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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 --MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1780
A letter, of 27, from General Gates, was read; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, II, folio 247.]
Ordered, That Major Armstrong have leave of absence, for the recovery of his health.
Ordered, That so much of the letter, as relates to the auditing the accounts in the southern army, be referred to the Board of War and that they report a plan for that purpose.
A letter, of 3, from Governor Jefferson was read, with sundry papers enclosed.
A petition from Matthew McConnell and others was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This petition, dated October 9, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 213.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of 8, from Mr. Marbois was read.4
[Note 4: 4 This letter is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), IV, 88.]
A report from the Board of Admiralty was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That John Bradford, continental agent at Boston, be and hereby is directed to sell all the canvas in his possession, except what the Navy Board of the eastern department
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may deem sufficient for the immediate use of the navy, or suitable for soldiers' tents; and also to sell all other goods in his hands belonging to the United States, and pay the money arising from the sales, agreeably to the orders of the Board of Admiralty.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 321. It is indorsed: "Report of the Board of Admiralty; read 19th Sept., 1780; passed 9th. Oct."]
Another report from the Board of Admiralty was read, Whereupon
Admiralty Office Octr. 6th. 1780
Mr. Lewis Pintard, agent for supplying the Continental Prisoners of War at New York, having informed this Board, that the Commissioners of the Board of War were to furnish him with Bills of Exchange, for the purpose of supplying Prisoners taken in the land Service, but that he must receive his directions for supplying the navy Prisoners from the Admiralty Board.
Resolved, That the agent for continental prisoners at New York be and hereby is directed to issue supplies to the navy prisoners, in the same manner as to those of the land army, as practised by him heretofore; and that he make distinct returns to the Board of Admiralty of all supplies by him issued to the navy prisoners, [distinguishing those in continental service from those in private ships of war, and the respective ships and states to which the latter belonged when taken].2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 322. The portion in brackets was added in Congress.]
A letter, of 27 September, from Governor Jefferson was read, accompanied with copies of the acts of the Virginia assembly, from the beginning of the year, 1779.
On motion of the Committee of Commerce,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the Commercial Committee for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the said committee to be accountable.
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Congress took into consideration the report on the petitions of John Showman Philips and Peter Bensey, British prisoners captured under the command of General Burgoyne, praying to be admitted to take the oath of allegiance to and become citizens of some one of the United States; and thereupon,
That the Committee to whom was referred the petitions of John Showman Philips and Peter Bensey British soldiers captured under the command of Genl Burgoyne near Saratoga, and who deserted from the Convention troops on their March from Boston to Virginia, do now report.
That in the opinion of your Committee the prayer of said petitioners to be admitted to take the oath of Allegiance to these States and become citizens thereof being contrary to the said Convention, and if granted might operate to continue the imprisonment of the Citizens of the States with the enemy.
And thereupon your Committee submit the following resolution to Congress, to wit:
Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be not granted, and that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the deputy commissary of prisoners in this State.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Nicholas Van Dyke, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 109.]
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Robert Patton, messenger of Congress, for eight thousand five hundred dollars, continental currency, for the purpose of providing firewood for the use of Congress; and for which sum he is to be accountable.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on Mr. Adams' letters; and after some time spent thereon,
Admiralty Office 6 October, 1780.
The Board to whom was referred the petition of Nathan Bush, beg leave to report,
That they have carefully examined the several vouchers herewith and are of opinion the sum of forty five thousand pounds current
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money of the State of South Carolina should be paid to the said petitioner agreeably to the inclosed appraisement.
27693 Continental dollars of the present depreciation equal to 55386 continental dollars at the time the vessel was appraised.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 325. It is indorsed: "Read October 9, 1780. August 24, 1781, not to be acted upon."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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