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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, JUNE 28, 1781
A letter, of 27, from the superintendant of finance was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, I, folio 57.]
Ordered, That his request be complied with.
The committee of the week made report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a petition of Major T. Church be referred to the Board of Treasury.4
[Note 4: 4 This petition, dated June 27, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, II, folio 102.]
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A report from the Board of War was read, enclosing an estimate of money wanted by the deputy quartermaster, for sending to the main army a number of public horses:
Ordered, That the same, together with the several estimates of the Board of War for the present campaign, be referred to the superintendant of finance; and that he devise ways and means for furnishing such of them, as, upon consultation with the Commander in Chief and Board of War, shall be deemed most essentially necessary:
That the superintendant of finance be furnished with an account of the several requisitions of money, and supplies from the states, and that he take measures for calling upon them, and pressing a compliance with the said requisitions:
That he order such sums of money into the hands of the quartermaster general, and the commissary of military stores, as, upon consultation as aforesaid, may be necessary for executing the duties required of them respectively:
That the bills of exchange in the hands of the Board of War yet unsold, be delivered to the superintendant of finance.
A motion having been made by Mr. M[eriwether] Smith respecting the Board of Admiralty and its dependencies:
Whereas the present System for managing the Navy of these United States is inefficient and expensive;
Resolved, That the Admiralty Board, the several Navy Boards, the Continental Agents in the Marine Department, and all persons in authority under them be and they are hereby removed, and that from and after the passing of this Act, the Authorities, Powers, Privileges and Emoluments to them or any of them given by any former Act or Acts of Congress do cease, determine and be utterly void.
Resolved, That the Superintendent of the Finances of these United States do appoint on the best Terms for which the same can be obtained some discreet Agent to manage the Navy of these States under his order and Inspection until a Secretary of Marine be elected, or the further pleasure of Congress be made known.
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Resolved, That the said Superintendant be directed to cause the Accounts of all and singular the persons aforesaid to be settled and adjusted on equitable Principles as soon as possible; That he appoint one or more proper accountants for that purpose; That he cause suits to be commenced against any Person or Persons who shall neglect or refuse to settle his or their said accounts, or to deliver over or pay any Stores or monies in his or their possession, belonging to these States, and that on the Adjustments, Deliveries and Payments aforesaid he give proper Releases and Acquittances.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, dated June 26, 1781, in the writing of Meriwether Smith, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 135. Another version of the second resolution is in the writing of James Madison and is on folio 137, as follows:
"Resolved, That the management and direction of the navy be, until a Secretary of Marine shall be appointed, committed to the Superintendent of Finance, and that he be authorized to appoint such temporary agents as may be necessary to execute the business of that Department."]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. M[eriwether] Smith, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Daniel of St. Thomas] Jenifer.
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed, to devise the proper mode of transferring to the superintendant of finance, the business of the several boards and departments to which the institution of his office extends, in order that the said boards and departments may be discontinued as soon as the situation of affairs will admit:
That the said committee confer with the superintendant of finance on the object of their appointment:2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, undated, in the writing of William Churchill Houston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 203.]
The members, Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. T[homas] Smith.
[The committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Houston, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Atlee,∥ to whom was referred the letter from the Board of Admiralty, of the 12th inst. delivered in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the reason given by James Wharton for neglecting to render his accounts, cannot be admitted:
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That the Board of Admiralty take measures to compel a settlement of those accounts without further delay.]1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Churchill Houston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 131.
The portion in brackets was entered in the Journal by George Bond.]
Treasury Office June 28th. 1781
The Board of Treasury beg leave to report,
That they have considered the Memorial of David Jackson late Surgeon of the general hospital under the new arrangement, and Senior Physician and Surgeon under the arrangement of 1777 referred to them by Congress the 26th. inst and are of opinion it is more proper for the Board of War to decide on the subject of the said Memorial as the business of the Medical Department has been lately transferred to them, and therefore refer the said Memorial to the Honble. the Board of War for their consideration.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 405. It was postponed, as the indorsement shows.
A letter of this day, from the Board of War, enclosing a letter of the 11th from Colonel Gibson, was read as the indorsement indicates. It is in No. 148, I, folio 407.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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