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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 --FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1781
A memorial from John Fanning and others, late officers on board the Trumbull frigate, and now prisoners on Long Island, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the superintendant of finance.
A letter, of 5, from T. Barclay, was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a consul be appointed to reside in France in the room of W. Palfrey:
Congress proceeded to an election; and, the ballots being taken, Thomas Barclay was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery.2
[Note 2: 2 This election was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs. The following paragraph was entered only in the Secret Journal.]
N. B. In consequence of the above appointment, a commission was made out in the form of that to W. Palfrey, mutatis mutandis.
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Board of War be authorised to draw a warrant on the paymaster general in favour of Lieutenant Herbert of the sixth Pensylvania regiment for thirty-one
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dollars and two-thirds of a dollar being one month's pay and subsistance 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 351.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery, seconded by Mr. [Roger] Sherman,
That the supreme executive powers of Pensylvania and Delaware respectively, be desired to discharge all, or as many as they may think proper, of their militia now in service, taking proper and effectual measures that they may be in readiness to assemble again without delay if necessary.
On which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum,
{table}
So the motion was lost.]2
[Note 2: 2 The portion in brackets was entered by George Bond.]
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The committee to whom were referred a report of the Board of War and the memorials of several officers respecting the depreciation of their pay; and
The Committee to whom was referred a report of the Board of War, and the Memorials of several Officers, respecting the depredation of their pay, report the following Resolutions.
Whereas the resolutions of Congress for making good the depreciation of pay to Officers and Soldiers in the service of the United States, extend only to the line and Medical Staff in actual service at the time of passing the said resolutions, and whereas some that had served faithfully and were honorably discharged before that time may be equitably entitled to some compensation on account of the depreciation of their pay, and some others have been a great part of the time they were in office, absent from duty and at liberty to attend to their own private affairs, and have not been greater sufferers by the depreciation of the currency than their fellow citizens in general, therefore that equity may be done to all as far as possible,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several States, to enquire into the claims of such of their citizens, as have served the United States in the line of the Army, the general hospital, as Physicians or Chaplains or in any of the Staff departments on fixed daily or monthly pay since the 1st. day of Septr. 1777 until honorably discharged, who are not provided for by any former resolution; and make them such compensation for the depreciation of their pay at the expense of the said States respectively as on consideration of their services, the times of fixing their pay, and the allowances that have been made them, in money, provisions or clothing, they shall severally appear to merit and be equitably entitled to, charging the same to the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Roger Sherman, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 145. It is in the list of postponed reports in No. 31, folio 371.]
The Committee on the Post Office, delivered in their several reports.
Adjourned to 10 o'clock on Monday.
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