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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, FEBRUARY 21, 1781
A letter, of 4th, and
One, of 7, from the honble. J. Laurens, was read.2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of the 4th is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 165, folio 41; that of the 7th is on folio 49. They are printed in theDiplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, (Wharton), IV, that of the 4th on page 249, and that of the 7th on page 252.]
A letter, of 31 January, from Major General Greene, was read, enclosing a letter, of 25 January, from Lieutenant Colonel H. Lee:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, I, folio 549.]
Ordered, That the letter from Colonel Lee be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
Letter, of 19, from Baron d' Arendt, was read:4
[Note 4: 4 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VII, folio 359.]
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Ordered, That, it be referred to a committee of three.
The members, Mr. [Alexander] McDougall, Mr. T[homas] Smith, Mr. [George] Walton.
A report from the Board of War, on the memorial of Captain Bentalon, was read;
At a Board of WarFeby. 19th. 1781.
Present Mr Peters
Gen.l Cornell
The Board having considered the reference with which they were honored, on the memorial of Captain Bentalon beg leave to report.
That he was appointed Captain in Count Pulaski's legion and at the attack of Charlestown was wounded and obtained an unlimited furlough from Genl Lincoln to go to Europe for his recovery, from which it appears that General Lincoln considered Captain Bentalon as an officer in the Army of the United States. So far as respects his demands for the loss of horses does not seem properly authenticated; as to the payment of his expences to and from Europe when on furlough, appears to the Board unprecedented and altogether inadmissible.
Should Congress be of the same opinion it may be proper to resolve,
That Captain Bentalon be considered as retiring under the resolution of the 3rd. and 21st. of October 1780, and entitled to the emoluments arising therefrom.
That the Board of War draw a Warrant in favor of Captain Bentalon on the Pay Master General for three months pay on account.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 193.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the foregoing committee.
A report from the Board of War, on the memorial of Major General A. St. Clair, was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of WarFeby 20th 1781
Present Mr Peters Genl. Ward Genl Cornell
The Board having taken into consideration the memorial of Major General St. Clair referred to them from Congress,
Beg leave to report,
That the General is under the necessity of visiting the several Cantonments of the Pensylvania line, but cannot proceed upon that duty until he is furnished with a supply of money, for his travelling expenses.
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The Board are sensible of the necessity of supplying him with money and at the same time foresee the dangerous precedent which will be established by making the advance, as every other officer of that line, will claim with equal justice the like advantages.
Should Congress however be of opinion, that the General's presence is absolutely necessary at the aforementioned Cantonments, in that case, it may be proper to resolve,
Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant on the paymaster general, in favour of Major General St. Clair, for three months' pay, equal to four hundred and eighty dollars of the new emissions, for which sum he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 185.]
Another report from the Board of War, on the memorial of Captain O'Neil, was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of WarFeby 19th. 1781
Present Mr Peters
Genl Cornell
The Board having taken into consideration the reference they have been honored with on Captain O'Neils memorial beg leave to report.
That it does not appear by any resolution of Congress that Captain O'Neil ever had any other Continental appointment than that of Captain in Count Pulaski's legion. That on the 29th. of December 1779 Congress, by a resolve authorized General Lincoln to reduce the legion, which he undertook and compleated in December 1779 (to which time Captain O'Neil was paid) by ordering the Cavalry to join the late Col Bland's regt. and the Infantry the 1st. South Carolina regt. Congress on the 23rd day of Feby. 1780, Resolved that Col Armand should take the Command of the legion; neither of the resolutions make any provision for the Officers. But from many circumstances it appears that Captain O'Neil considered himself a supernumerary, among which his accepting the appointment of Colonel from Govr. Nash of the State of North Carolina is not the least, and it appears by information the Board have received that ten days before the attack on Savannah Captain O'Neil left the legion, having no Command therein, and went to Augusta, never having acted since in the legion or any other Continental Corps.
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Should Congress be of that opinion it may be proper to Resolve
That Captain O'Neil be considered as retiring from service under the Resolution of Congress of the 24th. day of Novr. 1778 and be entitled to one years extra pay.
That the Treasury Board be directed to report a Warrant in favor of Captain O'Neil for ninety seven dollars and one third in bills of the new emmissions, in full of all demands on the United States.
The reason of the Boards fixing on the above sum is that it is the value according to the scale of depreciation, of the sum received by Officers of the like rank at the time of their retiring as Supernumeraries.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 181.]
Resolved, That Captain O'Neil be considered as retiring from service under the resolution of Congress of the 24 day of November, 1778, and be entitled to one year's pay in bills emitted pursuant to the resolution of 18 March, 1780.
A report of the Board of War, on the memorial of Colonel Elbert, was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of WarFeby. 20th 1781
Present Mr. Peters
Genl. Cornell
The Board having considered the reference, with which they have been honored, on the memorial of Col Elbert,
Beg leave to observe, that the Colonel is now confined by a disagreeable disorder, and destitute of cash, and that he hath lent a considerable sum to the Continent, which he is willing should still remain, provided he can receive his pay.
In consideration of the foregoing facts, it may be proper for Congress to resolve,
Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant on the paymaster general, in favour of Colonel S. Elbert, for three months' pay and subsistance equal to three hundred dollars in the bills of the new emissions on account.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 125.]
A report from the Board of War, on the memorial of Preserved Clap, was read; Whereupon,
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At a Board of WarFebruary 20th 1781
Present Mr. Peters
Genl. Cornell
The Board having considered the reference with which they were honored on the memorial of Preserved Clap, beg leave to observe,
That it appears from his memorial and General Knox's letter that he hath been with the Army as a volunteer for eighteen months without pay or any emolument. That it farther appears by General Lincolns and Knox's letters that Mr Clap was sole inventor of stocking the Cannon that were supposed to be rendered useless by the enemy at Boston, and in the vicinity, in the spring of 1776; from which the Continent at large received a real benefit; for which he received no emolument but barely day wages. From the foregoing state of facts it may be proper for Congress to resolve,
Resolved, That the supreme executive of the State of Massachusetts examine into the merit and services of Preserved Clap, and order payment on the account of the United States, for such sum as they think he may justly deserve; provided it shall not exceed one thousand dollars in bills of the new emissions:
That Preserved Clap be informed, that Congress cannot employ him in public service, consistent with their arrangements.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 173.]
A letter, of this day, from E. Forman, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 435.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Congress was resolved into a Committee of the Whole, to consider farther the reports on finance and other papers referred to them, and after some time the President resumed the chair and Mr. [John] Mathews reported that the Committee have considered farther the papers referred to them, but not having come to a conclusion desire leave to sit again:
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Ordered, That to Morrow Congress be resolved into a Committee of the Whole, to consider farther the reports on Finance.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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