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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 --THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, eleven states as yesterday.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the letter of 24 March, from Major General Baron Steuben; and thereupon,
Resolved, That the resignation of Baron Steuben, late inspector general and major general, be accepted.
That the thanks of the United States in Congress assembled, be given to Baron Steuben, for the great zeal and abilities he has discovered in the discharge of the several duties of his office; that a gold hilted sword be presented to him, as a mark of the high sense Congress entertain of his character and services, and that the Superintendant of finance take order for procuring the same.
[Motion by Mr. Thomas Jefferson]
Congress having been made sensible that Major Genl Baron de Steuben when he left Europe to enter into the service of America independantly of other sacrifices relinquished offices of very considerable income and honor and that unless he can receive at the monies due to him from these states his return from their service will be to a situation distressing himself, dishonorable to them and discouraging to others in future
Resolved, That the proper officers proceed to the liquidation of the monies due from these states to Major General Baron de Steuben: that the Superintendant of Finance report to Congress Agreed to. his opinion of the most speedy and efficacious means of procuring and paying the same either here or in Europe, that Baron Steuben be assured that Congress will adopt these or such others as shall appear most proper and effectual for doing him that justice which the peculiarity of his case authorises, and that for his accomodation in the meantime he be presented with ten thousand dollars for the immediate delivery of which the financier will take order1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Thomas Jefferson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 521. It is undated.]
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That the proper officers proceed to the liquidation of moneys due from the United States, to Major General Baron Steuben; that the Superintendant of finance report to Congress his opinion of the most speedy and efficacious means of procuring and paying the same either here or in Europe.
That Baron Steuben be assured, that Congress will adopt these or such others as shall appear most proper and effectual, for doing him that justice which the peculiarity of his case authorises.
A motion being before Congress was made by Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, that the sum of ten thousand dollars be presented to Baron Steuben, for which the Superintendant of finance will take order; on which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Wadsworth,
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So the question was lost.
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A motion was then made by Mr. [Ephraim] Paine, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, that the sum of 8000 dollars be presented to Baron Steuben; on which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Wadsworth,
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So the question was lost.
On motion of Mr. [Roger] Sherman, seconded by Mr. [William] Ellery,
Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance take order for immediately advancing to Baron Steuben, on account, the sum of ten thousand dollars.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Roger Sherman, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 529.]
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On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, to whom was referred a letter of 19 March, from Major General Baron Steuben, late inspector general, informing that he had appointed Major North, inspector to the troops under the command of General Knox.
Resolved, That Congress approve of and confirm the appointment of Major William North, as inspector to the troops remaining in the service and pay of the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 527.]
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On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Wadsworth,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [John] Beatty and Mr. [James] McHenry, to whom was referred a petition of Philip Strubing, a citizen of Geneva, and late a lieutenant of dragoons, in the service of the United States;
Resolved, That a brevet commission of captain in the army of the United States, be issued to Lieutenant Philip Strubing, late of Van Herr's corps.
Resolved, That the instruction of the 22 of January last, to the Superintendant of finance, in favour of certain foreign officers, be considered by him as extending, and it is hereby extended to Lieutenant Philip Strubing, late of Van Herr's corps, in the service of the United States of America.1
[Note 1: 1 Strubing's petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IX, folio 277.]
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Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the letter from Major General Greene, respecting Colonel Mentges; and thereupon,
The Committee consisting of Mr [Williams] Ellery, Mr [Arthur] Lee and Mr [Richard Dobbs] Spaight to whom the report of a committee on General Greene's letter and its enclosures, respecting Colonel Mentgez, was referred, offer the following statement and resolution.
From a perusal of said letter and its enclosures, it appears, that General Greene appointed Lieutenant Colonel Mentgez inspector of contracts, for the time being, to the Southern Army; that at the same time he was inspector of the Army and from his knowledge of the returns had it more in his power to check abuses than any other person; that General Greene gave notice of said appintment to the Superintendant of Finance and Secretary of Wax in a letter to the former dated Feby. 20th. 1783, desiring them if there was any impropriety in Lieutenant Colonel Mentgez holding both Offices that they would inform him of it;
That neither of them made any objection, that the Colonel continued to perform the duties until the dissolution of the Army; that the duties were hard, and that no man could have performed them more satisfactorily;
That General Greene drew two bills on the Superintendant of Finance in favor of Colonel Mentgez each for 1662/3 dollars, which is the monthly pay of an inspector of contracts, and for which he has credited the United States in his account; that he presented his Account as Inspector of Contracts for payment and was told by the Comptroller of Accounts that he could not settle said Account, because he (the Colonel) held two appointments at the same time without a special resolve of Congress, and by an Act of Congress dated Septr. 18th. 1776, it further appears "that no Officer in the Continental Army be allowed to hold more than one Commission, or to receive pay but in one capacity at the same time."
Whereupon your Committee submit the following resolution,
Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel Mentges be allowed as a compensation for his services as inspector of Contracts for the Southern Army, in addition to his pay as an Officer in
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the line, the sum of one hundred and ten dollars per month, during the time he executed that Office.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 73.]
The Committee consisting of Mr [William] Ellery, Mr [James] Maddison and Mr. [James] Duane, to whom was committed a letter from Major Genl Greene of the 7th of Octr. 1783, enclosing a copy of a letter and an account of F. C. Mentgez beg leave to report,
That in settling the pay and accounts of Lieutenant Colonel Mentgez he be allowed the pay of Inspector of Contracts for the Southern Army from the he appointed to that office by while he acted in that office, under the appointment of Major General Greene, until the expiration thereof and that during that time his pay and allowances as Lieutenant Colonel and Inspector of the Army cease.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in No. 19, IV, folio 771. It was read, the indorsement states, November 1, 1783, and on January 6, 1784, committed to Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Arthur] Lee and Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight. Greene's letter is in No. 155, II, folio 639.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [James] McHenry and Mr. [William] Ellery, to whom was referred a letter from the Secretary at War, on the case of Lieutenant Jollibois;
Resolved, That Mr. Jollibois be allowed the pay of a lieutenant from the 4 October, 1781, to the 3 of November, 1783; and that certificates be given to him for the same.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 319.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Richard] Peters, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Abraham] Clark, to, whom were referred a memorial of Andrew Little [Lytle], and sundry papers accompanying the same;
Resolved, That the said memorial and papers be referred to the Superintendant of finance to report.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [John] Beatty and Mr. [Abiel] Foster, to whom was referred a letter of the 16th January, from the Superintendant
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of finance, as agent of marine, respecting a claim of Captain Green and others;
Resolved, That no extra allowance be made to naval officers who have been or who may be employed on courts martial in the State where they reside at the time of holding the same, or where the ships or vessels of war to which they belong, did or may lie at the time of their being so employed.
That the agent of marine report to Congress, a reasonable allowance per day for such naval officers as have been or shall be employed on courts martial out of the states of their residence, or in a State where the ships or vessels of war to which they were or may be attached, did not or shall not lie at the time of their being so employed.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of the Agent of Marine is in No. 137, III, folio 667.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Roger] Sherman, to whom was referred a report of the Superintendant of finance of the 6 November last, on the memorial of sundry officers late in the department of the issuing commissary;
Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance cause the accounts of the late issuing commissaries to be settled, with all convenient despatch, after the several charges shall have been exhibited against the deputies by late head of the department, and they shall have delivered in their returns, books and vouchers, provided they shall, when the same may be required, confirm, by oath, the accounts of issues which they may exhibit; provided also, that before any certificates shall be given for balances that may appear due to any of the said issuing commissaries, they shall give security equal to the amount of such certificate, that in case any error shall hereafter appear in the statement of their accounts, they shall be answerable for the same.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 153. See ante, January 6.]
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On the report of said committee, to whom was referred a memorial of James Gamble, late deputy commissary of issues, touching money stolen;
The Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of James Gamble late Deputy Commissary General of Issues, stating that in November 1781 he received from Charles Stewart 2000 dollars of the new emission of the state of Rhode Island in pay for himself and his assistants in the Department. That the money was much depreciated, and would not pass current or be received by his assistants, That he put 1807 dollars of the same into the hands of Standish Ford of Philadelphia to be taken by him to Rhode Island and exchanged for gold or silver coin to the best advantage of which money said Standish Ford was afterwards robbed as appears by his oath, and praying that he may not be charged with the money, that was so lost, submit the following resolve.
Resolved, That as it appears that two thousand dollars of the new emission of the State of Rhode Island, were delivered to James Gamble, as pay for himself and his deputies, and that the said Gamble afterwards considered the greatest part of the money as private property, belonging to himself or to his assistants, and as such ordered it to be taken to Rhode Island, and there negotiated for specie, the request of the memorialist that the said money be not charged to him, cannot be granted.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 369. Gamble's memorial is in No. 41, III, folio 511. A petition of Gamble is in No. 59, III, folio 231.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, to whom was referred a report from the Superintendant of finance, on a Motion of Mr. [Abraham] Clarke, respecting certificates issued from the treasury Office, on liquidated debts;
Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance be, and he is hereby directed to report to Congress, the form of a concise
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power of attorney, to be used by the respective holders in transferring such certificates, and also the mode of executing such power, both within and without the jurisdiction of the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 471. See ante, August 5, 1783.]
That on the 27th of April, 1776, Mr William Palfrey was appointed Pay Master Genl. the salary at that time being 100 dollars per month.
On the 9th of July, 1776, Mr Palfrey, the Paymaster Genl obtained the rank of Lieut Col: On the 20th of Augst 1777, the salary of the Pay Master General was raised to 150 dollars per month, and on the 6th of May, 1778, it was farther increased to 250 dollars. On the 15th of Novr., 1780, Congress was pleased to resolve that "the Board of Treasury take immediate measures for settling the accounts of Wm Palfrey late Pay Master Genl and that in adjusting his accounts an allowance be made for his pay and subsistence at the rate fixed by Congress before the 1st. of Septr., 1777, on the principle established in the resolution of that day," By which resolve Mr Palfrey must have recd. the pay of 150 dollars per month beside the subsistence and other allowances which are made to a Lieut Colonel.
On the 17th. of Janr, 1781, Mr John Pierce was appointed Pay Master Genl, no mention being made at that time of Pay. Ever since that time Mr Pierce has continued in the faithful discharge of his Office which by a subsequent Act of Congress was rendered more hazardous and responsible. In the course of the present year he was further appointed to settle the Accounts of the Army, and to issue certificates for the balances due them, which is a very difficult as well as a very confidential trust and duty. Upon which your Committee submit the following Resolve:
Resolved, That in settling the accounts of Mr. John Pierce, the paymaster general he be allowed at the rate of one hundred and fifty dollars per month, besides the rations and other emoluments of that are drawn that are drawn by a lieutenant colonel.
The committee further reported, that Mr. Pierce be allowed, in consideration of his additional services in settling
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the accounts of the army, at the rate of one hundred dollars per month, while employed in that service.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 181.]
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
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So it passed in the negative.
The committee [Mr. Ephraim Paine, Mr. James Monroe and Mr. Jeremiah Townley Chase] to whom was referred the memorial of James Gamble (setting forth that he has been an officer in the line and staff of the Army for near eight years and praying for a speedy settlement of his accounts and for rank and emoluments) beg leave to report: that in the opinion of your Committee Congress has established sufficient boards for adjusting and settling his accounts; therefore Congress need not take order thereon.
That as the memorialist has not mentioned what rank he held in the Army neither are your committee informed of his merits. Your Committee are therefore inadequate to give an opinion whether he ought to be promoted or not.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Ephraim Paine, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 371. The indorsement states that it was read on this day.]
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The Committee [Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. Edward Hand and Mr. David Howell] to whom was refered the memorial of Mr. Jacob Weiss, jr., stating that while he was Deputy Quarter Master General he was appointed to take the charge of receiving and delivering the Quarter Master's stores in Camp, and was afterwards appointed to the charge of issuing cloathing to many persons employed in the quarter master's Department and in consequence of having discharged those duties requesting that other or greater pay may be allowed him than what he was entitled to as Deputy Quarter Master General submit the following resolve.
That the request of the Memorialist cannot be granted.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 527. The indorsement states that it was read on this day. See ante, March 27, 1784.]
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