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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 --THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 1782
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, appointed to hear the pretensions of Dominique L'Eclise and Joseph Traversie:
The Committee to whom was referred the report of the Secretary at War on the Petitions of Joseph Traversie and Dominique L'Eglise, beg leave to observe, that pursuant to an order of Congress of the 10th of November, 1780, the accounts of said Traversie were settled up to the 15th of the same month and the following warrants issued in his favor, viz.
One for 1602 7/90 & 3/8 dollars in bills of credit emitted under the act of Congress of the 18th of March, 1780, for his pay and subsistence; one for 66 Dollars specie, being for monies advanced; and one for 2580 dollars old emissions, the amount of his account for travelling expences, and cash advanced by him on public service.
That it does not appear said Traversie ever held any Commission under Congress, but being a Canadian was appointed a Captain by General Montgomery when in Canada, since which he hath frequently been employed on secret service to the Northward. On which as well as on account of his necessary exclusion from Canada by his attachment to our cause, the aforementioned allowances appear to have been granted. And as the same reasons yet exist, your Committee submit the following resolution:
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Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance take order for paying Joseph Traversie one hundred dollars, in full for his services and support since the fifteenth day of November, 1780; and that he be allowed ten dollars per month in full for his support until the further order of Congress:
With respect to Dominique L'Eglise it appears that Congress on the 23rd of October 1778 in consideration of the suffering, and to enable him to discharge some debts which he had incurred granted him 635 Dollars, and resolved that he should be allowed 60 Dollars per month for pay and subsistence and one ration per day to continue during the pleasure of Congress. That it does not appear to your Committee, that the above pay and allowance hath been stopped by any Act of Congress,
Whereupon Resolved,
That the accounts of Dominique L'Eclise be settled up to this day, pursuant to the act of Congress of the 23 day of October, 1778, and agreeably to the scale of depreciation fixed for settling the value of continental currency; and that the Superintendant of finance take order for paying such a part of the said account as the said Dominique L'Eclise may appear to stand in immediate need of; and that in future the said L'Eclise be allowed ten dollars per month in full for his support until the further order of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 529.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery, Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell and Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, to whom was referred a letter of 6 from the Secretary at War:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the States of Pensylvania and Virginia, immediately to draw out and order to Fort Pitt, each State one hundred and fifty men, properly officered and accoutred, to be under the orders of the commanding officer of that post, to enable the said officer to form
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detached parties more effectually to cover and protect the country:
That the Secretary at War and Superintendant of finance take order that proper magazines be laid up in the said fort, which may enable the commanding officer, in case the said post should be invested by the enemy, to render it tenable until relieved.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Joseph Montgomery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 177. The Secretary at War's letter is in No. 149, I, folio 541.
From this point to the end of the day the proceedings were entered only in the More Secret Journal.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Jesse] Root, seconded by Mr. [Arthur] Lee,]
"That a committee be appointed to revise and consider the instructions given to our ministers for negotiating a peace with Great Britain and report what alterations ought to be made therein."
A motion was made by Mr. [James] Madison to postpone the consideration of the motion under debate to make way for a motion which he read in his place and explained by way of argument, and on the question for postponing, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Jesse] Root,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
A motion was then made by Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [John] Witherspoon,
That a committee be appointed to take into consideration and report to Congress the most adviseable means of securing to the United States the several objects claimed by them and not included in their ultimatum of the 15 day of June, 1781.
A motion was then made by Mr. [John] Rutledge, seconded by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, to postpone the consideration of this motion to make way for another which Mr. [John] Rutledge read in his place and explained by way of argument.
The question being put to postpone passed in the negative.
On the question to agree to Mr. [James] Madison's motion, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Edward] Telfair,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Ordered, That the committee consist of five.
The members chosen, Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [John] Rutledge, Mr. [Jonathan] Jackson, Mr. [John] Witherspoon.1
[Note 1: 1 On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of August 7 from the Secretary at War. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 545.]
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