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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, JUNE 5, 1782
On application from the Secretary at War,
Resolved, That he have leave of absence to visit the Commander in Chief in camp.1
[Note 1: 1 The next two paragraphs are entered in the Journal by George Bond.
The letter of the Secretary at War requesting leave is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 375.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [David] Ramsay, and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, to whom was referred a letter of the 31st of May, from the Superintendant of Finance:
Resolved, That the resolution passed on the 29th of May, relative to the salaries and allowances of the public servants of the United States, be, and hereby is repealed, and that from and after the 1st day of August next, warrants be issued quarterly on the treasurer of the United States for one-fourth part of the annual salaries and allowances respectively made to the said public servants employed in foreign parts.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Samuel Osgood, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 357. The resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
[Report of Committee, Mr. John Morin Scott, Mr. James Madison and Mr. John Rutledge, respecting German Prisoners.]
Whereas the events of war have put into the possession of these U.S. great numbers of prisoners taken at different periods in the service of the King of G. B. of which it appears by authentic returns that there now remain in captivity
And whereas the British Commander in Chief hath refused as well not as yet concurred in any measures either for liquidating and discharging the arrears due to the U.S. for the past subsistence of the said Prisoners, as to make the necessary provision or providing for their future subsistence; and whereas a considerable proportion of the said Prisoners consists of Germans by nation, many of whom from a dislike to the service into which they have been involuntarily hired, and from a prospect of amending their condition, have expressed a desire of entering some of them into the military service of the U.S.
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and others into a reasonable period of common service with a view of eventually becoming citizens and settlers within the said States; and whereas the indulgence of the said prisoners in their respective desires will tend to counteract the unjust and cruel designs of the enemy and to aid the respective States in filling up the quotas of troops respectively required of them.
It being represented to Congress that a number of the Germans Prisoners of war to the U.S. are desirous of becoming Citizens of the said States, and are moreover willing, on condition of being provided with future settlements in this Country, to aid in its defence by entering into the military service of the U. S. and it being expedient that such enlistment should be made with as little delay as possible and in such mode as will secure to the respective States a due proportion of the benefit thereof.
Resolved, That the Secretary at War be authorised and directed to take immediate measures for enlisting into the army of the U.S. for the term of 3 years or of the war, at the option of the party enlisting so many of the Germans prisoners of war to the said U. S. now exceedingas shall voluntarily agree thereto, and take the oath of fidelity prescribed by the articles of war.
That the said Secretary be authorised to allow to each recruit so enlisted a bounty of eight dollars to be advanced from time to time on his application by the Superintendant of Finance, and to stipulate in behalf of the U. States, to all such recruits the same pay and other provisions and on the like conditions as were allowed have been stipulated to other soldiers enlisted for the same terms into the service of the U. S.
That the recruits so enlisted be placed by the said Secretary to the credit of the several States in proportion to the quotas of troops respectively required of them by Congress, in the same manner as if the recruits had been raised by and received from them in pursuance of such requisition
That the said recruits as fast as they shall be enlisted shall be marched to such place as the Commander in Chief shall direct and shall be arranged in the army in such manner as he shall judge most conducive to the public service.
That the Superintendent of Finance and Secretary at War take order for disposing of the services of such of the said Prisoners as shall desire it for such time period as they shall deem reasonable not exceeding 3 years, and on such conditions as will secure to the
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same a proper comfortable maintenance and be most conducive to the public interest.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folios 67 and 75. The indorsement says: "Debated May 15, 1782. June 5, 1782, referred, except the last clause, to the Commander Chief, Secretary at War and Superintendant of Finance to take order, any resolution to the contrary notwithstanding. The last clause referred to the Superintendant of finance and Secretary at War to take order so soon as order is taken on the former part." The report and a statement of the reference as above was entered in No. 12 (estimates) but not in the Journal.]
Ordered, That the report of a committee to whom were referred a letter, of 3rd May, from the Secretary at War and a letter, of 27th April, from General Washington excepting the last clause, be referred to the Commander in Chief, the Secretary at War and Superintendant of Finance, to take order, any resolution to the contrary notwithstanding;
And that the last clause of the report be referred to the Superintendant of Finance and Secretary at War to take order so soon as order is taken on the former part.
Ordered, That a letter from the Secretary for foreign affairs enclosing letters from W. Lee with his accounts be referred to the Superintendant of Finance.2
[Note 2: 2 These orders were entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers, Congressional Proceedings.]
War Office June 4, 1782.
Sir,
On the petition of Colonel Dayton referred to me I beg leave to observe,
If Congress should think it necessary to appoint a Brigadier to command the troops raised by the State of New Jersey, Colonel Dayton's pretensions to the appointment on the principles which have been established and generally attended to are indispensable, he having discharged his duty with attention and being the senior officer in that State and the third on the roll of the United States. I cannot help observing how much such an appointment must hurt the feelings of Colonel Greaton his senior officer, and who has for almost two years been Commandant of one of the Massachusetts Brigades which is destitute of a Brigadier. I therefore cannot help recommending, if Congress should think proper to appoint Colonel Dayton a Brigadier General that Colonel Greaton may have the same rank.
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This report being read it was moved by Mr. [William] Ellery, seconded by Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell,
That the sense of Congress be taken whether it is expedient at this time to increase the number of Brigadiers General, and the question being taken was lost, six States being in the negative, one in the affirmative and two divided.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 371. The action of Congress is indorsed upon it.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter, of June 2, from the Superintendent of Finance, covering copies of a letter from Silas Deane to the Governor of Connecticut, dated Ghent, October 21, 1781, and the Governor's reply, dated May 15, 1782. The Superintendent's letter is in No. 137, I, folio 529. The copy of Governor Trumbull's letter is on folio 533, and that of Silas Deane on folio 539.
Another copy of Deane's letter is in No. 78, VII, folio 415.]
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