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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, JUNE 25, 1782
The order of the day being called for by the State of Pensylvania, to proceed on the business respecting the difference subsisting between the states of Pensylvania and Connecticut, a motion was taken up which was yesterday made by Mr. [John] Lowell, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, viz.
That in all disputes and differences between two or more states, concerning boundary, jurisdiction, or any other cause whatever, under the consideration of Congress, the delegates representing the several differing states, ought not, in any such cases, to sit as judges in any question to be decided relative to such dispute or difference.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of John Lowell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 341. The vote is indorsed on it.]
This being objected to in point of order:
On the question, is the motion in order ? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Lowell,
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So it passed in the negative.
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The Committee of the Week [Mr. James Duane, Mr. John Taylor Gilman, Mr. Noble Wimberly Jones] beg leave to report as their opinion,
That the memorial of Peter Gansevoort, late a Colonel of the third New York Continental Regiment, praying that Congress will be pleased to reconsider his case and explain the effect of his appointment of Colonel Commandant in the Army of the United States by a distinct commission and to honor him with such orders and commands as they shall think, be referred to the Secretary at War to report his opinion thereof.
That the petition of Thomas Edison, praying for relief in reward of his services be referred to a special committee.
That the petition of sundry Masters of Vessels and others prisoners on parole in Philadelphia praying that some mode for a speedy Exchange may be adopted, be referred to a special committee.1
War Office June 24th, 1782.
Sir,
I beg leave to lay before Congress the copy of a letter from Major General Heath to his Excellency General Washington also the copy of his Excellency's letter to me on the subject of appointing Brigadiers and to join in the request that a Brigadier may be appointed to command the third Massachusetts Brigade, one to command the Second Connecticut Brigade, and that one may be appointed to command the Jersey Line.
It may and probably will appear to Congress an extraordinary request that at a time when it is generally if not universally agreed that we have already more General Officers than are necessary to command the Armies of the United States--that at a time when it is seen and acknowledged by all that the present state of our finances and our future hopes and prospects strongly invite to the most rigid economy, applications should be made for new appointments.
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 365. The indorsement states that it was passed this day.
The letter of June 24, from Thomas Edison was referred on this day to Mr. [Noble Wimberly] Jones, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood. It is in No. 78, VIII, folio 389. The petition, dated Philadelphia, June 13,1782, of sundry masters of vessels and ethers, prisoners on parole, was referred on this day to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [John] Lowell, Mr. [Abraham] Clark. It is in No. 42, VI, folio 272. The following indorsement is in the writing of James Duane: "Committee discharged, the business having been decided by Instructions to Commander in Chief and other Acts of Congress."]
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Although it is true that we have more general officers than are necessary to command our troops, and that perfect (economy is indispensably necessary to our well being, yet in my opinion the good of the service requires that other general officers be commissioned.
Congress I think from principles of justice and policy found it necessary to proportion their General Officers upon the States pretty nearly according to the number of men they were severally to raise, the operation of this principle wounded the feelings of many senior officers, and nothing induced an acquiescence in the measure but the apparent fitness of it, and a belief that an adherence to the same principle would in some day or other operate in their favor.
Some of the States have been over-run plundered and distressed by the enemy and may possibly thereby at present be unable to fill up their battalions by which a number of General Officers are left without commands. Were such officers removed to the vacancies which now exist, it would be in violation of those principles of justice and policy which procured the appointment of those Brigadiers and caused their senior officers to acquiesce therein, and it would be productive of great unhappiness and discontent in the army so that notwithstanding we have at present a greater number of General Officers than are necessary to command our troops, yet, as they cannot now all be brought into the field, I cannot but hope Congress will make the appointments though our expences should be augmented thereby.
Having been indulged by Congress to visit our Camp, it is with the highest satisfaction I can assure them that theft troops are well clothed, that they appear clean neat and soldier like. That the exact and alert manner in which they perform their exercise, firing, and manoeuvres gives dignity to the Corps, and while the discipline reflects the highest honor on the Commander in Chief and the Officers under his immediate command, it evidences a watchfulness and an attention to service, which gives strength and safety to our Country, and which will always meet the approbation and rewards of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 409. The indorsement shows that it was, on this day, referred to Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [Ralph] Izard, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [James] Duane.]
War Office June 24th 1782.
Sir,
I am instructed by Congress to make out in time, and lay before the Superintendant of Finance estimate of the expences of recruiting and paying the army, as also an estimate of all stores and supplies necessary for the military service.
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It is now time to give in the estimates for the next year. Before I can do this with any degree of certainty, I should know the intentions of Congress respecting the force they intend to keep in the field, on that the estimates must be founded.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 417. It was referred on this day, according to the indorsement, to Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [Ralph] Izard, Mr. [Thedorick] Bland, Mr. [James] Duane.]
War Office, June 25th, 1782.
Sir
The memorialist is one of those officers who retired from active service under the resolution of Congress of the 31st of December last, and a resolution of the same day provides for the settlement of his accounts, so that any resolutions on his memorial are quite unnecessary.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, folio 266, and is entered in Committee Book, No. 191. It is indorsed on the memorial of Captain De Florat, of June 6, which was referred to the Secretary at War June 12.]
Ordered, That a letter of 10th March, 1782, from Ostend, relative to intelligence of British Goods coming to America by way of St. Thomas's, be referred to the Superintendant of Finance as Agent of Marine to take order.3
[Note 3: 3 This order was entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers, Congressional Proceedings.]
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