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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 --WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1781
Mr. [Henry] Wynkoop, a delegate for Pensylvania, and Mr. [William Churchill] Houston, a delegate for New Jersey, attended.
On a report of the Board of War, to whom was referred a memorial of Captain de Frey:
Resolved, That the resignation of Captain de Frey be accepted, Congress having no means of employing him in
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the army of the United States, consistent with the arrangement thereof, though a meritorious officer:
That it be referred to the superintendant of finance to pay Captain de Frey, in cash or in bills of exchange, such sum as will enable him to return to France, in part of the balance which shall appear to be due to him on settlement of his accounts.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 483.]
On a report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, and Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, to whom was referred a letter of October 13, from Captain John Barry:
Ordered, That the superintendant of finance take measures for obtaining a copy of the proceedings of the court martial at Boston, in the case of three men belonging to the frigate Alliance.
Ordered, That a letter, of 17, from Major General Heath; the votes of thanks to the Commander in Chief and other officers for the signal successes in Virginia and the commanding officer in South Carolina and the other officers acting under him; together with the letter of 25 November from the Marquis de la Fayette, be referred to the Committee of Intelligence.2
[Note 2: 2 Heath's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 157, folio 425; Lafayette's is in No. 156, folio 252.]
According to order, General Washington attended, and being introduced by two members, the President addressed him as follows:
Sir: Congress, at all times happy in seeing your Excellency, feel particular pleasure in your presence at this time, after the glorious success of the allied arms in Virginia. It is their fixed purpose to draw every advantage from it by exhorting the states in the strongest terms to the most vigorous and timely exertions. A committee has accordingly been appointed to state the requisitions necessary to be made for the establishment of the army, and they are instructed to confer with you upon that subject. It is. therefore, the expectation of Congress that your Excellency would remain for some time in
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Philadelphia, that they may avail themselves of your aid in this important business, and it would at the same time be agreeable to them that you may enjoy a respite from the fatigues of war, as far as is consistent with the service.
To which his Excellency made the following reply:
Mr. President: I feel very sensibly the favorable declaration of Congress expressed by your Excellency. This fresh proof of their approbation cannot fail of making a deep impression upon me, and my study shall be to deserve a continuance of it. It is with peculiar pleasure I hear that it is the fixed purpose of Congress to exhort the states to the most vigorous and timely exertions. A compliance on their parts will, I persuade myself, be productive of the most happy consequences.
I shall yield a ready obedience to the expectation of Congress, and give every assistance in my power to their committee. I am obliged by the goodness of Congress in making my personal ease and convenience a part of their concern. Should the service require my attendance with the army upon the North River, or elsewhere, I shall repair to whatever place my duty calls, with the same pleasure that I remain in this city.1
[Note 1: 1 Washington's reply is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, X: folio 397.]
On motion of the delegates for South Carolina:
Resolved, That the secretary at war take order for furnishing a waggon, with four horses and a driver, for the purpose of transporting to the southern army, a printing press and necessary apparatus, procured by the State of South Carolina.
Committee of the week beg leave to report,
That the memorial of Thomas Rutledge, dated November 26, 1781, be referred to the Controuler of Accts. Superintendant of Finance; and that the letter of George Reid dated October 7, 1781, so far as relates to his Rank, the memorial of L. D. Martin praying for subsistence &c., the memorial of Oliphant and others praying for pay &c., and the petition of Alexander Dew relative to rank and pay, be all referred to the Secretary of War.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Richard Law, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 287. It is indorsed: "Part agreed to."
Martin's memorial, dated November 24, 1781, is in No. 78, XVI, folio 275; the Olyphant memorial is in No. 41, VII, folio 296; Dow's petition, dated November 26, 1781, is in No. 41, II, folio 467.]
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