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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, JULY 17, 1781
A letter, of 9th June, from Major General Greene, was read, with sundry papers enclosed, relative to the surrender of fort Cornwallis and Augusta in Georgia:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.
Another letter, of 9 June, from General Greene, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 One letter of 9th is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, II, folio 113; the other is on folio 123.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, Mr. [John] Mathews, Mr. [James] Madison.
The committee to whom was referred the report of the Board of Admiralty delivered in a report, which was taken into consideration; and thereupon,
The Committee to whom were referred the Reports from the Board of Admiralty of the 18 of June and 6th of July, beg leave to submit to the Hon'ble Congress the following Resolutions:
Resolved, that all commissions heretofore granted by the Ministers of these United States at Foreign Courts or any of them having been granted for temporary purposes, are to be considered as temporary Brevets, and not giving rank in the Navy or Marine of these States, and that therefore all such commissions be and are hereby revoked.
Resolved, that William Nicholson be appointed a Lieutenant of Marines in the service of the United States.
Resolved, that Richard Dale, Muscow Levingston and Alexander Murray be appointed Lieutenants in the Navy in the Service of the United States, and that Commissions be issued accordingly.
Resolved, that none of the officers above named be entitled to pay or subsistence from their respective Commissions until they shall be called into actual service.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 141.]
Resolved, That William Nicholson be appointed a lieutenant of marines in the service of the United States:
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Ordered, That the remainder be re-committed.
The committee to whom was referred the letter, of 12, from F. Lewis, a commissioner of the Board of Admiralty, delivered in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the resignation of the said Francis Lewis be and it is hereby accepted;
Or That the minister of finance be authorised and directed to liquidate the said Francis Lewis' accounts and to take order therein.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 547.]
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Board of War be authorised to draw on the paymaster general in favour of Captain Patrick Cams of Lieutenant Colonel Lee's legion, for two hundred and ten dollars in bills of the new emission; 2 and of Doctor Morris, surgeon of Colonel Armand's legion, for two hundred and twenty-five dollars in bills aforesaid in part of their pay, and for which sums they are respectively to be accountable.3
[Note 2: 2 This clause is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 49.]
[Note 3: 3 This clause is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 55.]
A letter, of 10, from General Washington;4
[Note 4: 4 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress No. 152, X, folio 163.]
One, of the same date, from Colonel Pickering, on Colonel Miles' estimate of forage to be laid up at Philadelphia; and
One, of 16, from Saml. Hodgdon, signifying his acceptance of the office of commissary general of military stores, were read.5
[Note 5: 5 Pickering's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 192, folio 71; Hodgton's is in No. 78, XII, folio 163.
A letter of 16th from the Board of War was read; it is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 421.]
War Office July 17, 1781.
Sir,
The Board have considered the account of Benjamin Darrell for the hire of his vessel for transporting a number of persons who were prisoners in the power of the enemy from Charlestown to Philadelphia
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and are of opinion that both policy and humanity requires that every assistance should be afforded these unhappy sufferers which the distressed state of the public finances will admit of. Should Congress be of opinion that a sum of money can be spared for this purpose, they will be pleased to resolve,
Thatbe directed to devise ways and means for the payment of one hundred and thirty-seven pounds sterling to Benjamin Darrell for the hire of his vessel in transporting a number of persons who were prisoners in the power of the enemy from Charlestown to Philadelphia.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 53. It was rejected August 23, as the indorsement shows.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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