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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 --FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1782
On a report from the Secretary at War,
War Office June 26th, 1782.
Sir,
The Resolves of Congress of the 5th of June 1776 provide that the Aids de Camp to the Commander in Chief shall have the rank of Lieut. Colonels, and Aids de Camp to Major Generals the rank of Majors. The 29th of March 1777 Congress resolved that the pay of Aids de Camp should be agreeable to their rank. On the 27th of May 1778 Congress resolved that two aids should be allowed to each Major General, who should be taken from the Captains and Subalterns, and that in addition to their pay in the line, they should receive twenty four dollars per month. By this arrangement an Aid de Camp to a Major General of the rank of Captain, receives sixty four dollars per month fourteen dollars more than the establishment of May 29, 1777, and more than the Aids de Camp received who were appointed before the 27th day of May, 1778, four dollars a month more than the Aids de Camp to the Commander in Chief receive, and four dollars a month more than the pay of a Lieutenant Colonel in the line of the Army receives.
This inequality of pay creates discontents in the Army and hurts the feelings of many good officers. I beg leave therefore to suggest the necessity of making some alterations in the system, such as shall more equally proportion the pay of the officers to the importance of the office they severally hold.
If Congress should upon a full examination of this matter find the acts justly stated and that an alteration in system is necessary, the propriety of repealing the former resolves and adopting the following are submitted to their consideration.
Resolved, That so much of the resolution of Congress of the 27 day of May, 1778, as relates to the additional pay given to captains and subalterns, acting as aids-de-camp and brigade-majors, be, and is hereby repealed.
Resolved, That there shall be such additional pay and emoluments to the pay of captains and subalterns, serving as aids-de-camp either to major generals or brigadier generals, and to brigade-majors, as shall make their pay and
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emoluments equal to the pay and emoluments of a major in the line of the army.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 429.]
The order of the day being called for, Congress resumed the consideration of the motion made yesterday, which was amended to read,
That the sense of Congress be taken, whether sufficient reasons have been shewn for the non-appearance of the State of Connecticut by it lawful agents.
After debate, the determination of the question was postponed by the State of Rhode Island.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Ralph] Izard and Mr. [James] Madison, to whom were referred the letter of 21 May from Major General Greene, and the papers accompanying it:
The Committee consisting of Mr. Duane, Mr. Izard, and Mr. Madison, to whom were referred the letter from Major General Greene of the 21st. of May last, and the papers accompanying the same, beg leave to submit the following resolution. Resolved, That the Secretary at War inform Major Genl. Greene that the United States in Congress assembled approve of the sentiments and conduct of Major General Greene communicated in his letter to the President, of the 21st of May last, respecting the preparations for a cessation of hostilities made to him by Lt. Genl. Leslie commanding the British forces in Charlestown.
Resolved, That the Secretary at War inform Major General Greene, that the United States in Congress assembled, approve of his conduct in rejecting the overtures for a cessation of hostilities made to him by Lieutenant General Leslie, commanding the British troops in Charlestown, [and that he assure him Congress will use their endeavours to enable him effectually to oppose the enemy.]2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James Duane, except the part in brackets, which is in that of Ralph Izard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, 489.]
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War Office June 28th 1782.
Sir,
The enclosed extract from the Commissary of prisoners letter to me represents the wish of our marine prisoners in New York, that a boat might be permitted to fish on the banks near Sandy Hook for their benefit, and the request of the British Commissary that permission might be granted him to purchase wood for the use of our prisoners, within our lines, where it can be procured much cheaper than with the enemy, and will enable him to afford the prisoners a greater supply.
The distressed situation of those prisoners--the little probability there is that all of them will soon be liberated, and the necessity we are under not only to do every thing in our power to alleviate their sufferings but to convince them that they are the objects of our attention; in order to reconcile them as much as possible to the miseries of a Loathsome confinement, until they can be exchanged, and to prevent them from an idea that they are neglected engaging in the service of Britain are considerations which will, I think, fully justify a compliance with their request.
Should his Excellency General Washington be directed to take order in the matter, he will have it under his immediate control, and may suspend it whenever he finds that it is injurious or does not answer the good purposes intended, or he may indulge it under such limitations as shall appear necessary.
Should Congress be of these sentiments they will please to direct that General Washington take order in the matter.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 437. It was read on this day, the indorsement shows. and referred to Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [John] Lowell, Mr. [John Morin] Scott, Mr. [Samuel] Wharton, and Mr. [John] Witherspoon.]
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