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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 --MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1781
A letter, of 2, from General Washington, with sundry papers enclosed, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 183. It is printed in the Writings of Washington (Ford), IX, 324.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum.
A letter, of 4, from the governor of Maryland, with sundry papers enclosed touching the movements and destination of the enemy's force up Chesapeak Bay:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 481.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War, and that copies be sent to the presidents of the States of Pensylvania and Delaware.
A letter, of 28 July, from the governor of Virginia, was read.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71. II, folio 117.]
A report of the committee of the week was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a letter, of July 17, from Udney Hay be referred to the Board of Treasury;
That a petition and account of John Chesnut and Leonard Martz be referred to the Board of War.
A report from the Board of Treasury, on the accounts of A. Lee, esq. was read, wherein pursuant to the order of 29 May last, they state his extraordinary expences in Europe, including articles purchased, and said to be returned as per account, livres 19,836: 14:6; and his ordinary expences in Europe, and from Boston, livres 135,361:3:10; that the sum charged by Mr. Lee, for supplies sent to the State of Virginia, (part of the moneys he received for the public use,) amounting to livres 66,853:0:10 are
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acknowledged to have been received, and for which the governor and council of that State, by their certificate, dated the 13 of March last, and filed in the treasury office, promise to account with the United States; and that there remains due to him for his salary, and that of his secretary, the sum of two thousand two hundred and thirty-eight pounds, seventeen shillings and nine pence, sterling; Whereupon,
Treasury Office Aug 6th. 1781
In compliance with the order of Congress of the 29th of May the Accounts of the Honble. Arthur Lee were committed for settlement and the Commissioners of Accounts and Auditor General have twice reported to this Board thereon, as appears by their reports N°. 2290 and 2396 herewith submitted. In addition to the Reports aforesaid this Board beg leave to state the following facts:
That genuine and original invoices appear from Gardoqui & Sons of Bilboa and Mr. Bondfield of Bordeaux to about the amount of their Drafts on Mr. Lee paid by Grand his Banker.
That ten different Invoices of goods have been shipped by Gardoqui & Sons from Bilboa amounting to 673,568 rials vellon and thirty two Marvedies, six of which appear to have been shipped for the port of Boston and consigned to Elbridge Gerry, but are not accompanied with any bills of lading, receipts or writings whatever, whereby any person can be charged or in any way made accountable.
The four remaining Invoices appear to have been shipped for "any port of the thirteen United States" and addressed to "any of the continental agents"--or which there are bills of lading, but no receipts or writing whatever, whereby any Person can be charged, or in any way made accountable for them. That two invoices of goods appear to have been shipped by John Bondfield at Bordeaux for the Ports of Boston and Virginia amounting to 54,178 Livres 19 Sols and two deniers and consigned to the Continental agent of Congress, but no receipts or writings whatever whereby any person can be charged or in any way made accountable. That the other parts of Mr. Lee's accounts appear to be stated agreably to the intention of Congress Mr. Lee having declared upon his honor in writing that his accounts of expences, ordinary and extraordinary, are to the best of his knowledge justly charged.
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That the sum charged by Mr. Lee for supplies sent to the State of Virginia (part of the monies he received for the public use) amounting to 66,853:0:10 are acknowledged to have been received, and for which the Governor and Council of that State by their Certificate dated the 13 of March last, and filed in this Office, promise to account with the United States.
If the United States in Congress Assembled agree to this State, the Accounts of Mr. Lee's Foreign Transactions are closed, and there remains due to him for his salary and that of his Secretary, by the Report of the Commissioners of the Chambers of Accounts of the 27th of December last the sum of Two thousand two hundred thirty eight pounds seventeen shillings and nine pence Sterling.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 433.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the report, allowing the foregoing accounts to the credit of Mr. A. Lee.
[A letter, of this day, from John Owen, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVII, folio 333.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter, of the 1st, from Captain O'Neil, delivered in a report; Whereupon,
War Office August 3rd. 1781
Present Mr Peters
Col. Grayson
Sir,
The Board have considered the memorial of Capt. O'Neal referred to them by Congress, and beg leave to observe, that much time was spent last winter and a full investigation made into his claims and pretentions upon which Congress passed their acts of the 21st of February and 5th of March last. The Board think it unnecessary to observe farther,
Therefore report as their opinion that the prayer of the Memorialist is altogether inadmissible either upon principles of policy or utility.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 117.]
Resolved, That Captain O'Neil be informed that the request contained in his letter of the 1st instant cannot be complied with.]4
[Note 4: 4 The portion in brackets was entered by George Bond.]
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The committee of the week, Mr. [George] Partridge, Mr. [James] Duane, [Mr. Richard] Howly.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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