| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1781
The delegates for the State of Massachusetts Bay laid before Congress their credentials, which are in the words following:
State Of Massachusetts Bay
In the House of Representatives Octr. 4, 1780
Whereas the Honble Samuel Adams, Elbridge Gerry, James Lovell, Samuel Holten, George Partridge, Artemas Ward and Timothy Danielson, Esquires, are chosen and appointed to represent this State in the American Congress for one Year, to commence the first day of January next ensuing,
Resolved, That the above named Gentlemen, or any two of them, or when more are present in Congress a Major part of them, be and they hereby are fully impowered, with the Delegates who are or may be appointed from the other American States, to Concert, Direct and Order such further measures as appear to them best calculated for the Establishment of the Rights, Liberty and Independence of the United States of America, upon a Basis permanent and Secure against the Power and Art of the Brittish Nation; for prosecuting
Page 5 | Page image
the present War, concluding Peace, Contracting Alliances, Establishing Commerce, and guarding against any future Encroachments and Machinations of the Enemies of the United States; with Power to adjourn to such times and places as shall appear most Conducive to the Public Safety and advantage:--And it is hereby injoined, that at least four of the said Gentlemen constantly attend on the business of their Delegation.
Sent up for Concurrence
John HancockSpk
In Council Octr. 4, 1780
read and concurred
John AveryD Secy
Consented to by the Major Part of the CouncilTrue Copy
Attest1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts,Credentials of Delegates.]
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pennsylvania, in favour of Mr. G[eorge] Walton, one of the delegates for the State of Georgia, for twelve thousand dollars old emissions, for which the said State of Georgia is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Colonel William Malcolm, for thirteen thousand four hundred dollars old emissions, to defray the expences of four men and five horses in bringing money from Abraham Yates, the loan officer of the State of New York, to the continental treasury, to be destroyed, who employed the said Colonel Malcolm for that purpose and with whom he is to account.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 1.]
Treasury Office,December 21st, 1780.
The Board of Treasury having received a Letter from the Treasurer of Loans dated the 12th Instant mentioning that "as there are only two remaining of the four Commissioners appointed to count
Page 6 | Page image
and destroy the Emissions taken out of circulation--He did not think proper to receive the Money of those Emissions Mr. Brown has brought"--beg leave to offer the following resolution:
Resolved, That John Shee and Andrew Doz, together with the treasurer of loans, be competent to execute the duties heretofore assigned them, in conjunction with Hugh Montgomery and Samuel Downe; and that the said John Shee and Andrew Doz, with the treasurer of loans, proceed to destroy any bills which are or may be transmitted by the commissioners of the loan offices to the treasurer of loans, of the emissions of May 20th, 1777, and April 11th, 1778, called out of circulation.
The Board having taken into consideration the Remonstrance of Jonathan Sturges on the subject of damages done his Farm by the Continental Troops (referred to them by Congress), beg leave to Report--
Resolved, That the consideration of the damages, represented by Jonathan Sturges, to be done his farm by the continental troops, be deferred to the close of the present war, then to be taken up, in common with others of a similar nature, which have been postponed to that period.
The Board further report;
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Abraham Yates, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of New York, in favor of Edward Chinn, one of the late commissioners of accounts at Albany, for five hundred dollars in the bills of credit emitted pursuant to the act of Congress of the 18 of March last, advanced on account of his salary and to enable him to pay the contingent expences of his present office as an itinerant commissioner of the chambers, and for which sum he is to be accountable.
Resolved, That loan office certificates of the following denominations, bearing an interest of six per cent. per annum, be struck under the direction of the Board of Treasury, to be
Page 7 | Page image
issued to such fortunate adventurers in the third class as may be entitled to and apply for the same; and that the said certificates be dated at the time of finishing the drawing of the said class, and made payable at the end of five years, viz.
{table}
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 775.]
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred the letter from Resolve Smith, report, that, in the opinion of the Board, it is not only inexpedient but highly improper, at this juncture, to dispose of bills of exchange for the purposes pointed out in his letter:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 767.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
Ordered, That on the application of John Pierce, deputy paymaster general, for money to enable Captain Brown, of Colonel Harrison's regiment of artillery, to join the southern army, the following warrants be issued:
One on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, for twelve thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars old emissions.
One on Thomas Harwood, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Maryland for two thousand six hundred and thirty-six dollars in the bills of credit emitted pursuant to the act of Congress of the 18 of March last (part of the bills aforesaid subject to the orders of Congress) for which sum the said deputy paymaster general is to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 781.]
Treasury Office,December 19, 1780
From the letter from Joseph Clay to the Board of Treasury dated Hillsborough the 20th of November, 1780, the following facts are collected:
That only 15,000 dollars of the 100,000 dollars sent in bills of Exchange for the supply of the Southern Army had been sold, and
Page 8 | Page image
those at the rate of 60 for one only, and as it is to be understood from the same letter, that no more will be sold for so high a price, that the necessities of the army are such as will compel Mr Clay to sell the bills for any price he may be offered. Upon these facts the Board of Treasury submit the following resolution
Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan-office for the State of Pensylvania, in favor of the paymaster to the Board of War and Ordnance, for one million dollars, of the old emissions, to be by the said paymaster immediately transmitted to Joseph Clay, deputy paymaster general to the southern department: that the said Joseph Clay be informed, by the Board of Treasury, of the value of bills in this city, and that he be directed to forward what bills may be remaining in his hands unsold by return of the escort who takes to him the money aforesaid, unless it shall appear to the said paymaster for the southern department, absolutely necessary to retain a part of such bills for indispensable supplies for the said department. But at all events the said deputy paymaster shall return to the Board of Treasury thirteen thousand dollars, in bills of exchange, as an equivalent for the million of dollars sent him as aforesaid. That upon the return of the bills aforesaid to the Board of Treasury, should they exceed the equivalent for the million sent, immediate measures be taken for the sale of the said bills, and the money arising from such sale forwarded to the said Joseph Clay, for the use of his department.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 769.]
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War OfficeDecr. 29th., 1780.
Sir,
Enclosed is a letter from Genl Knox to Mr Hodgdon D. Comy. Genl. of Military Stores on the subject of a Sword ordered by Congress for Col Meigs. It is sent to shew the light in which the officers view the matters, many similar applications and some more pointed having
Page 9 | Page image
been made. Three or four years ago Col Flower had some swords made and shewed them to the Board of War for their approbation, but they were conceived to be too badly executed to be presented as a token of National approbation and confidence to the gentlemen Congress meant to honor and were therefore rejected and never paid for by the public as Col Flower informs. It is impossible to gratify the wishes of the gentlemen entitled to swords by Resolutions of Congress under our present embarrassments even if they could be manufactured here with sufficient neatness. It is therefore proposed that eight swords be required in the estimate now going to France. Knowing the delicacy of Congress with respect to asking more in this way than was absolutely essential, it is with some diffidence this proposal is made; but the officers think themselves neglected on the one hand, and it is impracticable on the other to remove their jealousies by domestic purchases. It is therefore proposed that Congress be pleased to direct:
Ordered, That the Board of War add to the estimate of supplies to be imported from Europe, eight plain, but elegant silver mounted small swords.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 21.]
A letter from Colonel Armand was read; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 164, folio 446.]
Resolved, That General Washington be informed, that Congress consent to his permitting Colonel Armand to take from the line of infantry in the army of the United States, when the state and strength thereof will admit, a sufficient number of volunteers to complete his partizan corps for the next campaign, provided he be not allowed to take more than six men from a regiment.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 735.]
A representation and memorial of Charles Young was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A memorial of James Byers was read.4
[Note 4: 4 Young's memorial is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, X, folio 728; that of Byers is in No. 41, I, folio 323.]
Page 10 | Page image
A report from the Board of War, on the letter of J. Laurens, was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War,January 1, 1781
Present Mr Peters
Genl Cornell
Mr Mathews
The board have considered the letter of Lieut Col Laurens on the subject of certain engagements into which he entered with a view of furnishing a Corps of Blacks to the Southward, and beg leave to inform Congress, that the Board gave orders to the Commissary General of Military Stores to procure to be made four hundred Cartouch Boxes, and to have repaired of the public Arms four hundred stands on Lieut Col Laurens's furnishing the money, for the repair of the Arms and purchase of the accoutrements, these monies to be repaid him when the public circumstances would admit. That in consequence of the orders and in a private engagement from Col Laurens to him Mr Hodgdon procured to be made and repaired four hundred Cartouch Boxes and the like number of stands of Arms for the payment whereof Mr Hodgdon pledged himself to the workmen who have made and repaired the Arms and accoutrements and having performed their part of the contract now most importunately press Mr Hodgdon for payment which he has no means of doing consistent with other demands of the department.
That the clothing agreed for by Col Laurens stated in his letter appears to be contracted for at reasonable prices and in the opinion of the Board it ought to be taken for the public use it being much wanted.
The following resolution is therefore submitted:
Ordered, That bills of exchange, to the amount of three thousand seven hundred dollars, be put into the hands of the paymaster of the Board of War and Ordnance, for the purpose of enabling the said Board to take for public use, a number of cartouch boxes and a quantity of cloathing, contracted for by Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, and to pay for the repairs of a number of arms, for which Colonel Laurens became engaged.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 165, folio 25.]
Page 11 | Page image
A report of the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War,December 26, 1780
Present Mr. Peters
Genl Ward
The Board of War beg leave to report the following Additional Regulations for the Clothing Department--
That the Clothier General lay before the Board of War from time to time, estimates of the number, species and quantities of Articles of Clothing necessary to be procured from Europe or purchased within these States for the use of the Troops, and on such estimates being allowed, and the articles to be procured by domestic purchases specified by the said Board, orders shall issue from the Clothier General to the Agent Clothiers for making the purchases in such places as the said Board shall direct--
That there be three Agent Clothiers appointed by the Board of War--one to reside in the Eastern--another in the Middle--and another in the Southern District or Division of the United States, whose duty it shall be to purchase and make up all such articles of clothing as shall be directed by the Clothier General with the concurrence of the Board of War and transmit the same, to such places as shall be pointed out by the said Board or the Commander in Chief. All Articles of clothing imported from Europe to be also received and where necessary made up and forwarded by the said Agent Clothiers--
That all monies for purchasing articles of clothing, and the expences attending the making, storing or forwarding the same shall be supplied by the Treasury Board to the Clothier General on estimates allowed by the Board of War, and by him transmitted to the Agents in the proportions allotted to them respectively by the said Board.
That the Board of War in conjunction with the Commander in Chief shall appoint proper places for the receipts and issues of all clothing, and order persons to be there stationed under the direction of the Clothier General, to whom shall be transmitted by the Agent Clothiers respectively exact Invoices of all clothing imported and received and forwarded by them--and of such articles as are purchased within these States an account of Quantities Species andPrices. Invoices shall also accompany every parcel of clothing sent to the places of Deposit, and Duplicates of the whole should be transmitted to the Board of War, that a judgment may be formed of the prices given, and of the quality of articles imported or purchased--
Page 12 | Page image
and for this purpose, all articles coming into the hands of the Clothier General or of any of his Deputies or Assistants stationed at the places of Deposit shall be compared by them with the Invoices and the quality thereof shall be examined, and if the prices are exorbitant or the articles bad in kind, or ff there shall be any Deficiencies, the same shall be represented to the Board of War to enable them to make a proper investigation into the conduct of the purchasing Agents, or if the Deficiencies happen in the Articles imported from abroad, or the same shall be of bad quality, the necessary information may be given to Congress on the subject--
That the Clothier General keep up a regular correspondence with the said Clothing Agents, so as to be constantly informed of the state of their business and to be enabled to give information from time to time to the Board of War of all the material transactions and prospects of the said Agents, who are hereby required duly to inform the Clothier General of every material occurrence in the course of their business and to make to him monthly returns of all articles received, purchased, forwarded or remaining on hand, which returns shall be by the Clothier General drawn into one general return and transmitted monthly with the other returns of his Department to the Board of War and the Commander in Chief.
That for transacting the whole business of receiving, purchasing and making up all articles of clothing passing through their hands respectively each of the said Agent Clothiers receive a Salary ofDollars per annum in specie or bills of the new emissions.
That the said Agent Clothiers shall have so many assistants and clerks as the Board of War shall deem necessary, and the salary of an assistant shall beDollars, and that of a clerkDollars per month in specie or bills of the new emissions. The Clothier General for transacting the business herein prescribed, shall if it be deemed necessary by the said Board have additional assistants and clerks at the monthly pay before mentioned.
That the Quarter Master General and his deputies in the several States shall, on the requisitions of the said Agent Clothiers respectively, furnish the means of transportation of all articles of Clothing from the places where imported, received or purchased to the places of deposit; and careful Waggon Masters or Conductors to be appointed by the Quarter Master General or some of his Deputies shall proceed with the clothing, who shall be answerable for all deficiencies on the road unless they shall be able to show that the same happened by
Page 13 | Page image
unavoidable accident, and not thro' their misconduct or want of attention.
That in cases of injuries or deficiencies happening in the transportation of Clothing, the Clothier stationed at the Magazine or place of Deposit shall represent the matter to the nearest commanding Officer of the Troops of the United States, that the Waggon Master or Conductor having had charge of the clothing so damaged or deficient may be arrested and tried by a Court Martial, and if found guilty compelled to restore the goods lost, or their value, or make satisfaction for Damages accrued through his negligence or mismanagement, or be punished according to the nature of the offence, by judgment of the Court Martial.
That if at any time it shall be necessary to make purchases of Arms, Ammunition or other Articles in the Ordnance Department, the same shall be made under the direction of the Board of War and Ordnance, by the persons appointed Agent Clothiers without any additional expence to the United States, for their trouble in making such Purchases.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 757. A copy is on folio 781. A "Plan for regulating the clothing department" is on folio 777.]
Ordered, That the report of the committee on the cloathing department be re-committed, and that the report of the Board of War now read be referred to the said committee.
The committee sent to camp delivered in their accounts;
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered, That the petition of P. January be referred to a committee of three.
The members, Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery, Mr. [John] Witherspoon and Mr. [William] Sharpe.
The committee to whom was referred the memorial of Lee and Jones delivered in their report.
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from Arthur Lee, Esqr., of the 7th of December, report further:
That they have had under consideration the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth Paragraphs of the said letter relating to the Conduct and Connections of the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of
Page 14 | Page image
Versailles, and of the officers and agents of the United States acting under his orders in France;
That they have endeavored to obtain the most impartial Testimony relative to the causes of detention of the Cloathing and Supplies obtained from that Court, and the Proceedings of the agents and officers abroad, of which the following is an authentic state of facts in the opinion of your Committee:
Vide the letter from the Marquis de la Fayette on that subject addressed to the Committee, No. 1.
Vide Mr. Brown's Evidence, No. 2.
Vide Capt. Truxon's Evidence, No. 3.
Vide Capt. Sauter's Evidence, No. 4.
Whereupon, your Committee report it as their opinion that a day be appointed to take the sense of Congress whether Dr. Franklin, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, shall be recalled.1
[Note 1: 1 SeeAnte Vol. XVIII, p. 1114. This report, in the writing of Theodorick Bland, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 513. The indorsement says: "Read Jany. 2, 1781. August 24, 1781, not to be acted upon."]
War OfficeDecr. 29th. 1780
Sir,
The detachment of the Artillery Artificers who were stationed in Philadelphia have marched to Carlisle agreeable to the direction of Congress, but whether there is a sufficient stock of provisions at that post yet remains a doubt, particularly as to the article of meat.
The Board have done every thing in their power to have supplies at the post, and if any disappointments happen, they hope they shall not be deemed responsible. If money and provisions can be furnished these men will be usefully employed, if not they will be a burthen to the public, and what is most alarming, the Army will want their Ordnance supplies.
The affairs at Springfield remain in the most deranged situation. A Mr. Hiller who is strongly recommended to the Board as a capable person, is appointed Commissary of Military Stores, and is intended to take charge of the business at Springfield; but his instructions are delayed on account of the report of the Board respecting the pay of the department not being acted on by Congress.
The season is far advanced and the preparations so essentially necessary for the next Campaign are still delayed. Every day lost at this period will be regretted at the opening of the Campaign and therefore it is hoped Congress will excuse the Board for pressing a
Page 15 | Page image
determination on the report before mentioned, and also repeating their request, that a sum of money agreeable to estimate, may be furnished the Commissary General of Military Stores, to enable him to proceed on the duties of his department. The estimate made by the Commissary General amounts to £51,230 in Specie, but if half that sum could be speedily furnished, and so much of the remainder as the Board shall deem absolutely essential be supplied in the course of a few months, the business would emerge from its present languid state, and the Department rendered useful to the public.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, VI, folio 18. It: was read on this day, as the indorsement indicates.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |