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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 15, 1781
A letter, of 10, from J. Storey, was read;2 Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXI, folio 105.]
Ordered, That J. Storey be informed that Congress do, at his request, dispense with his farther service.
A petition of George Fisher was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the auditors of accounts at Albany, who are to liquidate the account of the petitioner agreeably to the principles established by Congress in such cases.3
[Note 3: 3 This paragraph, as an extract from the minutes, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 138, I, folio 483.]
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War August 14th. 1781
Present Mr. Grayson
Mr. Cornell
Lieutenant Verdier of Colonel Armand's Legion had the misfortune some time ago of being captured by the enemy in Virginia, when in
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the execution of an important commission from the Baron Steuben. He is now on parole in this City, and has applied to the Board for an advance of money on account, which they are not authorized to grant without the approbation of Congress.
As it seems but just that this gentleman should receive the same sums as have been allowed to other officers of equal rank under similar circumstances.
The Board beg leave to report
Resolved, That the Board of War be and hereby are authorised to draw a warrant on the paymaster general, in favour of Lieutenant Verdier of Armand's corps, a prisoner on parole, for six months' nominal pay in bills of the new emission, for which he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 161.]
The report of the committee on the communications of the honble the Minister of France was taken into consideration, and after debate:
War Office Aug 15th 1781.
Sir,
The Board have considered that part of the report respecting Mr Pepin, which has been recommitted, and beg leave to observe that the contracts for this Post are framed in such a manner as not to admit persons of this description.
When it was under consideration to furnish the citizens of South Carolina with rations, the Board applied to the Financier on the subject who did not think himself authorized to appropriate the money in his hands to this purpose. He also observed that he did not conceive himself responsible for rations which were out of the purview of the contract. The Board have understood the Financier wrote to Congress on the occasion and that in consequence thereof that mode of furnishing the South Carolina Citizens was laid aside.
The Board are at a loss how to supply Mr Pepin and his family with rations, except they draw for that purpose on the contractor, which is a method they think it will be impolitic to adopt; the permitting persons not concerned with the army to draw rations, has been heretofore productive of great abuses as well as considerable expence. The Board in forming the contracts had it in contemplation to guard against the inconvenience in future. If however it is the will of Congress that Mr Pepin shall be supplied in this manner
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and they will be pleased to signify it to the Board, it shall be immediately done. This man has a wife and six children in great distress, who it is very probable will suffer considerably if something is not done for their relief. If Congress think it expedient to assist him the Board are of opinion it will be more advisable to do it by means of a sum of money.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 165. It appears to have been read on this day.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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