ship Alliance to be surveyed, reported the state she is in, and an estimate of the expence necessary to give her a good repair.1 SIR, 1 MARINE OFFICE 4th Nov. 1783. At a Marine Court Martial, which was begun and held at the town of Boston on the 22nd day of September last for the trial of Patrick Fletcher Esq. late a Lieutenant in the frigate Alliance, on a charge brought against him by Captain Barry for disobedience of orders. The Court have sentenced the said Patrick Fletcher to be deprived of his commission as a Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States of America without prejudice to his claim and title to wages and prize money till the twenty sixth day of November, one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. This sentence I have confirmed and it now becomes my duty to mention that the court in consideration that the said Patrick Fletcher had long served with reputation in the Navy, and that many circumstances had appeared to the court in mitigation of the offence prayed leave to recommend him to Congress as a capable officer and worthy of their further notice." SIR, MARINE OFFICE, 4th Nov 1783. At a Marine Court Martial which was begun and held at the town of Boston, on the 23rd day of September last for the trial of John Buckley late master of the frigate Alliance, on a charge brought against him by Captain Barry for disobedience of orders. The Court have sentenced the said John Buckley to be deprived of his warrant as master in the Navy of the United States of America, without prejudice to his claim and title to wages and prize money till the twenty seventh day of November one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. This sentence I have confirmed, and it now becomes my duty to mention, that the court in consideration that the said John Buckley 1The Superintendent's letter, dated November 4, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 247, and a copy of the survey and estimate on folio 251. The indorsement shows that it was read on this day, and on January 9, 1784, referred to Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Cadwalader] Morris and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood. According to the entries in Committee Books No. 186 and No. 191, a report was delivered January 15, and acted upon March 27. 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 239. According to the indorsement it was read on this day, and on January 9, 1784, filed in the Secretary's Office. had long served with reputation in the Navy, and that many circumstances had appeared to the court in mitigation of the offence, prayed leave to recommend him to Congress as a capable officer, and worthy of their further notice.1 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1783 Congress assembled: Present as before. The Committee consisting of Mr [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr [Richard] Peters, Mr [Abraham] Clarke, Mr [William] Ellery, and Mr [Jacob] Read, who were to repair to the falls of Delaware to view the situation of the country in the neighborhood, and to report a District for a federal town, submit the following report, That three of the Committee, in the absence of the other two, who were notified of the meeting repaired to Trenton, on the 6th of November last, and surveyed the ground from Howell's ferry to Lamberton on the New Jersey side, and from the opposite points on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware. That after a careful attention, they deemed it expedient to report a district in each of the said States that a preference might be given to the State which should secure the soil on the most reasonable terms, and comply with the resolution of Congress respecting the jurisdiction; that the District on the New Jersey side, is at Lamberton, and the District on the Pennsylvania side is near the falls of the Delaware beginning at a hill above the mills owned by Colonels Wilson and Bird and extending a mile up the River. That the Committee were attended by Captain Hutchins, Geographer to the United States, whose plan of the two Districts and remarks thereon is also submitted to the consideration of Congress. 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 243. According to the indorsement it was read on this day, and on January 9, 1784, filed in the Secretary's Office. 2 On this day, as the indorsement states, the petition of John Cowper for an allowance for depreciation, was referred to the Superintendent of Finance to report. It is in No. 42, II, folio 172. 2 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 157. The indorsement states that it was delivered this day, entered and read. On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a letter of December 20 from the Superintendent of Finance, transmitting a letter from the Minister of the Netherlands, respecting Mr. Dumas. It was referred to Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. Jacob Read. It is in No. 137, III, folio 321. MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1783 Six states only attending, namely, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pensylvania, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina; and from the State of New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster, and from the State of Maryland, Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase, the President adjourned Congress till ten o'clock to-morrow. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1783 Five states only attending, namely, Massachusetts, Pensylvania, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina; and from the State of New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster; from Rhode Island, Mr. [David] Howell; from Maryland, Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase, and from South Carolina, Mr. [Jacob] Read, the President adjourned Congress till to-morrow at ten o'clock. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1783 Five states only attending, viz. Massachusetts, Pensylvania, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina; and from the State of New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster; from Rhode Island, Mr. [David] Howell; from Maryland, Mr. [Jeremiah Towney] Chase, and from South Carolina, Mr. [Jacob] Read, the President adjourned Congress till ten o'clock to-morrow. |