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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, JULY 12, 1782
On a report from the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a petition of Darius Stoddard:
Resolved, That the State of Connecticut be requested to make up the depreciation of Dr. Darius Stoddard, during his service as a surgeon's mate and surgeon in the army of the United States.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 501.]
On a motion of Mr. [David] Howell, seconded by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer,
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Resolved, That the commissioners appointed or to be appointed pursuant to the act of 20 of February last, be empowered and directed to settle the accounts of the loan officers in the respective states.
On motion of Mr. [Abraham] Clark, seconded by Mr. [John] Lowell,
Ordered, That the Superintendant of finance, as agent of marine, lay before Congress a copy of the last instructions given to Captain Harding by the late Board of Admiralty.
The ordinance more effectually to prevent illicit trade with the enemy, was read a second time, and Monday next assigned for the third reading.
On motion of Mr. [Theodorick] Bland seconded by Mr. [John Morin] Scott
Ordered, That Lieut. Col. J. Laurens' letters and reports to Congress concerning his mission to the Court of France and the loans and donation in specie obtained from that Court and the disposition made by him respecting the said donation and loans, and respecting the purchases and contracts made by him (on the credit thereof and for freight &c.) or by others, and paid for out of monies obtained from the Court of France on his application, be referred to a Comtee. to make strict inquiry into the causes of detention of the money goods &c. and report thereon to Congress.
The Members Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Jonathan] Jackson, Mr. [David] Howell.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 129. It is dated by Thomson July 12.]
The Committee [Mr. Abraham Clark, Mr. David Howell and Mr. Benjamin Huntington] to whom was recommitted the report of the Committee on the report of the Superintendant of Finance, report,
That in order to settle as soon as practicable the accounts of the Loan officers in the several States, two Commissioners be appointed Postponed. for that purpose, in like manner with those directed to be appointed by the Act of the 27th of February last, one of which Commissioners to settle said accounts in all the States Eastward of Pennsylvania: the other of which to settle said accounts in all the States South of New Jersey. That each of said Commissioners be vested with like authority and entitled to like reward
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for their services with those to be appointed by the Act above mentioned.
That the Commissioners hereby directed to be appointed together with those who have been or may be appointed by the said Act of the 27th of February before they enter upon the execution of their offices, severally take the oath directed by the Act of the 20th of February last to be taken by the Commissioners therein mentioned, and deposit certificates of such oaths in the Office of Finance.
That upon obtaining full information of the particular services Negatived. performed by the respective Loan Officers for which no allowance hath been made, Congress will provide such reasonable compensations for the same as from the nature and extent of the business the claimants may appear to be justly entitled to.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 197. The indorsement shows that it was acted on this day.]
[Mr Theodorick Bland's and Mr John Morin Scott's Motion. July 12, 1782.]
That Col: Laurens's letters and reports to Congress concerning his Mission to the Court of France and the loans and donation in specie obtained from that Court and the disposition made by him respecting the said donation and loans, and respecting the purchases and Contracts made by him on the credit thereof and for freight [or by others and paid for out of monies obtained from the Court. of France on his application] &c be referred to a Committee to make strict enquiry into the causes of detention of the money, goods &c and report thereon to Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Theodorick Bland, except the words in brackets, which are in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 347.]
War Office, July 12, 1782.
On Governor Livingston's letter to Your Excellency, referred to me, I beg leave to observe that the information of the mail being robbed arrives too late to give any probable hopes of success, should we attempt to recover it.
Measures may be taken to prevent similar accidents in future, and for this purpose I beg leave to submit to the consideration of Congress the propriety of employing, at this inactive stage of the campaign, escorts of dragoons to attend the several post-riders;
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stationary detachments may be fixed at the different stages, at convenient distances, and a number of light-horse may be quartered in this city, who may be used occasionally by the Post Master General to carry public dispatches.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, folio 513. Committee Book No. 186 shows that it was referred, on the same day, to Mr. [John Morin] Scott, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. [Samuel John] Atlee. The letter from Governor Livingston, dated July 11, is in No. 68, folio 595, and, according to Committee Book No. 186, was referred to the Secretary of War on the 12th.]
[Motion of Mr. Silas Condict. Referred to Mr. John Morin Scott, Mr. Abraham Clark, Mr. Samuel John Atlee]
That the Secretary at War be directed to furnish a guard of dragoons for the more safely conveying the public mail from the post office in Philadelphia to the post office at Norristown.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Silas Condict, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, folio 509. According to the indorsement it was made on this day.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a memorial of Arthur Lee, and referred to Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [John] Lowell and Mr. [ArthurI Middleton. It is in No. 41, V, folio 281.]
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