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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 --TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 1781
Mr. G[eorge] Partridge, a delegate for Massachusetts, attended.
Mr. Samuel Osgood, another delegate for Massachusetts, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read, as follows:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
By His Excellency John Hancock Esqr. Governor and SEAL Commander in Chief in and over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To all unto whom these Presents shall come Greeting
Whereas the General Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid did on the fourteenth of February 1781 agreeable to the Constitution of said Commonwealth appoint The Honble Samuel Osgood Esqr a Delegate to represent this said Commonwealth in the General Congress of the United States in Conjunction with the Honble Samuel Adams, Elbridge Gerry, James Lovell, George Partridge and Artemas Ward Esqrs. who were Appointed on Twenty Second day of September Ao Di 1780
Now therefore KNOW YE That I do by these Presents and in pursuance of the said Appointment Commission the said Samuel
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Osgood Esqr to represent this Commonwealth in Congress and vest him with all and Singular the Powers and Authorities to the said Office or place of Delegate belonging by Virtue of the Constitution of this Commonwealth and the Appointment aforesaid and to hold said Office until the first day in November next And the said Samuel Osgood Esqr. is hereby required to observe the Instructions which from Time to Time shall be given to him by the General Court of tiffs Commonwealth.
In testimony whereof I have caused the Public Seal of this Commonwealth aforesaid to be hereunto affixed.
Witness John Hancock Esqr. Governor and Commander in Chief of the said Commonwealth [Dated at Boston this twenty third of May in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty one And in the Fifth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
John Hancock
By His Excellency's Command
John Avery Secretary1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts, Credentials of Delegates.]
Mr. Richard Potts, a delegate for the State of Maryland, attended and took his seat.
A letter, of 30 May, and one, of 6th, and another, of 7 instant, from General Washington, were read.2
[Note 2: 2 The letter of 30th May is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 125; that of June 6 is on folio 129 and is printed in the Writings of Washington (Ford), IX, 271; that of June 7th is on folio 133.]
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War Office June 9, 1781
Sir
By a resolve of the 8th of May last, the Commander in Chief was authorized to arrange the Brigade Chaplains of the Northern, and the Commanding General of the Southern army those of that army. The Pennsylvania line is part of the latter army and it being reduced to two Brigades, of course, one of the three Chaplains must retire. These gentlemen are now in this State, and it would be very inconvenient for all of them to proceed to the Southern Army to have the matter settled among them. We therefore beg leave to report.
Ordered, That the commanding general of the Pensylvania line, now in that State, arrange the brigade chaplains of that
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line, so as to retain no more chaplains therein than are equal to the number of brigades, and certify to the Board of War such as shall be deemed supernumerary, in the same manner as the commanding general of the southern army might have done under the resolve of the 8th day of May last.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 291.]
A report from the Board of War was read, with estimates enclosed of military stores wanted and the expence of transportation:
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, Mr. [Joseph] Jones, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth.
A report of the Board of War in pursuance of the order, of 22 May last, was read. After debate,
Ordered, That it be re-committed.
A report of the Board of War was read, enclosing a letter of 6, from the Commander in Chief, respecting the Convention prisoners; Whereupon,
War Office, June 12. 1781
Sir,
The Board communicated their orders for the removal of the Convention Prisoners to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and have received the enclosed answer, which we have the honor to lay before Congress. The Board have taken no measures for guarding the prisoners farther than Easton in Pennsylvania, leaving to the Commander in Chief either to order a detachment from the army, or call upon the States for militia as guards from Easton to Rutland. As he is of opinion that the prisoners should be halted in Pennsylvania, he has doubtlessly omitted taking measures for furnishing guards and therefore the prisoners will of course halt in that state--and magazines of meat and flour should be immediately laid up for their support. We therefore beg the directions of Congress on the subject.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 317.]
Resolved, That Congress approve the reasons given by the Commander in Chief, for halting the Convention prisoners for the present in the State of Pensylvania.
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A report from the Board of War for transporting ammunition to the southern army was read:
War Office. June 9. 1781
Sir,
We have the honor to enclose to Congress an estimate furnished us by the D. Q. M of Pennsylvania, for the sum necessary to transport 200,000 musket cartridges to the Southern army. From the situation of that army this supply is most pressingly wanted, and we beg Congress will be pleased to direct the money to be furnished.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 295.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, June 8, 1781.
Present Mr. Peters
Col. Grayson
Agreed to report to Congress
Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant on the paymaster general in favour of Lieutenant Burgess, of the 4th Maryland regiment, for four hundred and fifty dollars in bills of the new emissions, on account of his pay, any resolution to the contrary notwithstanding, for which sum he is to be accountable.
The Board beg leave to observe that Lieut: Burgess was taken prisoner at the battle of Camden in August last, where the enemy stript him of his clothing and money. He is now in this City on parole, in a very destitute situation, and stands considerably indebted to a person in New Jersey at whose house he has been for some time past dangerously ill of a fever.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 301.]
A report from the committee of the week was read; whereupon,
Ordered, That a memorial of Charles Young, ironmaster, be referred to the Board of Treasury;3
[Note 3: 3 This memorial, dated June 7, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, X, folio 724.]
That the petition of the Revd. Robert Mc.Mordie a Chaplain in the Pennsylvania Line, praying that Depreciation may be made up to him, with sundry papers inclosed be referred to the Board of War.
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That a petition of the Revd. Rob: McMurdie be referred to the Board of War;1
[Note 1: 1 This petition, dated June 11, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 42, V, folio 259.]
That the letter from John Todd, Jr., requesting to be appointed surveyor in Fayette County west of the Ohio river lie on the table.
That a letter from J. Todd, Jun., lie on the table.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Sharpe, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 169; Todd's letter, dated April 15, 1781, is in No. 56, folio 97.]
Ordered, That Friday next be assigned for electing five hospital physicians and surgeons, in the room of those resigned and promoted.3
[Note 3: 3 John Cochran's recommendation of five hospital physicians, dated June 10, 1781, was read. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VI, folio 37.]
On motion of Mr. [John] Sullivan, seconded by Mr. [John] Mathews,
Resolved, That letters to and from the superintendent of finance be free from postage.
A motion was made by the delegates of Virginia:
That it be earnestly recommended to the State of Pennsylvania immediately to raise, accoutre and equip a Corps of Cavalry consisting of 192 Troopers with their proper officers including those called for in the Resolution ofand to the State of Maryland to raise, accoutre and equip a like Corps consisting of 128 Troopers with their proper officers including those called for in the said Resolution, and to march the same by Detachments as they may be in readiness with all possible expedition to join the army under the command of Majr. Genl. the Marquis de la Fayette, without waiting for the March of the Militia Infantry required from the said States respectively in the Resolution aforesaid.4
[Note 4: 4 This motion, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 189.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A report from the Board of Admiralty was read; Whereupon,
The Board of Admiralty beg leave to lay before the Honorable, the United States in Congress assembled, the annexed memorial, presented
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to the Board by the Commander and Commissioned officers of the Frigate Trumbull, and to submit the following Resolutions.
Whereas by certain acts of Congress of the 11th. July 1780, it was enacted that the pay of officers and men, the subsistence of officers in the Sea Service of these States, and the bounty to Seamen and Landsmen who should enter and engage in said service for twelve months should thereafter be considered as, and paid in specie or other money equivalent, and that forty continental dollars, or one Dollar of the Bills which should be issued by the respective States, in pursuance of the acts of Congress of the 18 of March 1780 should be considered as equivalent to a Dollar in specie, in the payment of the said bounty, wages, and subsistence; and whereas since the passing said Acts, those paper Bills of credit have depreciated to such a degree that forty continental Dollars, or one Dollar of the new Emission, have ceased to be an equivalent to one Dollar in specie, and thereby that measure which was intended to encourage and promote the Sea Service hath lost its force and operation. Therefore be it
Resolved, That the balances now due to the officers, seamen, landsmen, and marines in the sea service, and the sums that shall hereafter become due to them, either for wages, subsistance, or bounty shall be paid in specie or other money equivalent, according to the current rate of exchange at the time of payment--any resolutions of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding.
As it appears by the Memorial, that the Manning of the Trumbull cannot proceed until the Honorable Congress of the United States shall have decided thereon, it is the wish of the Board, that it may be taken up as soon as shall be convenient. The Board are informed, that some time past, the Sea officers, who were captured at Charlestown in the State of South Carolina, presented a memorial to your Honorable Body praying that their accounts for subsistence while in possession of the Enemy at Charlestown, and Rations during their Parole, until their exchange might be allowed to them; and that the said Memorial was committed to a Special Committee. As a determination of the point respecting the allowance of Rations to the officers while on Parole, will determine in what sense the Resolution of Congress of the 20th. of March 1778, which hath been differently construed,
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is to be understood, and deliver your Board of Admiralty as well as your officers from much embarrassment. They are therefore very desirous that it may receive a speedy determination.
The Board of Admiralty for the want of a general Resolution of Congress determining whether depreciation is to be considered in the adjustment of accounts, due to and from these States, or not, there being no general Resolution on this subject, cannot proceed in the adjustment of accounts with equity and dispatch; they therefore beg leave to submit the following general Resolution, to the wisdom of the United States in Congress assembled:
Resolved, That all debts due to or from these United States shall be paid either in specie or in other money equal thereto, according to the current exchange, between such money and specie at the time of payment.
The Board of Admiralty beg leave to subjoin to the foregoing propositions, a word or two which affects the Honor and interest of the Board. It may not be forgotten that some time ago, your board submitted to your Honorable Body a memorial respecting their salary, and have since taken the liberty to express their wishes for a decision on that memorial, but are not yet informed that their application hath attracted your notice. The Board are not insensible that the time of Congress is engrossed by matters of the greatest consequence, but they trust that they will not be thought impertinent, when they again solicit a moment's attention to their application.
Admiralty Office, May 31st., 1781.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 477; the memorial of the officers is on folio 475. Part was passed on this day; for the rest the indorsement says: "August 24, 1781, not to be acted upon."]
Resolved, That depreciation of pay and subsistance, be settled in behalf of the officers and men of Colonel Armand's legion, in the same manner and on the same principle as is provided for Colonel Hazen's regiment.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the motion of the delegates of Virginia, made report; Whereupon,
[Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the State of Pensylvania, to raise, accoutre and equip Moylan's legionary
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corps to its full complement, the men to be raised for three years, unless sooner discharged:
That it be also earnestly recommended to the said State immediately to raise and equip three troops of militia cavalry, properly officered, including those called for by the act of the 31 May last, to serve with the southern army for three months from the time of their arrival at the said army, each troop to consist of sixty-four non-commissioned officers and privates:
That the said cavalry be marched by detachments, as they are completed, to the southern army; and the militia cavalry discharged in proportion to the numbers inlisted into Moylan's regiment, and joining the said army properly armed and accoutred:
That the said militia cavalry be sent forward with every degree of despatch, without waiting for the march of the militia infantry required by Congress from that State:
That it be earnestly recommended to the State of Maryland to arm, equip, mount and accoutre three two troops of militia horse, including those called for by the resolution of the 31st of May last, consisting of sixty-four non-commissioned officers and privates each, with the proper number of commissioned officers; and send them forward with all possible expedition to the southern army, and without waiting for the march of the infantry requested by Congress from that State; to continue in service three months from the time they join the said army.]1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 305. The portion in brackets was entered in the Journal by George Bond.
A letter from the Board of War, dated June 8, was read, according to the indorsement, inclosing letters from Governor Lee and Colonel Wood. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 309.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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