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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 --WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1781
A memorial from Monsr. Marbois, chargé des affaires of France in the absence of the Minister, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 Marbois's memorial, dated July 9, 1781, is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), IV, 553.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum, Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [George] Partridge.
A letter, of this day, from Thomas Hutchins, was read, signifying his acceptance of the office of geographer to the southern army.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 60, folio 161.]
Resolved, That the geographer to the main army, and also the geographer to the southern army, be stiled "Geographer to the United States of America," and commissioned and considered as such; and that they continue with the army services are necessary therein perform such services as the Commander in Chief, and commanding officer of the southern army, may judge necessary to assign them respectively.
Ordered, That so much of Mr. Hutchins' letter as relates to a covered waggon, &c. be referred to the Board of War.
A petition of Lieutenant Colonel S. Bush was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This petition, dated July, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, I, folio 258.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
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A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War July 11th 1781
Present Mr Peters
Colonel Grayson
General Cornell
The Board having taken into consideration the letter of the 12th Ulto. from Major General Steuben referred to them from Congress.
Beg leave to report,
Ordered, That the Board of War be authorised to draw a warrant on the paymaster general in favour of Captain Du Ponceau, aid de camp to Major General Steuben for eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars in bills of the new emission on account of his pay, for which sum he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 27.]
The committee to whom was referred the letter, of 9th, from the superintendant of finance delivered in a report, which was agreed to.
On the report of the committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Mathews, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll and Mr. [John] Sullivan, to whom was referred a letter of the 9th, from the superintendant of finance:
Resolved, That Congress approve of the superintendant of finance undertaking the negotiation of loans either in Spain or Portugal, in conjunction with Mr. Jay, on the most advantageous terms the same can be obtained;
That Mr. Jay be authorised to send Mr. Carmichael to Lisbon, on the plan proposed by the superintendant of finance; provided Mr. Jay shall be of opinion his presence in Spain can at the time be dispensed with.2
[Note 2: 2 This report was entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal, No. 4. It was entered in No. 4 by George Bond. A copy is in Secret Journal, No. 6, Vol. III. The draft is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 321, and is in the writing of John Mathews.]
On motion of Mr. [Daniel of St. Thomas] Jenifer, one of the members of the Board of Admiralty:
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Resolved, That the frigate Trumbull be put under the direction of Mr. Morris, superintendant of finance, for such service as he may judge necessary; and that the captain of the said frigate receive and obey the orders and instructions given to him by the said superintendant.
The report of the committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Varnum, Mr. Bland,∥ on the memorial and other papers of Baron D'Arendt, was taken into consideration, namely, that part wherein they report that it may be proper to resolve,
The committee to whom was referred the Memorial and other papers of the Baron d'Arendt beg leave to report.
That the Baron d'Arendt entered the service early in 1777. That he served in the army of the United States with great zeal and fidelity, until the 18th. Day of August 1778 when he obtained leave of absence to return to Europe for the purpose of curing a wound received by a fall from his horse. That when he was about returning to America, Mr William Lee then Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Court of Berlin, employed the Baron to transact some business for these states at that Court and as soon as this was completed he returned to America and is now ready to join the army. If Congress think proper to continue him in service it may be proper to resolve,
That the Baron d'Arendt be continued in the service of the United States, with his former rank; that the Board of Treasury settle with him for his pay and depreciation up to this time; and that he repair to the Army and receive his instructions from the Commander in Chief.
But should Congress be of opinion that the Baron d'Arendt cannot be continued in service consistent with the late arrangement of the army, it may be proper to resolve,
That the Baron d'Arendt be allowed his pay and depreciation up to the first day of January last and that from that time he receive his half pay in the same manner as other officers reduced by the late arrangement.
But should Congress be of opinion that the Baron d'Arendt cannot at present be considered as a reduced officer on half pay, it may be proper to resolve,
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That the Board of Treasury settle with the Baron D'Arendt for his pay and depreciation, up to the first day of January, 1781;
And that he be entitled to such future pay and emoluments as may be allowed by Congress to other foreign officers in similar circumstances.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Sullivan, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 15.]
A question being taken on the first part: passed in the affirmative.
On the second part the previous question was moved by the State of Connecticut, seconded by the State of Georgia; and on the question to agree to the previous question, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. T[homas] Smith.
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So it passed in the negative.
On the question to agree to the main question, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Sullivan,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Whereas the Baron D'Arendt, cannot, consistent with the arrangement of the army made in October last, and which took effect in January 1781, be considered in the service of these states since that time, nor at present be allowed half pay, in the same manner as was allowed to officers reduced by that arrangement,1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph, in the writing of John Sullivan, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 19.]
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury [settle with the Baron D'Arendt, for his pay and depreciation, up to the said 1st day of January, 1781; and that he be entitled to such future pay and emoluments, as may be allowed by Congress to other foreign officers in similar circumstances.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
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At a Board Of War July 11th 1781
Present Mr Peters
Colonel Grayson
General Cornell
The Board have been honored with a reference from Congress of the Memorial of Jesse Brown and a direction to take order thereon, and beg leave to inform Congress that they have no means of procuring payment, it being improper to draw on the Paymaster General for any matter unconnected with the Army, and indeed any warrant upon him would not be productive. They therefore return the memorial to Congress and suggest that a reference to the Treasury Board, or the Superintendant of Finance might possibly put Mr Brown in a way of obtaining his request.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 23.]
Ordered, That the letter, of 10th, from Jesse Brown, be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order.]2
[Note 2: 2 The portion in brackets was entered by George Bond.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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