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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 --MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1783
On motion of Mr. [Abraham] Clark, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Holten, Congress came to the following resolution:
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Congress having been informed by the communication of a letter from the paymaster general, that he hath not been able to obtain the accounts of issues necessary for settling the accounts of the army, though he hath repeatedly requested the same from the head of the issuing department,
Resolved, That Charles Stewart, late commissary general of issues, be directed immediately to furnish the paymaster general with the accounts of issues to the several officers, in order that their accounts may be speedily settled and adjusted.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 203.]
On motion of Mr. [David] Howell, seconded by Mr. [Arthur] Lee,
Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance be directed to report as soon as may be, on the letters of the 16th and 18th of June last, from the commissioner for settling the accounts between the United States and the State of Pensylvania, referred to the said Superintendant: [and that he also report a copy of such instructions, as have heretofore been given from his office, to the commissioners for settling the accounts between the United States and each particular State].2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of David Howell, except the part in brackets, which is in the writing of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 197.]
On report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [John Francis] Mercer, and Mr. [Stephen] Higginson, to whom was referred a petition of John Irwin, late deputy commissary of issues,
The Committee to whom was referred the petition of John Irving Esq. with the papers accompanying it beg leave to Report,
That in their opinion those persons who have been entrusted with the expenditure of public monies or public stores, cannot be permitted to discharge themselves therefrom but by exhibiting regular accounts and vouchers to the proper officers, without introducing great confusion and endangering the systems which have been formed for the
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settlement of the public accounts. Nor will it be proper to pay to such persons the balances that may appear to be due to them on account of their pay, until they shall settle with the proper officers all their accounts with the public.
The following resolution is submitted,
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition from John Irwin, Esqr., late deputy commissary [general] of issues for the western department, "that certificates may issue for the balance of pay due to himself and his assistants," cannot be granted until all their accounts with the public shall be finally settled by the proper officers.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Stephen Higginson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 247.]
The Committee consisting of [Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. Ralph Izard and Mr. Abraham Clark], to whom was referred an application from the President respecting the present deranged state of his household, submit the following report,
That as it is inexpedient for the President to keep more than one house at the public expence, such house should be near the place where Congress sits, [and that he write to the superintendant of Finance to give up the House in which the President lately lived in Philadelphia]2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, except the part in brackets, which is in the writing of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 357. The indorsement states that it was read this day and August 14 "postponed sine die." The following, in the writing of James McHenry, is on folios 359 and 361:
"Resolved, That the President take a house proper for his accommodation till Congress can be informed of the rent of the President's house in Philadelphia, and the time for which it is engaged.
"The President's letter, dated July 21, is in No. 59, III, folio 59. According to the indorsement and to the entry in Committee Book No. 186, the committee was appointed on July 31, and on August 14, the letter was referred to the President to take order.]
The Committee [consisting of Mr. Abraham Clark, Mr. Richard Peters, Mr. Theodorick Bland] to whom was referred a letter from the Secretary at War of the 16th of April 1783, enclosing a letter from the Paymaster General, report,
That, the pay and emolument of each of the two Deputy Paymasters General, the one with the main, and the other with the Southern Army be the same as that of a Lieutenant Colonel settled at seventy five dollars pr. month while in service, together with the usual allowance for a servant, the said pay and emoluments to commence
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from the times of their respective appointment. And that the pay of the officer employed as deputy paymaster general at Pittsburgh for the time he hath been or may be employed in that service be ten dollars pr. month over and above his pay in the line of the Army.1
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