of Congress, of the 18th of March last, which sums, amounting to eighteen hundred and ninety seven dollars and 75/90 of a dollar, are in full of the ballance reported to be due to him on the liquidation of his accounts by the chamber of accounts.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 559. The words in brackets are in the report and not in the Journal.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on salaries; and some time being spent thereon,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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