| 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, NOVEMBER 21, 1781
On a report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, and Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, to report on the arrangement of the President's house,
Resolved, That the attendants of the President's house consist of one steward, and such others as may be found necessary not exceeding eight; and that they be appointed and removed at pleasure, by the President of Congress:
That all sums of money necessary for the expences of the house, be drawn for by the President, and paid to the steward:
That the steward keep a regular account of all receipts and disbursements, and of furniture, and utensils broken, lost or purchased, and deliver to the secretary of the President on the first day of every month, a fair copy thereof.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Osgood, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 355.]
On a report of the Board of War, to whom was referred a letter of 19th, from Major General du Portail, requesting the brevet of captain for Mr. de Castaing, his aid:
War Office November 20th, 1781.
Sir,
On the letter from General Duportail referred by Congress to the Board of War, respecting the case of Lieutenant De Castaing, I take the liberty of reporting,
That Mr De Castaing appears from the arrangement of the army to be at this time a Lieutenant in Colonel Jackson's Regiment and to take rank as such from the 24 day of April 1779. There is no doubt but that he is a deserving officer and has done his duty; but unless some very particular circumstance appear so as to distinguish him from the other officers of the army or the regiment in point of merit, uneasiness will be created by giving the Brevet requested, and the accidental circumstance of his having served in General Duportail's family will not be deemed sufficient by those who are affected
Page 1129 | Page image
by the promotion. It will too no doubt introduce similar claims from other officers who have served in the like capacity, and with equal merit with Mr De Castaing. Congress will be pleased to recollect that there are several valuable officers, who have served as Aids and have now the same Rank they had the Beginning of the War. True it is that in the early period of the War when rank was more easily obtained and duty not so clearly designated, those gentlemen procured commissions of higher grades than they were entitled to. But it is as true, that if many of them had continued in the line they would now have commanded regiments, and under this idea some of them complain that their promotion is stopped, and would be glad of a precedent whereupon to found their claims to advancement. I have troubled Congress so far on this subject as I would not wish to appear on slight grounds to contravene the recommendation of General Duportail, for which I have the greatest respect. If however Congress should not consider these observations as having any weight and that the recommendation of General Duportail should be attended to as sufficiently evidencing the particular merit of Mr De Castaing, they will please to resolve,
That Lieutenant De Castaing receive the Brevet of Captain in consideration of his services at the defence of Charlestown in South Carolina, and the siege of York in Virginia.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 475.]
Resolved, That the request respecting the promotion of Lieutenant de Castaing, cannot be complied with.2
[Note 2: 2 This resolution is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 478.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, seconded by Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, that it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states to cause to be taken and transmitted to Congress as soon as possible the number of the white inhabitants thereof, pursuant to the ninth article of the Confederation.
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Edmund] Randolph,
Page 1130 | Page image
{table}
So the question was lost.1
[Note 1: 1 A memorial of Charles de Frey was read this day and referred to the Board of War, as the indorsement shows. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, folio 256.
A letter, of November 2d, from General Washington was read on this day, as the indorsement states, and referred to the Board of War. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X, folio 375. Another letter, of November 15th, from General Washington was read. the indorsement states. It is on folio 396.]
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |