| 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, JULY 31, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
On a letter, of the 30, from the Secretary at War, requesting leave of Absence for a few weeks:
Ordered, That leave be granted.2
[Note 2: 2 Knox's letter is in No. 150, I, 443.]
Page 447 | Page image
The Secretary of the United States for the department of war having been ordered by Congress to report on the expediency of further retaining West Point as a military post accordingly, Reports:
That in case of an invasion of any of the middle or eastern states by a marine power the possession of Hudson's River would be an object of the highest importance as well to the invader as to the United States.
That the reciprocal communication of the resources of the eastern and middle states so essential to a well combined resistance depends entirely on the possession of the said river by the United States.
That West Point is of the most decisive importance to the defence of the said river for the following reasons:
These circumstances combined render the passage of hostile vessels by West Point impracticable.
That the fortifications of West Point and its dependencies are extremely difficult to be invested and besieged. This circumstance which greatly enhances the value of the place arises from the broken and mountainous grounds and narrow passes which surround the fortifications. A regular siege of West Point properly garrisoned and furnished would require a large army, vast war like apparatus and much time. The States therefore in its vicinity would have sufficient time to draw forth their utmost force for its relief.
That however West Point may be regarded by some persons as an interior place, yet the reverse is a fact, as may be proved by a slight consideration of the facility with which it can be approached by water. It is quite practicable for vessels coming in from Sea and arriving at Sandy hook at the close of the day to reach West Point before the next morning. The navigation of the river is known to be so bold that the passage could be easily performed during the night.
Page 448 | Page image
If the statement here made be just, West Point may with propriety be denominated a vital part of the United States; and as such ought to be guarded at the common expence of the Union with at least one company of troops according to the existing establishment. This expence will be further justified by a consideration of the case with which the said post might, if in a defenceless state be possessed by such a power as Great Britain and the humiliating and distressing consequences of such an event to the United States.
The commercial jealousies discovered by that nation since the peace, and the detention of the western posts under the idea of obliging the United States to comply with certain terms and the vicinity of the british force in Canada which is to be headed by a man of intelligence, and subtle policy ought to put us on our guard. The conduct of the Court of Great Britain in taking the ships of France previous to the declaration of war in 1755 may also be considered as a just ground of caution to the United States.
But independent of any apprehensions from Great Britain, the jealousy manifested by the marine powers of Europe, of the increasing greatness of the United States ought to excite a reasonable portion of attention to our own security.
It is the opinion of your Secretary that the same reasons which render West Point a proper military post render it an improper place for one of the magazines and arsenals of the United States, as he shall attempt to evince more fully in a report on the arsenals and magazines necessary to be established throughout the United States. But it being impracticable in the present state of the public finances to remove the surplus ordnance, and stores from said post, it will be necessary that the present guard should be continued for their protection.
Your Secretary being convinced of the importance of retaining West Point as a military post until the United States shall possess a navy, and the rent annually to be paid being held at the high rate of four hundred and thirty-seven dollars pr. annum he submits to Congress the propriety of purchasing from the proprietor on a fair appraisement the fee of the same together with so much of the lang
Page 449 | Page image
contiguous thereto as shall be necessary to be included within the limits and for the use of the garrison.
On this principle he submits the following resolve.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 151, folio 215. According to indorsement it was read July 31 and passed August 3. The resolve submitted is spread verbatim on the Journals of that date.]
July 31, 1786.
The Commissioner for settling the accounts of the army to whom was referred the memorial of the reverend Robert Smith, Begs leave to report:
That a resolution of Congress of the 18th. September, 1777, has directed that Chaplains be appointed to the Hospitals.
That the memorialist received at the beginning of the year 1780 an appointment from General Lincoln as chaplain to the Hospital in the Southern department.
That the ordinances of September 30, 1780, and of March 22d., 1781, not having continued the Hospital Chaplains, and the resolution of November 9th., 1780, having directed their duty to be performed by those of the Brigades, Your Commissioner is of opinion that Mr. Smith was deranged under those resolutions.
That the half pay of the Hospital Officers then reduced was fixed by the resolution of January 17th., 1781, and of the Brigade Chaplains by the resolve of the 8th. May following, which resolutions have not included the Hospital chaplains. Your Commissioner therefore presumes that he cannot, under the present promises of Congress, issue the commutation to Mr. Smith, and that if Congress think proper to grant the same, his case will require an express resolution for that purpose.
********
That altho the memorialist was deranged previous to the time in which these expenses were incurred yet he has been considered as entitled to pay in consequence of his being a prisoner, But whether he is entitled to this allowance of his expences in the same proportion with the other Officers by Virtue of the performance of his duty while
Page 450 | Page image
a prisoner, agreable to the spirit of the before mentioned resolution, is a question which your Commissioner begs leave to submit for the determination of Congress.
Jno. Pierce.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in No. 52, folio 153. According to indorsement it was read July 31 and referred to Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, Mr. [John Bubenheim] Bayard Bayard and Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, who reported August 4. Roger Alden has noted: "See Act Sept 12th., 1786." The omitted portion is incorporated in the report of the committee, August 4 and will there be found.
July 31: The "Report of Comr. for Settling Army Accots. and Memorial of John Buchanan" was referred to the Commissioner for Quartermaster Accounts. The committee of February 3 on this memorial was discharged.
Committee Book No. 190.
The Secretary at War submitted a report on the "Expence of a legionary corps of 1500 men." See ante, June 21.
Committee Book No. 189.]
Office of Army Accounts,
July 31, 1786.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |