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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, APRIL 16, 1783
A motion was made by Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, seconded by Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, to re-consider the resolution passed yesterday, viz. "That the Commander in Chief," &c. to the end, in order to take into consideration the following proposition in lieu thereof, viz.
That the Commander in Chief be directed to enter into preparatory arrangements, relative to the 7th article of the said treaty, with the commanders in chief of the British land and naval forces in America:
And on the question, to re-consider for the purpose above-mentioned, the yeas and nays being required by Mr, [Hugh] Williamson,
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So the question was lost.
War Office April 14th 1783.
I do myself the honor to inform Congress of my return from camp.
On my arrival at Head Quarters I found circumstances so materially altered from what they were when I left this city, that the object of my mission was done away, as it would be involved in the general system which may be consequent on the cessation of hostilities.
I therefore only recited to the Commander in chief what the intentions of Congress were at the time I left them. We then took a general view of the state of the army and the measures necessary to be adopted previous to their being disbanded.
The General appeared to be fully convinced of the impropriety of continuing the army until funds should be established for the payment of the money due to them. At the same time he thought they should not be disbanded until there should be a full settlement of all their accounts.
That three months' pay should if possible be given them immediately. If that could not be done, that one month's pay should be put into their hands to enable them to travel to their respective homes, and that Mr. Morris should give them orders on the receivers of taxes in their several states for two months' pay, either of these modes he supposed would be satisfactory.
It seemed to be very much the General's wish, in order to adjust and arrange these matters, and such others as should be necessary to a regular discharge of the army, that a committee of Congress, with plenary powers, the Superintendant of finance, and the Secretary at War should go to Head Quarters. This measure he supposed would give facility and dispatch, and that the attention would have an agreeable influence in the army. He is further induced to wish that Congress would adopt this measure from a persuasion that the moment peace is announced to the army, it will be impossible to retain the men who are engaged to serve during the war. He is therefore of opinion that it will be necessary to avoid any disorder to publish to them, at the time peace shall be declared, that it is optional with them to remain in Camp until their accounts are settled or to leave it immediately.
The horse, which are very expensive should, I think, be sold as soon as possible, and also many other articles. Our present want of money would induce an order that the horses, and all other articles should be sold for cash, while a regard to the public interest (as they
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would in that way bring a much greater price) suggests the propriety of permitting the public creditors to purchase, and to be debited for the value of what they buy.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 439. The indorsement states: Referred to Mr. [Nathaniel] Gorham, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, and Mr. [Richard] Peters, April 16 referred to Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [Richard] Peters, and Mr. [Nathaniel] Gorham.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, a letter of April 14 from the Secretary at War enclosing letters from the Paymaster General was referred to Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Richard] Peters and Mr. [Theodorick] Bland. It is No. 149, II, folio 435.]
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