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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 --THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1780
A letter, of 7, from Major General Greene was read, with sundry papers enclosed:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, I, folio 471.]
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Ordered, That the letter be referred to a committee of three:
The members Mr. [Thomas] Bee, Mr. [Samuel] Adams, Mr. [Richard] Howly.
Ordered, That two members be added to the committee on the letters from Major General McDougall in the room of those who are absent.
The members Mr. [William] Few, Mr. [Jesse] Root.
At a Board of War Decr 27, 1780
Present, Mr Peters, Genl Ward
The Board having considered the memorial of William Peck beg leave to inform Congress, That Mr Peck is entitled to the rank and to receive a commission as Major in the line of the army from his appointment as Aid de Camp to General Spencer and therefore they conceive that his case so far as relates to his depretiation is already provided for by Congress. If he belongs to the quota of any State that State will provide for him. If he belongs to the line at large and not to the quota of any State he will be returned in the list of officers of this description now preparing for Congress. His pay as D Ajt General he must receive by Warrant from the Paymaster General as other Officers do. But if Congress think there is any thing peculiar in his case which will make it an exception to the cases of Officers apparently in the same situation they will be pleased to resolve,
That the memorial of William Peck be referred to a special committee.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 795.]
Ordered, That the memorial of William Peck which was referred to the Board of War and returned, be referred to a committee of three:
The members Mr. [John] Sullivan, Mr. [James M.] Varnum, Mr. [Jesse] Root.
Resolved, That a commissioner be appointed for settling accounts in the southern army, and that to morrow be assigned for electing the same.
John S. Dart was put in nomination for that office by Mr. [Thomas] Bee.
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Resolved, That Congress approve of the appointment made by Major General Greene, of Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, to be deputy quartermaster general for the southern army.
Ordered, That Colonel Middleton's report of the action between General Sumpter and Colonel Tarleton, on the 20 of November last, and Major General Smallwood's letter of December 6, which were enclosed in Major General Greene's letter, be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
Resolved, That the Board of Admiralty take order for fitting out the Alliance frigate, for the purpose of conveying the hon. J. Laurens to some port in France.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
The committee, to whom was referred the letter, of the 8th, from General Washington; and
The committee, to whom was referred Mr. A. Lee's letter, of 7, delivered in their reports.2
[Note 2: 2 See January 2, 1781.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the Board of War on the representation of Florat Florimont, submitting that a sum of money be granted to him to enable him to proceed to the West Indies.
War Office Decr.1780
Sir,
On conversing with Capt: Florimont on the subject of his application to Congress either to be employed in the army, or furnished with the means of proceeding to the West Indies, trod from the papers he produces, it appears that his services have not been constant or very distinguished. He has been some times employed on occasional commands by different officers--but most commonly he has been in the country retired from the army as he says to perfect himself in the English language. He alledges that he has received but six months pay as Captain and one month as Lieutenant but has never had a commission from Congress. He has supported himself at his own expense as he represents and there is nothing appears to the contrary. He is now reduced in his circumstances and of course much distressed.
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If Congress under the above state of his case think proper to make him an allowance, they will please to resolve
That the sum ofDollars be paid to Mons: Florat de Florimont to enable him to proceed to the West Indies, Congress having no means of employing him in the Army of the United States consistent with the present arrangement thereof.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147. IV, folio 741.]
The question to agree thereto passed in the negative.
War Office, Decr. 20, 1780.
Sir,
The Iron Masters in Pennsylvania and Jersey have completed their contracts for shot and shells, and are incessantly importuning the Board to procure the money for the Comissary General of Military Stores to enable him to pay them. They point out the distresses to which they are subjected by the failure of payment in the strongest terms, and do not forget to mention the positive assurances they received from the Board, that no public embarrassments should prevent their receiving the first payment which it was intended to give them at all events. Many of them had suffered so severely by their former contracts, that it required the individual interest of some of the members of the Board to prevail on them to undertake the execution of the present agreements, and therefore their reproaches fall on us both in our public and private characters. Thus situated it is hoped that Congress will be pleased to fall on some measures to satisfy the pressing demands of the Contractors, and thereby relieve the Board from a very disagreeable situation. The proportion of articles provided under General Knox's Estimates, bears but a small relation to the amount of it, and if the proposed enterprize should be undertaken next year it will be utterly impossible to prevail on the Iron Masters again to undertake the business if they do not receive what was so solemnly stipulated to be paid them. An account of the quantities of shot and shells cast, of the monies paid in part, and of the sum due on the first payment is enclosed for the perusal of Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 749.]
Ordered, That a report from the Board of War relating to their contracts with iron masters be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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