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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, MAY 25, 1781
A memorial from the honorable the minister plenipotentiary of France was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of five, and that the committee confer with the superintendant of finance on such parts thereof as relates to money matters:
The members, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Joseph] Jones, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [John] Sullivan, Mr. [John] Mathews.
A memorial of John McClean was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee of the week delivered in a report; Whereupon,
The committee upon the dispatches report
A letter from General Guest enclosing a letter and his instructions from General Green, commanding Iris attendance in Maryland and Delaware for the purpose of receiving and forwarding the recruits &c. to the Southern Army and praying the sum of £400 in specie or the exchange to enable him to discharge his expences in executing the above orders, and to enable him to proceed to the army.
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Ordered, That a letter, of 24, from Brigadier General Gist, with the papers enclosed, be referred to the Board of War to take order;1
[Note 1: 1 Gist's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folio 399.]
That so much of the letter, of 25, from J. Cochran, director general, as respects the hospital surgeons, stores and farther appointments, be referred to the Medical Committee;
That such parts of the same as respects depreciation and the pay of surgeons be referred to the Board of War; and
That such parts of the same as respects the postage of letters to and from surgeons be referred to the committee on the Post Office;
That the resignation of Doctor Hagan be accepted;2
[Note 2: 2 Copies of extracts from Cochran's letter are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VI, folios 33--35.]
A petition from William Trent and others praying leave to locate and survey certain lands granted to Geo. Crochan [Croghan] &c.
That the petition of William Trent and others be referred to the committee on the petition of the Ilionois and Wabach companies.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Samuel John Atlee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 159. Trent's petition, dated May 21, 1781, is in No. 41, X, folio 87.]
The committee ∥consisting of Mr. Jones, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Sullivan∥ to whom was referred the letter of Governor Lee, of Maryland, of the 10. delivered in a report, which being read:
Ordered, That the Board of War take measures for obtaining permission to send into New York and Charlestown, at the common expence, such quantities of tobacco as will be sufficient to discharge the arrears due from the American prisoners, who have been or now are in confinement, and for the future support of such as now are or hereafter may be in the power of the enemy; and report, from time to time, the quantities of tobacco necessary for these purposes.4
[Note 4: 4 This report, in the writing of Joseph Jones, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 231.]
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A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Mr. [Richard] Howly, one of the delegates for the State of Georgia, a warrant issue in his favour on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, for eight hundred dollars of the new emission;1 and on the application of Mr. [William] Few, another delegate for the State of Georgia, a warrant issue in his favour on Thomas Smith, commissioner aforesaid, for six hundred dollars new emissions, for both which sums the State of Georgia is to be accountable;2
[Note 1: 1 This part of the report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 329.]
[Note 2: 2 This part of the report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 331.]
That on the application of William Kinnan, (copper plate printer) a warrant issue in his favour on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, for twelve hundred dollars of the new emission on account:
Ordered, That so much of the report as relates to Francis Bailey's account be re-committed to the Board to take order:
Ordered, That the report on Mr. Pierce's letter; and the report on the account of the select men of Springfield, be re-committed.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War Office, May 24. 1781
Sir,
The Merchants who are to pay the money for the cannon purchased of the Admiralty Board, raise difficulties as to payment, as some of the parties who are to pay this money have demands for a proportion of it due for Shot and Shells, and tho' we are willing to deduct what is due on this account we cannot get the matter thro'.
The money will be paid if the whole of it was transacted by the Commissary General of Military Stores, and it would be easily done by him if the Bond or Note given to the Admiralty Board was assigned
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to Mr Hodgdon. But the resolve of Congress directing that the Admiralty Board should receive the monies, they do not consider it right for them to assign the Bond on a supposition that it would not be a sufficient discharge to them as we are informed. The iron masters are importuning us, and think it hard that they are prevented from receiving the small portion of their debts assigned them by any difficulties merely formal. We therefore beg leave to report,
Ordered, That the Board of Admiralty assign to Samuel Hodgdon, assistant commissary general of military stores, the bond or note given for the purchase money of the cannon sold to sundry merchants of Philadelphia; and that the said Samuel Hodgdon collect and pay the monies due thereon, to the iron masters who have cast shot and shells for the United States, in proportion to their respective demands.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 171.]
Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant on the paymaster general in favour of William Clajon, secretary to Major General Gates and interpreter to the northern department, for two hundred and forty-three dollars in bills of the new emission, equal to three months' pay and subsistance, for which sum the said William Clajon is to be accountable;2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 181.]
War Office May 22d 1781
Sir,
It appears by a letter from P. V. Renslaer having the direction of the Continental Armoury at Albany, that Mr. William De Wit has accomodated him with twelve thousand three hundred and sixty one dollars in bills of the new emission which Mr. Renslaer has applied to carry on the repairs of arms, and has drawn an order on the Board for payment, with which we are not capable of complying, and therefore Mr. DeWit is left in a most unhappy situation. We know of no method to relieve him in the smallest degree, unless Congress will be pleased to direct,
That a warrant issue on the treasurer of the State of New York, in favour of the paymaster of the Board of War and Ordnance, for twelve thousand three hundred and sixty-one
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dollars in bills of the new emission, to be transmitted to P. Van Rensalaer at Albany, to enable him to repay William de Witt the like sum advanced by him to the said P. Van Rensalaer for carrying on the public armory at that place, for which P. V. Rensalaer is to be accountable;1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 145.]
War Office May 23. 1781
Sir,
The Board do themselves the honor to lay before Congress an estimate of Mr. Hodgdon for 285 specie equal to 4560 dollars of the new emission, for the purpose of providing arms for Sixty Dragoons of the 4th. Regiment.
As there is the strongest necessity that these troops should march without delay, to the southward, the Board request the money may be procured as soon as possible.
If Congress concur with them in sentiment, they will be pleased to resolve,
That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissoner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, in favour of Samuel Hodgdon, assistant commissary general of military stores, for four thousand five hundred and sixty dollars of the new emission, for the purpose of providing arms for the fourth regiment of dragoons:2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 175.]
War Office May 21st 1781
Sir,
We receive daily demands from the Officers and Men of the regiment of Artificers in the department of Commissary General of Military Stores for the pay and depreciation due them as well those who were dismissed under the late resolution of Congress as those retained in the service, all of whom are in a very destitute situation and their minds being thereby much embittered they are of consequence full of complaints and uneasiness. The Board applied to the Executive of Pennsylvania to recommend the depreciation being made up to the regiment but without effect until at the last sitting of the Assembly a Committee of the house reported in favour of the Officers and Men retained for the war and left the others entirely without
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provision. On the discharge of the men at Carlisle the Board recommended that the Certificates given them of their pay should be at the rate of twelve dollars specie per month to put them on a footing with the Artificers in the Quarter Master's Department and these men have their Certificates accordingly from their Officers; but we did not advert that the Resolve regulating the pay of this regiment, passed last winter, fixed it at twenty dollars in bills of the new emissions, and that on their first being raised in January 1777 their pay was fixed at twenty dollars pr. month, and agreeable to this Genl. Knox has given certificates to the Men discharged at Camp part of the Company of this Regiment in the Field at twenty dollars in the new bills recommending the discharged Men in the warmest manner to the notice of Congress. We have no means of satisfying these persons and are constantly exposed to their importunities the justice of which we cannot, contravert. We presume the twelve dollars in specie equal at the time in real value to the pay as fixed in the new bills and possibly the States will more readily agree to make up the depreciation if the pay is reasonably fixed, we therefore submit to Congress the propriety of resolving
That it be recommended to the States to which the Officers and Men of the regiment of Artillery Artificers late commanded by Colonel Benja. Flower belong to settle and pay the depreciation of their pay and charge the same to the United States.
That the Officers and Men who have been left out of the service and discharged by virtue of the resolve of the 29th day of March last be settled with by the States to the time of their quitting the service.
That the pay of Officers of equal rank in the Artillery be allowed the officers of the regiment of Artillery Artificers and a sum not exceeding twelve dollars and not less than eight dollars pr. Month in specie or the value thereof be allowed to the Non Commissioned OfFicers and Privates of the said regiment.
The reason of fixing the pay in the manner above mentioned is that the Board having had discretionary powers given them by Congress directed the Officers to settle with the Men according to their merit and on this plan the Soldiers discharged at Carlisle have received Certificates. We found on experience that the hopes of having the greater pay by greater industry and attention to their business had a very good effect by stimulating the indolent and rewarding the meritorious.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 149.]
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At a Board of War, May 22d. 1781
Present Mr. Peters
Col Grayson
The Board have received a memorial from Alexander Dow, late a Captain Lieutenant in the regiment of artificers, who we have always understood to be a deserving, attentive officer. His case so far as respects his pay in the regiment of artificers is comprehended in the report we had the honor to make on the subject of that regiment. As to his claim for depreciation, while he was in the army, previous to his discharge as a supernumerary Officer, it is a question which has not been decided upon by Congress, but whensoever it is determined no doubt Mr. Dow will partake of any regulation of a general nature, which Congress may be pleased to make, if any shall be thought necessary. He alledges he has not received his year's pay as Supernumerary Officer, and in some cases similar to his, Congress have directed that the year's pay shall be given in the new money. If they shall be pleased to order this in the case of Mr. Dow it will be necessary to resolve
That the Board of War draw a warrant on the Paymaster General in favor of Alexander Dow late a lieutenant in Colonel Malcolm's regiment, for three hundred and twenty dollars, in bills of the new emissions, being one year's pay due him, on his being left out of the service as a Supernumerary Officer.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 149.]
Ordered, That the reports of the Board of War respecting the regiment of artillery artificers and respecting A. Dow, be re-committed.
The report of the committee ∥consisting of Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Varnum, Mr. Bland∥ on the letter, of 20 December last, from the Commander in Chief, was taken into consideration, having been debated by paragraphs; Whereupon,
Resolved,2 That battalion promotions in the infantry, to the rank of commanding officer inclusive, where such battalion is annexed to any State, shall be in the line of such State:
[Note 2: 2 From this point the entries are by George Bond.]
That in regiments of infantry or legionary corps, not annexed to particular states, promotions to the rank of commanding officer inclusive, be regimental or legionary;
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That promotions in the artillery be regimental to the rank of Captains and from thence to the rank of commanding officer inclusive in the line of artillery at large.
That promotions in the four established regiments of cavalry be regimental to the of Captain and from thence to the rank of commanding officer in the line of the four regiments at large.
That promotions in the cavalry and artillery, be regimental to the rank of commanding officer inclusive:
That the promoting of battalion officers to the rank of brigadiers, be confined to the following districts, in each of which brigadiers, when necessary, shall be made from the senior officer of that district, without regard to any particular State:
That New Hampshire and Massachusetts, be entitled when the stated number of the troops of the Army shall in the opinion of the Commander in chief render it necessary to two four brigadiers; Rhode Island and Connecticut, two brigadiers; New York and New Jersey, including Colonel Hazen's regiment, two brigadiers; Pensylvania, two brigadiers; Delaware and Maryland, two brigadiers; Virginia, and North Carolina four three brigadiers; North Carolina, one brigadier; South Carolina and Georgia, one brigadier:
That whenever a brigadier shall be wanting for the troops of either of those districts, he shall be made from the senior battalion officer without regarding the State to which he belongs:
That in the cavalry and artillery, brigadiers shall be made from the eldest regimental officers in those corps respectively:
That major generals shall be made from the eldest brigadiers in the army, whether belonging to the infantry, cavalry or artillery:
That all brigadiers hereafter to be made, shall have relative rank respecting each other, agreeable to the date of their last battalion commissions, priority of appointment notwithstanding:
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That Tench Tilghman, esq. receive the commission of lieutenant colonel in the line of the army and take rank from the 1st April, 1777:
That Dr. James McHenry receive the commission of major in the army of the United States, to take rank from the 30th of October last:
That officers not annexed to any line, serving in the family of the Commander in Chief, and those serving as aids-decamps with other general officers, retain the rank they now hold, and shall be eligible to command upon detachments when the Commander in Chief, or commanding officer of a department, shall think proper:
And be entitled to promotion when they become the oldest officers of that rank in the line of the Army.
That volunteers serving in the Army may with the approbation of the Commander in-Chief or commander of a separate army receive brevet commissions in the lowest grade of subalterns not to receive pay till placed in command and shall not be entitled to half pay for life till annexed to some line.
That all officers who are hostages, and are liable to be called for by the enemy, and are not continued in the line of any State, shall be entitled to their full pay until redeemed, and to half pay for life afterward, in the same manner as officers of equal rank reduced by the late arrangement: and that it be recommended to the respective states, in the line of which they were at the time of their becoming hostages, to make good to them their depreciation, and also to pay them such sums as are or may become due to them, and charge the same to the United States:
That lieutenant colonels commandants of battalions be not considered in different grades from other lieutenant colonels of the line.1
[Note 1: 1 Here Charles Thomson resumes the entries.]
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Resolved, That Colonel Moses Hazen be promoted to Postponed. the rank of Brigadier by brevet.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, partly in the writing of John Sullivan, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 57. A copy of a draft of the report, dated March 9, is in the Washington Papers, 96, folio 144; and a copy of this draft with Washington's comments, dated April 3, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 43.
About this time was received the petition of Roux & Co., dated Cape Français, April 21. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, folio 445; and the letter of transmittal is on folio 453.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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