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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, MARCH 26, 1782.
On motion of Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, seconded by Mr.--
Resolved, That so much of the act of Congress of January 12, 1780, respecting Mr. Galvan, as directs that "he be employed in the inspectorship, as the Commander in Chief shall direct," be and hereby is repealed.
On a report from the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a letter from Colonel Carrington to the quartermaster general,
War Office March 25th 1732.
Sir,
I have considered Colonel Carrington's letter to the Quarter Master General recommending the establishment of a Corps of Pioneers for the Southern Army, from my knowledge of the Country, I conceive this to be a necessary measure, and I beg leave to submit the following Resolve,
Resolved, That the quartermaster with the southern army be, and he is hereby empowered to raise, on the best terms possible, a corps of pioneers, consisting of thirty privates, under such officers now in public pay, as he may think proper to appoint, to be governed by the articles of war, and to continue
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on the establishment one year, unless the service will admit of their being sooner discharged.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 179. Carrington's letter, dated March 1, is on folio 175.]
Sir: After many applications on the subject of the public exigencies, Congress transmitted to the several states on the 18th April last, an estimate of the expenses of the current year, and the supplies on which they relied for defraying those expences; and as the distresses of the army for want of provisions, and their uneasiness and dissatisfaction for want of pay, were then notorious, and as the clamors of the public creditors grew louder and louder, it was judged necessary to state the measures which Congress had before pursued to support the war, provide for public exigencies service and guard against the dangers and embarrassments with which they were then threatened. To this statement Congress again desire to refer. The recapitulation of past transactions so well known to the legislature of every state, it was hoped would have awakened them to a sense of the public danger, and have engaged them to a more liberal compliance with the requisitions then made, as the only means of saving our country from impending calamity. It gives us pain to observe that these expectations have not been fully answered, and that by the backwardness of the States to grant the necessary supplies the well laid plans of our general have been disconcerted, and the designs of Congress frustrated in two important objects, the first prompted by the immutable principles of justice, to relieve the distresses of thousands who trusted to the U.S. in the hour of difficulty and danger; the other to establish on a solid foundation, public credit, on which our safety and success depend.
This inattention in the states has almost endangered our very existence as a people, and altho' it is our duty to acknowledge with gratitude the many interpositions of Providence in our favor, and particularly in the successes of the last campaign, yet to expect the assistance of Heaven, without using all the means in our power, is rather mockery than religion, and to rely on foreign aid, without preparing to co-operate with it, is betraying equally our interests and honor. Yet the preservation of these, ought to be more peculiarly the care of a people contending, as we are in the sacred cause of liberty and virtue.
The special and peculiar circumstances of the present moment requiring the most vigorous preparations for an early campaign, it becomes our duty again to urge you to activity and decision.
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Tho' the enemy are apparently altering their plan of carrying on the war yet we must remember that our subjugation or destruction is the ultimate object of all their efforts. To disappoint this purpose, and prepare for continuing the war with efficacy, whatever might be its duration, permanent and systematic arrangements were necessary. The restoration of public credit, the expediting business, the checking extravagance, and introducing economy into the public expenditure were the objects which Congress had in view in the establishment of a Super Intendent General of Finance, a minister of War, and Secretary for Foreign Affairs. The benefits resulting from these arrangements have been already experienced; but it depends upon the States to render them permanent and effectual.
It is not only necessary that the States bring men into the field, but that they be sent early in the campaign as well that they may increase the effective force of the army as that by being seasoned in the service they may be less obnoxious to autumnal diseases, which experience teaches are particularly fatal to recruits. On our part the States may be assured of our utmost endeavors to diminish the expence of the army as much as possible.
We have only now to intreat in the most earnest manner a speedy and an effectual compliance, with our several requisitions, being firmly persuaded, that nothing but a punctual compliance with the Requisitions both of men and money for the current year, will enable us to do justice to the public creditors and bring an army into the field so disciplined and appointed as may insure a happy issue of the campaign and conduct us to an honorable and lasting peace.1
[Note 1: 1 This draft of a circular letter to the states is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 327. The indorsement shows it was reported by Messrs. [Arthur] Lee, [William] Ellery and [Nicholas] Eveleigh, debated March 26 and rejected.]
The Committee [Mr. William Ellery, Mr. Arthur Lee, Mr. Arthur Middleton, Mr. Thomas McKean and Mr. Joseph (?) Jones], to whom it was referred to inspect sundry Letters from Dr Franklin and Mr Adams, and a protest of Captain Ary de Neuf against Capt John Paul Jones, and report thereon, Report as their opinion,
That the letter from Dr Franklin of the 5th of Nov. 1781, and the letters from Mr J. Adams of the 13th. 14th. and 18th. of Dec. 1781 should be referred to the Secretary for foreign affairs. That the fourth paragraph relative to a loan of five millions in the 2nd page, and the 6th paragraph relative to the goods left by Commodore Gillon, in the 3rd Page of Mr Adams' letter of the 4th of December
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1781 be referred to the Superintendant of Finance and the remainder of said letter to the Secretary of War for foreign affairs and that the protest of Captain Ary de Neuf should also be referred to the Secretary of foreign affairs, that he be who is directed to inquire particularly into the allegations of the said Ary de Neuf against Capt. John Paul Jones for confining him, detaining the Brigantine under his command, and carrying away some of his crow, and other malpractices in violation of the laws of neutrality therein stated and make report to Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 93. It is indorsed "Entered 25 March, 1782. Read, Passed March 26th 1782."]
The Committee appointed to examine into the state of the public lottery report
That from information received from one of the Commissioners it appears that the drawing of the lottery recommenced more than a year ago, but was suspended for want of money to carry it on 'till the beginning of last winter when the business was reassumed, under the direction of the Superintendant of Finance. That about thirty thousand tickets yet remained to be drawn which will be finished in about thirty days. That the Superintendant of Finance had agreed to furnish £65 per month for the payment of office room, clerks &c. till the business is compleated; that the small prizes are paid in old money or new emissions at 40 for one; that the high prizes are paid in certificates for like money.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of George Partridge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 341. The indorsement shows that it was read on this day. According to Committee Book No. 186, the committee was appointed March 6, and consisted of Mr. [George] Partridge, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery.]
The Comtee of the week [Mr. Noble Wimberly Jones, Mr. Abraham Clark, Mr. George Partridge] report, That the memorial of Mr Wynkoop late Commander of the vessels on Lake Champlain, with the papers accompanying the same, be referred to the Agent of Marine.
That the petition of Capt. Louis Marnay be dismissed.
That on the petition of Capt. Schreiber to submit the following resolution:
That the Comptroller of Accounts be directed to settle the accts of Capt. Schreiber as first Lieut of Artillery in the Regiment raised in the State of South Carolina for the time he continued in that service, being from the 26th of Novr., 1779, to the 2nd of March, 1780, as appears from a Certificate from the Colonel oft he Regiment.
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Referred to the Secy at War.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in file writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 319. The memorial of Jacobus Wynkoop, dated March 25, is in No. 41, X, folio 593. Captain Schreiber's petition, dated March 22, is in No. 78, XXI, folio 157.]
The Committee of the Week Report,
That the memorial of Francis Bailey lay on the table.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Noble Wimberly Jones, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 341. It is undated but belongs to this period.
Francis Bailey's memorial, dated Philadelphia, March 14, 1782, is in No. 43, folio 17.]
The Committee of the Week, On the memorial of Capt. Richard Varick praying that his Depreciation may be made up to him--Report that the said memorial be referred to the Secy at War.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Noble Wimberly Jones, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 345. It is undated but belongs to this period.]
The Committee to whom was referred the letter of John Dodge report that they have made the fullest enquiry that the circumstances of the case would admit, relative to the facts mentioned in said letter, but have not been able to obtain any evidence to support them, and are therefore of opinion that the committee ought to be discharged.4
[Note 4: 4 This report, in the writing of Oliver Wolcott, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VII, folio 429. See ante February 27.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of February 18 from Major General Greene. It was referred to Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Thomas] Bee. It is in No. 155, II, folio 429.
Also, a letter of Paymaster General J. Pierce, dated February 10, was referred to the Secretary at War. It is in No. 165, folio 645.
Also, a letter of March 25 from the Superintendent of Finance. It is in No. 137, I, folio 363.
Also, on this or an approximate day, was read a letter, of March 26, from the Secretary at War. It is in No. 149, I, folio 183.]
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