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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, OCTOBER 24, 1780
A letter from Mr. Lotbiniere was read; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIV, folio 379.]
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. Lotbiniere for ten thousand dollars, continental currency, on account.
A letter from R. Harrison, dated Cadiz, August 16th, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XII, folio 89.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
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A letter, of 23, from Colonel Grayson; and another, of the same date, from R. Peters Esq., were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Samuel] Adams, Mr. [James] Duane and Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell.
Ordered, That the committee on salaries, to whom were referred the letter from Peter Baynton, and the letter from the clerks of several Boards, be discharged; and that Mr. [John] Hanson the only remaining member of that committee be added, and the letters above mentioned referred, to the above committee.1
[Note 1: 1 From here the entries are by George Bond.]
A report from the Board of War was read, enclosing a letter from Samuel Hodgdon, assistant commissary general of military stores.
War Office Oct 19, 1780
Sir,
The board have the honor to lay before Congress a letter from Mr. Hodgdon, Deputy Comy. Genl. of Military Stores, on the subject of the Department in which he acts. The plan he mentions would be eligible if current cash could be had; but the want of this is the constant bar to almost every plan. We would at this time particularly call your attention to the complaint with respect to the absolute famine which now prevails not only among the Artificers here but at all the posts at which they are employed. No work is done, the men are wandering about, some of them who can get private employment receive a support from what they earn, and others not fortunate enough to get private work, are in a state of absolute want. No discipline can be enforced under the present circumstances, as the men cannot consistent with any principle of justice be forced to work when the public cannot enable them to eat. We have in vain called on the Provision Commissary's Department. We have no hopes held out by the Officers of that department either of present or future relief. We have therefore thought it proper to lay the matter before Congress, lest when the supplies in the Ordnance department are wanting, undeserved censure may be thrown either on the Board or the Department, for deficiencies for which under the distressed circumstances
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stances above stated, neither should be answerable. We hope from the wisdom of Congress some relief may be afforded in the article of provisions, the men being willing to work if they can be fed and wait with patience for their pay unless their repeated wants and consequent idleness should have expelled every idea of discipline and subordination from among them.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 617.]
Ordered, That the report with the letter enclosed, be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland and Mr. [Willie] Jones.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on Colonel Blaine's letter, of the 17th instant; and thereupon,
Resolved, That Colonel Blaine, commissary-general of purchases, be directed to make accurate returns to Congress of the supplies furnished by each State since the last day of December last.
That the state agents transmit to the Commander in Chief and to the commissary general, respectively, monthly returns of all the provisions which shall be drawn into their hands, specifying the articles and magazines or places where they shall be deposited. And as this regulation is of the utmost importance to the safety of the army and the success of military operations, it be earnestly recommended to the several legislatures to enjoin it as a duty on their state agents, under penalties which will enforce a prompt and punctual obedience; and that the commissary general transmit copies of all such returns to the Board of War without delay; and that he also lay before Congress a general monthly return of all provisions which shall hereafter be furnished by the states.
Resolved, That the States of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, be desired to forward to camp without delay, the cattle called for by the resolution of the 15th day of September last.
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That a copy of the letter of Colonel Blaine, and its enclosures, be transmitted without delay to the several states, who are hereby requested to take into their serious consideration the present want and distresses of the army, that they furnish and forward, by means the most efficacious, the supplies requested from them respectively; and that this subject, from the advanced season of the year, the critical state of our affairs, and the calamities consequent on the dissolution of the army, ought, in the opinion of Congress, to engage the unremitted attention of the states.
Ordered, That so much of the report as respects a grant of six hundred thousand dollars an advance to Colonel E. Blaine, commissary general, be re-committed.
On motion of Mr. [James] Duane, seconded by Mr.B[enjamin] Huntington,
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to devise ways and means by which the fleet and army of his Most Christian Majesty may be supplied with provisions, without the injury arising to the publick from interfering purchasers; and that they be instructed to confer with the Minister of France on the subject.
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland and Mr. [John] Hanson.
Treasury Office Octr. 16, 1780
Whereas Provision is made by the Resolution of Congress of the 26th. of August last only for such creditors of the United States as may have furnished supplies for the army or the transportation thereof, and there are sundry other creditors of various descriptions, who having just claims against the United States and their accounts unsettled are entitled to the same justice and for whom similar Provision should be made--
And whereas by a Resolution of the date aforesaid all debts due to the United States for monies received for their use, or otherwise, are to be paid according to the just value of the money when it was received or became due, and it is reasonable and just that all debts due from the United States should be paid according to the just value
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of the money at the time when it became due: the Board beg leave to submit the following Resolutions--
Resolved, That all debts due from the United States for services or supplies of any sort be paid according to the just value of the sums due in the Bills of credit emitted pursuant to the act of Congress of the 18th. of March last, the value of the sums due to be ascertained in specie agreeably to the Table of depretiation prepared in pursuance of the Resolution of the 28th. of June last--
That in all cases in the settlement of accounts where the value of the sums due either to or from the United States is to be ascertained in specie, the Commissioners of the several Chambers of accounts be governed by the Table of depretiation aforesaid
That all accounts or parts of accounts of every description whatever that have been duly settled be excluded from all remedy against depretiation. Provided that nothing herein mentioned shall be construed to affect in any manner the Resolutions of Congress relative to the payment of the army1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 641. It is indorsed: "Referred to the Committee on the letter of 23d October from the Comrs. of the Board of War."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.2
[Note 2: 2 Here Charles Thomson resumes the entries.]
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