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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, AUGUST 8, 1781
The committee of the week made report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a memorial of Philip Reffert, with the account of Jacob Hetherling, be referred to the Board of Treasury;
That the petition of Joseph Hardy be referred to the Board of War;1
[Note 1: 1 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 417.]
That the memorial and papers presented by Alexander Heguy, so far as they respect his accounts against the United States, be referred to the Board of Treasury;
That such part thereof as relates to his application for rank be referred to the Board of War.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 207, 209.]
The Board of War, to whom was referred the memorial of Nicholson Broughton, requesting to be discharged from the payment of twelve guineas, advanced to him in France on account of the United States, report that, in their opinion, a compliance with his request in this instance would be improper:
War Office, August 7th, 1781.
Sir:
The Board have considered the application of Nicholson Broughton Esq. requesting to be discharged from the payment of the sum of twelve guineas advanced to him in France on account of the United States, and though this gentleman has produced the most unquestionable proofs of his integrity and patriotism, yet the Board are of opinion that a compliance with his request in this instance would be improper.
The Board are unacquainted with the rules which have been established respecting moneys advanced to the Citizens of America in foreign countries by order of Congress, but they presume that those who receive assistance are to be accountable.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 148, II, folio 133.]
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Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
The Board of War, to whom was referred the letter from J. Pierce, report, that, in their opinion, the resolution of Congress of the 27 August, 1780, clearly and decidedly sets forth the principles on which the outstanding debts of the public are to be collected, and which ought to be strictly adhered to by the paymaster general in the receiving all moneys due from individuals to the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 121.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
The Board of War, to whom were referred the letter, of 27 July, from Colonel T. Pickering,. and sundry other papers relative to forage collected from sequestred estates, made report:
War Office August 7th, 1781
Sir
The Board have considered the papers referred to them, respecting the Forage on the confiscated Estates in West Chester County, and are of opinion that a discussion of the subject will involve consequences of a delicate nature, and which are only proper for the decision of Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 137.]
Ordered, That the same, with the papers, be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. Bland, Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum, Mr. [William] Sharpe, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll.
Mr. [John] Sullivan laid before Congress a letter, of 9th April last, from Brigadier General John Stark:3
[Note 3: 3 Stark's letter, dated April 9, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress,]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the report of the Board of War on an allowance to the staff for depreciation.
Congress proceeded to the election of a committee of five, to confer with such person or persons as may be appointed
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by the people residing on the New Hampshire Grants, on the west side of Connecticut river, or by their representative body, respecting their claim to be an independent State, and on what terms it may be proper to admit them into the federal union of these states, in case the United States in Congress assembled shall determine to recognize their independence:
The members chosen, Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, Mr. [Nicholas] Van Dyke, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery, Mr. [Edmund] Randolph.
The Board of Treasury, in compliance with the resolution of the 30 July, directing them to devise ways and means for furnishing Colonel George Morgan with the sum of £137, currency of New Jersey, in specie, to enable him to pay for the support and tuition of three Indian boys, of the Delaware nation, at Princetown college, delivered in a report; Whereupon,
That there is a large sum in specie due to the United States in the hands of Dr. Witherspoon President of the College of New Jersey deposited with him by the North Carolina Provincials Prisoners of War in the year 1778, as will appear in the last clause but one of a letter dated the 20th. of February 1780 to the Board from the then Commissy General of Prisoners, and also by another of the 14 April following; the Board beg leave to propose, that part of the money may be applied to the support of the aforesaid Indian youth: the following resolution is therefore submitted:
Resolved, That for the support and education of the Indian youth at Princetown college, in the State of New Jersey, under the care of Colonel George Morgan, of the said State, the sum of three hundred and sixty-five dollars and sixty-ninetieths of a dollar in specie, be paid to him by Dr. J. Witherspoon, president of the said college, out of moneys placed in his hands by the North Carolina provincial prisoners of war, exchanged in the year 1778, to discharge the demands of the United States against them for subsistance;
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for which sum the aforesaid Colonel George Morgan is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 437. The amount is stated in the report as $365 3/9 0/0.]
A letter, of 7th, from Captain J.P. Jones, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
War Office, August 8th. 1781
Sir,
The Board observe they are directed by Congress in their resolution of the 7th. instant to advance to Major Brahme such a sum as they may judge necessary to enable him to leave town and proceed to Head Quarters upon which the Board beg leave to observe they have no money or funds to enable them to make the aforementioned advance but should it be the intention of Congress as the Board apprehend it was that a warrant be drawn on the Paymaster Genl it will be proper to pass the following resolution:
Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant on the paymaster general in favor of Major Brahme, for fifteen hundred dollars new emission on account of his pay, the resolution of the 4 of January last notwithstanding.
The Board think proper to make the following remarks previous to Congress passing the foregoing resolution 1st. There is no unappropriated funds in the hands of the Pay Master for payment of said warrant. 2dly. The sum tho' large is nearly agreeable to what the Board reported for all the officers that were prisoners at Charlestown, and as small a sum as will answer the purposes contained in the resolution of yesterday.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, I, folio 417.]
At a Board of War August 8th. 1781
Present, Col. Grayson
Mr Cornell.
The Board have the honor to enclose to your Excellency an account exhibited to them by Major General Sullivan, and beg leave to observe, that it appears to them that General Sullivan actually advanced the money contained in the said account amounting to five hundred and fifty Continental dollars which was worth at the
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time the account bears date, agreeable to the scale of depreciation agreed to by Congress the 28th June 1780 twenty five silver dollars and twenty-seven ninetieths of a dollar altho' it is most probable the receipts for these bounties were taken in Colonel Proctor's name. Yet as it is beyond a doubt that General Sullivan paid the money, it is the opinion of the Board that the following resolution may not be improper:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislature of the State of New Hampshire to order to be paid to General Sullivan the sum of twenty-five dollars and twenty-seven ninetieths of a dollar in specie (to repay that sum by him advanced for public use) on account of the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 123.]
A letter, of 1, from Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, with sundry papers enclosed, was read.
A letter, of 6, from the superintendant of finance, was read, with sundry papers enclosed.2
[Note 2: 2 Lafayette's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 156, folio 212; Morris's is in No. 137, I, folio 97.]
At a Board of War August 8th 1781.
Present, Mr Grayson
Mr Cornell
The Board have considered the Memorial of Captain Schreiber, referred to them from Congress.
Beg leave to report,
That the case of this Gentleman is fully comprehended in the report of the Board sent to Congress the 20th Ultimo, in behalf of the officers lately returned from captivity, to which they beg leave to refer.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 129. It was read this day as the indorsement states.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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