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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, DECEMBER 6, 1780
Mr. [Samuel] Atlee, a delegate for the State of Pensylvania, attended and took his seat in Congress.
A letter, of this day, from William Palfrey was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 165, folio 553.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on his letter of 9 November.
The President laid before Congress two bills drawn upon the President and the honorable Members of Congress by a certain Baron de Wulffen, in favour of Messrs. John de Neuville & Sons, and by them endorsed over:
Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Samuel] Adams, Mr. [George] Clymer.
The committee to whom was referred the letter of 28 November, from General Washington, brought in a report; Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
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While Congress are sensible of the patriotism, courage, and perseverance of the officers and privates of their regular forces, as well as of the militia throughout these United States, and of the military conduct of the principal commanders in both; it gives them pleasure to be so frequently called upon to confer marks of distinction and applause for enterprizes which do honor to the profession of arms, and claim a high rank among military atchievements: in this light they view the enterprize against fort St. George, on Long Island, planned and conducted with wisdom and great gallantry, by Major Talmadge, of the light dragoons, and executed with intrepidity and complete success by the officers and soldiers of his detachment.
And the victory obtained by Genl. Sumpter at the head of a party of brave militia, over the British Cavalry and Infantry under Major Wemyss on the West side of the Wateree in South Carolina.
Ordered, therefore, That Major Talmage's report to the Commander in Chief, and Major Genl. Gates's communication of Genl. Sumpter's victory, be published with the preceding minute, as a tribute to distinguished merit, and in testimony of the sense Congress entertain of their brilliant services.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 323.]
Ordered, therefore, That Major Talmadge's report to the Commander in Chief be published, with the preceding minute, as a tribute to distinguished merit, and in testimony of the sense Congress entertain of this brilliant service.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War Office Decr. 6, 1780
Sir,
The Board have received information from Colo. Rawlins Comy. of prisoners at Fort Frederick in Maryland of the approach of about eight hundred of the Convention Troops from Charlotteville towards that post, which he represents as exceedingly distressed on the score of provisions. We have directed the Depy. Comy. Genl. of purchases,
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Major Forsythe, to take the charge of supplying all these troops both at their former station and those at Fort Frederick, and have requested the governments of Virginia and Maryland to give orders to their purchasers respectively in those parts of the said States convenient to Fort Frederick to furnish the necessary supplies to the orders of Major Forsythe, in part of the quotas called for by Congress for the army--Virginia supplying one half for the prisoners at Fort Frederick, and Maryland the other half. The Barracks at Fort Frederick are in very bad condition--they will not cover all the prisoners now there, and those of the first division of the Convention Troops, ordered by the executive of Virginia to that post. We therefore beg leave to ask the opinion of Congress on the subject; as the covering of the prisoners will be very expensive at Fort Frederick, nor is it clear that a greater number than those who must of necessity now reside there (amounting to near 1100 including 280 who have been at the post for a long time past) can be supported from the supplies convenient to the post. The removal of the prisoners from Charlotteville seems now to be rendered unnecessary by the departure of the enemy from Virginia, and there being buildings already erected at that post, for the accommodation of the prisoners, it should seem that it is most expedient for those of them who have not been removed to remain there. Should Congress be of this opinion it may be proper to resolve,
Resolved, That such of the Convention troops as are not already removed from the barracks near Charlotteville, in the State of Virginia, remain at that post until the farther order of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 717.]
The committee on Mr. Adams' letter, of June 26; and
The Committee to whom was referred the Letter of June 26 from the Honble John Adams at Paris report,
That the Letter should be referred to the Comtee. of foreign affairs, and that they be instructed to inform Mr. Adams of the Satisfaction which Congress receives from his industrious attention to the Interests and Honor of these United States abroad, especially in the Transactions communicated to them by that Letter.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Lovell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 7. It is indorsed: "Postponed."]
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The committee on Mr. Adams' letters, of 24 and 25 September; and
The committee on the letter from Parsons, Alston and Company, delivered in their respective reports.
Decr 5th 1780
The Committee to whom were referred two letters, dated from Martinique 16 and 30 of October last and directed to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, beg leave to state as follows--
That the Crops of the present year having been, in general, so plentiful as to afford not only a full supply for every purpose of home consumption, but also a considerable surplus for foreign Market, it is, for this reason, unnecessary to continue the embargo on the exportation of Provisions.
That the sufferings of the West India Islands by the late violent Hurricane furnish an additional reason for taking off the said embargo, in order that the inhabitants of such of the said Islands as are friendly to these States, may be supplied with the necessary articles of subsistence.
That the discontinuing of the embargo will greatly extend the trade of these States, and, of course, have a beneficial effect upon their Agriculture, Finances and Navigation.
That the exportation of provisions may, by laws enacted for that end, be so regulated and restricted, as to prevent, in a great degree, clandestine Commerce and the capture of supplies by the enemy: in so great a degree, at least, as that the advantages of a freer trade will more than counterbalance the disadvantages arising from that circumstance.
From the foregoing view of facts the Committee report the following Resolutions:
That the embargo laid theday ofto prohibit the exportation of provisions from the ports of these States to foreign parts, and continued, from time to time, by divers resolutions of Congress, be taken off under the following qualifications and restrictions, that is to say:
That all persons in allegiance to any of these States and the subjects of Powers friendly to them, trading to and from any port of the said States be allowed to Ship and transport on board Armed vessels carrying not less than sixteen carriage Guns, well mounted
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and manned, none of the said Guns being less than 41bders, such provisions as the said States, on a careful consideration of circumstances, may in their discretion, judge can be spared from their Territories respectively.
That each vessel be allowed to take on Board 25 barrels of Flour for every 4lbder carriage gun, 40 for every 6lbeer and so progressively in that proportion; and the proper quantities of other species of provisions comparing them with the said stated quantity of Flour.
That each vessel be manned as follows, 4 men to every 4lbder, 5 to every 6lbder and in suitable proportion to guns of a larger size: Officers not to be reckoned in the said complements.
That these regulations be not construed as extending to prevent the taking on board such provisions as may be necessary for the Stores only, of vessels not included in the meaning of the aforesaid descriptions: or provisions, bonā fide laden on publick Account, for the use of the fleets and Armies of Nations engaged in the present War against Great Britain, though they should not be Armed and Manned as aforesaid. And in order the more effectually to prevent the discontinuing of the said embargo from affecting the supplies of the Army,
Resolved, That it is expedient to lay a duty of 3 per cent payable in Kind and not otherwise, on the exportation of every species of Provisions suitable for the Army and enumerated in the quotas assigned to the States respectively, to be paid into the hands of the principal Commissioner, Contractor or Purchaser in each State, or his Order, and reckoned towards the quota of such State.
That it be recommended to the several States to enact Laws, with adequate penalties, for carrying into strict and effectual execution the regulations aforesaid.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Churchill Houston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 15. It is indorsed by Thomson: "August 24, 1781; not to be acted upon."]
The Medical Committee, to whom were referred the letters from Doctor Binney and Doctor Maus, delivered in a report:
The Medical Committee to whom was committed the letters from B. Binney and M. Maus beg leave to report--
That on the 21st. day of July last a warrant issued on the Treasury in favor of Dr Jonathan Potts, Purveyor of the Hospital for 200,000
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dollars for procuring Hospital Stores, and paying the Physicians and Surgeons in that Department, a part only of which Warrant, owing to a deficiency of money in the Treasury, hath been received--
That on the 6th Novr last a warrant issued on the Continental Loan Officer of the State of New Jersey in favor of Thomas Bond Jr. the present Purveyor for a certain sum of money for procuring supplies necessary for the hospital, no part of which the Purveyor informs the Committee he hath been able to receive. That on account of the failures in obtaining money, the sick are in a suffering condition; The Physicians unable to proceed to their respective charges, and the business of the Department greatly impeeded in every part.
That in order to procure supplies immediately wanted for the relief of the sick and to enable the Physicians to perform their duty, it is necessary to furnish the Purveyor with a sum of money. That it be referred to the Treasury to report a Warrant without delay that will insure a speedy supply.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 31.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury, and that they report without delay, a warrant that will ensure a speedy supply of necessaries wanted for the sick and enable the physicians to perform their duty.
Ordered, That a member be added to the committee on the letter, of 23 November, from the Board of War, in the room of Mr. [George] Plater:
The member chosen, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Friday.
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