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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, MAY 17, 1781
A letter, of 11, from General Washington, was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 115.]
A letter from Gustavus Cunningham, dated Mill prison, Plymouth, December, 1780, was read.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Treasury Office May 16th. 1781
The Board of Treasury beg leave to report.
That by the memorial of James F Conand an inhabitant of the Illinois, setting forth certain facts relative to the two emissions of continental dollars called out of circulation by the Act of Congress of the 2nd. of January 1779 whereby the memorialist is likely to become a sufferer, unless relieved by Congress.
The facts set forth in the said petition with the proofs and documents therein referred to are satisfactory to the Board, who are of opinion, that from the peculiar circumstances, attending this business, the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. Whereupon the following resolution is submitted, with the memorial aforesaid for the approbation of Congress.
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury direct Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, to receive from James Francis Conand two thousand one hundred and thirty-three dollars of the emissions of May 20, 1777, and April 11, 1778, which sum appears to have been taken out of circulation and sealed up on and before the first day of September, 1779, and that the commissioner of the loan office aforesaid be further directed to issue to the said James F. Conand or order, loan office certificates of the value of specie to the amount of one hundred and eighteen dollars and 60/90 agreeably to the tables of 28 June, 1780, in lieu of the 2133 dollars brought in as aforesaid.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 311.]
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The reports of the Board of Treasury, of 26 April and of 2 May, together with the account of Doctor Francis Allison, as stated by the auditor general, were taken into consideration;1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 A representation from Francis Alison is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 43, folio 1.]
Treasury Office April 26th 1781
The Board of Treasury agreeably to the reference of Congress on the 27th of February last of the account of Francis Alison late senior surgeon in the Hospital Department with the report of the Medical Committee thereon to report a draught for money due him for his pay and subsistance; and also for the amount of cloathing stated in the said Committee's Report to be due him at the reduced prices in the years 1779 and 1780, beg leave to inform the United States in Congress Assembled--That the report of the afsd. Committee does not shew the just balance due to the said Francis Alison, as appears by the auditor general's report herewith submitted, constituting a balance due to him of three thousand six hundred and five dollars sixty two ninetieths and 2/8 of the value of specie to which the Board agree and propose the following Resolution for the payment of the same:
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury direct Thomas Smith Commissioner of the Continental loan office for the State of Pennsylvania to issue loan office certificates of specie value in favour of Francis Alison late senior surgeon in the hospital department, to the amount of three thousand dollars and that the Residue six hundred and five dollars 69/20 and 2/8 of the value of specie be issued to him at the rate of one dollar and 7/8 of a dollar in the new bills; both of which sums amounting to three thousand six hundred and five dollars 62/90 and 2/8 is in discharge of the Balance of his account due him for pay, subsistance money advanced and articles of clothing, at the reduced prices in the years 1779 and 1780.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 335.]
Treasury Office May 2nd. 1781
Upon the recommitment of the Report of the Board of Treasury upon the claim of Dr. Alison, The following remarks are submitted:
That the Report of the medical Committee ascertains the quantity of clothing due to Dr Alison and recommends Payment to be made him in money and Congress by their Resolve of the 27th of Feby last directed this Board to "report a draught for the amount of the said clothing at the reduced prices for the year 1779 and 1780." The
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proper information respecting the value of this clothing the Board obtained from the late Clothier General and are of opinion the several Acts of Congress of the 26th of Nov. 1777, 20th. 25th. and 26th. of November 1779 in conjunction with the Resolve of the 27 of Feby last do justify the Report made by the Board respecting this clothing. And the Act of the 16 of March last has been their guide respecting the value of money. The Board beg leave to observe to Congress that it does not appear on their journals, that clothing was ordered to be served to the troops of the line or officers of the Medical Department to make good depreciation, nor can the Board see any justice in depriving the present Claimants of advantages others have received taking it for granted that Congress mean to do equal justice. Those officers (and much the greatest number it is to be presumed) who have drawn their Clothing will be intitled to every advantage for pay and subsistence that has been reported to Dr. Alison by the late Resolve of the 16 of March last. If it be the intention of Congress that those who have not drawn clothing agreeably to the foregoing resolutions, should not be allowed for them, they will in that case please to give directions accordingly.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 287.]
Ordered, That the account stated as aforesaid be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order, except so much thereof as makes him an allowance for cloathing.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant on the paymaster general in favour of Captain Isaac Michael Gilbert of Colonel Hazen's regiment, for one hundred and fifty dollars in bills of the new emission, equal to three months' pay and subsistance, for which sum he is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 137]
A report of the Board of Admiralty, to whom was referred a memorial from the honorable the minister of France, was taken into consideration; Whereupon, it was resolved as follows:
Whereas the honorable the minister of France hath represented to us that the precautions pointed out in the resolution
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of Congress of the 11th of November, 1780, are insufficient to prevent the abuse which the British may make of papers or clearances they may take in American prizes, if confined to vessels of war, and not extended to merchant vessels, and in general all vessels despatched from the United States; therefore,
Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby, recommended to the legislatures of the several states, that they enact laws as soon as may be, ordering the naval officers in their respective ports, to require the master and chief mate of all vessels, unarmed, as well as armed, which shall be despatched from their respective ports, to undersign their clearances in the presence of the naval officer of the port; who is also to insert on the back of the clearance, a minute description of the persons of the master and his mate, with their age, stature, complection, &c. respectively, and to certify the same under his signature and seal of office.
The board of Admiralty beg leave to call the attention of the Honble the United States in Congress assembled to an application the board had the honour of making to them some time since respecting their salary; and would be much obliged to your Honble Body for a speedy and favorable determination.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 465.]
A report of the Board of War on letters and papers of Lieutenant Colonel Dericks, was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel Dericks be informed, that although Congress have received the most satisfactory proofs of his zeal and capacity to serve these United States, it is impracticable to employ him in the service of these states consistent with the arrangement of the army: that his account for pay and subsistance be settled by the Board of Treasury in specie value, up to this day; and that the Board of Treasury take order for the payment of the balance that shall be found due to him, together with a sum equal to one
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year's pay; and that from henceforward he be no longer entitled to pay and subsistance, pursuant to the resolution of 29 December, 1779.1
[Note 1: 1 Diriks's letter, dated May 17, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VII, folio 391.]
The report of the Committee of Commerce, on the accounts of Stephen Ceronio, was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury pass fifty-five thousand six hundred and fifty livres of St. Domingo, to the credit of Stephen Ceronio, being the balance of his accounts as continental agent at the Cape, to bear an interest of six per cent. per annum from this day until paid.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 209.]
The committee appointed to devise farther ways and means to defray the expences of the ensuing campaign, to whom their former report was re-committed; and
The committee on the letters from E. Blaine delivered in their reports.
A letter, of 10th, from the governor of Maryland, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 465.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [Joseph] Jones, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [John] Sullivan.4
[Note 4: 4 A letter of the 16th from the Board of War relative to the letter of P. Peres was read, as the indorsement indicates, and on August 23 ordered not to be acted upon. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 125.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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