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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, MARCH 9, 1781
A memorial of Charles Phile was read;2 Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This memorial, dated March 8, 1781, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VIII, folio 168.]
Resolved, That the order, of the 6, to the Board of Admiralty, to give orders for discharging from confinement, John
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Goodwin and others therein mentioned, on certain conditions, be and hereby is repealed.
On motion of Mr.Sullivan [John] Mathews, seconded by Mr.Mathews [Richard] Howly:
Resolved, That the resolution of the 7th, respecting a compensation for the staff of the army, be reconsidered and recommitted.
The report of the committee on General Washington's letter, of 20th, was read:
Ordered, That it be re-committed, and that the committee consult the Commander in Chief on the subject.
The report of the committee on Major General Greene's letter was taken into consideration, and thereupon the following resolutions were passed:
The United States in Congress assembled, considering it as a tribute due to distinguished merit to give a public approbation of the conduct of Brigadier General Morgan, and of the officers and men under his command, on the 17th day of January last; when with eighty cavalry, and two hundred and thirty-seven infantry of the troops of the United States, and five hundred and fifty-three militia from the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, he obtained a complete and important victory over a select and well appointed detachment of more than eleven hundred British troops, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton; do therefore resolve,
That the thanks of the United States in Congress assembled, be given to Brigadier General Morgan, and the officers and men under his command, for their fortitude and good conduct, displayed in the action at the Cowpens, in the State of South Carolina, on the 17th of January last:
That a Medal of Gold be presented to Brigr Genl Morgan representing on one side the action aforesaid particularising his numbers, the numbers of the enemy, the numbers of killed, wounded and
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prisoners and his trophieswith the inscription patria virtusis [undecipherable], and on the other sidehis bust with his name and this inscription: Ipse agmen the figure of the General on horseback leading on his troops in pursuit of the flying enemy, with this motto in the ExergueFortus Fortuna JuvatVirtus Unita Valet.
That a medal of gold be presented to Brigadier General Morgan, and a medal of silver to Lieutenant Colonel W. Washington, of the cavalry, and one of silver to Lieutenant Colonel Howard, of the infantry of the United States; severally with emblems and mottos descriptive of the conduct of those officers respectively on that memorable day:
That a sword be presented to Colonel Pickens, of the militia, in testimony of his spiriteddecisive and magnanimous conduct in the action before mentioned:
Resolved, that a sword be presented to Lieutenant Colonel Howard of the infantry, and one also to Lieutenant Colonel Washington ofRecommitted. the Cavalryof the federal army each, that their names may be transmitted honourably to posterity renowned for public virtue and as testimonies of the high sense entertained by Congress of their martial accomplishments.
That Major Edward Giles, aid-de-camp of Brigadier General Morgan, have the brevet commission of a major; and that Baron de Glasbeech, who served with Brigadier General Morgan as a volunteer, have the brevet commission of captain in the army of the United States; in consideration of their merit and services.
Ordered, That the commanding officer in the southern department, communicate these resolutions in general orders.
Resolved that a gold medal be presented to Lieutenant Colonel William Howard of the infantry of the army of the United States representing on one side the charge ordered and conducted by him in that critical moment when the enemy were thrown into disorder with this inscription1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of a clerk, except the last paragraph, which is in the writing of Thomas Burke, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 169. On folio 173, in Burke's writing, is the following:
The Committee to whom was recommitted the paragraph of the report relative to Lt Cols Howard and Washington report,
That a Medal of Silver be presented to Lt Col Howard representing on one side the enemy's Army just thrown into disorder by the fire from the line under his Command, and the latter instantly charging, victory hovering over both Armies and dropping a branch of Laurel to be instantly snatched by Lt. Colonel Howard, with this Motto--occasione [oerupta?]
On the other side this inscription--
"In honor of the prompt and decisive conductand gallantry of Lt Col Howard in theaction of the victory obtained at the Cowpens 17th of January 1781."
That a Medal of Silver be presented to Lt Col Washington representing on one side, the charge made by him on the enemy's Cavalry, they wheeling, he charging; under his party the figures 80 under the enemy 250, with this Motto.--
Virtute non Numerisvalet.
On the other side this inscription
"In honor of the gallant behaviour of Lt Col Wm Washington in the Action of 17th January 1781."]
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A report from the Board of Admiralty was read:
Ordered, That the committee appointed to confer with the honble the Minister of France be and hereby are instructed to confer with him relative to the destination of the frigateAriel.
A report of the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War OfficeMarch 8th. 1781
Sir,
It is with reluctance the Board so often trouble Congress on business that first blush appear to be under their particular direction, but when it is considered that there is no Financier to report to, as directed in the present system, and that the Board have not the means for transportation in their hands, they flatter themselves Congress will pardon their frequent applications, the more especially as they are conscious their conduct is dictated by no other motive, than a zeal for the public good, and upon the foregoing principle, do themselves the honor to lay before Congress a letter from Colonel Febiger, with the estimate aforesaid and beg leave to observe, that if the waggons are hired, it will take at least three months for them to go and return at 25/ each per day in the new bills, which is the least sum they can be hired for, and will amount to 1,500 dollars; one third of which sum must be advanced before they will leave the City, to which there will be the additional expence of forage and shoeing of horses &c which expences are so uncertain, that it is impracticable
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for the Board to form an estimate of with any kind of precision, but must be very considerable. Upon full consideration of the aforegoing expence and conviction, that waggons are as much wanted for the use of the Southern Army as the Stores now ordered there, we have taken the liberty to enclose to Congress for their information an estimate of the Money necessary to enable the Board to order all the Stores contained in Colonel Febiger's estimate forward by public teams, amounting to 22,586 dollars in the new bills; at the same time we beg leave to observe, that the Stores will be detained at least fifteen days longer if money is granted, to purchase than to hire the Teams, all which is humbly submitted with this remark, That it is not in the power of the Board to move the Stores unless money is furnished, and then wait the determination of Congress to point out the Mode to be adopted which shall be immediately carried into execution, so far as shall be in their power.
The Board beg leave further to observe that they did themselves the honor on the 12th day of February last, to report to Congress an estimate for 590 dollars to enable Colonel Miles Dy Quarter Master to forward a part of the aforementioned Stores, for which a Warrant was granted, but the money not yet obtained, and the quantity of Stores much increased. The money wanted for the clothier's department as mentioned by Colonel Febiger hath been reported to Congress by the Board of Treasury some time since.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 273.]
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, in favour of Joseph Carleton, paymaster of the Board of War and Ordnance, for forty thousand one hundred and forty dollars in bills emitted pursuant to the act of Congress of the 18 March, 1780, for the purpose of conveying stores to the southern army.
Ordered, That the committee to whom was referred the letters from the governor and the president of the senate and speaker of the house of assembly of the State of New York, report to Morrow a draught of an answer to the governor aforesaid.
A letter from Robert Patten was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VIII, folio 118.]
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Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order.
The committee appointed to estimate the debts due from the United States delivered in some farther estimates:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Congress was resolved into a Committee of the Whole, and after some time the President resumed the chair, and Mr. [John] Mathews reported that the Committee have had under consideration the matters to them referred, and have made some progress, but, not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again:
Ordered, That to Morrow Congress be resolved into a Committee of the Whole, to consider farther the reports on finance and other papers referred to them.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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