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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, OCTOBER 30, 1781
A letter, of 29, from the secretary of foreign affairs was read, requesting to be admitted to examine and copy from such books of a secret nature in the Secretary's office as may in any wise relate to the department of foreign affairs:2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph and the following resolution were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
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Resolved, That his request be granted.
The committee of the week made report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That the petition of Absalom Baird be referred to the comptroller for adjustment of his account;
That the petition of Nathan Bush be referred to the comptroller.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Osgood, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 283.]
A report from the Board of War on the petition of Lieutenant Colonel Cambray was read; Whereupon,
War Office October 26th 1781.
Sir,
The Board have been honored with a reference of the letter from Lt. Col. du Cambray and in conversing with that gentleman, it appears that his sole motive for asking leave to go to Europe is on account of his destitute situation with respect to money. He is a very deserving officer, and we wish it were in our power to point out any mode by which he can be relieved. His accounts may be settled by the Comptroller, as he is comprehended in the resolve of Congress prescribing the mode of settling accounts of officers not belonging to any State. But as to his requisition for a sum in part of the balance due him we conceive it would introduce such a number of claims for a like treatment that we cannot think it expedient to recommend the measure. He is entitled to three months real pay as an officer captivated at Charlestown and this will put him on a footing with other officers captivated there so far as present exigencies will permit.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 417.]
Ordered, That the accounts of Lieutenant Colonel Cambray be settled by the comptroller.
Another report of the Board of War on the memorial of Lieutenant Colonel S. Hay was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War October 29. 1781.
Present, Mr Peters
General Cornell
The Board beg leave to report on the Memorial [of] Lieut. Col. Samuel Hay,
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That it appears to the Board that the request of Col. Hay to receive a sum in specie equal to the value of the sums mentioned in the Warrants enclosed in his Memorial or a sum in new bills equal to the value of his pay cannot be complied with consistent with present circumstances. Congress will be pleased to advert to the difficulties attendant on the advance of money to officers, whose services are absolutely necessary for the operations of the war. If added to this those who have retired are also to be paid, there is an end of any farther exertions that depend upon money. There is no doubt but that justice should be done to all persons who have served faithfully, and among that number, we can with great truth and propriety rank the memorialist. But the time of doing them justice should be well considered. If Col. Hay is paid, there will be claims from every one in his situation. Few if any of them are paid. Many of them have warrants and all are entitled to the balances due them. We therefore submit the matter to Congress, with this farther observation that those who have no warrants will conceive that the accidental circumstance of the memorialist having warrants makes no difference as to substantial justice.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 421.]
Ordered, That Lieutenant Colonel Hay be informed that his request cannot at present be complied with.
Congress proceeded to the election of a secretary at war; and, the ballots being taken, Major General Benjamin Lincoln was elected.
Resolved, That the commissioners of the Board of War be authorised and requested, to continue to exercise the duties of the war department, until the secretary at war enter upon the execution of his office.
The committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Varnum, Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Hanson,∥ to whom were referred the estimates of the Board of War delivered in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, (by nine states,) That the respective states be called upon to furnish the treasury of the United States, with their quotas of the 8,000,000 of dollars, for the war department, and civil list, the ensuing year; to be paid quarterly
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in equal proportions, the first payment to be made on the first day of April next.
Resolved, That a committee, consisting of a member from each state, be appointed to apportion to the several states the quotas of the above sum.
The members, Mr. [Samuel] Livermore, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, Mr. Clymer [Thomas] Smith, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [John] Hanson, Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, Mr. ]Benjamin] Hawkins, Mr. [Thomas] Bee, Mr. [Edward] Telfair.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.1
[Note 1: 1 A memorial of the journeymen gunsmiths was presented about this date. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, folio 475.
The following motion was made by James Mitchell Varnum this month, as the indorsement shows. It is in Varnum's writing and is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 233:
Whereas the Business of the United States now remaining unfinished, and that may probably occur for some time to come is principally of an executive Nature, and appertains to the ministerial Departments, be it therefore resolved, that on the Third Monday of November instant Congress will adjourn to the first Monday in March next then to convene st this Place. A new Congress will convene on Monday next; Quere, can this Congress pass a Resolution to bind their Decision in adjourning?]
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