| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1781
Mr. Jonathan Elmer, a delegate for the State of New Jersey, attended.
A letter, of 21, from General Washington was read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 175. It is printed in The Writings of Washington (Ford), IX, 314.]
A letter, of this day, from the superintendant of finance was read; Whereupon,2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, I, folio 93.]
Resolved, That the interest to be allowed on the certificates granted for the bills drawn by Major General Lincoln, be at the rate of six per cent. per annum.
Ordered, That the letter be referred to the committee appointed to prepare an ordinance for collecting the duty of five per cent. on imports and prizes:
Ordered, That Mr. [James] Madison be added to that committee.
The committee of the week made report; Whereupon,
The Committee of the week report.
That the Petition from Lieut. Duncan Campbell, as far as respects his request for Certificates in full of a Debt due to him for pay and depreciation be referred to the Board of War Treasury.
That the letter from Wm. McKinnan be referred to the Board of War.
That the Letter from Wm. Watters and other Prisoners on board the Jersey Prison Ship at New York be referred to a special committee to make the Board of War.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 199.]
Ordered, That a petition of Lieutenant Duncan Campbell;
Page 788 | Page image
A letter, of 11, from William Waters and others;
A letter, of 24, from William McKinnan; and
A memorial of Samuel Bryan and others be referred to the Board of War.1
[Note 1: 1 Campbell's petition, dated July 20, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, II, folio 114; McKinnan's letter is in No. 78, XVI, folio 223; Bryan's memorial is in No. 41, I, folio 359.]
A report of the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Treasury Office July 25th. 1781
The Board of Treasury beg leave to Report,
That on the application of Richard Phillips, Steward to the President of Congress, a warrant issue in his favor on Thomas Smith Commissioner of the Continental loan office for the State of Pennsylvania, for two thousand dollars new emissions to defray the expences of the President's household, and for which sum the said Steward is to be accountable.
Ordered, That on the application of John L. Clarkson, clerk to the Board of Treasury, a warrant issue in his favour on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, for three hundred and fifty dollars new emissions, to defray the contingent expences of the treasury office, and for which sum he is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, V, folio 415.]
On motion of Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, seconded by Mr. [Theodorick] Bland:
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to revise the several reports now before Congress which have not been acted upon or finished, and report thereon:
The members, Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, Mr. T[homas] Smith, Mr. [Roger] Sherman.
A letter, of 24, from the Minister of France; and also a letter of the same date from him to the Board of Admiralty, were read, with sundry papers enclosed:
Page 789 | Page image
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
The committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Osgood, Mr. Potts, Mr. Livermore,∥ to whom was referred the memorial of Captain J. P. Jones, together with his account, delivered in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the charges of the said J. P. Jones, as exhibited in his accounts, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, be allowed; and that the said report and accounts be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order.
The report of the committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Ellsworth, Mr. Mathews, Mr. Madison,∥ on the letters from Major General Greene was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
The committee to whom was referred the letters of Major General Greene of the 9th and 20th ultimo and the letter of Major General the Marquis de Lafayette of the
Resolved, That the Committee appointed to correspond be directed to President acquaint Major General Greene, that the measures he has pursued for the general security of the southern states, and for dispossessing the enemy of the several posts occupied by them, although not attended with complent success afford an additional such proofs of his judgment, vigilance, and firmness, as recommend him to the entire approbation of Congress; and that Congress are equally sensible of the zeal, gallantry, and perseverance displayed by the officers and soldiers under his command, in the various services in which they have been employed, and the difficulties with which they have contended.
Ordered, That the letter of Major General the Marquis de Lafayette so much of the letter of Major General Greene as relates to calling out militia be referred to the committee
Page 790 | Page image
appointed to consider of the additional powers necessary to be given Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Mathews, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 463.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.2
[Note 2: 2 The following draft of a letter appears to have been submitted this day. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 369, and is indorsed: "Letter to the States from New Hampshire to New Jersey, July 25, 1781." It is in the writing of James Mitchell Varnum:
Philadelphia July1781.
Sir.
The United States in Congress Assembled are so fully convinced of the necessity of the most vigorous operations against the posts of New York and its dependencies, that they are induced to urge in the most pressing manner, a prompt and decided compliance with the requisitions from his Excellency the Commander in Chief for men and supplies. We are sensible the demands must be extensive and a bill compliance with them appears difficult considering the great and repeated exertions of your State. But the objects of their operations are so important in themselves, and so intimately connected with the pleasing idea of establishing peace, and of avoiding the calamities of preceding campaigns, that we assure ourselves every obstacle will be surmounted and the same virtuous exertions struggles which have hitherto supported the war will speedily bring it to a glorious Period issue.
I have the honor of being, Sir, With great respect, Your very obedient and most humble servant.
T. Mo.K. P.C.
His Excellency, The Governor of--
To this period, apparently, belongs the following motion, in the writing of John Mathews, undated, indorsed: "Motion of delegates from South Carolina That the Board of War forward to the State of South Carolina 3,000 stand of arms." It is in No. 36, IV, folio 393.
Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to forward to the State of South Carolina with all convenient dispatch 3,000 stand of arms for the use of the militia of that State.]
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |