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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, SEPTEMBER 4, 1781
A letter of this day, from General Washington, was read, relative to the sending an officer to inspect the situation of the prisoners in the power of the enemy; [Whereupon],3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 229.]
Resolved, That the Commander in Chief be, and he is hereby, empowered to act in this matter as he shall think most conducive to the public interest.
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A letter, of 12 April, from Mr. Lee, was read, enclosing copy of his account:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter, from William Lee, is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), IV, 361.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [James] Lovell, Mr. [Roger] Sherman:
Ordered, That the letter, of 15 May, from S. Deane, be referred to the said committee.
A letter, of 25 August, from the governor of the State of New York was read, with sundry papers enclosed:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folio 422.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three:
The members, Mr. [Samuel] Livermore, Mr. [Joseph] Jones, Mr. [John] Mathews.
The report of the committee ∥consisting of Mr. Varnum, Mr. Atlee, Mr. Bee∥ on the letter, of 31 August, from Colonel du Buysson, was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel du Buysson have leave of absence to return to France:
Resolved, That the Board of War be, and is hereby directed to write to the marquisses de Castres and Segur, ministers of the marine and war departments in France, expressing the high sense which Congress entertain of the distinguished merit and conduct of Lieutenant Colonel du Buysson in the service of the United States, and particularly of his bravery displayed in the action of the 16 August, 1780, near Camden, and his efforts to bring off the field Major General the Baron de Kalb, who was mortally wounded, [in consequence of which services he was honored with the commission of brigadier-general by the governor of North Carolina.]3
[Note 3: 3 This report, not in the writing of any member of the committee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 119. The portion in brackets was added in Congress.]
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The committee ∥consisting of Mr. Duane, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Mathews∥ to whom was referred the letter, of 2d, from Mr. J. Laurens, ∥together with sundry papers, containing an account of the negotiation with which he was entrusted, by the commission of the 23d of December, 1780,∥ delivered in a partial report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That all the clothing, artillery, arms and military stores, shipped in pursuance of the orders of the honorable John Laurens, special minister to the Court [of Versailles, for the use of the United States, be upon their arrival in any of the ports of these United States delivered to the order of the Board of War, who are hereby empowered and directed to take charge and direction of the same.
That all the money shipped by the order of Mr. Laurens, for the use of the United States, be upon its arrival delivered to the order of the superintendant of finance, who is hereby empowered and directed to take charge of the same.
The Committee to whom was referred the letter of Colonel Van Schaick, report that Colonel Van Schaick receive the brevet of Brigadier General, to bear date theday oflast.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 119. It is in the list of postponed reports in No. 31, folio 371-3.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.]2
[Note 2: 2 The portion in brackets is entered by George Bond.
The following, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 75, and appears to have been agreed to on this day. It is indorsed by Thomson: "Copy of a letter sent by the President to Ct. de Rochambeau Sept. 4th 1781 on account of the compliment of the royal salute paid to Congress by the troops under his command in their passing through Philadelphia. "
Resolved, that the following letter be transmitted by President to the Commander in Chief to be by him communicated to his Excellency Count Rochambeau President transmit to Count Rochambeau the following Letter:
Sir,
I have the honour to express to your Excellency the satisfaction of Congress at the tribute of respect in the compliment which has been paid to them as the sovereign power of these United States by the troops of great and good ally his Most Christian Majesty under your command. The brilliant appearance and exact discipline of the several corps do the highest honour to their gallant officers and afford a happy presage of the most distinguished services in a cause which they have so zealously espoused, and can not fail to endear to every American the Prince who gives such proofs of his friendship and affection to his allies.]
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