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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 --MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1781
On a report from the Board of War, to whom was referred a memorial of Mr. Jacob Schreiber:
At a Board of War November 7th. 1781.
Present Mr Peters
General Cornell
The Board have been honored with a reference of a memorial from Mr Jacob Schreiber who claims the appointment of a Captain of Engineers from an authority given him by General Lincoln to act as such in Charlestown. We transmit a copy of General Lincoln's Warrant for the Inspection of Congress by which it will appear that Mr. Schreiber resigned his Commission of a Lieutenant of Artillery in order to undertake the duties of an Engineer with the rank of Captain. It appears to the Board but just that Mr Schreiber should receive the pay having done the duty of an Engineer, and therefore we gave him a warrant for six months' nominal pay as a prisoner captivated at Charlestown. This warrant he alledges his necessities induced him to part with at a less sum than it was worth; but no allowance can be made on this account, lest endless claims and confusion should ensue. It does not appear to the Board that his services are absolutely requisite in the Corps of Engineers and therefore it might be as well to grant him the liberty he requests of going home and for this purpose it will be necessary for Congress to resolve,
Ordered, That the comptroller cause the accounts of Mr. Jacob Schreiber to be adjusted upon the same principles with those directed for the officers of Hazen's regiment, allowing him the pay of a captain of engineers from the 2d day of March, 1780:
That Mr. Schreiber have leave to depart for Europe, as Congress, though conscious of his merit, have no means of employing him in the rank he requires:
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That it be referred to the superintendant of finance to pay Mr. Schreiber such sum as will enable him to return to Europe, and that loan office certificates be delivered him for the residue of the balance which shall, on settlement, appear to be due to him from the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 427.]
On a report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, to whom were referred a letter of 28 August, and one of 7 [5] instant from the superintendant of finance:
The Committee to whom was referred the letter of the 5th of November 1781 with its enclosures from the Superintendant of finance, report, in part, as follows:
Resolved, That so much of the resolution of the 2d. instant, as declares, "that certificates which may be given by the Quartermaster general or other Officers properly authorised to give them for supplies that shall be hereafter furnished, shall be accepted in payment of the quotas of money thereby assigned to the several states," be and hereby is repealed.
The Committee beg leave to inform Congress, that they have made no report, touching the repeal of those parts of the resolution, which relate to the future adjustment of payments under the requisition of the 2nd instant, and certificates, to be received in discharge of former requisitions: as they are opposed to the repeal thereof.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Edmund Randolph, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 337.]
On motion of Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Bee,
Resolved, That letters to and from the secretary for foreign affairs be carried free of postage.
The Committee to whom were referred the memorial and papers of Major John Clark beg leave to report as their opinion;
That the claim of Major Clark for depreciation on his pay cannot be determined upon with propriety till that of other officers in a like situation shall be taken up by Congress.
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That the secret services performed by Major Clark are of a nature similar to what other officers must have performed for the Commander in Chief of the army who alone can properly judge of the degree and peculiar merit and recompence of them.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Lovell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 573. It was made on the 9th and read on the 12th as the indorsement shows.
On this day a memorial of Joseph Ward, dated October 18, 1781, was referred to the Board of War, as the indorsement shows. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, X, folio 582.
Also a letter of Daniel Brodhead, dated October 28; it is in No. 78, IV, folio 183.
Also a letter of Thomas McKean, dated on this date; it is in No. 78, XVI, folio 269.
Also a letter, of August 14, from John de Neufville & Son; it is in Ne. 145, folio 79.]
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