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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 --[April 5.]
The Committee consisting of Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [James] Monroe, Mr. [Charles] Pinckney Mr. [John] Kean and Mr. [Nathan] Dane to whom was referred the report of Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign affairs relative to negociations, and other measures to be taken with the Barbary powers
Report that in their opinion the negociations now on foot with those powers must be conducted according to the plans hitherto adopted, until Congress can be better informed of the effects, and Events of them.
But the Committee are of opinion that the monies heretofore appropriated, and means provided for obtaining peace with those powers will be found inadequate for effecting that object; and that therefore Congress ought immediately to make further provision and to procure by loan or otherwise further and considerable sums of mony for the express purposes of procuring peace with those powers, which further provision and sums of money (if the overtures of the United States for peace shall be rejected) shall be employed in protecting the Commerce of these States.
And that the United States may be prepared for the latter Event the Committee are of opinion that the attention of the federal Government, ought to be turned to the Marine Department, an an ordinance be passed as soon as may be for organizing and arranging the same.
Wherefore they submit the following resolves--
Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Treasury devise way and means to obtain by loan, or otherwise, a sum not exceeding Dollars for the purposes of securing the Commerce of the United States against the Depredations of the Barbary States, and if by loan, ways and means to secure the repayment thereof--and report,
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Resolved, That it is proper and expedient for the federal Government to turn their earliest attention to the Marine Department, and that a committee be appointed to frame and report an ordinance for organizing the same.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Nathan Dane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 459. According to indorsement it was read April 5 and "Tuesday 11 April assigned. 10 copies to be made out." See ante, October 20, 1785.]
The Secretary of the United States for the department of war to whom was referred the petition and account of Mr. Caleb Bruen, Reports: That it appears from the petition of the said Caleb Bruen that he was taken prisoner in April, 1777, by the refugees attached to the British army. That while he was a prisoner propositions were made to him to undertake the office of a spy for the enemy with which he complied. That in this capacity he came out of the British lines; but it appears that in the first instance he developed the business with which he was charged to Major Hayes and professed his real intention of serving the American interest. That in consequence of this discovery he repaired to the American Head Quarters in company with the reverend Dr. McWhorter. That he was employed by General Greene, who stated in writing certain intelligence which he was to deliver to the British officers. That he was suspected from the extravagance of his reports and confined in the provost in New York, but soon released. These circumstances are stated and confirmed by the certificate of Major Hayes and the details contained in Dr. McWhorter's letter No. 1 and 2.
It does not appear in what manner he was employed from the before recited tune in 1777 to the year 1780. There are several passes which accompany his petition, given by confidential officers, which shew, that he was employed by the American officers in the years 1780 and 1781. The certificate of the late brigadier general Dayton No. 3 is not only expressive of general services rendered by the said Bruen, but of an important one, in discovering the secret intentions of the enemy respecting the Pennsylvania soldiers, then in a state of mutiny and revolt. That on his return into New York he was suspected of having betrayed his trust and confined in the dungeon of the provost many months. It also appears by his petition that he has been fined a sum of money in New Jersey, for a breach of the laws of that state, of which it is probable Congress will take
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no cognizance. On this statement your Secretary observes that it is apparent that Caleb Bruen did practice the office of a double spy, a conduct to which all persons performing the dangerous Office of a Spy, are almost invariably obliged to have recourse. But it appears from the early discovery of his employment, he conceived that in the course of his pursuits, he might effectually serve the interests of United States--although it is hardly possible to conceive that during the length of time he continued this practice but that he gave satisfactory and perhaps important information to the English officers, yet that he finally suffered great misery, on account of having betrayed their cause cannot be doubted. Having suffered in consequence of service rendered the United States, he appears to have a claim on their liberality for some compensation. He has exhibited an account in which he estimates his services and sufferings at two hundred pounds. In this instance as well as in the case of Thomas Poole, before reported upon, your Secretary is of opinion, that one dollar per day, for the time he was confined in the provost, would be a reasonable and proper recompence, for his services and sufferings. On this principle the following resolve is formed:
Resolved, That the board of treasury pay to Caleb Bruen the sum of three hundred dollars as a compensation for his services and sufferings in the cause of the United States during the late war.
All which is submitted to Congress.
H Knox.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 151, folio 167. According to indorsement it was read April 5 and passed September 7, 1786.]
war Office, April 5, 1786.
[Memorial of Caleb Stark in behalf of Brig. Genl. Stark.]
April 5, 1786: Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the Board of Treasury and to settle the Accounts of Brig. Genl. Stark.2
[Note 2: 2 This entry, in the writing of Benjamin Bankson, is entered in Resolve Book No. 123; it was also noted by Thomson in Committee Book No. 190.
April 5: The following committee was appointed:
Mr. [John] Kean, Mr. [John] Lawrance and Mr. [John Cleves] Symmes, on the "report of the Comr. for Army Accots. on petition of A. Pepin." Pierce's report, which was read this day, is in No. 62, folio 115. The committee was renewed April 25 and, according to indorsement on Pierce's report, was discharged April 27 and sundry papers there enumerated, delivered to Pepin's wife, April 28, 1786, "by John Fisher Clk."
Also the memorial of Thomas Church and William Shattuck praying for losses and expense sustained in capturing Luke Knowlton, was referred to the Board of Treasury to report. The Board reported April 17. The memorial is in No. 41, II, folio 318.
Committee Book No. 190.]
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