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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, OCTOBER 18, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, as before.
War Office, October 18th, 1786.
Sir: In my letters to your Excellency of the 3r.d and 8th. instant I mentioned some of the difficulties which operated to prevent establishing a sufficient guard at Springfield for the protection of the stores of the United States.
Previous to my departure from this city the parties assembled at Springfield, for, and against Government, had dispersed. It was not in General Sheppard's power to retain a guard, as the insurgents made it a condition of their dispersion, that he should also disband his force. On communicating with him and several other persons of information and judgement, it appeared, that an attempt to raise a guard of the well affected militia, would probably re-assemble instantly, the insurgents, in larger numbers than before. I therefore conceived, it would be proper, previous to my taking a measure that would hazard the government, to communicate fully with Governor Bowdoin on the subject, so that if necessary, he might obtain Legislative authority to raise a considerable body of men for the protection of the stores and to curb the insurgents.
The Gentlemen with whom he advised on my communications, were of the most respectable characters in the state for their political knowledge. After receiving ample information of the nature & extent of the designs of the insurgents they were unanimously of opinion that the stores ought to be protected in their present situation by the highest exertions, as an attempt to remove them, would require as large a force, as to protect them. But a removal would deeply wound the reputation of the state and the Union, encourage rebellion, and discourage the well affected.
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All agreed, that a considerable armed force was necessary for the protection of the stores. But difficulties occurred on consideration, which appeared insuperable, to prevent the proposal from originating from that Government. Secrecy was considered essential, but impracticable in a numerous legislature, constituted of a variety of characters. After the most mature deliberations, it was Concluded, that a force could be obtained only in consequence of a requisition of Congress. This sentiment was unanimous, and as the Honorable Mr. King was present, he can give the reasons at large which induced it.
The great numbers of people in Massachusetts and the neighbouring States who avow the principle of annihilating all debts public and private. The probability of those men combining themselves into an armed body for the purpose of executing their designs. The dreadful consequences which may be expected from wicked and ambitious men, possessing the command of a force to overturn, not only the forms, but the principles of the present constitutions, require the wisest councils and most vigorous measures on the part of Government.
I conceive my Official duty obliges me to inform Congress, that it is my firm conviction, arising from the information I have received, that unless the present commotions are checked with a strong hand, that an armed tyranny may be established on the ruins of the present constitutions. The insurgents will not probably longer delay the execution of their designs, those systems can be formed and means found for that purpose.
I have taken those measures for the collateral security of the stores which the nature of the case admitted. Major General Sheppard has the orders of the Governor, to furnish such a guard as I would request, and I have requested him to possess himself of the intentions of the insurgents respecting the stores and that whenever he shall learn that their designs are ripening for execution, that he shall collect all his force and endeavor to prevent them.
I have also requested his Excellency the Governor of Connecticut, to direct the commanding officers of the militia of that State, to march to Springfield with a body of twelve or fifteen hundred men, whenever they shall receive advice from certain persons, that the insurgents are about to attempt the stores.
But I must confess I consider these arrangements as inefficient. and that nothing will be adequate, but placing a body of five hundred
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men at least at Springfield. On this occasion I humbly submit to the wisdom of Congress the propriety of adding such numbers to the troops now in service, as shall complete a legionary corps of fifteen hundred men. This would give protection to the Magazines during the ensuing winter and if they should not be requisite for the same purpose the next spring, they might be marched to the frontiers, or disbanded, as Congress should think most proper.
I have the honor to be etc.
H. Knox.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, II, folio 67. According to indorsement it was read October 18 and referred to Mr. [Charles] Pettit, Mr. [Henry] Lee, Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, Mr. [John] Henry, and Mr. [Melancton] Smith.]
His Excellency,
The President of Congress.
The committee consisting of Mr. [Nathan] Dane, Mr. [Charles] Pettit, and Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, to whom was referred the report of the Commissioner for settling the accounts of the Hospital Department, on the memorial of Dr. David Oliphant report:
That, on an examination of the arrangements of the Hospital Department of the United States, during the late war, it appears that prior to the 7th. April, 1777, this Department was divided into several Districts, independent of each other, the office of Director General instituted in each District, and a Director General appointed thereto accordingly; and the same emoluments annexed to each office, to one of which Dr. Oliphant on the 1st. of June, 1776, was appointed and commissioned under the title and description of Director General, physician, and Surjion in chief, to the Hospitals in the State of South Carolina; that on the same 7th. of April a new arrangement took place in this Department, and the office of Director General of the whole was instituted, and filled by appointment, subordinate to which were formed the offices of several Deputy Directors General to which certain emoluments were annexed, and the Duties of one of which Dr. Oliphant discharged; whereupon the Committee are clearly of opinion, that Congress by their Acts and General Arrangements having constituted these officies and annexed particular emoluments to them respectively, the men appointed to them, or who discharge the Duties of them, can claim only the benefits thereto annexed, and that no general expressions in the Commission or
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directions to Dr. Oliphant, which appear only to misname his office, can be construed or understood, contrary to the General arrangements of the Department, to create or continue the office of Director General in the Southern States after the 7th. of April, 1777, and the accounts of Dr. Oliphant prior to that period having been settled with him as Director General, and since that period as Deputy Director General, the Committee conceive that his Claims for further allowance cannot be admitted.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Nathan Dane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 501. According to Thomson's indorsement, it was read this day. Roger Alden's indorsement is: "See Meml. O. and Act of Congress Augt. 25th., 1788."]
The Committee [consisting of Mr. Melancton Smith, Mr. Nathaniel Ramsay, and Mr. Charles Pinckney], to whom was referred the Report of the Board of Treasury on the Memorial of James Smith, submit the following resolve:
That the Board of Treasury take order to ascertain the Interest due on the Ballance of Principal found due to James Smith on the 24th Novr., 1784, from the time the said ballance became due to the time it was paid, and give an Order in favour of the said James Smith upon the State of Pensylvania for the amount, to be deducted out of the Requisition for the year 1786.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Melancton Smith, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 371. According to indorsement it was read October 18 and "Oct. 25, 1787, postponed and report of board of treasy. passd."
Also, according to Committee Book No. 189, the claims and accounts of Alien McLean were, this day, transferred.]
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