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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 --[WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1782.]
The Committee [Mr. Elias Boudinot, Mr. Samuel John Atlee and Mr. John Rutledge] to whom was referred the letter of the Commander in Chief to the Secretary of War of the 27th April last, do report,
That it hath appeared to your Committee on a conference with the Superintendant of Finance and the Secretary of War,
That the enemy have ever since the commencement of the present war, exercised the greatest cruelty on American Citizens (who have by the fortune of war, fell into their power) with an apparent design of forcing them into their service. That accordingly a large proportion
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of them have been actually enlisted and reduced to the necessity of fighting against their Brethren and fellow citizens. That our seamen are at this time, daily forced to enter on board of the ships of war belonging to the enemy to avoid the most cruel and lingering death.
That a considerable number of the German Prisoners now under the power of these States, have expressed an earnest desire to be permitted either to enlist into our service or to become citizens of these States by hiring themselves out to the Inhabitants for a temporary service.
That the Commander in Chief has for several years made trial of the fidelity of some of the German prisoners, who were formed into a separate Corps, and highly approves their past conduct.
That in the opinion of your Committee, the carrying into execution the proposition of the Commander in Chief as contained in the letter referred to your Committee with regard to these prisoners, would at present be highly beneficial to the service of these United States, wherefore your Committee do recommend the following Resolutions for the consideration of Congress.
That the Secretary of War do immediately take order for enlisting for the term of three years, as many of the German Prisoners of war, now under his care, as will voluntarily agree thereto, and that on account of these United States.
That when enlisted they be forwarded without delay, to Head Quarters to be disposed of as the Commander in Chief shall direct; provided allways that the bounty to be given to each person so enlisted shall not exceed one half Johannes of the value of three pounds over and above the quantity of one hundred acres of land, which the Secretary is hereby authorised and directed to assure to each recruit by a proper instrument under his hand and seal to be delivered him for that purpose, to take effect on their fulfilling the said term of service.
That Congress do pledge the faith of the United States for making good to such recruit the bounty of 100 acres of land agreeably to the aforementioned resolve--
That the Secretary of War confer with the Superintendant of Finance hereupon. That the Superintendant of Finance and Secretary of War take order for permitting any of the said German prisoners of war, who shall voluntarily desire the same, to become free citizens of these States, under such restrictions and on Such terms as they in their discretion shall think advantageous to the United States,
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provided that they do not act contrary to the Laws of any State in which such prisoners may become free Citizens.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 71. The indorsement shows that it was considered on this day and referred with amendments to Mr. [John Morin] Scott, Mr. [James] Madison and Mr. [John] Rutledge.]
Committee of the Week, [Mr. Richard Law, Mr. William Floyd, Mr. George Partridge] report,
That the application of John Glen, contractor under Colonel Flowers, Commissary General of Military Stores, praying that some speedy steps might be taken to bring said Commissary Passed. to a settlement and liquidation of his Accounts &c. be referred to the Superintendant of Finance.
That the petition of Capt. Provost in the service of the United States now a prisoner on parole taken at the Passed. surrender of Charlestown praying for pay &c be referred to the Financier Secretary at War to take such order thereon as has been done relative to others in the like situation.
On the memorial of Jesse Raymond the Comtee report the following resolution:
Resolved That the resolution or act of Congress of the 10th of May 1780 respecting Lean office certificate destroyed Passed. through accident be extended to lean office certificates which have been or shall be plundered, taken or destroy by the enemy.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Richard Law, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 353. The indorsement shows that it was acted on this day.]
Ordered, That a petition from Jesse Raymond respecting loan office certificates taken by the enemy, and ditto from John Glen for a speedy settlement of the accounts of the late Commissary of Military Stores, be referred to the Superintendant of Finance.3
[Note 3: 3 This order was entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers, Congressional Proceedings.]
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