| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --[MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1783]
The committee [consisting of Mr. Richard Peters, Mr. Nathaniel Gorham and Mr. John Collins] to whom was referred the letter from the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsilvania respecting a number of the citizens of that State who are prisoners of war with the enemy at New York, Report,
That the committee have conferred with the Agent of Marine on the subject of the citizens of Pennsilvania prisoners of war with the enemy at New York, and as it appears that measures are taken which are likely to be effectual for liberating the prisoners whose cases are particularly mentioned in the letters referred to this committee, no measures respecting them are now necessary to be taken by Congress.
That the general subject of prisoners is of a nature so complicated and so many political considerations are involved therein, that in the opinion of your committee no decided measures can at this time be taken thereupon.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 109. The indorsement states that it was delivered on this day and adds: "Matter of information; nothing to be done"]
Page 185 | Page image
War Office March 14th 1783.
Sir,
On the 31st October last I had the honor to communicate to Congress a representation from the Lieutenant Colonels Commandants of Regiments, in which they intimated their supposition, that they did not enjoy the benefits which it was intended they should derive from their rank while commanding regiments as Lieutenant Colonels Commandants.
I have since requested the Commander in Chief's opinion on the expediency of promoting the officers who hold the grade of Lieutenant Colonel Commandant to the rank of Colonel.
The enclosed extract from the General's letter in reply contains his sentiments on the subject.
In addition to the convenience of the measure I beg leave to suggest its propriety to Congress as it will remove the difficulties which have been experienced, and may hereafter result to service from an inferiority of grade on the part of Continental Commandants when acting with Colonels of Militia.
Nor will the proposed advance of rank, should Congress see fit to adopt it, be productive of any delay or inconvenience in the negotiation of exchanges.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 351. The indorsement states that it was referred on this day to Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [James] Madison, and Mr. [Richard] Peters. According to the record in Committee Book No. 191, a report was delivered March 18 and acted upon November 1.]
The committee [consisting of Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. John Taylor Gilman and Mr. Richard Peters] to whom was referred a motion of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson respecting the sitting of the Court of Appeals submit the following resolve,
That the Judges of the Court of Appeals be instructed to hold a court annually at Philadelphia on the first Monday in May, at Hartford on the first Monday in August, at Richmond on the first Monday in November, and at such other intermediate places and times as they may find most convenient and necessary for the dispatch of business.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 397. The indorsement shows that it was delivered on this day and read, and ordered to be filed.]
The committee of the week [Mr. Oliver Wolcott, Mr. Gunning Bedford and Mr. David Ramsay] report that the claim of Charles Hicks for pay while he labored in the Department of the Commissary of Military Stores, being grounded on the same principles as other
Page 186 | Page image
creditors no special provision is necessary to be made on his account, and that therefore his petition ought to be dismissed, and that his claims are therefore to be adjusted and satisfied in common with other creditors.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Oliver Wolcott and undated, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 450, and is indorsed on Hicks's petition, which is dated March 5, 1783, and is on folio 449.]
Ordered, That a memorial of Thomas Liston stating his distressed situation be referred to the Superintendent of Finance to report.2
[Note 2: 2 This order was entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers, Congressional Proceedings.
On March 17 was read a letter of the 11th March from the Secretary at War, enclosing a letter from Major General Knox, which was referred to the Secretary at War to report. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 339, and Knox's letter is on folio 335.
On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of March 12 from General Washington. It is in No. 152, XI, folio 105, and is printed in the Writings of Washington (Ford) X, 168. It was referred to Mr. [John Taylor] Gilman, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [John] Rutledge and Mr. [John Francis] Mercer. According to the record in Committee Book No. 186 this committee was discharged March 22, and the letter referred to a committee appointed that day to consider Washington's letter of March 18. See post, April 29.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a letter of February 12, from John Lowell, accepting under a proviso the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals. It is in No. 78, XIV, folio 531.
On this, or an approximate date, was read a memorial from Major de Villefranche, asking for promotion to be Lieutenant Colonel. It is dated Philadelphia, March 13th, 1783, and is in No. 41, X, folio 281.]
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |