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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, APRIL 19, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, as before.
The delegates for Massachusetts made the following Motion:
1Whereas the general Court of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, did, on the 5th day of November last, pass the following resolve: "That his Excellency the Governor be, and hereby is requested to ask of the United States in Congress assembled, the loan of such a number of brass field-pieces as may be requisite for the several companies of Artillery that now are, or hereafter may be formed in this commonwealth, to be returned in good order, when the United States in Congress Assembled, shall require the same." And whereas the Governor of the said commonwealth, in conformity with the said resolve, has requested of the Delegates of the said commonwealth in Congress, to ask of the United States in Congress assembled, the loan of 60 pieces of brass field Artillery, for the purposes, and to be returned as aforesaid. The said Delegates, in pursuance of the premises, submit the following resolution.
[Note 1: 1 Roger Alden here begins the entry.]
That the Secretary at War take order to deliver, from the Arsenals of the United States, to the supreme executive of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, 60 pieces of brass field Artillery, for the use of the said commonwealth, taking receipts for such delivery. The said field pieces to be returned in good order, whenever the United States in Congress assembled shall require the same.2
[Note 2: 2 The motion, in the writing of Rufus King, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, folio 241.]
3A motion was made by Mr. [Pierse] Long, seconded by Mr. [Edward] Carrington, to postpone the consideration of the resolution proposed, in Order to take up the following:
[Note 3: 3 Thomson here resumes the entry.]
That however4 desirous Congress may be, on every occasion, to comply with the request of the State of Massachusetts, they cannot,
[Note 4: 4 Roger Alden here takes up the entry.]
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with a due regard for the public safety, establish a precedent for dispersing the field artillery, or military Stores of the United States, by loaning the same to individual States; but earnestly recommend it to every State, not supplied with such Artillery or stores, to procure them without delay, pursuant to the sixth article of the confederation.
1And on the question to postpone, for the purpose abovementioned; the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Pierse] Long,
[Note 1: 1 Thomson here resumes the entry.]
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So the question was lost.
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On the question to agree to the motion of the delegates of Massachusetts, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Nathan] Dane,
{table}
So the question was lost.
April 18, 1786.
The Board of Treasury to whom was Referred the Memorial of Colonel James Livingston, together with a Report of the Auditor of the Treasury, on the state of his Accounts for Provisions and Boards purchased for the Use of the Army, beg leave to Report:
That from the State of Accounts Exhibited to the Auditor, there appears to be due to the said James Livingston, a Balance of One hundred and forty Dollars 62/90ths. but that Colonel Livingston having lost all his Papers and Vouchers on the Retreat from Quebec, the exact Balance cannot be ascertained with that accuracy which the usual Forms of the Treasury require. From the Character of Colo. Livingston, the Board are of Opinion, the balance appearing due to him from the Accounts and Papers by him presented to the Treasury should be allowed to him: And therefore submit to the Consideration of Congress the following Resolve.
That there be Allowed to Colonel James Livingston the Sum of One hundred and forty Dollars and 62/90ths, being a Balance appearing to be due to him for Provisions and Boards furnished the Army in Canada in the Years 1775 and 1776, and that the Board of Treasury take order for paying the same.
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On that part of the Memorial of the said Colonel Livingston etc.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, read this day and signed by Samuel Osgood and Walter Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 138, II, folio 59. The remainder of the report is entered verbatim on the Journal of May 8, when the report was agreed to by Congress.]
The Board of Treasury to whom was Referred the Memorial of Joshua Mersereau late a Deputy Commissary of Prisoners, beg leave to Report:
That it appears from the Instruction and Letters of Colonel Beatty, late Commissary General of Prisoners, that the said Joshua Mersereau was appointed to Collect and take Charge of all the Prisoners confined in the States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island; and to Employ such Persons to assist him in the Execution of the Duties of his Office as were immediately required.
That it appears to the Board that the Resolve of Congress of the 21st. May, 1778, authorizes an Allowance of the necessary Contingent Expences, attending the Execution of the Office of the Commissary General of Prisoners; and that therefore any further direction in the case of Mr Mersereau is unnecessary.
All which is humbly submitted.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, signed by Samuel Osgood and Walter Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 138, II, folio 157. According to indorsement it was read April 19 and "passed on Motion of Mr. [John] Lawrance filed Sept. 4th 1786."
April 19: On this day "The Meml. of Moses Hazen and Udny Hay, for assistance to Canadian refugees in settling on lands given by the State of N. York" was referred to the Board of Treasury to report and report rendered May 22.
Committee Book No. 190.
Also, according to indorsement, the report of the Board of Treasury on the letter of Edward Blake, was this day "Debated--Question taken and lost." See ante, April 3 and post, May 9.]
April 18th., 1786.
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