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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, MARCH 9, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as yesterday.1
[Note 1: 1 On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a petition of Belcher P. Smith, for reimbursement for loss through depreciation of pay, which was referred to Mr. [John] Beatty, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Pierse] Long. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VII, folio 207. Committee Book No. 190 shows that a report was made April 1.
Also, a letter of March 8 from Arthur Lee, urging the necessity of measures for obtaining goods, etc., for the Indian treaty to be held at Vincennes. It is in No. 78, XIV, folio 615.
Also, according to Committee Book No. 190, the committee of January 24, on memorials of Laurent Olivier, Baindamon and other Canadians, along with Lafayette's and the War Office letters regarding the same, were this day renewed with Mr. [James] McHenry in place of Mr. [Jacob] Read. See post, April 28 and May 2.]
The Comee. [consisting of Mr. David Howell, Mr. Hugh Williamson and Mr. Pierse Long] to whom was referred the petition of Edward Antill, late an officer in the Canadian old regiment commanded by the late Brigr. Genl. Hazen submit the following report:
Your Comee. find that measures have been taken by the late Superintendant of Finance to make payments for two years interest on the depreciation certificates issued to General Hazens Corps in pursuance of the resolution of April 20, 1781, and of course, that only two years more interest was payable on the first day of January last.
Your Comee. also find that on the 12 Aug., 1780, Congress resolved to "take speedy measures for liquidating and paying what is due on account of depreciation to the officers and soldiers who do not belong to the Quota of any State." Whereupon your Comee. beg leave to recommend the following resolution--
Resolved, That the commissioners of the Board of Treasury pay to the late Brigr. Genl. Hazen and to the several officers of his late Corps the arrears of rations who are possessed of Loan Office Certificates issued to them for depreciation of Pay to the first day of January, 1785, in pursuance of the Resolution of April 20th, 1781 [One Years Interest and that the several late Officers in that Corps cease to draw Rations or Subsistence from the first of May next and that said officers cease to draw rations or subsistence from the time of their receiving such payment.
And in order that the officers and men of sd. Corps may, in future, be on similar footing in respect to depreciation of their pay with
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others who have been in the service of the U. States--your Committee offer to Congress the following resolution
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several States to pass laws whereby such of the officers in which any of the Officers or Soldiers of the late Corps commanded by the late Brigr. Genl. Hazen may be inhabitants to make the same provision for payment on the certificates for depreciation issued to them in pursuance of the resolution of April 20, 1781, as the officers and soldiers of their respective lines have received or may be entitled to receive from such States in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of April 20, 1781, and to charge the amount thereof to the U. States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 83. The words in brackets show the variation in the wording of the resolve as drafted by Hugh Williamson and wafered to the report. According to indorsement the report was read March 9. Antill's petition (see ante, January 26) was filed September 19, 1786.]
The Committee consisting of Mr. [John] Stewart, Mr. [William] Hindman and Mr [Abiel] Foster, to whom was referred the Petition of Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Atayataghronghta, beg Leave to report--
That Lieutt. Colo. Lewis Atayataghronghta entered as a Volunteer in the Service of the United States, at the Commencement of the War with Great Britain, and continued in that Character untill the 14th. Day of June, 1779, for which He has made no Charge against the United States; at which Time He was promoted to the Rank of a Lieutenant Colonel, and remained as such in the American Army until the End of the War, that He behaved himself as a good and faithful Soldier, and rendered very essential Services to the United States, and in Consequence of the active Part which he took in their Favor, has been obliged to relinquish his own Country, and now resides with his Family among the Oneida Tribe of Indians; that there appears to be due to him from Continental Certificates issued in his Name and now in his Possession, three thousand six hundred and twenty seven Dollars: That he is indebted to sundry Persons to the Amount of about 800 or 1,000 Dollars which He is very solicitous of discharging, and unless assisted by Congress will be altogether unable to do--Your Committee therefore are of Opinion--
That two Certificates issued in his Name by the Paymaster General for his final Settlement, one for six hundred Dollars dated Jany. 1st., 1783, the other for three hundred and sixty six Dollars dated Novr. 4, 1783, amounting with the Interest thereon to eleven hundred and
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two Dollars be immediately paid to him in Order to relieve him from his present Embarrassment.
Whereupon,
Resolved, That the President issue his Warrant to the Treasurer of the United States in favor of Lieutt. Colo. Atayatagrongtha for the Sum of One thousand one hundred and two Dollars [amount of his certificate dated Novr. 4, 1783, for 366 dollars together with the interest thereon arising till the time of this report to the 18th. day of March, 1785.]1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Hindman, except the words in brackets, which are in that of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 359. It was read this day and passed on March 18.]
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