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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 --FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1781
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of WarFeby. 1st. 1781
Mr Peters
Genl Cornell
Mr Mathews
The Board have considered the extract from Governor Jefferson's letter, referred to them, beg leave to inform Congress that thirty four thousand four hundred dollars of the old money will be necessary to furnish such articles as are wanted for Virginia, and are not on hand as will appear from the estimate enclosed. Wherefore the Board beg leave to report.
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury report a warrant in favour of the commissary general of military stores for thirty-four thousand four hundred dollars for the purchase of sundry articles to be forwarded to the southern army.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 119.]
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter of Captain Paschi, delivered in a report; Whereupon,
At a Board of WarJany 26th 1781
Present Mr Peters
Genl. Cornell
The Board having considered the letter of Captn Paschi referred to them, beg leave to remind Congress, that in consequence of his application for a sum of money to enable him to return to Europe
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(he despairing at that time of employment in the American Army) it was resolved on the 16th. of May last, "That the sum of three thousand dollars currency of these United States, and a bill of exchange for two hundred and fifty dollars in Specie be paid to Captn Paschi late of Count Pulaski's legion (which being disolved Congress have no means of employing Captn Paschi, tho a deserving Officer) to enable him to return to Europe." From this resolution, with which Captain Paschi at the time of its passing appeared perfectly satisfied, the board conceive he can have no right to the claim contained in his letter "of depreciation and half pay"--but as it appears from the instructions of the late Baron De Kalb, and the certificate of Genl. Gates, that he has since been usefully and actively employed with the Southern Army, something may be due to him from the generosity of Congress.--of this however Congress will judge,--the Board cannot consider him in any other light than as a discharged Officer, who since his dismission has volunteered it with the Army, and under this Idea they submit the following Resolution:
Resolved, That Captain Paschke, late of the American army, be informed that the request contained in his letter of the 22d inst. to be allowed depreciation and half-pay cannot be complied with.
But if Congress conceive that something is due to him for his services with the Southern Army, they will in that case be pleased to resolve:
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury report a warrant in favour of Captain Paschke, late of the army of these states, for three hundred dollars of the new emissions, for his services with the southern army since the resolution of the 16 day of May last.
The Board have inserted three hundred dollars that sum being six months pay without subsistence, he having been allowed advantages by Genl. Gates equal to his subsistence.1)
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 111.]
On the application of Mr. [John] Sullivan, a delegate for the State of New Hampshire,
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Ordered, That the Board of War advance to John Nesmith, so much money as they may judge reasonable and necessary, to enable him to return home; and make report to the Board of Treasury of the sum so advanced, that the same may be charged to the State of New Hampshire, which is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 Ezekiel Cornell's letter to John Sullivan relative to Nesmith is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VI, folio 7.]
The committee appointed to meet and confer with the supreme executive of Pensylvania made report.
The delegates of Pensylvania laid before Congress a letter of this day to them, from the president of the supreme executive council of Pensylvania, enclosing a copy of a letter from the same to Major General St. Clair, which were read;2 Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, II, folio 831.]
Ordered, That the President inform the supreme executive council of Pensylvania, that Congress have not been insensible of the sufferings of the army for want of pay: that on the 15 of last month they did, in the most earnest manner, apply to the respective states, from Pensylvania to New Hampshire, both inclusive, for a sum of money for the immediate pay of the army composed of the line of those states: that the whole line is equally the object of the care and attention of Congress: that as soon as the circumstances of the public treasury will admit, the just claims of the army shall be satisfied; but that Congress cannot, in any circumstance, make a distinction between the troops of any one State and those of another.
On motion of Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott,
Resolved, That he bedischarged excused from any farther attendance at the Board of Treasury.
Treasury OfficeJany 31st. 1781
The Board of Treasury report--for the information of Congress--That by a letter from Nathaniel Appleton Loan Officer for Massachusetts
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dated the 10th. instant they are informed the bills of exchange directed by Congress on the 30th. of August last to the amount of 29,105 dollars drawn on the honorable Benjamin Franklin for the purpose of paying that sum to John Gartia Duarti were not all necessary for the discharge of that debt and that there are now in the hands of the Loan Officer aforesaid eleven thousand one hundred and five dollars, part of the bills aforesaid subject to the further direction of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 81. The indorsement shows that it was read on this day.]
Congress took into consideration the report of the Committee of the Whole, and, after debate,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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