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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, JULY 9, 1782
On a report of the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a petition of Matthew Potan:
War Office July 8, 1782.
Mr. Potan in his Petition to Congress referred to me, prays allowance for one year's pay presented to officers deranged in the year 1778. For Ms depreciation of pay as a subaltern in the fourth Pennsylvania Regiment from the first day of July, 1778, to the 26th day of December, 1779, at which time he resigned, and for seven months' pay having served that time with New York State troops in the year 1780. As his being allowed the several sums he requests or not depends on the sense Congress put on their own resolves, I beg leave in short to state his demands and recite a resolve of Congress or two which may serve to throw some light on the subject.
In the year 1778 many officers were deranged; afterwards on the 24th of November Congress resolved that all such officers (as a provision until they could return to civil life) should receive one year's pay. Mr Potan was deranged on the 24th of May 1778 and was appointed to the same rank he gave up in the line of the State of Pennsylvania on the 1st of July following. He now prays allowance for the year's pay promised to deranged Officers. He asks for the depreciation of his pay while a subaltern in the line of the State of Pennsylvania. He resigned his commission prior to the resolve of Congress of the 10th April 1780, in which they promised to make good the deficiency of the pay of the army occasioned by depreciation. If provision is made I think it should be a general one, that all officers in his situation, many of whom there are. should be equal sharers in the benefits of it.
His last request is that Congress would pay him seven months' pay due to him while he served in a Corps of troops raised by New York. If Congress have undertaken to pay that Corps, I do not see how they can attend to the request of individuals of it.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 493.]
Ordered, That the said petition be dismissed.
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Wharton, Mr. [James] Madison and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, to whom was referred a letter of the 20 June, from the Superintendant
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of finance, as agent of marine, reported the draught of "an ordinance for the better distribution of prizes in certain cases," which was read a first and second time.
Ordered, That to-morrow be assigned for a third reading.
Congress proceeded to the election of a judge-advocate for the army, and, the ballots being taken, James Innis, esq. was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. [Theodorick] Bland.
The Committee [Mr. Elias Boudinot, Mr. Samuel John Atlee, Mr. John Lowell, Mr. Ralph Izard, and Mr. William Few] to whom the Report of the Commissioners for settling a Cartel &c. and Genl. Washington's letter thereon were referred report the following resolution:
Whereas there is good reason to believe that many of the inhabitants of these U. States who have been by the artifice of the Enemies of our country deluded from their allegiance and duty and are now beating arms as non-commissioned officers and privates in their corps have a disposition to quit their service and enter into that of the U. States if they could be assured of pardon for such offence,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Legislatures of the several States immediately to take into consideration the propriety of offering pardon to such non-commissioned officers and privates who have been refugees from these States and are now in the Corps of the Enemy under such conditions limitations and exceptions as they may think proper.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Lowell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 59. The indorsement shows that it was read June 26, and postponed on this day. See ante June 17.
On this day, according to the indorsement, a letter of June 20 was read from the Governor of North Carolina, inclosing a letter from Commodore Gillon to the Governor of South Carolina, announcing the reduction of the Bahamas. It is in No. 72, folio 139.
Also, a letter of May 31, from Major General Greene relative to overtures for peace. It is in No. 155, II, folio 457.]
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