r L LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN Dieeo ' \m\ „"S/?^ur;^ri-.^''i^"- i|iiiiii|i||i DATE DUE MflD 1 /^ }rpn JUL-^ J IVlAK i U TtJLU APR 2 9, 1987 MAY V P'-'- i APR"^ 11990 APR 11 REC'D f , - r- ^--,0 ~ MAR 1 : ' REC'D NOV 2 i 1993 NUV : !3 RECU DEC » 21993 DEC 1 SREITD JAN1 2 1993 JAM 1 iRET'B HAl s 2 - las'! DEMCO 38-297 THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT [legislative and administrative history] OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTION [i776'i786] John Morgan (i 735-1 789) THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY [Legislative and Administrative History] DURING THE PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTION [1776- I 786] COMPILED AND EDITED BY COLONEL WILLIAM O. OWEN, U. S. ARMY CURATOR ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM WASHINGTON, D. C. NEW YORK PAUL B. HOEBER 1920 Copyright, 191 8, 19 19, Copyright, 1920, By PAUL B. HOEBER Printed in the United States oj America FOREWORD The signal service rendered by the United States Army Medical Department during the Great War has greatly intensified the interest in the history of this organization. Colonel William O. Owen, curator of the Army Medical Museum, Washington, D. C, has made a valuable contribution to medical history by culling from the Journal of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay (1775) and the Journal of the Continental Congress (i 774-1 783) the entries relating to the United States Army Medical Depart- ment. This material, supplemented by excerpts from Thacher's Military Journal, was first published serially in the Annals of Medical History.^ The interest evinced in these articles has led to their republica- tion in book form. The portraits of James Tilton, William ^ Ann. Med. Hist., vol. i, nos. 2, 3 and 4. Paul B. Hoeber, New York. FOREWORD Shippen, Jr., John Morgan and James Craik are added to give a more intimate contact with the men who were most prominently identified with the formation of the medical department. These illustrations were not included in the serial publication. CONTENTS PAGE I. Introduction i II. From the Journals of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay (1775) 1 1 III. From the Journals of the Continental Congress (1774-1783) 28 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE John Morgan Frontispiece William Shippen, Jr. . . Opposite 34 James Tilton "74 James Craik ** 166 THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINIS- TRATIVE HISTORY OF THE MED- ICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD (i 776-1 786) INTRODUCTION O far as I have been able to acquire it, the original method of caring for the sick and wounded in the Revo- lutionary War, which is the begin- ning of our medical history, was to employ individual medical men wherever they might be found to take care of the sick or wounded who happened to fall in some particular fight in their locality. Little by little the generals in command, the Provincial Congresses of the colonies, and the Continental Congress of the Uni- ted Colonies had medical matters forced upon their attention by the numerous bills coming in from doctors, here, there, and everywhere that there had been a battle. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. The Provincial Congresses and the Conti- nental Congress had a number of medical men in their memberships, and in looking over the histories of this date we find con- stant references to them. Among those who were found in the legislative bodies of Mas- sachusetts was Dr. Benjamin Church. He was afterwards sent as a member to the Continental Congress itself. He and three other doctors formed the first Army Medi- cal Examining Board of which we can get any history, for I find in the Journal of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 1775, p. 203, that on May 8th, 1775, this Congress "Ordered, That the President pro tempore, Doct. Church, Doct. Taylor, Doct. Helten and Doct. Dunsmore, be a committee to examine such per- sons as are, or may be, recommended for surgeons for the army now forming in this colony." and they, "Resolved, That the persons recommended by the commanding officers of the several regiments, be appointed as surgeons to their respective regiments provided they appear to be duly qualified upon ex- amination." DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD In Thacher's Military Journal, 1775- 1783, on pages 34-35, we read: "On the day appointed, the medical candidates, sixteen in number, were summoned before the board for examination. This business occupied about four hours; the subjects were anatomy, physiology, sur- gery and medicine. It was not long after, that I was happily relieved from suspense, by receiving the sanction and acceptance of the board, with some acceptable instructions relative to the faithful dis- charge of duty, and the humane treatment of those soldiers who may have the misfortune to require my assistance. Six of our number were privately rejected as being found unqualified. The examina- tion was in a considerable degree close and severe, which occasioned not a little agitation in our ranks. But it was on another occasion, as I am told, that a candidate under examination was agitated into a state of perspiration and being required to describe the mode of treatment in rheumatism, among other remedies said that he would promote a sweat, and being asked how he would eflfect this with his pa- tient, after some hesitation he replied, *I would have him examined by a medical committee.' " Thacher was so fortunate as to obtain the office of surgeon's mate in the provin- cial hospital at Cambridge, the senior sur- geon being Dr. John Warren, brother and 3 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. pupil of the gallant General Joseph Warren, who was slain in the memorable battle on Breed's Hill. "This gentleman has acquired great reputation in his profession, and is distinguished for his humanity and attention to the sick and wounded soldiers, and for his amiable disposition. Having received my ap- pointment by the Provincial Congress, I commenced my duty in the hospital, July 15th. Several private, but commodious houses in Cambridge are occupied for hospitals, and a considerable number of soldiers who were wounded at Breed's Hill, and a greater number of sick of various diseases, require all our attention. Dr. Isaac Foster, late of Charlestown, is also appointed a senior hospital surgeon; and his student, Mr. Josiah Bartlet, officiates as his mate; Dr. Benjamin Church is Director General of the hospital." I find in Thacher's Military Journal, 1 775-1 783, on page 294, the following: "January ist, 1781. — On this, the first day of the new year, an arrangement of our army takes place, according to the late resolve of Congress. The su- pernumerary regiments are to be incorporated with those which continue on the new establishment fixed by Congress, and are to be entitled to the same privileges and emoluments, which are to be allowed to those who continue to the end of the war. It 4 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD being optional with me, either to retire or to con- tinue in service, I shall retain my commission as surgeon to Colonel H. Jackson's regiment. We are encouraged to anticipate more favorable circum- stances, and more liberal compensation. Congress having at length passed several resolves, entitling all officers who shall continue in service till the end of the war, or shall be reduced before that time, as supernumeraries, to receive half pay during life, and a certain number of acres of land, in proportion to their rank. Besides these pecuniary considerations, we are actuated by the purest principles of patriot- ism; having engaged in the mighty struggle, we are ambitious to persevere to the end. To be instru- mental in the achievement of a glorious Independ- ence for our country, and posterity, will be a source of infinite satisfaction, and of most grateful recol- lection, during the remainder of our days. Notwith- standing the unparalleled sufferings and hardships, which have hitherto attended our military career, scarcely an officer retires without the deepest re- gret and reluctance. So strong is the attachment, and so fascinating the idea of participating with our illustrious commander in military glory, that a separation is like a relinquishment of principle, and abandonment of the great interest of our native country." The successive steps in the legislative history of our Army Medical establish- 5 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. ment during the Revolution will be found in the following pages, which I have care- fully excerpted, from the Journals of each Provincial Congress of the Colony of Mas- sachusetts Bay, and from the twenty odd volumes of the Journals of the Continental Congress. Buried as they are in these lengthy archives, such records are valueless for medico-historical purposes. Presented here, as purely archivistic material, they are but the crude ore of medical history. Yet this record is undoubtedly the basic material upon which future historians must rely in their work, which is my reason for presenting it. To the medical officer, these records are of exceptional interest; to the patriot they will not seem dry and unin- spiring. Our military medical history began, as we have seen, in the Colony of Massachu- setts Bay. In the Journals of the Continen- tal Congress, we trace the prehistory of our present Army Medical Corps, from the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Church as Director General and Chief Physician of our first Army Hospital, at a salary of four 6 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD dollars a day, to the final acts relating to the reduction of the army in 1783. The subsequent act of June 2, 1784, practically disbanded the U. S. Army, but it was im- mediately followed by acts of June 3, 1784, April 7, 1785, October 20, 1786, and October 3, 1787, providing for the levying of troops and officers to guard our Northwestern frontier and other localities. These were, however, only militiamen. The U. S. Army proper was still non-existent. Following the appointment of Major-General Henry Knox as Secretary of War, on March 8, 1785, an act of September 29, 1789, authorized the formation of a corps of 700 men, rank and file, to guard the western posts. This force had a medical complement of one surgeon and four surgeon's mates. These forces were enlarged up to their disbandment in the fall of 1 79 1, and on March 5, 1792, our military forces were reorganized as a ''Le- gion" by Congressional enactment, with Richard AIHson, as "Surgeon to the Le- gion," or Chief Medical Officer on the Gen- eral Staff, at seventy dollars per month, the pay of regimental surgeons (surgeon's 7 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. mates) being forty-five dollars monthly. Major General Anthony Wayne command- ed the whole Legion, and in August, 1794, fought the decisive battle of Maumee Rap- ids against the hostile Indians. The Medi- cal Department was enlarged by the acts of May 28, 1798, and March 2, 1799, which, at the earnest request of Washington, pro- vided for the appointment of James Craik of Virginia as Physician General to both the Army and the Navy. Craik served in this capacity from July 19, 1798, to June 15, 1800, when he was mustered out by dis- bandment of these forces. On March 3, 1 81 3, in the midst of the War of 181 2, the office of Physician and Surgeon General was created, and on June 11, James Tilton of Delaware was appointed to this position. With Tilton's appointment, the history of the Medical Corps of our Army, as we now know it, begins. In the pages immediately following, one may find the legislation relating to the treasonable action of Church, his trial and confinement, the appointment of John Mor- gan as his successor, the famous act of July 8 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 17, 1776, limiting and defining the author- ity of medical officers, Morgan's dismissal, through his disputes with Shippen and the unsoldierly neglect of duty of Stringer, the appointment of Shippen, Rush, and others, Shippen's trial for malfeasance in office, his acquittal and the resignation of Dr. Wil- liam Brown, Shippen's resignation, the ap- pointment of Cochran as Director General, and his services up to the disbandment of the Army in 1783. In the different plans considered for organization and reorgani- zation of medical service, in such things as the bits of legislation bearing upon pre- ventive inoculation against small-pox, we get a clear idea of what Congress was act- ually doing for the medical establishment of the Continental Army. The main source books for the early his- tory of our Army Medical estabhshment have been James Tilton's * 'Observations on Military Hospitals" (181 3), the Military Journal of James Thacher (1826), James Mann's "Military Sketches of the Cam- paigns of 1 81 2-14" (181 6), and 'The Medi- cal Department of the United States Army 9 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. from 1775 to 1873" t)y Harvey E. Brown (1873). It is in the hope of stimulating fur- ther interest and research that I add the subjoined record. 10 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD I FROM THE JOURNALS OF THE PROVIN- CIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY (1775) April 27, 1775 (A. M.) 160 Ordered, That Capt, Kingsbury, Doct. Holten and Deacon Stone, are appointed to enquire, and endeavor to get an exact account of the men killed, and wounded, and murdered, in the late scene on the 19th instant. May 8, 1775, 203. Ordered, That the president pro tempore, Doct. Taylor, Doct. Holten and Doct. Dunsmore, be a committee to examine such persons as are, or may be, recommended for surgeons for the army now forming in this colony. Resolved, That the persons recommended by the commanding officers of the several regiments, be appointed as surgeons to their respective regiments, provided they appear to be duly qualified upon ex- amination. May 16, 1775. 232 The committee reported, that Doct. Benjamin Church was chosen. May 17, 1775- 236 Resolved, That Doct. Church be allowed one ser- vant to attend him in his journey to Philadelphia. June 2, 1775. 290 Ordered, That Doct. Whiting and Doct. Bailies, be added to the committee which was appointed by II HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the last Congress, to examine those persons who might be nominated for surgeons of the Massachu- setts army. June 12, 1775. 321 Ordered, That Doct. Whiting, Doct. Taylor and Mr. Parks, be a committee to consider some method of supplying the several surgeons of the army with medicines. (Afternoon) The committee appointed to consider some meth- od for supplying the surgeons in the army with medicine, reported: the report was read and accept- ed, and is as follows, viz.: The committee appointed to take into considera- tion a complaint that the surgeons in the army are not properly furnished with medicines, have at- tended that service, and beg leave to report: that whereas, it appears that there is not, as yet, a suffi- cient number of medicine chests provided, to fur- nish each regiment with a distinct chest; and where- as, the committee of supplies are making provision for the supplying of each regiment with such medi- cine chests as soon as possible: therefore. Resolved, That the committee of supplies be, and hereby are directed, immediately to furnish the surgeon of the first regiment at Cambridge, and also the surgeon of the first regiment at Roxbury, each of them, with a medicine chest, for the present; and that all the other surgeons in the army at Cambridge and Roxbury, have free recourse to the said chests, and be supplied from them, from time to time, as they shall find occasion, until more ample provision shall be made for them: all which is humbly submitted, and the committee beg leave to sit again. William Whiting, per order, 12 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Ordered, That the same committee be appointed to examine into the medical stores, and make a list of what is necessary for the supplying each regi- ment, that the same may be laid before the com- mittee: and that the same committee consider what medicines are necessary, and bring in a list of what medicines are in the medical store: and that they be directed to report what instruments are neces- sary for the surgeons of the army. June 1 6, 1775. 341 Doct. Hall and Doct. Jones were added to the committee to examine surgeons for the army. Re- solved, That any three of said committee shall be a quorum. June 19, 1775. 355. 357, 360-1 Doct. Hall, Doct. Jones and Mr. Bigelow, were appointed a committee to consider the expediency of establishing another hospital for the sick and wounded of the army, and ordered to sit forthwith. The committee appointed to consider the expedi- ency of establishing another hospital for the army, reported, that a house belonging to Doct. Spring, of this place, may be had for that purpose, where- upon. Resolved, That said committee be directed to in- quire at what rate, per month, Doct. Spring will let the same. Doct. Gunn was appointed to report a resolve on the proposal made by the committee of safety, rela- tive to the killed and wounded in the late battle. Upon a motion made, Resolved, that the house of Mr. Hunt, at Cambridge, be hired for a hospital, and that the committee appointed to treat with Doct. Spring, be a committee to hire the same. Ordered, That Doct. Church, Doct. Taylor, and 13 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Doct. Whiting, be a committee to consider what method is proper to be taken to supply the hospi- tals with surgeons: and that the same gentlemen be a committee to provide medicines, and all other necessaries for the hospitals. The committee appointed to confer with Doct. Spring, relative to the use of his house for another hospital, reported: the report was read and accept- ed, and is as follows, viz.: The committee appointed to consider of the ex- pediency of establishing another hospital for the sick and wounded of the army, having attended that ser- vice, beg leave to report, that they judge it is really expedient to have another established, and they judge that the house of Doct. Spring, in Watertown, is convenient for that purpose; and that he is will- ing said house should be improved by the province for that use, but that he cannot at present ascertain the damage it may be to him, but is willing to sub- mit that matter to the judgment of a committee to be hereafter appointed by this honorable Congress or the house of assembly. June 22, 1775. 374, 375, 377 Ordered, That Doct. Francis Kittridge be desired to attend the hospital, as a surgeon, till the further order of Congress, and that Mr. Kendall be desired to inform Doct. Kittridge of his appointment. Ordered, That the colonels of the several regi- ments in the Massachusetts army, be directed to recommend, immediately, suitable persons for sur- geons and surgeons' mates. Ordered, That a hospital be provided for the camp at Roxbury, and that Cob Davis, Doct. Tay- lor and Doct. Whiting, be a committee to provide one accordingly, and to supply the same. 14 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Resolved, That (the colonels in the Massachu- setts army, be and they are hereby directed, imme- diately to inform the committee appointed by Con- gress to examine the surgeons for said army, whom they recommend for the surgeons and surgeon's mates of their respective regiments, and send them to said committee for examination, without delay; except such as have been examined. June 23, 1775. 378 The committee appointed to provide a hospital for the camp in Roxbury, reported as follows: That they have appointed the house belonging to Joshua Loring, in said Roxbury, for a hospital, and for the use of said camp. The report was accepted. June 24, 1775. 383, 384, 387 Voted, That there shall be two surgeons and two mates appointed for each hospital, and commis- sioned accordingly. Ordered, That the committee appointed to exam- ine the surgeons, be desired to report an establish- ment for surgeons of hospitals. The committee appointed to consider an estab- lishment for the surgeons of hospitals, reported: the report was accepted, and is as follows, viz. : that it is their opinion, that the establishment of the chief surgeons should be at the rate of eight pounds per month, and each mate, four pounds, ten shillings, per month. The committee appointed to hire a house of John Hunt, Esq., for a hospital, reported the following proposal, which was accepted, viz.: Gentlemen: — With respect to the hire of the house belonging to John Hunt, Esq., for a hospital, the proprietor only expects such a consideration from '(each colonel) 15 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the colony, as will be a satisfaction for the necessary damage to the house, expecting proper care will be taken that the out-houses, &c., be kept in good order. W. Hunt, in behalf of the proprietor. June 27, 1775. 406 Ordered, That the committee appointed to pro- vide hospitals for the army, be directed to provide another hospital, to be appropriated solely for such of the army as may be taken with the small pox, and to consider what measures can be taken to pre- vent the spreading of that distemper, and that Doct. Rand, and Doct. Foster, be added to the com- mittee. June 28, 1775. 415 The form of a warrant for the surgeons was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. : The Congress oj the Massachusetts Bay, to A. B. Greeting. Bei;jg informed of your skill in surgery, and re- posing especial trust and confidence in your ability and good conduct, we do, by these presents, consti- tute and appoint you the said A. B., to be surgeon of the regiment of foot, whereof is colonel, raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the defence of said colony. You are, therefore, 'carefully and dili- gently to discharge the duty of a surgeon to the said regiment, in all things appertaining thereunto, observing such orders and instructions as you shall, from time to time, receive from the colonel of said regiment, according to military rules and discipline established by said Congress, or any your superior officers, for which this shall be your sufficient war- By order of the Congress, Dated at Watertown. President. 16 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD June 30, 1775. 423, 4 The committee appointed to consider some mea- sures to prevent the spreading of the small pox, were directed to sit forthwith. The form of a warrant for surgeons of the hospi- tal, was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz. : The Congress oj the Colony oj the Massachusetts Bay, to Greeting. Being informed of your skill in surgery, and re- posing special trust and confidence in your ability and good conduct, (we) do by these presents, con- stitute and appoint you, the said to be a surgeon of the hospital, established by order of the Congress, in , for the sick and wounded of the colony army. You are, therefore, carefully and dili- gently to discharge the duty of a surgeon of said hospital, in all things appertaining thereto, observ- ing such orders and instructions as you shall, from time to time, receive from any, your superior offi- cers, according to the rules and discipline estab- lished by said Congress, for which, this shall be your sufficient warrant. By order of Congress, Dated the day of A. D. 1775. Ordered, That warrants be made out to the fol- lowing officers, viz.: Doct. Lemuel Gushing, sur- geon; Doct. Gad Hitchcock, surgeon's mate; . . . Doct. Lemuel Howard, surgeon to the Roxbury Hospital. July I, 1775- 436, 7 Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Mr. Fox, and Capt. Bragdon, be a committee to bring in a resolve, di- recting how the sick and wounded shall be removed to the hospitals. The committee appointed to devise means for th-^ 17 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. better accommodation of the sick and wounded of the colony army, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz.: In order that all the sick and wounded in the army may be provided for, and taken care of, in the best way and manner possible. Resolved, and it is hereby Ordered, that when any person in the army is so ill, either by a wound or otherwise, that the surgeon of the regiment, to which the sick or wounded person belongs, finds the sick or wounded as abovesaid cannot be prop- erly taken care of in the regiment to which he be- longs, said surgeon shall send the sick or wounded as abovesaid, to the hospital provided for the use of the camps to which they belong, and a certificate of the man's name, and the company and regiment to which he belongs; and in that case, the surgeon of the said hospital shall receive said sick or wound- ed under his care; and in case said hospital shall be- come too full, in that case, the surgeon of said hos- pital shall send such of his patients as may with safety be removed, to the hospital in Watertown and a certificate setting forth the man's name, what company and regiment each belongs to; and in that case the surgeons of the Watertown hospital shall receive said sick or wounded under his care. July 4, 1775. 445, 446, 448 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. Goodwin, be a committee to prepare a letter to General Washington, informing him of the provi- sion this Congress has made for the sick and wound- ed of the army. Ordered, That Doct. Taylor, Doct. Church, and Mr. Johnson, be a committee to bring in a resolve appointing Doct. (Andrew) Craigie, a commissary of medical stores, and that said committee be di- 18 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD rected to consider what is a proper establishment for his pay. The committee appointed to bring in a resolve for appointing Mr. Craigie, medical commissary, re- ported. (The report) was read, and is as follows, viz.: Resolved, That Mr. Andrew Craigie be, and he is hereby appointed a medical commissary and apothe- cary for the Massachusetts army, and that said Craigie be allowed five pounds per month, for his services as abovesaid. Ordered, That the committee for making out com- missions make out a warrant for Mr. Craigie, medi- cal commissary. July 5, 1775. 449, 450, 455. A list of surgeons who have been examined and approved of, by a committee of this Congress, was laid before the Congress, and read, and is as follows: Doct. David Jones, surgeon; Samuel Blanchard, mate, in Col. Gerrish's regiment; Aaron Putnam, mate, in Col. Fry's regiment; Joseph Hunt, mate to Doct. Joseph Foster, in Cambridge hospital; Jacob Bacon, mate in Col. Scammon's regiment; Harris Clary Fridges, mate; Edward Durant, surgeon, Col. Mansfield's regiment; Josiah Harvey, mate, Col. Fellow's regiment; Abraham Watson, Jr. surgeon, William Vinal, mate, Col. Gardner's regiment; Doct. John Georges, mate. General Heath's regiment; Doct. Isaac SpafFord, surgeon. Col. Nixon's (regi- ment) ;* Doct. John Crooker, surgeon in Col. Scam- mon's regiment; Doct. Walter Hastings, surgeon in Col. Bridges' (regiment) ; Doct. Timothy Child, sur- geon, in Col. Patterson's (regiment); Doct. Levi * Material in parentheses was placed in brackets in the original mss. 19 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Willard, surgeon, in Col. Reed's (regiment); Doct. Daniel Parker, surgeon, in Col. Walker's (regiment) ; and Doct. Thomas Kittridge, surgeon, in Col. Fry's regiment. Thereupon, Ordered, That warrants be made out for them agreeably thereto. Resolved, That the order of Congress relative to the date of the warrants for the staff officers, be so far reconsidered, as that the warrants for the sur- geons be dated the 28th June, ultimo. A form of a warrant for a medical commissary, was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz.: The Congress, oj the Colony oj the Massachusetts Bay, to Greeting. We, being informed of your skill in medicine, and reposing especial trust and confidence in your abil- ity and good conduct, do, by these presents, con- stitute and appoint you the said , to be medical commissary and apothecary to the army raised by the Congress, for the defence of this col- ony. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a medical commissary and apothecary in all things appertaining thereto, ob- serving such orders and instructions as you shall, from time to time, receive from any your superior officers, according to the rules and discipline estab- lished by said Congress, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant. By order of Congress, , President. The committee appointed to prepare a letter to General Washington, enclosing a resolution of Con- gress relative to the sick and wounded, reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, viz.: (To his Excellency General Washingt07i:) 20 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD This Congress ordered the enclosed resolution to be prepared, and sent to Generals Ward and Thom- as; but by the agreeable event of your excellency's appointment to the chief command of the Ameri- can army, and arrival at camp, the propriety of that step ceases. We mean not to dictate to your excel- lency, but presume, that to secure the health of the army, and (to afford) relief for the sick, will natur- ally engage your attention. Every thing in the power of this Congress (to do) to enable you to dis- charge, with ease, the duties of your exalted and im- portant station, will be, by us, attended to, with the greatest alacrity. If the enclosed resolution has that tendency, we attain the end intended by transmit- ting to you the same, and are, with respect. Your Excellency's most humble servants. July 7, 1775- 464 Ordered, That a warrant be made out for Doct. Isaac Foster, as surgeon of the hospital at Cam- bridge, and another to Doct. Isaac Rand, as sur- geon of the hospital at Roxbury. July 8, 1775- 470, 472, 476 A list of surgeons examined by a committee ap- pointed for that purpose, was exhibited to Con- gress, and warrants ordered to be made out agree- ably thereto. Resolved, That three o'clock, in the afternoon, be assigned, to consider the expediency of appointing a surgeon general for the Massachusetts forces. Resolved, That eight o'clock to-morrow morning be assigned for the consideration of the expediency of appointing a surgeon general of the Massachu- setts army. 21 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. July II, 1775. 488, 489 Ordered, That Mr. Crane, and Mr. Fox, make out warrants for several surgeons and surgeons' mates, agreeably to a list this day exhibited by Doct. Tay- lor, and that such warrants, when made out, be transmitted to the committee of safety. Resolved, That Doct. Church, Doct. Taylor, and Doct. Whiting, be a committee to take into their custody all the medicines, medical stores and in- struments, which are, or may be provided for the use of the army, by this colony, and to distribute them at their best discretion, so that no peculation or needless waste be made of the medicinal stores belonging to the public. December 20, 1774. 506 Voted, unanimously, that Doct. Warren, Doct. Church, and the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., be a committee to inspect the commissaries' stores, in Boston, and report what surgeon's stores and stores of other kind are there. February 21, 1775- 509 Voted, That Docts. Warren and Church be a com- mittee to bring in an inventory of what is necessary in the way of their profession, for the above army to take the field. February 24, 1775. 512 Voted, That Doct. Warren, Doct. Church, Mr. Gerry, Mr. Cheever, Col. Orne and Mr. Devens, make inquiry where fifteen doctor's chests can be got, and on what terms, and report at the next meeting. March 7, 1775. 512 Voted, That the committee of supplies be direct- 22 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD ecI to make a draft on Henry Gardner, Esq., the re- ceiver general, in favor of Doct. Joseph Warren and Doct. Benjamin Church, for five hundred pounds, lawful money, to enable them to purchase such ar- ticles for the provincial chests of medicine as can- not be got on credit, to be deducted from the pro- vincial tax payable by the town of Boston. April 1 8, 1775. 517 Voted, That two medicinal chests still remain at Concord, at two different parts of the town; three of said chests at Sudbury, in different parts of the town; six do. at Groton, Mendon, and Stow, two in each town, and in different places; two ditto in Worcester, one in each part of the town; and, two in Lancaster, ditto; that sixteen hundred yards of Russia linen be deposited in seven parts, with the doctor's chests; that the eleven hundred tents be deposited in equal parts in Worcester, Lancaster, Groton, Stow, Mendon, Leicester, and Sudbury. April 21, 1775. 521 Voted, That Major Bigelow be applied to, to fur- nish a man and horse to attend the surgeons, and convey medicines agreeably to their directions. April 29, 1775. 527 Voted, That Doct. Isaac Foster be directed and empowered to remove all the sick and wounded, whose circumstances will admit of it, into the hos- pital, and to supply proper beds and bedding, cloth- ing, victuals, and furniture, with every other article he shall judge proper for said hospital, and that this be a sufficient order for him to draw on the com- missary for such articles as he can supply, and to draw orders upon the commissary for the payment 23 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. of whatever expenses are necessary for procuring the above mentioned articles. April 30, 1775. 530 Voted, That Andrew Craigie be appointed to take care of the medical stores, and to deliver them out as ordered by this committee; and that the secre- tary make out his commission accordingly. May 7, 1775- 538 Whereas, it appears to this committee, that great • uneasiness may arise in the army, by the appoint- ment of surgeons who may not be agreeable to the officers and soldiers in their respective regiments, therefore. Voted, that it be recommended to the Congress, to allow the colonel of each regiment to nominate the surgeon for his regiment; said surgeon to nominate his mate; and unless there is some ma- terial objection made against them, that they be ac- cordingly appointed. May 13, 1775. 544 Voted, That General Thomas be desired to deliver out medicines to such persons as he shall think proper, for the use of the sick soldiers at Roxbury, until the surgeons for the respective regiments are regularly appointed. Voted, That the provisions and chest of medicines belonging to Madam Vassal, now under the care of Col. Starks, be stored as Col. Starks may direct, till further orders: and that the other packages may pass into Boston or elsewhere. May 14, 1775- 545 Mr. Andrew Craigie, commissary of the medicinal stores, &c., was directed and empowered to impress beds, bedding, and other necessaries for the sick, as 24 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD they may be wanting, giving the owners a receipt for such articles as he may take for the purpose aforesaid. June 13, 1775. 566 The committee earnestly recommend to the hon- orable Congress that the representations from the quarter master general, be taken into immediate consideration, especially as the committee, from their own knowledge, find the rooms too much crowded, and the healths and lives of the soldiers thereby greatly exposed; and if tents cannot be im- mediately furnished, that some barracks be forth- with erected.^ June 14, 1775. §66 Whereas, this committee are informed, that Doct. How, of Andover, is prepared to receive (insane pa- tients,) and is well skilled in such disorders as Dan- iel Adams, of Boston, sent on the 13th instant, to the town of Woburn, is affected with, therefore. Re- solved, that the selectmen of the town of Woburn, be, and they hereby are released from keeping said Daniel Adams in the town of Woburn, and they are required to provide a horse and carriage, with pro- visions, to forward the said Adams to Andover, the expense of which will be paid by this colony. Resolved, That Daniel Adams, a lunatic, now at Woburn, be carried to the town of Andover, and committed to the care of Doct. How, and the said Doct. How is hereby desired to take proper care of the said lunatic, at the expense of this colony. ^ The quartermaster general represented, that there was great want of tents and barracks, and that the least delay in making provision for the shelter of the troops, would be attended with injurious consequences. 25 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. June 19, 1775. 571 Resolved, That the house of the Rev. Samuel Cook, of Menotoray, be improved as a hospital for the colony army; and that Mr. William Eustis be, and hereby is appointed, to the care of the sick and wounded in said hospital, till the further order of this committee. Ordered, That Doct. Isaac Foster be, and he here- by is directed, to take up and improve as hospitals, so many houses in Menotomy, as he may find nec- essary for the safety of the sick and wounded of the colony army, and that he employ such person or persons as may be necessary to carry such pro- visions and other necessaries as may be wanted for the use of the aforesaid sick and wounded; and fur- ther, that he take such precautions, respecting the small pox hospital, as may be necessary for the pre- vention of the spreading of that epidemical disorder in the camp or elsewhere. June 26, 1775. 578 Whereas, this committee find the public hospital in this town has been much neglected, to the great injury of the patients in said hospital, occasioned by the want of some suitable person being placed there as surgeon, therefore. Resolved, that Doct. John Warren, be, and he hereby is appointed, to the oversight of said hospital, and that he take proper care such provision be made as may be necessary for the comfortable support of the patients in said hospital until further orders. July 15, 1775. 597 Complaint having been made to this committee by the honorable General Ward, and other officers in the army, that several men are dangerously sick, and their lives would be greatly hazarded, except 26 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD immediate application of medicine be made to them, and that the surgeons of some of the regiments had applied, but could not obtain any; a sub-committee was therefore chosen to visit the hospital, and to see the surgeons, and, upon inquiry, found that there were no such medicines as are immediately wanted : therefore. Resolved, that as the lives of some part of the army are in great danger, for want of medicines, notwithstanding the commission of the committee of safety does not admit of direction in this matter, that Mr. Commissary Craigie be de- sired to procure, at the expense of the colony, such medicines as may be immediately and absolutely necessary; in consequence of which, the following order was given Mr. Commissary Craigie: Sir: — You are hereby desired immediately to sup- ply the store under your care, with such medicines as are absolutely necessary for the present relief of the sick in the army.^ Report oj the Committee sent to Ticonderoga, Cambridge, July 6, 1775. Your committee, being of opinion, that a major should be appointed under Col. Easton, and one surgeon to the battalion, and having inquired into the disposition of the officers and men who have engaged, have appointed John Brown, Esq., as ma- jor, and Mr. Jonas Fay, as surgeon. All which is humbly submitted, WALTER SPOON ER, by order. ' Although the sessions of the committee continued after the fifteenth day of July, 1775, the journal is not preserved to a later date. 27 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. II FROM JOURNALS OF THE CONTI- NENTAL CONGRESS (1774-83) June 2, 1775. 76 The President laid before the Congress a letter from the Provincial Convention of Massachusetts which was read and was as follows: In prov. Congress, Watertown, May 16, 1775. Resolved, That Docf. Benjamin Church be ordered to go immediately to Philad\ and deliver to the presi- dent of the Hon!''®. American Congress there now sit- ting, the following apphcation to be by him com- municated to the members thereof: and the s^ Church is also directed to confer with the s^ Con- gress, respecting such other matters as may be necessary to the defence of this colony and particu- larly the state of the army therein. . . . July 19, 1775- 191 Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to report the method of establishing an hospital. The committee chosen, Mr. (Francis) Lewis, Mr. (Robert Treat) Paine, and Mr. (Henry) Middleton. July 24, 1775. 203 The Committee for that purpose app(oin)t^ bro't in a report for establishing a hospital. Ordered to lie on the table. July 25, 1775. 203. Report read: July 27, 1775. 209-211 The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on establishing an hospital, and the same being debated, was agreed to as follows: 28 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD That for the establishment of an hospital for an army, consisting of 20,000 men, the following offi- cers and other attendants be appointed, with the following allowance or pay, viz. : One Director general and chief physician, his pay per day, 4 dollars.* Four surgeons, per diem each, one and one third of a dollar. One apothecary, one and one third of a dollar. Twenty (surgeons') mates, each, two thirds of a dollar. One clerk, two thirds of a dollar. Two storekeepers, each four dollars per month. One nurse to every 10 sick, one fifteenth of a dol- lar per day, or 2 dollars per month. Labourers occasionally. The duty of the above officers: viz.: Director to furnish medicines. Bedding and all other necessaries, to pay for the same, superintend the whole, and make his report to, and receive or- ders from the commander in chief. Surgeons, apothecary and mates. To visit and at- tend the sick, and the mates to obey apothecary and the orders of the physicians, surgeons and apothecary. Matron: To superintend the nurses, bedding, &c. Nurses: To attend the sick, and obey the ma- tron's orders. Clerk: To keep accounts for the director and store keepers. Storekeeper: To receive and deliver the bedding and other necessaries by order of the director. ... The Congress then proceeded to the choice of officers for the Hospital, when, * The original plan provided for a Director General and a Phy- sician, each to receive four dollars a day. 29 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Benjamin Church was unanimously elected as di- rector of, and chief physician in, the hospital. Resolved, That the appointment of the four sur- geons and the Apothecary be left to Docf. Church. That the Mates be appointed by the Surgeons; That the number do not exceed twenty; and That the number be not kept in constant pay, unless the sick and wounded should be so numerous as to require the attendance oj twenty, and to be diminished as circumstances will admit; Jor w"'' purpose, the pay is fixed by the day, that they may only receive pay Jor actual service. That one Clerk, two storekeepers, and one nurse to every lo sick, be appointed by the Director. September 14, 1775. 249 5'S sundry letters from General Schuyler,^ The same being taken into consideration. On motion made. Resolved, That Samuel Stringer, Esq?" be appointed director of the Hospital, and chief Physician and surgeon for the Army in the Northern department. That the pay of the s^ Samuel Stringer, as Director, Physician, and Surgeon, be four Dollars per day. That he be authorized and have power to appoint a number of surgeon mates under him, not exceed- ing four. That the pay of said mates be 2/3 of a dollar per day. *[That the number be not kept in constant pay, unless the sick and wounded be so numerous as to require the constant attendance of Jour, and to be diminished as circumstances will admit, Jor which reason the pay is fixed by the day, that they may only receive pay Jor actual service.] * Material placed in brackets is crossed out in original mss. ^ Letters dated July 26, 27, 28, and August 6, read in Congress on this day, are in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 153, folios 63, 71, 77, 102. 30 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD That the deputy Commissary general be directed to pay Doctr. Stringer for the Medicines he has pur- chased for the use of the army, and that he purchase and forward such other medicines as General P. Schuyler shall, by his warrant, direct, for the use of said army. That M!- (Eliphalet) Dyer, MP (Thomas) Lynch, Mr (John) Jay, MP (John) Adams, and Mf (Fran- cis) Lewis, be a Committee to devise ways and means for supplying the continental army with Medicines. September 23, 1775. 261 On motion Ordered, That the Committee appoint- ed to devise ways and means of supplying the Army with Medicines, do buy a parcel of Drugs in the hands of Mr. Rapalje, which he offers at the prime cost. October 14, 1775. 294-295 On motion made, Resolved, That a director general and chief physi- cian of the Hospital in Massachusetts bay, be ap- pointed in the room of DoctP (Benjamin) Church, who is talcen into custody for holding a correspond- ence with the enemy. Resolved, That the Congress will, on Monday next, proceed to the election of a director general and chief physician of the Hospital, in the room of DoctP Church. October 17, 1775. 297 The Congress proceeded to the election of director general and chief physician of the Hospital, in the room of Doctr (Benjamin) Church, and the ballots being taken and exam'd, Doctf (John) Morgan, (of Philadelphia,) was elect- ed. 31 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. November 7, 1775. 334 Resolved, That Dr. Church be close confined in some secure gaol in the colony of Connecticut, with- out the use of pen, ink, and paper, and that no per- son be allowed to converse with him, except in the presence and hearing of a Magistrate of the town, or the sheriff of the county where he shall be con- fined, and in the English language, until farther orders from this or a future Congress. November 10, 1775. 344 Resolved, That the medicines purchased in this city for the army at Cambridge, be sent thither by land. December 8, 1775. 416 On motion, Resolved, That a surgeon be allowed to each regiment, (in the service of the United Colonies;) That the pay of a regimental Surgeon be 25 Dol- lars per (calendar) month. William Barnet, jun. was unanimously elected surgeon of the first or eastern battalion raised in New Jersey. December 21, 1775. 442 Doctor James Holmes was chosen surgeon to Colonel Maxwell's regiment. January 8, 1776. 38 Resolved, That the provisions heretofore made for an hospital in the northern army, when it was more numerous than it is now, is sufficient. January 17, 1776. 61 A Petition from Benjamin Church was presented to Congress, and read: ^ *This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 41, II, folio 5. 32 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Ordered, That the same be referred to a commit- tee of three. January i8, 1776. 65 The committee on the petition of Dr. Church, brought in their report, which being taken into con- sideration, Resolved, That Governor Trumbull be desired to give order for the removal of Dr. Church to some more comfortable place of confinement than that where he now is, if such can be found in that colony; and that, for the advancement of his health the, said Dr. Church be permitted to ride out, at proper seasons, under a trusty guard, who will be careful to prevent his carrying on any correspondence, or doing any act prejudicial to the safety and welfare of the United Colonies. A letter from the committee of Frederic town, (Maryland,) enclosing sundry intercepted letters of Connolly, taken on Dr. John Smith, (one of Con- nolly's associates,) and brought by the guard who had the charge of bringing down said Smith, was laid before Congress and read: Resolved, That it be recommended to the commit- tee of safety of Pennsylvania, to take the examina- tion of Dr. Smith, and then commit him to safe and close confinement. January 25, 1776. 87-8 A letter from Richard Huddleston, ....'' The same Committee on considering Dr. Hud- dlestone's Letter, are of Opinion, That he be immediately set at Liberty on the Terms he mentions. And that a verbal Proposition be sent by him to General Carleton, to enter into a ^ The letter of Huddleston is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XI, folio 13, 33 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Stipulation on both sides, not only to release all Physicians and Surgeons; but that if by the For- tune of War, the Hospital of either Army should fall into the Power of the other, the same Subsist- ence and Supplies should be afforded to the Sick and Wounded as if Friends; and that neither they nor the Attendants of the Hospitals should be con- sidered or detain'd as Prisoners. And it is farther the Opinion of the Committee, that if Govr. Carle- ton should not agree to the mutual Release of Sur- geons, Dr. Huddlestone is to be on his Parole, to re- turn immediately hither.^ January 30, 1776. loi Resolved, That Dr. Cadwalader and Dr. W. Ship- pen, Jun?" be desired to inspect the room of the gaol where General Prescot is confined, and enquire into the state of his health, and report to Congress. January 31, 1776. 105 Dr. Cadwalader and Dr. Shippen returned their report respecting the room where General Prescot is confined, and the state of the general's health, which was read. * This report, in the writing of Benjamin Franklin, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 215. The fol- lowing notes in the writing of Franklin are in No. 78, XIX, folio 7. "Agreed to set Dr. Huddlestone at Liberty on the Terms he mentions. And send by him a Proposition to Gen. Carleton, that it be Stipulated on both Sides, not only to release all Surgeons; but that if by the Fortune of War, the Hospital of either Army should fall into the Power of the other, the same Care should be taken of the Sick and Wounded as of Friends, and that neither they nor the Attendants of the Hospital should be considered as Prisoners. And if Gov' Carleton should not agree to the mutual release of Surgeons, Dr. Huddleston is to be on his Parole to return immediately. . . 34 William Shippen, Jr. (1736-1808) DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD March i, 1776. 180 Resolved, That the Secret Committee be empow- ered to treat with the owners of some medicines lately imported, and purchase the same on the niost reasonable terms for the use of the continent, March 7, 1776. 188 Resolved, That the Committee appointed to pro- vide medicine chests be directed to supply the first and third New Jersey batallions with proper medi- cine chests and instruments. March 11, 1776. 197 Resolved, That the committee on applications and qualifications &c. be directed to provide 6 medicine chests for the 6 Virginia batallions. March 22, 1776. 225 A petition from Thorowgood Smith, and others, was presented to Congress, and read, setting forth, that they have procured a vessel, and raised money to fit her out as a privateer, in order to guard and cruise on the coast of Virginia, and praying that a commission be granted to William Shippen, to whom they propose to give the command of said vessel; and that the Congress will grant them a small quantity of powder, upon their making satis- faction for the same: Resolved, That a commission be granted to Wil- liam Shippen, as captain of the above mentioned vessel, for the purposes aforesaid. Resolved, That Captain William Shippen be sup- plied with three hundred weight of powder by the Secret Committee, he paying for the same. March 23, 1776. 229 The Committee of Claims reported that there is due, 35 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. To Dr. Jonathan Potts, for attendance on the second and fourth Pennsylvania batallions, the sum of 125.6.9=67.6 dollars. March 30, 1776. 242-3 Resolved, That each regimental surgeon be allow- ed a mate: Resolved, That the pay of a surgeon's mate be 18 dollars per month. Resolved, That (suitable chirurgical) instruments be purchased with each medicine chest. April II, 1776. 271 To Dr. Jonathan Potts, for attending the prison- ers at Reading, the sum of £28.15.0 (=76.6 dollars); and for sundry medicines, &c. provided for the mid- dle department, the sum of £50.9.1 (= 134.6 dollars,) amounting, together, to the sum of £79.4.1=211.2 dollars. April 29, 1776. 317 A letter from Thomas BuIIit and a petition from Dr. J. Potts, was presented to Congress and read.* Resolved, That they be referred to the foregoing committee. May 6, 1776. 330 Resolved, that the convention, or committee or council of safety of Virginia, be empowered to ap- point surgeons to the batallions raised in said col- ony, for the service of the continent. May 10, 1776. 344 G. 6. That Dr. Potts be taken into the Pay of the Continent and be employed in the Canada Depart- ment or at Lake George as the Genl Schuyler shall "... The petition of Dr. Potts is in the Papers of the Con- tinental Congress, No. 78, XVIII. folio 56. . . . 36 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD think fit. But that this Recommendation be not considered so as to supersede Dr. Stringer. That the Pay of Dr. Potts be Dollars per Mo. May II, 1776. 348 Resolved, That two sets of trepanning instruments be sent to Virginia for the use of the surgeons of the continental troops there; and that two sets of tre- panning instruments, and 100 lb. of Peruvian bark, be sent to North Carolina, for the use of tlie conti- nental troops in that colony. May 13, 1776. 350 Sundry petitions were presented to Congress and read, viz. : One from Benjamin Church, accompanied with one from Benjamin Church, Samuel Church and Edward Church, and a certificate from three Doctors (respecting the health of Dr. B. Church;) one from John Connolly and John Smith, accom- panied with a letter from Dr. (Thomas) Cadwala- der:i« May 14, 1776. 352 The committee to whom the petition of Dr. Ben- jamin Church, now confined in gaol in Norwich, in the colony of Connecticut, and also a petition from Benjamin, Samuel, and Edward Church, together with a certificate from physicians, respecting the dangerous state of the aforesaid Dr. Church, were referred, brought in their report, which was read and agreed to: Whereupon, Resolved, That Dr. Benjamin Church be sent to the colony of Massachusetts bay, and that the coun- 1" The petition of Connoly is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 39. That of Smyth is in No. 78, XX, folio 29. That of Cadwalader is in No. 78, V, folio 43. 37 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. cil of the said colony be requested to take a recog- nisance from him, with two good sureties, in such penalty as they shall think sufficient, not being less than one thousand pounds, lawful money, for his appearance before such court as shall be erected for his trial, and at such time and place as such court shall direct, and to abide the judgment of the same; and that they be farther requested, to take his parole, not to hold any correspondence with the enemies of the United Colonies, or at any time, to depart out of the same colony, without their license; and that, upon the performance thereof, the said Dr. Benjamin Church be set at liberty. May 1 6, 1776. 358 A letter from General Washington, of May (15), enclosing a letter (to him) from Dr. Stringer.^^ Resolved, That the letter from Dr. Stringer to General Washington, be referred to the committee appointed to prepare medicine chests: May 18, 1776. 284 That a continental Hospital be established in Vir- ginia, and a director to the same be immediately appointed by Congress. May 22, 1776. 378 15. That Surgeons and mates be added to the Hospital in Canada and that DoctT Stringer be directed to procure them.^^ June 5, 1776. 419 That the pay of the regimental surgeons be aug- 11 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continenta Congress, No. 152, I, folio 685. It is printed in Writings of Wash- ington (Ford), IV, 80. 12 Against this paragraph is written: "Referr'd to to-morrow." 38 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD nicntcd to thirty three dollars and one third of a dollar a month. June 6, 1776. 424 Resolved, That doctor Jonathan Potts be em- ployed as a physician and surgeon in the Canada department, or at Lake George, as the general shall direct; but, that this appointment shall not super- sede Dr. Stringer. June 17, 1776. 449, 453 U. 6." R. 8. That the committee, appointed to provide medicines, be directed to send a proper assortment of medicines to Canada: ^'' June 18, 1776. 460-461, 463 geA memorial from Dr. (John) Morgan, director neral and chief physician of the Hospital, was laid before Congress, and read: ^^ Resolved, That it be referred to the committee appointed to provide medicines. Resolved, That Mr. (Thomas) Heyward (Jr.), and Mr. (Lyman) Hall be added to the committee for providing medicines. June 19, 1776. 466 To Mary Thomas, for nursing and boarding two of Captain Benezet's men, in the small pox, the sum of £4.10.0=12 dollars: Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. '' This paragraph, relating to the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Potts, is stricken out of the Jefferson report, having been printed under June 6, p. 424, ante. ^^ In the Jefferson report this paragraph read: "Resolved, That a proper assortment of medicines be sent to Canada." Against it Harrison has written "Com^? already appointed to provide medicines." '^ This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, folio 3. 39 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Resolved, That the committee for preparing medi- cine chests, be directed to send a chest of medicines to the surgeon of said batalhon. A memorial from the mates of the Hospital was laid before Congress and read:^^ Resolved, That it be referred to the committee for providing medicines. June 20, 1776. 469 To Abraham Mills, for nursing and boarding six soldiers in the small pox, the sum of £12.14.8= 33 36/90 dollars: Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to consider what provision ought to be made for such as are wounded or disabled in the land or sea service, and report a plan for that purpose: The members chosen, Mr. (Robert Treat) Paine, Mr. (Francis Lightfoot) Lee, Mr. (Lyman) Hall, Mr. (William) Ellery, and Mr. (Francis) Lewis. July 8, 1776. 528 Resolved, That the committee for providing medi- cines, be directed to supply the militias aforesaid, with a sufficient quantity of suitable medicines. July 12, 1776. $s6 The committee appointed to take into considera- tion the memorial of the director general of the American hospital, brought in their report, which was read: Ordered, To lie on the table. July 15, 1776. 562 Resolved, That a chief physician be appointed for 1^ This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, folio 167. 40 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD the flying camp, and that his pay be four dollars per day: The ballots being taken (and examined,) William Shippen, JunT was elected. July 17, 1776. 568-571 The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the memorial of the director general of the American hospital; Whereupon, [Resolved, For the better Government of the gen- eral Hospital of the American Army, for explaining and ascertaining more fully the duties of the Direct- or-General, the directors of Hospitals, the Surgeons and Mates, both Hospital and Regimental:] Resolved, That the number of hospital surgeons and mates be increased, in proportion to the aug- mentation of the army, not exceeding one surgeon and five mates to every five thousand men, to be reduced when the army is reduced, or when there is no further occasion for so great a number: That as many persons be employed in the severa hospitals, in quahty of store keepers, stewards, man- agers, and nurses, as are necessary for the good of the service, for the time being, to be appointed by the directors of the receiving hospitals: That the several regimental chests of medicines, and chirurgical instruments, which now are or here- after shall be, in the possession of the regimental surgeons, be subject to the inspection and enquiry of the respective directors of hospitals, and the di- rector general; and that the said regimental surgeons shall, from time to time, when thereto required, ren- der account of the said medicines and instruments to the said directors, or if there be no director in any particular department, to the director general; the siad accounts to be transmitted to the director general, and by him to this Congress; and the medi- 41 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. cines and instruments not used by ant regimental surgeon, to be returned when the regiment is re- duced, to the respective directors, and an account thereof by them rendered to the director general, and by him to this Congress: Resolved, That an Additional Apothecary with such Number of Mates as the Service may require, be allowed, under the Title of Apothecary to the Army, and in subordination to the ^General Hospital Apothecary of the General Hospital.^'' That the several directors of hospitals, in the sev- eral departments, and the regimental surgeons, where there is no director, shall transmit to the di- rector general regular returns of the number of sur- geons' mates, and other officers employed under them, their names and pay; also, an account of th expenses and furniture of the hospital under their direction; and that the director general make report of the same, from time to time, to the commander in chief, and to this Congress: That the several regimental and hospital sur- geons, in the several departments, amke weekly returns of their sick to the respective directors in their departments: That no regimental surgeon be allowed to draw upon the hospital of his department, for any stores except medicines and instruments; and that, when any sick person shall ;require other stores, they shall be received into the said hospital, and the rations of the said sick persops be stopped, so long as they are in the siad hospitals; and that the directors of the sevetal hospitals report to the commissary the names of the sick, when received into, and when discharged from the hospital, and make a like re- turn to the Board of Treasury: 1^ A paragraph that wa^ not r.itaiaod. 42 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD That all extra expenses for bandages, old linen, and other articles necessary for the service, incurred by any regimental surgeon, be paid by the director ol that department, with the approbation ol tha commander thereof: That no more medicines belonging to the conti- nent be disposed of ^by sale till the army is fully supplied'' till further order of Congress: Resolved, that no Surgeon or Surgeon's Mate shall receive a Commo as such in the Army, without hav- ing first undergone an Exam ination by the director ot the hospital of the Department in which he may desire employment or the director GenI and ob- tained a Certificate from the Commdr and director of that department, or the Director Genl, of his Abilities and knowledge in his business. ^^ That the pay of the hospital surgeons be increased to one dollar and two thirds of a dollar by the day; the pay of the hospital mates be increased to one dollar by the day; and the pay of the hospital apothecary to one dollar and two thirds of a dollar by the day; and that the hospital surgeons and mates take rank of regimental surgeons and mates: Resolved, that the Storekeepers of the several Hospitals be paid by the month, and the Stewards and Managers of the said Hospitals be paid by the Month a sum not exceeding dollars. ^^ Resolved, That the duties and privileges of the Surgeons and Mates, not heretofore particularly as- certained, be conformable to the established Usage of other well regulated Armies, as far as is consist- ent with the Good of the Service, until otherwise settled and directed by this Congress. ^^ Resolved, that the Appointments of Surgeons (Sur- geons Mates), Storekeepers, Stewards, Managers and 1* A paragraph that was not retained. 43 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Nurses, heretofore mentioned, shall be made by the Director General in the Northern and Eastern De- partments; which may hereafter be app'd in that dep't; and in the Southern Dep't by the director of that dep't with the approba. of the Commandr of the respective departments.^^ Resolved, that it be recommend to Congress to purchase the Medicines (now in Phila) belonging to Doctor Morgan. ^^ Resolved, that in all levies of Troops hereafter to be raised for the Service of the Continent a stop- page of out of the month's pay of each Man be made for the Use and support of the several Conti- nental Hospitals.^^ That the director general, and the several direct- ors of hospitals, be empowered to purchase, with the approbation of the commander of the respective departments, medicines, and instruments for the use of their respective hospitals, and draw upon the pay master for the same, and make report of such purchases to Congress.^" July 20, 1776. 595 Resolved, That Dr. Senter be recommended to Dr. Morgan; who is desired to examine him; and if, (upon examination,) he finds him qualified, to em- ploy him in the hospital as a surgeon. July 26, 1776. 612 Resolved, That an order for 2,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favor of Dr. W. Shippen; he to be accountable. 1' A paragraph that was not retained. ^^ This report, in the writing of Thomas Stone, is in the Papers of the Continental Csngress, No. 19, IV, folio 181. 44 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD July 31, 1776. 622 Resolved, That the committee for providing medi- cines be directed to provide, and send forward, such a quantity of medicines as may be necessary for the Hospital in the northern army: That the said committee be directed to procure and send forward such a quantity of medicines as may be necessary for the hospital in the southern department. August 6, 1776. 633 Resolved, That the committee for procuring medi- cines be directed to supply the director general of the Hospital with such medicines as he may want. August 7, 1776. 636 Resolved, That Dr. (Benjamin) Rush be added to the committee for procuring medicines. August 16, 1776. 661 A petition from Dr. Samuel Stringer, was present- ed to Congress and read: Resolved, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. Resolved, That the Medical Committee be em- powered to purchase such medicines as they judge proper and useful for the army. August 20, 1776. 673 The committee to whom was referred the peti- tion of Dr. Stringer brought in their report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon, Resolved, That Dr. Morgan was appointed direct- or general and physician in chief of the American hospital : That Dr. Stringer was appointed director and physician of the hospital in the northern depart- ment only. 45 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That every director of a hospital possesses the ex- clusive right of appointing surgeons and hospital officers of all kinds, agreeable to the resolutions of Congress of the 17 of July, in his own department, unless otherwise directed by Congress: That Dr. Stringer be authorized to appoint a sur- geon for the fleet now fitting out upon the lakes: That a Druggist be appointed in Philadelphia whose business it shall be, to receive and deliver all medicines, instruments, and shop furniture for the benefit of the United States: That a salary of thirty dollars a month be paid to the said druggist for his labour. Congress proceeded to the election of a druggist, and, the ballots being taken. Dr. William Smith was elected. August 26, 1776. 705 Provided, that all such officers and soldiers that may be entitled to the aforesaid pension, and are found to be capable of doing guard or garrison duty, shall be formed in a corps of invalids, and subject to the said duty; and all officers, marines, and sea- men of the navy who shall be entitled to the pen- sion aforesaid, and shall be found capable of doing any duty on board the navy, or any department thereof, shall be liable to be so employed: Ordered. That the above be published. ^^ The Medical Committee, to whom Dr. M'Henry's petition was referred, brought in their report: Where- upon, Resolved, That Congress have a proper sense of the merit and services of Dr. M'Henry, and recom- mend it to the directors of the diff"erent hospitals belonging to the United States, to appoint Dr. z^ Printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette, 4 September, 1776. 46 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD M'Henry to the first vacancy that shall happen, of a surgeon's berth in any of the said hospitals. August 29, 1776. 717 That the said committee be directed to import the medicines ordered by the Medical Committee. September 7, 1776. 742 Resolved, That Mr. (Gustavus) Risberg, the as- sistant to Colonel Biddle, be directed to take proper measures for providing the sick soldiers in Philadel- phia, with proper lodgings and attendance. September 18, 1776. 781 That the Medical Committee send an assortment of proper medicines to the northern army: ^^ September 24, 1776. 812-813 Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to devise ways and means for effectually providing the northern army with provisions and medicines, and supplying their other necessary wants: The members chosen, Mr. (Benjamin) Rush, Mr. (Lyman) Hall, Mr. (Samuel) Chase, Mr. (Thomas) Johnson and Mr. (Richard) Stockton. Resolved, That the Medical Committee be direct- ed to apply to the council of safety of Pennsylvania, for a quantity of medicines; to be repaid in kind or in cash, as they shall chuse. September 25, 1776. 822, 823, 826 The committee appointed to devise ways and means for providing the northern army with pro- 22 This report, dated "at a board of war, Sepf. I4th, 1776" and in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continen- tal Congress, No. 147, I, folio 5. It is endorsed: "partly agreed to. Two paragraphs postpon'd, Sepf. 18, 1776." 47 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. visions, medicines and other necessaries, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, . . . That the committee be empowered to make regu- lations for the hospitals in the northern depart- ment, and to remove or suspend any person em- ployed therein, and to employ such as they may think necessary and proper; and that they report to Congress the state and condition of the army, and any further regulations which they may think necessary, for the better government and supplying the said army: That the committee consist of [three] two, and that to Morrow be assigned for electing the said committee. To the steward of the Pennsylvania hospital, for boarding William Whiting, a wounded soldier, four weeks, by order of Congress, 5 30/90 dollars: September 30, 1776. 836-837 That it be recommended to the legislatures of the United States, to appoint gentlemen in their re- spective states, skilful in physic and surgery, to ex- amine those who offer to serve as surgeons or sur- geons' mates in the army and navy; and that no surgeon or mate shall hereafter receive a commis- sion or warrant to act as such, in the army or navy, who shall not produce a certificate from some or one of the examiners so to be appointed, to prove that he is qualified to execute the office: That all regimental surgeons and mates, as well as those of the hospitals, be subject to the direction and controul of the directors in the several depart- ments: That no soldier be discharged from the service as disabled, unless the certificate of disability be coun- tersigned by the director, assistant physician, or 48 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD first surgeon of the hospital, nor be excused from duty for sickness, unless the certificate of sickness be countersigned by one of those persons, where ac- cess may be had to them. Resolved, That the remainder of the said report be postponed. October 7, 1776. 852-3 . . . . Three Camp Kettles for the use of the Hospital, to W. V. Wimple Surgeon; . . . That said Nicholson delivered five Camp Kettles, to Colo. Hazen, 3 ditto to Doctr. Lynn for the Gen- eral Hospital, and 3 ditto for the red hospital at St. Foys. October 9, 1776. 857-8, 9 Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee who went to the camp; ^^ Where- upon, Resolved, That no regimental hospitals be, in fu- ture, allowed in the neighbourhood of the general hospital: That John Morgan, EsqF provide and superin- tend a hospital, at a proper distance from the camp, for the army posted on the east side of Hudson's river. That William Shippen (Jun.), EsqT provide and superintend an hospital for the army, in the state of New Jersey : That each of the hospitals be supplied by the re- spective directors with such a number of surgeons, apothecaries, surgeons' mates, and other assistants, and also with such quantities of medicine, bedding, and other necessaries, as they shall judge expedient: 23 See note under October 3, p. 844, ante. 2* This sentence is in the writing of John Hancock. 49 HI*TORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That they make weekly returns to Congress and the commander in chief, of the officers and assist- ants of each denomination, and also the number of sick and deceased in their respective hospitals: That the regimental surgeons be directed to send to the general hospitals such officers and soldiers of their respective regiments, as, confined by wounds or other disorders, shall require nurses or constant attendance, and, from^ time to time, to apply to the quarter master general, or his deputy, for conve- nient waggons for this purpose; also, (that they ap- ply to the directors in their respective departments, for medicines and other necessaries:) ^^ That the wages of nurses be augmented to one dollar per week: That the commanding officer of each regiment be directed, once a week, to send a commission officer to visit the sick of his respective regiment in the general hospital, and report their state to him: That for the promoting health in the army, the commissary general be directed to cause the same to be well supplied with Indian meal and vegetables. October 14, 1776. 869 A letter .... One from General Washington, 'of the 7, enclosing a letter from Dr. Morgan, were laid before Congress, and read. Resolved, . . . That the letter from Dr. Morgan, enclosed in General Washington's letter, be referred to the Medical Committee. November 4, 1776. 921 It being represented that some of the marines in the barracks are sick. Resolved, That Doct"" Rush be desired to take them under his care, and see them properly provided for. 50 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD November 12, 1776. 940 A letter, . . . and one, of the 9, from Dr. Ship- pen, were read.^^ November 13, 1776. 948 To Doctor Samuel Wilson, for board, attendance, and medicine, to sick soldiers of the 6 Virginia regi- ment, 33 60/90 dollars: That there should be paid to Thomas Armer, on account of Elizabeth Robinson, for so much short paid on settlement of her account, the 14th October last, for board, &c. of sick soldiers belonging to Cap- tain Grier's company, 10 dollars: That there should be paid to the Pennsylvania hospital, for the support and cloathing of John Hughes, a wounded soldier, 36 54/90 dollars: November 19, 1776. 965 That, on any sick or disabled non-commissioned officer or soldier, being sent to any hospital or sick quarters, the captain or commandant of the troop or company to which he belongs, shall send to the surgeon, or director of the said hospital, or give to the non-commissioned officer or soldier, so in the hospital or quarters, a certificate, (countersigned by the pay master of the regiment, if he be with the regiment,) of what pay is due to such sick non-com- missioned officer or private, at the time of his enter- ing the hospital or quarters; and the captain or com- mandant of the troop or company, shall not receive the pay of the said soldier in hospital or quarters, or include him in any pay abstract during his con- tinuance therein. And, in case any non-commis- sioned officer or soldier shall be discharged from ^ The letter of Dr. Shippen is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 75. 51 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the hospital or quarters, as unfit for farther service, a certificate shall be given him, by the surgeon or director, of what pay is then due to him; and the said non-commissioned officer or soldier, so dis- charged, shall be entitled to receive his pay at any pay office, or from any pay master in the service of the United States ; the said pay master keeping such original certificate, to prevent impositions, and giv- ing the non-commissioned officer or soldier his dis- charge, or a certified copy thereof, mentioning, at the same time, his having been paid: November 26, 1776. 983 That the committee, who are sent to the camp, be directed to make particular enquiry into the abuses in the medical department in the army, and report thereon to Congress. November 28, 1776. 989 The Medical Committee, to whom Dr. Shippen's letter was referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That Dr. Morgan take care of such sick and wounded of the army of the United States, as are on the east side of Hudson's river, and that Dr. Shippen take care of such of the said sick and wounded as are on the west side of Hudson's river; and that they both be directed to use the utmost diligence in superintending the surgeons and mates of the army, so that the sick and wounded may be effectually provided with everything necessary for their recovery. November 29, 1776. 990-991 Resolved, That Mr. Mease be directed to supply the sick soldiers, in the House of Employment in Philadelphia, with one shirt apiece. 52 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Resolved, That the Medical Committee be directed to provide sufficient quantities of antiscorbutics for tlie use of the hospitals in the northern army: That the hospital at Fort George be continued for the reception of soldiers labouring with con- tagious diseases, and that there be a general hospi- tal erected on Mount Independence: That a suitable spot of ground for a garden be enclosed in the neighbourhood of the general hospi- tal, to supply the army with vegetables; and that labourers be hired to cultivate it, under the direc- tion of an overseer, to be appointed by the general or commanding officer: That the general, or commanding officer, in each of the armies, cause strict enquiries to be made into the 2^ conduct of the directors of the hospitals, and their surgeons, officers, and servants, and of the regimental surgeons, that if there has been any just grounds of complaint in those departments, the of- fenders may be punished: That the colonel or commanding officer of every regiment, make frequent enquiry into the health of the men under his command, and report the state thereof, with any negligence, mal-practice, or other misconduct of the surgeons or others, to the general, and to Congress, delivering copies of such reports to all persons therein accused: December i, 1776. 998 Resolved, . . . That the Medical Committee be directed to take such steps, as they shall judge proper, for the accommodation of the sick of the army. December 5, 1776. 1006 Resolved, That it be and is earnestly recommend- 28 The original report here contained "past as well as future." 53 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. ed to the council of safety of Pennsylvania, to pro- cure the Pennsylvania hospital, for the purpose of accommodating the sick belonging to the continen- tal army. Resolved, That the Medical Committee be em- powered to procure suitable persons to take care of the sick, and to remove them to such convenient places in the country, as they shall think proper. December 12, 1776. 1024 That 5,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Nicholas Way, (of Wilmington,) for the public service; he to be accountable. Resolved, That the continental apothecary be di- rected immediately to pack up all the continental medicines, and send them to the quarter master general : That the quarter master general be directed to remove all the medicines belonging to the continent in this city to a place of security: Standing Committees I 775-1 776 Medicines p. 1065 14 September, 1775. Eliphalet Dyer Thomas Lynch John Jay John Adams Francis Lewis 18 June, 1776. Thomas Hey ward, Jr. Lyman Hall 7 August, 1776. Benjamin Rush January 3, I777- I3 Resolved, That Dr. (Jonathan) Elmore and Dr. (Nathan) Brownson be added to the Medical Com- mittee. 54 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD January 9, 1777. 24-5 Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Medical Committee; Whereupon, Resolved, That Dr. John Morgan, director general, and Dr. Samuel Stringer, director of the hospital in the northern department of the army of the United States, be, and they are hereby, dismissed from any farther service in said offices: That the directors of the military hospitals throughout the army, with the assistance of the hos- pital and regimental surgeons in each department, make returns to Congress, as soon as possible, of the kind and quantity of medicines, instruments, and hospital furniture that remain on hand. January 14, 1777. 34 Resolved, . . . That the Medical Committee provide a suitable assortment of medicines, and send them to the hospital in the northern army, with all possible despatch, Itogether with other nec- essaries for the sick; and that the list mentioned by Dr. Stringer, in a paper, No. i, enclosed in Genera Schuyler's letter, be committed to them: That Dr. Potts be directed to repair to Ticon- deroga without delay: That Dr. Stringer be directed to deliver to Dr. Potts, such medicines, and other medical stores, as may be in his hands belonging to the Continent. January 17, 1777. 44 A letter with a number of papers, from Dr. Mor- gan, were laid before Congress, and referred to the Medical Committee. January 18, 1777. 48 To Dr. J(ohn) Witherspoon, for wood supplied 55 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the troops at Princetown; for the expences of sick soldiers; and the allowance due to John M'Kinzie, a prisoner from North Carolina, from the i8th Oc- tober to the loth January, inclusive, being 12 weeks, 105 78/90 dollars: ^^ Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. January 29, 1777. 70 Resolved, That Dr. Mackenzie, who has the care of the sick in the hospital in Baltimore, be empow- ered to appoint a mate to assist him. January 31, 1777. 79-80, 81 Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to consider what honours are due to the memory of General Warren, (who fell in the battle of Bunker's- Hill, the 17th of June, 1775;) and of the late Gen- eral H. Mercer, who died on the 12th instant, of the wounds he received on the 3** of the same month, in fighting against the enemies of American liberty, near Princetown: The members chosen, Mr. (Benjamin) Rush, Mr. (Thomas) Heyward, Mr. (Mann) Page, and Mr. S(amuel) Adams. To Dr. Samuel Mackenzie, for sundry medicine purchased by him for the use of the hospital in Bal- timore, 86 74/90 dollars: To Dr. John Hindman, for sundry medicine sup- plied by him for the use of Colonel Richardson's batallion of Maryland forces, 20 6/90 dollars: February 4, 1777. 87 A memorial from Dr. Thomas Young was read, and referred to the medical committee. . . . Resolved, That Dr. (Thomas) Burke be added to *' This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 132, I, folio 17. 56 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD the Medical Committee; and that he be appointed a member of the Marine Committee, in the room of Mr. (William) Hooper, who has leave to return home for some time. February 5, 1777. 91 Ordered, That the Board of War digest the said conference, and bring in a proper report on the several matters mentioned, saving what relates to medicines. Resolved, That the Medical Committee be empow- ered to employ a suitable person in each of the states, to purchase such medicines as they shall di- rect, for the use of the army, which can be procured at any reasonable rates. \\Ordered\\ That the said committee enquire what is become of the medicines which Dr. Morgan took from Boston, and which Dr. Stringer bought for the northern army, and take measures to have them secured, and applied to the use of the army. February 12, 1777. no Ordered, That the Medical Committee write to General Washington, and consult him on the pro- priety and expediency of causing such of the troops in his army, as have not had the small pox, to be inoculated, and recommend that measure to him, if it can be done consistent with the public safety, and good of the service. February 20, 1777. 139 To Dr. Frederick Phile, for the amount of his ac- count for medicine and attendance to the German batallion, in Philadelphia, (£74 16 6=) 199 48/90 dollars: . . . Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. 57 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. At a Board of War, 2d^ Feb^., 1777. Agreed to report to Congress: .... That the Assembly of the State of Maryland be requested to deliver to Doctor McKensie so much Medicines of the following Denominations as he shall want and they can spare, to enable him to inoculate the Continental Troops in this Town, in the following Proportions for one hundred Men. Six ounces Calomel Two Pounds Jallop Three Pounds Nitre Elix"" Vitriol One Pound Peruvian Bark One Pound Virginia Snake Root.^^ February 22, 1777. 143 Resolved, . . . That 1,500 dollars be paid to Dr. Samuel M'Kinzie, for the use of the hospital in Bal- timore; he to be accountable. February 25, 1777. 155, 156 Two officers of the 2d and 7th Virginia batallions, who were left to bring up the baggage of their re- spective batallions, and a surgeon's mate belonging to the 2d batallion, of the Virginia forces, being ar- rived in Baltimore, applied for two months' pay (for themselves and the men with them,) to enable them to proceed with their companies. Resolved, That they be referred to M""- Jonathan Hudson, who is directed to pay the said officers and [their] men [one] two months' pay; [and to the sur- geon two months' pay] ; and return an account to the General, and to the pay master general. ^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 85. 58 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Doctor (John) Witherspoon, having represented o Congress that the situation of his private affairs requires his returning home for a short time, desires leave of absence. Resolved, That leave be granted. To Dr. Benjamin Rush, for sundry medicine and attendance to sick soldiers and prisoners, the sum of (£177.9=) 473 18/90 dollars: To Richard Stockton, Esq. and to be paid to Dr. Benjamin Rush, for the hire of two horses, a sulky, &c. for his journey to Ticonderoga last fall, by order of Congress, 151 30/90 dollars: February 27, 1777. 16 1-4 The Medical Committee, to whom the report on the hospital was re-committed, brought in a report, which was read: The Medical Committee having taken into their consideration a plan ^^ for establishing Military Hos- pitals, [transmitted to Congress by General Wash- ington], agree to report — Section i. That the Continent be divided into three districts. The Middle to extend from Hudsons river to Potomac. The Southern to extend from Potomac to Georgia, and the Northern from Hud- sons river to Quebec or Crown Point. 2. That there be a Surgeon and Physician Gen'* ^^ with a suitable number of Senior ph ysicians, Senior Surgeons and mates to each district. That the sick be taken care of by the physicians, and the wound- ed by the Surgeons in different apartments. 3. That there be a physician and Surgeon General ^' This plan, in the writing of William Shippen, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 9. It was prepared by Doctors Shippen and John Cochran, and was transmitted to Congress by Washington, February 14, 1777. 59 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. with the main army whose business it shall be to attend the general and principal Officers of the Army, to enquire into the quality of the food of the Soldiers, to superintend the regimental Surgeons and Mates, and to attend when called upon in consulta- tion with them in all extraordinary cases. 4. That there be an Apothecary General whose business it shall be to purchase such medicines and instruments as shall be judged necessary by the Surgeons and physicians general of the Army. That he have the liberty of appointing three assistant Apothecaries in different parts of the United States, in order to supply with the more convenience the several hospitals, and regimental and Naval Sur- geons with medicines and instruments. 5. That there be an Inspector General of the Army of the United States whose business it shall be to visit the Military hospitals and Apothecaries Shops in every part of the Continent; to examine the medicines and instruments belonging to the States; to enquire into the conduct of the several Officers in the medical department and report to the Congress, and Commander in chief at least once a month. 6. That the Surgeons and Physicians General of the hospitals have the liberty of appointing hospital Apothecaries, senior Physicians, and Surgeons, Mates, Purveyors, Clerks, Commissaries, Wardmas- ters, Servants, Washerwomen, Nurses, Cooks, and all such Officers as shall be necessary for the accom- modation of the sick and wounded in the hospitals. 7. That the business of the Commissaries shall be to provide provisions, and liquors, also straw, hay and fuel for the hospitals. Also to bury the dead. He shall likewise provide, and superintend the wag- 60 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD gons employed in transporting tlie sick, and wound- ed, and the baggage of the hospitals. The business of the Purveyors shall be to take care of, and distribute the provisions, and other Ar- ticles provided by the Commissaries for the sick and wounded both in the camp and hospitals. 8. The business of the Wardmaster shall be to take care of the Arms, Accoutrements, and cloathes of the sick and wounded, and to take care that proper attention is paid to the cleanliness of the patients, and their respective wards, rooms, or tents. 9. That one Clerk be allowed to every general hospital, and one Nurse to every ten sick. That each military hospital be furnished with a number of shirts, sheets, blankets and cases for straw for the accommodation of the sick. That each regiment be furnished with a number of hospital tents according to their number of men, a full regiment not to have more than six tents. 10. That the pay of the Surgeons and physicians Generals, be four dollars and six rations a day. That the inspector General have five dollars and 12 rations a day. That the pay of the Apothecary General be 3 dollars, and 4 rations a day. That the assistant Apothecaries appointed by the Apothecary General have one dollar and 1/3 per day. That the Purveyors of the hospitals have 2 dollars and 3 rations per day, and that the pay and rations of the hospital Apothecaries, senior Surgeons and Mates of the hospital be the same as formerly established by Congress. That the pay and rations of the senior physicians of each hospital be the same as those of a senior Surgeon. 11. That the pay and rations of the commissaries of the hospitals be the same as the deputy com- missaries in the Army. 61 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. 12. That the pay and rations of the Wardmasters be the same as that of a Commissary. 13. That the pay of the Clerks, Cooks, Nurses, Washerwomen, Servants, &c., be regulated by the Physicians and Surgeons General. 14. That the pay and rations of a regimental Sur- geon be the same as those of a Captain and the pay and rations of a Mate be the same as those of a i^ Lieutenant. 15-16. That no senior Physician, or Surgeon, no hospital Mate, nor shall any regimental Surgeon or Mate be appointed in the Army who has not previ- ously undergone an examination before one or more of the Physicians and Surgeons General, or before the Inspector General of the medical department. 17. That a Sergeants guard be constantly placed at each general hospital to prevent the unnecessary visits of Strangers, and the desertion of convalescent patients, and to assist, if necessary in inforcing the rules, and orders of the Surgeons, and physicians of the hospitals. 18. That the Officers of the several regimental companies to which the sick and wounded belong be ordered to concur by means of their Authority with the Surgeons and physicians in taking care of their respective Soldiers. 19. That the physicians and Surgeons General with the Inspector General of the medical depart- ment be authorized to make such further improve- ments in this plan for regulating the medical de- partment as the exigencies and situation of the Army may make necessary, and that they report the same when made to Congress for their Approbation. 20. That it be recommended to each of the States to make suitable provision for the maintainance of such maimed, and incurable Soldiers and Seamen as 62 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD shall be discharged from the service of the united States.^" Ordered, To lie on the table. March 15, 1777. 180 Resolved, That as Congress proceeded to the dis- mission of Doctor Stringer, upon reasons satisfac- tory to themselves, General Schuyler ought to have known it to be his duty to have acquiesced therein: Resolved, That the suggestion in General Schuy- ler's letter to Congress, that it was a compliment due to him to have been advised of the reasons of Doctor Stringer's dismission, is highly derogatory to the honour of Congress; and that the president be desired to acquaint General Schuyler that it is ex- pected his letters, for the future, be written in a stile more suitable to the dignity of the representa- tive body of these free and independent states, and to his own character as their officer. March 19, 1777. 186 Resolved, That the extract of Mr. Deane's letter, relative to Dr. Williamson, be referred to a com- mittee of five, who are empowered to send for Dr. Williamson and examine him: The members chosen. Dr. (John) Witherspoon, Mr. (Jonathan Bayard?) Smith, Mr. (George) Cly- mer, Mr. (James) Wilson, and Mr. (Thomas) Hey- ward. March 22, 1777. 193 The report of the Medical Committee was taken up and considered; (and, after debate,) Whereupon, ^^ This report, in the writing of Benjamin Rush, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 1. Against paragraphs 1, 2, and 4 is written "Query if necessary." 63 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Resolved, That said report, together with Dr. Shippen's plan, be recommitted. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to devise ways and means for preserving the health of the troops, and for introducing better discipline into the army: The members chosen, Mr. (Ohver) Wolcott, Mr. (Daniel) Roberdeau, Dr. (John) Witherspoon, Mr. S(amuel) Adams, and Mr. (Abraham) Clark. March 24, 1777. 197-200 The Medical Committee, to whom the plan of the general hospital was recommitted, brought in a re- port, which was read: The Medical Committee, having taken into their consideration the establishment of the medical de- partment in the Army, Report as follows: i^'. That to each regiment there be appointed one Surgeon and one Surgeon's Mate, who shall constantly attend the Regiment, to afford present relief to the sick and wounded, and take care of such as it may be proper to remove to the hospital. 2^^*^, That Senior Surgeons of approved Abilities in Physick and Surgery be appointed to each Brig- ade or a greater number of Regiments as the Gen- eral commanding in each department or grand divi- sion of the Army shall judge necessary; whose busi- ness shall be, to Superintend the Regimental Sur- geons and Mates, see that they do their duty, ad- vise and direct them in all difficult cases, and direct or perform all Capital Operations, give Assistance to the director of the hospital when such assistance is necessary; direct the Commissary of the Sick in the Articles Necessary to be procured for the Sick and wounded out of the hospital, and see that the Commissary, purveyor and Nurses Regularly per- 64 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD lorm their respective duties, and provide proper Nurses to attend the sick wlien Necessary; and also from Time to Time furnish the Regimental Surgeons with such Medicines and instruments as they may have Occasion for out of those furnished them by the Apothecaries, taking receipts for the same, and render Accounts of all medicines and instruments by them received or delivered out when required thereto by Congress. S'"'*, That a Commissary for the Sick be appoint- ed to attend each grand division of the Army, who shall appoint one or more assistants if necessary, whose business it shall be to purchase and deliver to the purveyor all such Provisions, Liquors, and other necessaries for the Sick and wounded as di- rected by the Senior Surgeons, and keep accounts of and take receipts for the same: he shall provide Straw, hay and fuel for the hospitals, and have the care of burying the Dead: he shall furnish the hos- pital with such a number of shirts, sheets, blankets, and cases for straw for the Accommodation of the Sick as the General commanding in such grand divi- sion of the Army shall direct: he shall likewise pro- vide or obtain from the Quarter master general a proper number of hospital tents for the Sick in case the Army is likely to be stationed in places where houses convenient cannot be obtained for that pur- pose: and also provide and Superintend the Wag- gons necessary to be employed in removing the Sick and wounded, the number of hospital tents and Waggons necessary for the above purposes to be fixed and ascertained by the Generals commanding each division, and certified under their hands re- spectively: of all which Articles above enumerated, when provided, the Commissary shall take proper receipts and vouchers proving that the same were ^5 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. furnished, which he shall lay before Congress when required. 4*^ That one Purveyor be appointed to attend each grand division of the Army, with one or more Assistants if necessary: whose duty it shall be to re- ceive from the Commissary, take care of and dis- tribute the provisions and other necessaries provid- ed for the sick and wounded in such manner as the Senior Surgeons shall direct: which provisions and necessaries are to be delivered in lieu of well rations. 5*^*, That the General commanding in each De- partment or grand division of the Army, direct one hospital to be provided in some Convenient place contiguous to the Army consisting of different or separate houses, if such can be had, in order that the wounded may be kept apart from the sick, and also that: he sick may be properly divided, as may be most conducive to their recovery: to which hos- pital all such sick and wounded are to be sent as the Senior Surgeons may think proper, and whose circumstances will admit being removed, which hos- pital shall be supplied by the Commissary for the sick, with such provisions and other necessaries for the use of the sick and wounded, as the director shall require in lieu of well rations. 6*^ That one director of approved skill in Phy- sick and Surgery be appointed for each hospital, who shall have the liberty of appointing one assist- ant Surgeon and four mates; a purveyor and such a number of Washerwomen and Nurses as he shall judge necessary for the comfortable accommodation and attendance of the sick and wounded under his care, always observing that no more than necessary are employed. Also that the director May call to his assistance one or more of the Senior Surgeons when the number of sick and wounded in the hospital re- 66 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD quires such assistance. Also that the director take an Account of each of the sick and wounded under his care, with the Time of their coming to the hos- pital, and when discharged, or deceased: and also of the Number of attendants employed in Nursing and taking care of the sick: and make due returns there- of every month to the general commanding in each grand division of the Army to be by him transmit- ted to Congress. 7*^ That there be two Apothecaries, one in the middle, and one in the eastern department, whose business it shall be to receive all such Medicines and instruments as shall be procured by the Secret Com- mittee, and to purchase such others as they shall di- rect. That the Apothecaries prepare and put up such medicines and instruments for each hospital, and for each Regimental Surgeon, and also for each Senior Surgeon to be used by them or dealt out to the Regimental Surgeons when needed, as the medical committee shall direct, and forward the same with Supplies from Time to Time agreeable to their or- ders, keeping exact accounts and taking proper re- ceipts for the same to be laid before Congress when required. Each Apothecary to be allowed one mate. 8*^ That the sick and wounded as well in the Army as in the hospital be kept separate from each other, when circumstances will admit thereof; and that the sick be always placed at such a distance from those in health as to prevent the spread of in- fection in the Army. 9*^ That the pay of the medical department be as follows — The director of the hospital dollars per month and rations per day. The Senior Surgeons and assistants to the direc- (>7 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. tors dollars per month and rations per day each. The Apothecaries dollars per month and rations per day each. The Regimental Surgeons dollars per month and rations per day each. The directors Apothecaries and Surgeons mates dollars per month and rations per day each. The Commissary of the sick dollars per month and rations per day each. The Purveyors dollars per month and ra- tions per day each. The Assistant Commissaries and Assistant Pur- veyors dollars per month and rations per day each.^^ Ordered, That it be referred for consideration to morrow morning. March 27, 1777. 206 Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the Medical Committee on the hospital; Resolved, That it be [referred to a Committee of the Whole. Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the report of the Medical Committee, and after some time, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. (Daniel) Roberdeen reported] re-committed. April 2, 1777. 219 Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the (medical) committee on the hospital, and, after debate. Ordered, That the said report lie on the table (for farther consideration). '1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 15. 68 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to revise Dr. Shippcn's plan for the regulating the hospital, and report thereon. The members chosen, Mr. (Elbridge) Gerry, Mr. (Thomas) Burke and Mr. J(ohn) Adams. April 4, 1777. 225 The Committee on the hospital, brought in a re- port, which was taken into consideration, and after debate. Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow. April 5, 1777. 227 Congress resumed the consideration of the report on hospitals, and, after debate. Resolved, That the farther consideration be post- poned till Monday next. April 7, 1777. 231-7 Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the hospital; Whereupon, Resolved, That there be one director general of all the like weekly returns to their respective directors, mutatis mutandis: That the deputy directors general cause the like returns to be made, once every month, to the di- rector general, together with the names and de- nominations of all the officers in the respective hos- pitals: And that the director general shall make a like return for all the hospitals and armies of the United States, once every month, to the Medical Commit- tee: That the Medical Committee have power to ap- point any of their members to visit and inspect all or any of the medical departments, as often as they 69 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. shall think proper, to enquire into the conduct o- such general officers of the hospital as shall be delin- quent in this or any parts of their duty, and to ref port their names to Congress, with the evidence of the charges, which shall be brought against them.^^ Resolved, That the farther consideration of the re- port be postponed till to morrow. April 8, 1777. 243, 244-6 That the eldest son of General Warren, and the youngest son of General Mercer, be educated, from this time at the expence of the United States,^^ Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the hospital; Whereupon, Resolved, That in time of action and on any other emergency, when the regimental surgeons are not sufficient in number to attend properly to the sick and wounded, that cannot be removed to the hos- pitals, the director, or deputy director general of the district, be empowered and required, upon the request of the physician and surgeon general of the army, to send, from the hospitals under his care, to the assistance of such sick and wounded, as many physicians and surgeons as can possibly be spared from the necessary business of the hospitals. That the director, deputy directors general, as- sistant deputy directors, physicians and surgeons general, be and they are hereby required and di- rected to employ such parts of their time, as may conveniently be spared from the duties before point- "^ This report, in the writing of Thomas Burke, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, foho 19. ^' This report, in the writing of Benjamin Rush, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, foho 151. 70 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD ed out to them, in visiting and prescribing for the sick and wounded of the hospitals under their care.^^ That the establishment of the medical department be as follows: I director general 6 dollars a day and 9 rations. 3 deputy directors gen- eral 5 do. 6 do. Indeterminate assist- ant deputy director. 3 do. 6 do. 4 physicians general and 4 surgeons gen- eral each 5 do. 6 do. I to each army, physi- ^ cian and surgeon general of the army . 5 do. 6 do. Senior surgeons 4 do. 6 do. Second surgeons 2 do. 4 do. Surgeons' mates 1 3^ do. 2 do. Apothecaries general. .3 do. 6 do. Mates 1 3^ do. 2 do. Commissary 2 do. 4 do. Clerk, who is to be paymaster 2 do. 4 do. Assistant clerks 2/3 do. i do. Stewards i do. 2 do. Matron 3^ do. i do. Nurses 24-90 i do. Stabler i do. i do. Regimental surgeons. .2 do. 4 do. Do. mates. ... i 1/3 2 do. Ordered, That the regulations respecting hospitals be published. April 9, 1777. 247 '^ These two paragraphs, in the writing of James Wilson, are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 26 1/2. 71 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for nomi- nating gentlemen for the offices of director and dep- uty directors general, physicians general and sur- geons general of the military hospital, and the physi- cians and surgeons general of the respective armies, and that the election be on the day following. April II, 1777. 253-5 Congress then proceeded to the election of the officers in the hospital department; and the ballots being taken, Dr. Wilham Shippen, Jun' was chosen, by the unanimous vote of the thirteen states, director gen- eral of all the mihtary hospitals for the armies of the United States. Dr. Walter Jones, was elected physician general of the hospital in the middle department. Dr. Benjamin Rush, was elected surgeon general of the hospital in the middle department. Dr. John Cochran, was elected physician and sur- geon general of the army in the middle department. Dr. Isaac Forster, deputy director general of the hospital in the eastern department. Dr. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, physician general of the hospital in the eastern department. Dr. Phihp Turner, surgeon general of ditto. Dr. William Burnet, physician and surgeon (gen- eral) of the army (in the eastern department). Dr. Jonathan Potts, was elected deputy director general of the hospital in the northern department. Dr. Malachi Treat, physician general of ditto. Dr. Forgue, surgeon general of ditto. Dr. John Bartlett, physician and surgeon general of ditto. The Board of Treasury reported. That there is due to Dr. J. Ramsey, and to be paid 72 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD to the honorable Jonathan Elmer, Esq^ for sundry medicine supplied the New Jersey troops, the sum of £9 3 6 equal to 24 42/90 dollars; That there is due to Dr. James Tilton, for sundry medicine supplied the batallion of the state of Dela- ware, the sum of £10, equal to 26 60/90 dollars; That there is due to Dr. William Currie, for sun- dry medicine supplied the 5, or Colonel Johnston's Pennsylvania batallion, the sum of £50 17 2 equal to 135 56/90 dollars. April 12, 1777. 257 Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Shippen, director general, for the use of the hospi- tals; he to be accountable. Resolved, That the surgeons general and physi- cians general of the hospitals, shall, each of them regulate the practice of both physic and surgery, and do the duty of physician and surgeon general in the hospitals respectively committed to their charge, and that the director and deputy directors general take proper care to keep the sick and wounded in separate departments. April 17, 1777. 274-5 That there is due to Dr. William Smith, conti- nental druggist, for sundry medicine purchased by him for public use, the sum of 2,820 30/90 dollars, and for sundry medicine supplied by him for the use of the brig Lexington, the sum of 131 38/90 dollars, both sums making 2,952 28/90 dollars; That there is due to Dr. William Currie for sun- dry medicine supplied the sick of the 4th and 6th Virginia regiments, the sum of 99 66/90 dollars. April 22, 1777. 288-90 Resolved, That a Corps of Invalids be formed con- sisting of eight Companies, each Company to have 73 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. one Captain, two Lieutenants, two Ensigns, five Ser- jeants, six Corporals, two Drummers, two fifers and one hundred Men. This Corps to be employed, in Garrisons and for Guards, in Cities and other Places, where Magazines or Arsenals are placed; aS also to serve as a Military School for Young Gentlemen, previous to their being appointed to marching Regi- ments, for which purpose, all the Subaltern Officers, when off Duty, shall be obliged to attend a Mathe- matical School, appointed for the purpose to learn Geometry, Arithmetick, vulgar and decimal Frac- tions and the extraction of Roots. And that the Officers of this Corps, shall be obliged to contribute one day's pay in every Month, and Stoppages shall be made of it accordingly, for the purpose of pur- chasing a Regimental Library of the most approved Authors on Tacticks and the Petite Guere. That some Officers from this Corps be constantly employed in the Recruiting Service, in the Neigh- bourhood of the places they shall be stationed in, that all Recruits so made, shall be brought into the Corps, and drilled and afterwards draughted into other Regiments as occasion shall require.^^ Inform General Washington that Surgeons' Mates are appointed and their Pay fixed. Pay and Rations of Regimental Surgeons and Mates same as second surgeons in the Hospital. ^^ Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed. Resolved, That the director and deputy directors general, shall constantly publish in the news-papers, the names of the places in which their military hos- pitals are respectively kept; and the several com- 3^ See under June 20, 1777, post. ^° This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 147. 74 James Tilton (1745-1822) DURING THE REVOTNT ENARR TER EDZ manding officers of parties, detachments, or corps, on their march to or from the camp, shall send to the said hospitals, such of their oflicers and soldiers, as, from time to time, are unable to proceed, together with certificates to the director or deputy director general, mentioning the names of the said officers and soldiers and particular regiments to which they belong; unless, from the distance of the hospitals, or other causes, it shall at any time be necessary to deliver them to the care of private physicians or surgeons, in which cases, such physicians and sur- geons, and also the respective commanding officers, are forthwith to report their names and regiments to the director or deputy directors general as afore- said, who shall give the necessary orders for removing them to the hospitals as soon as may be, and dis- charge the reasonable demands of the physicians and surgeons conducting agreeable to this resolve. That the director, deputy directors general and assistant deputy directors, have power to order to their respective hospitals, the sick and wounded of the army, wherever found, in their own or other departments, provided such other departments are not supplied with any of the officers aforesaid. April 23, 1777. 292 Resolved, That Dr. James Tilton be authorized to repair to Dumfries, in Virginia, there to take the charge of all continental soldiers that are or shall be inoculated, and that he be furnished with all necessary medicines: that the commanding officers in that department be directed to afford every as- sistance in their power, and that all commissaries and quarter masters on whom the doctor shall have occasion to call, be directed to provide quarters and everything requisite for this business. 75 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. April 25, 1777. 300 Resolved, That the physician or surgeon general of the hospital in the middle department, be directed to send a proper person or persons in the medical department, to visit all the hospitals betwixt this city and the town of Annapolis, in Maryland, with direc- tions to order all such soldiers, as shall be deemed capable of service, to join immediately their respec- tive corps under proper officers. April 30, 1777. 317 Resolved, That Major General Schuyler be di- rected to send a proper officer, to hasten the march of the Carolina continental troops, supposed to be now on their way to head-quarters; that they halt at Dumfries, Colchester and Alexandria, in Virginia, there to pass through inoculation; which the hospi- tal surgeons, lately despatched from this city to Dum- fries, are directed to see effected, with the greatest despatch. May 2, 1777. 321-2 That there is due to Christopher, jun. and Charles Marshall, for sundry medicine and chirurgical in- struments supplied by them for the use of different batallions of continental forces, the sum of £1,556 16 6, equal to 4,151 48/90 dollars: That there is due to Dr. George Glentworth, for sundry medicine supplied the sick of Captain Doyle's company in continental service, the sum of 28 48/90 dollars : That there is due to Dr. Frederick Phile, for sun- dry medicine administered by him to several batal- lions of continental forces, the sum of £492 2 9, equal to 1,312 33/90 dollars." Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. ^' This report, dated April 29, is in the Papers of the Continen- tal Congress, No. 136, I, folio 141. 76 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD May 8, i777- 335 _ A letter, from Governor Livingston, to Dr. Wither- spoon, dated Haddonfield, May 7, was laid before Congress and read, wherein he requests a guard of 2^ or 30 continental troops, for purposes therein mentioned; Whereupon,^^ May 20, 1777. 371 A letter ... of the 19th, from Dr. W. Shippen, director general; . . .^^ May 27, 1777. 389-90 Resolved, ... by the resolutions of Congress of the 26th day of August, 1776, to make provision for the maintenance of disabled wounded soldiers, belonging to their respective States, and to keep a regular account of the expence attending the same, that, at a future day, the Continent may be charged therewith : May 28, 1777- 394 A letter, of the 27th, from Dr. B. Rush, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. June 20, 1777. 482 Resolved, That a corps of invalids be formed. . . . This corps to be employed . . ., and for guards in cities and other places where . . ., or hospitals are placed; . . . June 23, 1777. 490 A . . . letter of the 20th, from Dr. W. Ship- pen, informing that Dr. Walter Jones, for weighty reasons, cannot accept the honour Congress did him '8 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 68, foUo 255. '* The letter of Shippen is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 78, XX, folio 403. 77 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. in appointing him physician general of the hospitals of the middle department; and that he gives this information at the desire of Doctor W. Jones; 40 • • • July I, 1777. 517, 518 Resolved, That there be advanced to Dr. W. Shippen, director general of the military hospitals, 25,000 dollars, for which he is to be accountable.^^ Congress proceeded to the election of a physician general of the hospital in the middle department, in the room of Dr. Jones, who declines, and, the ballots being taken, Benjamin Rush was elected. July 2, 1777. 525 Congress proceeded to the election of a surgeon general of the hospital in the middle department, in the room of Dr. Rush; and, the ballots being taken, Dr. William Brown was elected. July 3, 1777. 527 A letter ... of the 22 June, from Jonathan Potts, at Ticonderoga; . . . Ordered, . . . that the letter from Dr. Potts, be referred to the Medical Committee. July 5, 1777. 532. The said Board farther reported that a warrant should be drawn by the president on Benjamin Har- rison, Jun^ Esq^, deputy pay master general of the southern department, in favour of Colonel Will- iam Aylett, deputy commissary general in the said *" The letter of Shippen is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 78, XX, folio 115. *^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 271. 78 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD department, for 54,000 dollars, for which the said Commissary General is to be accountable/^ July 7, 1777. 538 That there is due to Messrs. Caldwell & Co. for sundry medicine delivered William Smith, conti- nental druggist, for the use of the United States, the sum of 666 60/90 dollars: (Ordered, That the said account be paid.) July 12, 1777. 547 That there be advanced to Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hospitals, 8,000 dollars, for which he is to be accountable: July 16, 1777. 554-6 Resolved, That the pay and subsistence of sur- geons in the navy, be equal to the pay and subsis- tence of the lieutenants of the vessels to which the shall respectively belong. Resolved, That, for carrying into execution the re- solve especting Colonel Nicola's corps of invalids, the following plan, for raising one company, be adopted for raising the whole of the said corps: I. That the director general of the continental hospital be desired to give directions to the Phy- sician and surgeons, in the different departments- at a rseasonable distance from Philadelphia, that, be fore they discharge any Serjeants, corporals, or pri- vate men from the hospitals as unfit for service, they consider, whether such men are actually, or ^ Thi3 paragraph formed part of a report, dated July 2, which contained two other paragraphs, both of which were ordered," to lie." These paragraphs were: "Resolved, That all Bedding, Blan- kets, Shirts and Sheets which may be necessary for the use of the Hospitals be purchased and supplied by the Clothier Gen- eral. ..." The report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 283. 79 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. likely soon to be capable of doing garrison duty; and, if thought so, to mention it in the discharge, that they may not be entirely discharged from the service, but transferred from the regiment to which they actually belong, to that of invalids; and that in case such men are at a distance from their re- spective regiments, that the director or steward of each hospital send such men to Philadelphia, in the best manner circumstances will admit: 2. That notice be sent, by the Board of War, to the generals commanding the armies, of the raising a corps of invalids, and that they be desired to give orders to the officers commanding regiments, that, in case they have any Serjeants, corporals, drum- mers, or private men, deemed incapable of doing field duty, such men should be examined by the di- rector of the hospital or some other physician or surgeon, and, if judged fit for garrison duty, that they be not discharged, but transferred to the in- valid corps, and sent to Philadelphia as soon as pos- sible. Men having only one leg or arm each, if otherwise capable of doing garrison duty, are to be deemed proper recruits for this corps. 3. That the following advertisement be published in the several newspapers as soon as possible, viz. "War-Office, June, 1777: The Congress, being de- sirous to make provision for such men as suffer in the military service of the United States, have di- rected a regiment of invalids to be immediately raised for the reception of such as have already been, or may, in future, be rendered, by wounds or disorders, incapable of doing field duty, but are yet fit for garrison service. Notice is hereby given, that all persons in Philadelphia, or within twenty miles round, who are under continental half-pay, on ac- 80 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD count of incapacities contracted in the service, must, within fifteen days, repair to Philadelphia and show themselves to Colonel Nicola, in Front Street, four doors below the Coffee house, that, if judged capable of duty, they may be put on full pay. All other per- sons, who have served in the armies of the United States, within the above description, though not on half-pay, may present themselves, and, if judged capable, they will be immediately received. All such as are above twenty miles from Philadelphia must apply to the nearest continental general, field officer, physician or surgeon, who are desired to for- ward such as they judge fit for the corps of invalids. Officers who, from wounds or disorders contracted in the service, are rendered unfit for field duty, must signify their pretensions, with certificates from continental physicians or surgeons to the Board of War. As this corps is intended, not only as a pro- vision for disabled officers and soldiers, but as a school for propagating military knowledge and dis- cipline, no officers need apply but such as produce ample certificates of their having served with repu- tation, and having supported good characters, both as citizens and soldiers. Officers and soldiers who have engaged during the war will be preferred." Resolved, That Enoch Welsh be appointed an en- sign in the corps of invalids.*^ July 17, 1777. 560 Resolved, That in lieu of the advance ordered on the 12 instant to be made to Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hospitals, an order be drawn on the loan officer of Connecticut, in his favour, for ^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147. I, foUo 237. 81 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. 8,000 dollars, for which the said Dr. Shippen is to be accountable.'** July 22, 1777. 570 A letter, of the 5, from Dr. W. Rickman to Mr. (Benjamin)* Harrison, was laid before Congress and read:**'' Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. July 31, 1777. 593 A . . . letter and memorial from Dr. J. Mor- gan, were read: ***• Ordered, . . . that the memorial of Dr. Morgan be referred to the Medical Committee. August 5, 1777. 608, 609 . . . That there are sick in the Hospitals and Army 3,745 soldiers, the number of which has been greatly increased by the use of bad Bread, and the Want of Vinegar, Vegetables and Soap as particu- larly set forth in General Washington's Letter to the Committee .... In the Hospital Department from the Want of Authority in the Director and Deputy Directors General to draw Supplies from the Commissary's Stores. That the General officers as well as the Staff com- plain of their not receiving regularly the resolutions of Congress relative to their several offices. That the Complaint of the General upon the be- stowing of rank on the inferior officers of the civil ** This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 305. ^^^ This letter is in No. 78, XIX, folio 97. ^^'^The letter of Morgan, in No. 63, folio 113; and the me- morial in No. 41, VI, folio 19. * Material placed in parenthesis appeared in brackets in the original MSS. 82 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Departments of the Army, corresponds with the Opinion of the Officers in general, and there is too much Reason to apprehend great inconveniences from such Measures if not rectified in future. . . . That the Director and each of the Deputy Direc- tors General be severally authorized to empower the Surgeon and Physician General of the Army within his respective District, to draw on the issuing Com- missaries for such Articles of Provision in gross Quantities as the said Surgeon and Physician Gen- eral Shall require for supporting the Sick in the fly- ing and temporary Hospitals; and the said issuing Commissaries are respectively directed to charge such Provisions to the Director or Deputy Director General of the District, and to keep the Vouchers in separate Files in order for. Settlement with the Officers aforesaid. ... August 6, 1777. 618 Resolved, That there be advanced to Dr. Wilham Shippen, Jr. director general of the hospitals, the sum of fifty thousand dollars, for the use of the hos- pitals, for which he is to be accountable: August 8, 1777. 623 A petition from William West, major, James M'Henry and Hugh Hodge, surgeons of the 4th and 6th regiments of || Pennsylvania forces, || commanded by Colonels Magaw and Cadwallader, prisoners on parole, praying to be informed, whether, as conti- nental officers holding commissions only revocable by this or a future Congress, they are not entitled to pay while on parole, as well as when in the hands of General Howe: ^^ Ordered, To lie for consideration to Monday next. *5 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42. VIII, folio 167. 83 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. The Medical Committee, to whom the memorial from Dr. J. Morgan was referred, brought in a re- port.^® August 9, 1777. 626-7 Congress took into consideration the report of the Medical Committee which was read, as follows: "The Medical Committee to whom the memorial of Dr. John Morgan to Congress was referred, beg leave to report, that they find from the journals of Congress, that Dr. Morgan was appointed director general and chief physician of the hospital, in the room of Dr. B. Church, October 17, 1775; that, on the 9 January, 1777, he was dismissed from said ap- pointment; that though no cause is assigned for his discharge, yet, your committee on enquiry, find, that the general complaints of persons of all ranks in the army, and not any particular charges against him, together with the critical state of affairs at that time, rendered it necessary for the public good and the safety of the United States, that he should be displaced, and were the reaeons of his dismission; that the doctor's memorial appears to your commit- tee to be a hasty and intemperate production; not- withstanding which, as he conceives himself injured, and requests an enquiry into his conduct, your com- mittee are of opinion that he ought to be heard, and that a committee of Congress should be appointed for that purpose:" Resolved, That Congress concur in the said report. The Medical Committee, to whom was referred the letter from Dr. William Rickman, also report, "that as the estabhshment of the military hospital n Virginia, by a resolution of Congress of the i8th *• This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No* 19, IV, folio 177. It is summarized on August 9, post. 84 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD of May, 1776, is entirely distinct from, and inde- pendent of, the general establishment of hospitals in the other States, they are of opinion, the same was not affected by the new regulations of the 7th day. of April last, and that Dr. Rickman still con- tinues director of that hospital;" Resolved, That Congress concur with the foregoing report.^^ Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing report and concurrence of Congress be sent to Dr. Shippen, and that he be directed to withdraw from Virginia such physicians, surgeons, or assistants, as he may have sent thither. August 25, 1777. 670 A letter, . . . of the 16, from Dr. Shippen, were read: ^^ Ordered, That . . the letter from Dr. Shippen, be referred to the Medical Committee. August 30, 1777. 699 The Medical Committee brought in a report which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That the several issuing commissaries be directed to furnish the director general, or any of the deputy directors, or their assistants, with such provisions as any of them shall, from time to time, demand by an order in writing, for the use of any temporary hospital which shall be established, which order, with the receipt of the steward endorsed thereon, shall be a sufficient voucher for such issu- ing commissary, who is also required to keep such vouchers separate, and make a separate entry of the same in his books, charging the director who ordered the same therewith. ^' See note under August 8, aiite. *^ The letter of Shippen, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 147. 85 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. September lo, 1777. 727, 728-9 A letter, . . of the 9, from Dr. Shippen, director general of the hospital, . . . Ordered, That the letter from Dr. Shippen, . . be referred to the Board of Treasury. . . . That there is due to Dr. John Morgan, late direc- tor general of the American hospitals, the balance of his account current as adjusted by the commis- sioners of accounts at Hartford, the 12 July last, the sum of 613 40/90 dollars, and the farther sum of 200 dollars which he advanced to Dr. Warren, sur- geon of the general hospital, to defray expences, &c. which sum was stolen from the said Warren, as per certificates taken on oath before the commissioners at Stamford, and which the Board of Treasury agrees should be allowed to Dr. Morgan; Also the pay of director general from the 31 De- cember, 1776, to the 12 July, 1777, being 194 days, at 6 dollars per day, which time he employed in taking accounts, and delivering up the medicines, hospital stores, &c. settling accounts with the sur- geons, mates, &c. attending the commissioners at Hartford, 1,164 dollars; for 1,179 rations from 31 December, 1776, to 10 May, at 8/90 dollar, 104 72/90 dollars, and for 567 rations, from 10 May to 12 July, at 10/90, 63 dollars, making in the whole 2,145 22/90 dollars: September 13, 1777. 739 Ordered, That the President issue his warrant on the commissioners of the loan office for the State of Pennsylvania, in favour of Dr. Shippen, director general of the hospital, for fifty thousand dollars, for the use of that department; and for which he shall be accountable: September 18, 1777. 754 Resolved, That estabhshments be made for the 86 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD hospital in the respective departments, and chap- lains appointed, and that their pay be each 60 dol- lars a month, three rations a day, and forage for one horse: The Rev. Mr. Noah Cook was elected chaplain of the hospitals in the eastern department. October 18, 1777. 821 A letter from William Shippen, director general, to the Medical Committee, was laid before Con- gress and read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War. October 20, 1777. 823 Resolved, That General R. Howe's letter of the 29 August last, relating to the general hospital in South Carolina, be referred to the Medical Commit- tee. October 24, 1777. 838 Resolved, That a warrant issue on the treasurer for 500 dollars, in favour of William Shippen, Jun^ di- rector general of the hospital, which is to be charged to the said W. Shippen, and for which he is to be accountable; this being to indemnify the treasurer for so much advanced by him to the said Dr. Ship- pen on account of the military hospitals, as appears by his receipt, dated 15 October, 1777. November 6, 1777. 870 Resolved, That the unremitted attention shewn by Dr. Potts, and the officers of the general hospi- tal in the northern department, (as represented in General Gates's letter to Congress, of the 20 Octo- ber,) *^ to the sick and wounded under their care, is a proof not only of their humanity, but of their zeal for the service of the United States, so deeply interested in the preservation of the health and lives *' Words in parentheses were inserted by Henry Laurens. 87 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. of the gallant asserters of their country's cause; and that Congress, therefore, cannot but ascertain a high sense of the services which they have ren- dered, during this campaign, by a diligent discharge of their respective functions.^'' November 12, 1777. 894 Ordered, That a warrant issue on Nathaniel Ap- pleton. Esq?' commissioner of the continental loan office of the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hos- pitals, for sixty-seven thousand dollars, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be ac- countable: November 19, I777- 94 1 The Medical Committee brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That the cloathier general be directed to deliver to the director general of the military hospi- tals, the deputy directors general, or their assistants, for the use of the sick and wounded of the several departments, a proportionable share of the blankets, shirts, shoes, and stockings, he shall, from time to time, procure for the supply of the army: That the director general of the hospitals be au- thorized to cause stoves to be erected in the differ- ent hospitals, in case he shall think such a measure will conduce to make up for the present scarcity of blankets and cloathing, or to the greater comfort of the sick; and that the waggons annexed to the hos- pital department be employed, as much as possible, in the transportation of fuel for the respective hos- pitals. *" This report, dated November 4, is in the Papers of the Conti- nental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 381. The members of the Board present were: Francis Lightfoot Lee, WilUam Duer, Joseph Bones, William Williams and John Harvie. 88 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD November 29, 1777. 980 A letter, of the 16, from General Gates, . . . also a letter of the 24, from W. Shippen, director general, at Bethlehem, were read: ^^ December i, 1777. 983 Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq?" commissioner of the loan office for the State of Pennsylvania, in favour of Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hospitals, for fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department; the said direc- tor general to be accountable: Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Dr. William Shippen, director general of the hospitals, for fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department, the said director general to be accountable: December 10, 1777. 1016 Resolved, That two members be added to the Medical Committee: The members chosen, Mr. (Francis) Lewis and Mr. (John) Penn. Congress having received information that the inoculation of recruits in the hospital in the State of Virginia has of late been attended with much ill success; Resolved, That the Medical Committee make strict enquiry into the truth of this information, and re- port to Congress, with all possible despatch. December 13, 1777. 1024 A return of the number and names of the wound- ed men, distinguishing such as are fit for the corps of invalids, and such as are totally unfit for service; *i The letter of Shippen is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 78, XX, folio 163. 89 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. December 20, 1777. 1039 The Medical Committee, to whom it was referred to enquire into the conduct of the director of the hospitals at Alexandria, reported, 'That from the information of several officers in the Virginia and North Carolina regiments, which are annexed, it appears obvious to the committee that Dr. Rick- man, director of the said hospitals, has been guilty of great neglect in not giving proper attendance to the officers and soldiers under inoculation at Alex- andria:" The said report and the informations being read. Resolved, That Dr. Rickman be immediately sus- pended, and that he attend the Medical Committee, to answer the several complaints exhibited against him. Ordered, That the Medical Committee transmit to Dr. Rickman a copy of the complaints against him, and direct his attendance: That the said committee write to Dr. Shippen, director general, and direct him to send imrnediate- ly a skilful physician to take care of the sick and superintend the inoculation of the soldiers at Alex- andria. January i, 1778. p. 9 A letter, of the 8, and one, of the 13 December, from Dr. B. Rush to Mr. (William) Duer, were laid before Congress, and read: ^^ Resolved, That the said committee be fully au- thorized to take every measure, which they shall deem necessary, for the immediate relief of the sick, and report such alterations in the medical depart- ment, as they shall deem best adapted to answer the end of its institution. ^^ These letters are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 78, XIX, folios 173 and 181. 90 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD January 6, 1778. p. 23, 24 The committee to whom the letters from Gover- nor Livingston and Dr. Rush were referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That the cloathier general be directed to deliver to the order of the director general as much linen and as many blankets as can be spared, to be retained in the hospital for the use of the sick: That the cloathier general be directed to supply the convalescents with necessary cloathing, in order that, when properly recovered, they may join the army: That a member of Congress be forthwith appoint- ed to visit the hospitals in the middle department: the member chosen, Mr, (John) Penn. That a recommendation be sent to the clergy of all denominations in the said [middle] district, to solicit charitable donations of woolens and linen, made or unmade, for the sick soldiers in the hospi- tals; and to send the same to the Board of War, or any hospital, as may be most convenient. That Dr. Shippen and Dr. Rush be directed to attend Congress on the 26 day of January inst. to be examined touching certain abuses said to prevail in the hospital. Resolved, That the farther consideration of the re- port be postponed (to the afternoon.) . . . Congress resumed the consideration of the report under debate this morning; Whereupon, Resolved, That the sum of ten dollars shall be paid by every officer, and the sum of four dollars by every soldier, who shall enter, or be sent into any hospital to be cured of the venereal disease; which sums shall be deducted out of their pay, and an ac- count thereof shall be transmitted by the physician 91 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. or surgeon who shall have attended them, to the regimental pay master for that purpose; the money so arising to be paid to the director general, or his order, to be appropriated to the purchasing blan- kets and shirts for the use of sick soldiers in the hospital. January 19, 1778. 60 A letter, of the i8th, from W. Shippen, Jun, . . . was read: . .^ January 26, 1778. 92 A letter, of the 25, from Dr. Rush, was read: . . .^^ January 27, 1778. 93 A letter from Dr. Shippen, director general of the hospital, and one from Dr. Brown, (both directed) to the Medical Committee, were laid before Con- gress, (and read:) ®^ Ordered, That the same, together with the letters some time since received from Dr. Shippen and Dr. Rush, and Governor Livingston, relative to the hos- pital department, be referred to a committee of five, and that the committee be instructed to confer with Dr. Shippen and Dr. Rush, and report specially: January 30, 1778. 100 Resolved, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director general of the hospitals in the northern department, for twenty thousand dollars for the use of his dis- '^ The letter of Shippen is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 78, XX, folio 171. " The letter of Dr. Rush is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 78, XIX, folio 197. ^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 175. 92 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD trict; the said deputy director general to be ac- countable. A letter, of this day, from Dr. Rush, requesting leave to resign, was read: *'' February 6, 1778. 1 28-1 31 Congress took into consideration the report of the committee to whom the letters from Dr. Shippen, Dr. Rush, and others were committed; and there- upon came to the following resolutions: For the better regulating the hospitals of the United States, Resolved, That there be a deputy director general for the hospitals between Hudson and Potomack rivers; and that the superintending care of the di- rector general be extended equally over the hospi- tals in every district, and that he be excused from the duty of providing supplies, [and from "particu- larly" superintending the said hospitals]* when the deputy director general shall be ready to enter upon the office: That the several officers of the hospitals shall cease to exercise such of their former powers as are herein assigned to other officers thereof: That in the absence of the director general from any district, the physician general and surgeon geri- eral shall hereafter determine the number of hospi- tals to be provided by the deputy director general for the sick and wounded, and shall superintend and controul the affairs of such hospitals: That the director general shall consult with the physician general and surgeon general in each dis- trict, about the supplies necessary for the hospitals, and shall give orders in writing to the deputy direc- ^^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 78, XIX, foHo 205. * Material in brackets was cancelled in the original MSS. 93 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. tor general thereof to provide the same; and, in the absence of the director general, the physician gen- eral and surgeon general shall issue such orders: That each deputy director general shall appoint one or more of the assistant deputy directors, under him, to the sole business of providing beds, furni- ture, utensils, hospital cloathing, and such like arti- cles; and shall appoint one or more to provide medi- cines, instruments, dressings, herbs, and necessaries of a similar kind: That the director general shall frequently visit the hospitals in each district, and see that the regu- lations are carried into effect; shall examine into the number and qualifications of the hospital officers, report to Congress any abuses that may have taken place, and discharge the supernumerary officers, if there be any, that all unnecessary expence may be saved to the public; and when the director general is in any particular district, the physician general and surgeon general in that district shall not ap- point any officers without his consent: That, on the settlement of hospital accounts, the officers entrusted with public money shall produce vouchers to prove the expenditure, and receipts from the proper officers of the hospitals, specifying the defivery of the stores and other articles purchased; and the apothecaries, mates, stewards, matrons, and other officers, receiving such stores and other arti- ticles, shall be accountable for the same, and shall produce vouchers for the delivery thereof from such officers, and according to such forms as the physi- cians general and surgeons general have directed, or shall, from time to time, direct; which forms and directions the physicians and surgeons general shall report to the Board of Treasury: That the director general, or, in his absence from 94 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD the district, the physician general, and surgeon general, shall appoint a ward master for each hos- pital, to receive the arms, accoutrements and cloathing of each soldier admitted therein, keeping entries of, and giving receipts for such articles, which, on the recovery of the soldier, shall be re-* turned to him, or, in case of his death, the arms and accoutrements shall be delivered to the commissary or deputy commissary of military stores, and re- ceipts be taken for the same; and the ward master shall receive and be accountable for the hospital cloathing; and perform such other services as the physician general or the surgeon general shall di- rect: That the physicians general and surgeons general shall hereafter make no returns to the deputy direc- tors general, but the returns shall be made by the said officers respectively to the director general, who shall carefully transmit copies of each with his monthly return to Congress, and suspend such of the officers aforesaid as neglect this or any other part of their duty, and shall report their names to Congress : That the director and deputy directors general forthwith prepare their accounts, and adjust them with the commissioners of claims, at the Board of Treasury. That four dollars a day, and the former allowance of rations, be hereafter allowed to each assistant deputy director and the commissary of the hospitals in each district; and one dollar a day, and two ra- tions, to each ward master: Resolved, That Dr. Potts be called from the north- ern district, and appointed to act as deputy director general in the middle district. Resolved, That the eldest assistant deputy director 95 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. in the northern district shall execute the office of the deputy director general in the said district, until the further orders of Congress : That the salaries of the hospital officers and debts contracted for the hospitals of the middle district to the time of Dr. Potts's entering upon the office of deputy director general therein, shall be adjusted and paid by the director general, who shall deliver all the public stores in his possession to the deputy director general or his order, taking duplicate re- ceipts for the same, and transmitting one of each to the Board of Treasury; and the same rule shall be observed by Dr. Potts with respect to the salaries and debts of the hospitals of the northern district, and the public stores thereof, which are to be de- livered to his successor in office in that district. Congress proceeded to the election of a physician general in the middle district, in the room of Dr. Rush, [ resigned ] and the ballots being taken. Dr. William Brown was elected. February lo, 1778. p. 142 Resolved, That another chaplain be chosen for the hospitals in the middle department: The ballots being taken, the Rev. Mr. (James) Sproat was elected. February 13, 1778. p. 157, 158 That there is due to Dr. John Witherspoon, for hay for the army, and wood for the hospital at Princeton, as appears by the certificate of Enos Kel- sey, acting in the quarter master's department, the sum of 429 30/90 dollars: Resolved, That Mr. Nathaniel Scudder be added to the Medical Committee, 96 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD February 21, 1778. p. 186, 187 A letter of 21, from Dr. W. Shippcn, was read; ^^ Whereupon, Resolved, That a surgeon general be appointed for the hospital in the middle department, in the room of Dr. Brown, promoted; the ballots being taken, Dr. Charles M'Knight was elected. Whereas, the duty of the person who executes the office of secretary and pay master of the hospital in the middle department, is important and difficult: Resolved, That the pay of the person who exe- cutes those offices in the hospital in the middle de- partment, be augmented to three dollars a day. That a warrant issue on the treasurer for the sum of forty thousand dollars, in favour of William Ship- pen, Jun. director general of all the military hospi- tals, for the use of the middle district; for which the director is to be accountable: February 23, 1778. p. 191 That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Dr. Jonathan Potts . . . for one hundred thou- sand dollars . . . he is to be accountable.^^ March 7, 1778. p. 230 The Medical Committee report, "That they have carefully examined and considered the several alle- gations and testimonies for, and against. Dr. Wil- liam Rickman, deputy director general in the south- ern department; that, notwithstanding, it appears the North Carolina and Virginia troops, inoculated by the said Dr. Rickman at Alexandria, suffered, in general, more in the course of the disease than is ^'' This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 193. ^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 101. 97 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. usual, and that a number of them did die; yet, as the committee are convinced that it was impracti- cable for the director to obtain, in season, a variety of articles for their due accommodation in the hos- pitals, as many of them were badly cloathed, and all had, immediately before the operation, under- gone a long and fatiguing march at a season of the year when putrid diseases generally prevail most; as from a regular return it appears that most of those who were lost, died of a putrid fever; as the director really had not sufficient assistance, and lastly, as one of the assistants, of the name of Parker, who was employed from the necessity of the case, ap- pears to have greatly abused the confidence and trust reposed in him by the director; whence a great part of the evils complained of by the patients may have arisen; the committee are of opinion, that Dr. Rickman ought to be acquitted of the charges ex- hibited against him; that the resolution of the 20th day of December last, for his suspension, be re- pealed, and that Dr. Rickman be directed to repair immediately to his department, and resume the ex- ercise of his duty there:" ^^ March 9, 1778. 235 A letter, of the 2, from Captain W. Nichols, was read, praying for leave to resign his commission. . . . A letter from Dr. A(mmi) R(uhamah) Cut- ter to Mr. (George) Frost, praying for leave to re- sign, were read: ^^ Ordered, That Dr. Cutter have leave to resign; that the letter from Captain Nichols be referred to the Board of War; , *' This report, in the writing of Nathan Brownson (?), is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 249. ^^ The letter of Nichols is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 78, XVII, folio 37. 98 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD March ii, 1778. 243 That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Joseph Nourse, pay master to the Board of War and ordnance, for 50,000 dollars, to be by him trans- mitted to Doct. Isaac Forster, deputy director gen- eral of the military hospital in the eastern depart- ment, at Danbury, in Connecticut, for which the said doctor is to be accountable: March 26, 1778. 284 A letter, of the 24 February, from the council of Massachusetts bay, respecting allowances to be made to sick and wounded soldiers, was read. ^^ April 3, 1778. p. 303 A letter, of 21 March, from General Washington, enclosing a copy of a letter to him from Dr. Rush, dated Princeton, 25 February, was read; also a let- ter of 9 March, with a postscript of 19, from Dr. Rush to Mr. (Daniel) Roberdeau, was laid before Congress : ^^ April 17, 1778. p. 361 That 30,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Potts, and that a warrant issue in his favour on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pennsylvania, for the farther sum of 70,000 dollars, for the use of the hospital in the middle district; for which sums the said Dr. Potts is to be accountable: ^1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 65, I, folio 288. It is indorsed: "There are no resolutions of Con- gress respecting soldiers in any of the circumstances mentioned in this letter." ^ The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 411; that of Rush to Washington is in No. 78, XIX, folio 211; and that of Rush to Roberdeau, in the same volume, folio 215. 99 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. April 1 8, 1778. p. 365, 366 Resolved, That a Warrant issue on the Treasurer On question, in favour of Dr. William Shippen, . negatived for Forty thousand Dollars, . . . for which he is to be accountable. Resolved, That Mr. G(ouverneur) Morris be add- ed to the Medical Committee. May 16, 1778. p. 504 Ordered, That 100,000 dollars to be paid to Dr. Thomas Bond, Jun. to be by him delivered to Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director general, for the use of the hospitals of the middle district; the said Dr. J. Potts to be accountable: May 23, 1778. p. 525, 526, 527 . . . The Board will lay before Congress the facts which they have collected from Major Wilson, com- manding at Carlisle during the residence of Major Stockton and other officers of his party in the goal of that place; from M^ T. Peters, Deputy Commis- sary of prisoners, who has had the charge during the winter of the prisoners at Carlisle and York; from Doctor Henry, employed to attend the British pris- oners when sick; ... . . .But the goal at Carlisle not being secure, the deputy Commissary of prisoners removed them to the prison of this place, wherein was also confined Doctor John ConoIIy, for the same causes which in- duced and continued their present imprisonment, and for other reasons of policy and prudence. Doc- tor ConoIIy having also sundry times behaved amiss while on parole. . . . There was some time ago an apprehension in a part of the goal distant from the officers' apart- ments that a contagious fever had broke out among the soldiers, but the diseased were immediately re- 100 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD moved to hospitals, and a Surgeon and nurses pro- vided for them, and every assistance afforded them the nature of our affairs would admit. . . . Mr ConoIIy, altho' indulged with every thing a prisoner could reasonably wish, has repeatedly rep- resented his own, and the situation of the goal, in similar terms with the letter now under considera- tion, and the former, and this Board, have often had consequent examinations, in all of which they found the complaints groundless. Once particularly, when MF ConoIIy represented himself as at the point of death from the severity of his confinement, the board directed Doctor Shippen to visit him, who reported that his situation was directly opposite to his representation, his indisposition slight and mere- ly of an Hippochandriac Nature. . . . Richard Peters.^ May 25, 1778. p. 531 Resolved, That the auditor, together with Mr. Milligan, one of the commissioners of claims, be au- thorized and directed to examine and pass upon the accounts of Dr. Isaac Forster, deputy director gen- eral of the eastern department. May 28, 1778. p. 546 That 755 42/90 dollars be advanced to the Com- mittee of Commerce, to enable them to pay Andrew and James Caldwell the freight of sundry medicines imported in their sloop from Martinico, on public account; the said Committee to be accountable.^ June 4, 1778. p. 568 A letter, of 20 April, from Dr. Rush to Messrs^ (William Henry) Drayton, (Samuel) Huntington' *^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No- 147, II folio 57. ^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 321. lOI HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. and (John) Banister, committee appointed on 3d of that month to inquire into Dr. Rush's charge against Dr. Shippen, (was read:) ^* June 9, 1778. p. 580, 582 Ordered, That 50,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Isaac Forster, . . .for the use of his department; and for which he is to be accountable. . . . Resolved, That the deputy director general of the hospital in the eastern department shall, as hereto- fore, in the absence of the director general, superin- tend the medical affairs of that department till the further order of Congress. June 10, 1778. p. 582 Ordered, That 200,000 dollars be advanced to Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director general for the middle district, for the use of his department; he to be accountable. N. B. Dr. Potts applies for 300,000 Dollars; but as he has already had that sum advanced him since February last, and as the Treasury is at present very low, your Committee judged it improper to report so large a sum. They beg leave further to inform Congress, that from an examination of the estimates given them by Dr. Potts, they conceive th^ expences that accrue in his Department are ex- v^rbitant; they have therefore laid them before Con- gress for their Inspection.^^ June 15, 1778. p. 607 The auditor general and commissioners of claims having, in consequence of the resolution of the 25 May, reported upon the accounts of Dr. Forster, Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treas- ^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIX, folio 233. " This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 349. 102 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD ury, and that the accounts of Dr. Forster be adjust- ed agreeably to the said report, when he shall pro- duce vouchers shewing the expenditure of the stores by him procured and charged in the said account. July 13, 1778. p. 686 The Committee for Foreign Affairs laid before Congress a letter from Dr. Edward Bancroft, dated 31 March last which was read, and returned to the Committee. August 4, 1778. p. 746 Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer for one hundred thousand dollars, in favour of Jona- than Potts, Esq., . . . he to be accountable. August II, 1778. 775 That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Dr. Isaac Forster, . . .for the use of his depart- ment, . . . he to be accountable; and that the same be paid to John Delamater, as requested by the doctor. August 14, 1778. 787 A letter, of the i August, from Mr. (Samuel) Huntington, one of the delegates of that State in Congress, was laid before Congress, and read, set- ting forth sundry evils and abuses in the hospitals in the eastern district: Whereupon,^'' Resolved, That the resolution of Congress of the 9 of June last, authorizing the deputy director gen- eral of the hospital in the eastern department, in the absence of the director general, to superintend the medical affairs of that department, be, and it is hereby repealed; and that the said hospital for the ^' The letter of Huntington is in the Papers of the Continenta Congress, No. 78, XI, folio 309. 103 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. future be under the same regulations as the hospi- tals in the other departments. Resolved, That the director general be directed to enquire into the state of the hospital in the eastern department, and give proper orders for the good government and economy thereof, and discharge un- qualified and supernumerary officers, if any there be. August 20, 1778. 816 A letter, of 19, from Major General Arnold, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, and that the Board be directed to report their opin- ion on the necessity of an additional number of troops to the corps of invalids, for the purpose of guards in the city of Philadelphia; and if an addi- tional number is, in their opinion, necessary, how many and for what purposes. August 21, 1778. p. 825 That there is due to the officers and privates of. the invalid regiment, for pay and subsistence for the months of May and June last, the sum of 937 54/90 dollars: ®^ Ordered, That the said accounts be paid. September 3, 1778. p. 863 That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Dr. Jonathan Potts, deputy director general for the middle district, for 70,000 dollars, of which 40,000 is for the use of the hospitals thereof, and 30,000 to be transmitted to Dr. Johnston, assistant director of the northern department; the said Dr. Potts to be accountable: ** This report, dated August 20, ia in the Papers of the Conti- nental Congress, No. 136, II, foHo 471. 104 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD September 7, 1778. p. 887 A letter, of 28 August, from Dr. (I.) Forster, dep- uty director general of the hospital in the eastern department, was read: Ordered, Tliat it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. September 16, 1778. p. 918 That Dr. John Warren, Executor of the late Ma- jor General Warren be authorized and requested to superintend their Education, and to make quarter- ly Drafts on the Treasury of the United States for the Expences incident to the same, transmitting to the Board the necessary Accounts. September 18, 1778. 925 A letter and memorial from Dr. J. Morgan, were read: ^^ Ordered, That the foregoing letter and memorial be referred to the said committee. September 23, 1778. 946 Resolved, That Mr. (Samuel) Holton be added to the Medical Committee. October 9, 1778. p. 993 That there is due to the officers and privates of the invalid regiment, commanded by Colonel L. Nicola, for pay and subsistence for the month of August last, the sum of 1558 25/90 dollars: October 10, 1778. 997 A letter, of 4, from Dr. W. Shippen, director gen- eral, enclosing a return of the sick in the hospital, was read: ** This position, dated September 17, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, foHo 51. The letter is iu No. 63. foUo 117. 105 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Ordered, That the same be referred to the Medi- cal Committee. October 20, 1778. 1031 Whereas by a resolution of Congress of the 22 April, 1777, it is provided, that the several com- manding officers of parties, detachments or corps on their march to or from the camp, shall send to the military hospitals such of their officers and soldiers as from time to time, are unable to proceed, unless from the distance of the hospitals or other causes, it shall at any time be necessary to deliver them to the care of private physicians or surgeons, in which cases the deputy director general shall discharge the reasonable demands of the physicians and surgeons conducting, agreeably to the said resolve. And, whereas, no provision is therein made for discharging the accounts of other persons who have been or may be employed by proper officers for taking care of and providing for such officers and soldiers: Resolved, That the deputy directors general be respectively authorized and instructed to discharge such of the said accounts as shall appear to be rea- sonable and just, provided that each person who may hereafter be employed to provide for officers and soldiers as aforesaid, shall give the earliest no- tice thereof to the deputy director general, or the physician or surgeon general of the district, in order for their speedy removal to the mihtary hospitals. October 22, 1778. p. 1038 A memorial from the regimental surgeons and surgeons' assistants of the Army or the United States of America, was read : Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three: 106 A DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD The members chosen, Mr. (Nathaniel) Scudder, Mr. (Samuel) Holton, and Mr. (Josiah) Bartlett. October 26, 1778. p. 1062, 1064. A letter, of 21, from Major General Lord Stirling, enclosing a letter to him from Dr. Griffith, with sun- dry affidavits relative to the massacre of Colonel Bayler's regiment, on 27 September last, was read: . . . Ordered, That Mr. (Josiah) Bartlett be added to the Medical Committee: October 30, 1778. p. 1079 That there is due to the officers and privates of Colonel Lewis Nicola's regiment of invalids, for ra- tions and parts of rations retained from their first establishment to the 31 of May, 1778, a balance of six hundred and eighty-eight 50/90 dollars, as more fully appears by a particular state filed with the ac- counts: November 3, 1778. p. no: That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commis- sioner of the continental loan office in the State of Pennsylvania, in favour of Jonathan Potts, deputy director general, for one hundred and thirty thou- sand dollars, for the use of his department; he to be accountable: ""^ A motion being made respecting the medical de- partment. Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. November 9, 1778. p. 1113 An extract from the journals of the assembly of South Carolina, purporting to be "a report of the committee on the president's message, relative to the hospital establishment and military arrange- ''" This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 665. 107 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. merits of this State, as agreed to by the House," was laid before Congress: Ordered, That so much thereof as relates to the hospital, be referred to the Medical Committee, and the remainder to the Board of War. November 12, 1778. p. 11 24 Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasury for seventy-five thousand dollars, in favour of Jonathan Potts, deputy director general, and another warrant in his favour on Derick Ten Broek, Esq. commis- sioner of the continental loan office in the State of New York, for seventy-five thousand dollars, . . . for use in hospitals in the northern department; . . . said deputy director general is to be account- able. November 28, 1778. p. 11 70, 11 74 That another warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Isaac Forster, Esq., . . .for twenty-five thousand dollars, to be paid to James Davison, . . . said deputy director general to be account- able: . . . A memorial from the magistrates and the over- seers of the poor of the city of Philadelphia, was read, praying for a compensation for the use of the house of employment, occupied for continental hos- pital : ■'I Ordered, To lie on the table. December 5, 1778. p. 11 92 The committee to whom was referred the memo- rial of the regimental surgeons and assistants, brought in a report, which was read, and after de- bate, '^ This memorial, dated November 18, is in the Pa ers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VI, folio 73. io8 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Ordered, That it be committed to the Medical Committee, who are directed to take into considera- tion the case of the hospital as well as regimental surgeons, and report thereon. December 28, 1778. p. 1259 Resolved, That a member in the place of Mr. (John) Harvie be added to the committee on the memorial from Dr. Morgan: The member chosen, Mr. M(eriwether) Smith. February 6, 1778. p. 1282 Resolutions on Hospitals. 199. Rules and directions / for the better regulat- ing the Military Hospital of the United States: / In consequence of a Resolve of the Honourable the Continental Congress, the 6th of / February, 1778; to be punctually observed by the Officers, Nurses, &c. of the / Eastern Department.^^* (Signed) P. Turner, Surg. Gen. M. H. E. D. F? Broadside. September 25, 1778. p. 1287 Provision for disabled officers and privates. 226. In Congress, August 26, 1776 .... In Con- gress September 25, 1778 . . J^^ December 3, 1778. p. 1289 Health of Soldiers. 235. Directions / For Preserving / The Health of / Soldiers: / recommended to / The Consideration of the / Officers / Of the Army of the United / States. / By Benjamin Rush, M. D. / Published by Order of the Board / of War. / Lancaster: Printed by John Dunlap, / In Queen-Street. / M.DCC.LXX- VIII. 12? pp. 8. ''* A copy is in the Library of Congress. Papers of the Con- tinental Congress, No. 78, xxii, folio 567. It measures 40 x 25 cms. ^^^ See Pennsylvania Archives, vi, 755. 109 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. January 12, 1779. 51 A letter, of 10, from Doctor Shlppen, Director General, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. Ordered, That two members be added to the said committee. The members chosen, Mr. (Thomas) Burke and Mr. T(homas) Adams. January 16, 1779. 73 That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Nathaniel Eustis, upon the application of Doctor Isaac Forster, deputy director general of the eas- tern district, agreeable to his letter of the 28 Decem- ber last, for twenty-five thousand dollars; and That another warrant issue on Nathaniel Apple- ton, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office, in the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of the said Doctor Isaac Forster, for fifty thousand dol- lars; . . . said deputy director general is to be accountable; ... for the use of his department. January 23, 1779. iio-iii Resolved, That the director general (of the medi- cal department) be authorized and instructed to en- join the several deputy directors, physicians, and surgeons general and other officers under his super- intendence, to attend and perform such duties at any post or place, as a change of the position of the army, or other circumstances, may, from time to time, make necessary, and shall be required by the Commander in Chief, notwithstanding such deputy director, physician, or surgeon is, by the general ar- rangement of the hospitals, attached to a particu- lar department; and that in case of any dispute con- iio DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD cerning their seniority or precedence, the director general shall determine the same in the first instance, the party supposing himself aggrieved being at lib- erty to appeal for redress to the Medical Committee. Resolved, That the director general be authorized and instructed to supply, for the use of the regi- mental surgeons, such medicines and refreshments as may be proper for the relief of the sick and wounded before their removal to a general hospital, and to be dispensed under the care and at the dis- cretion of the physician and surgeon general of the army.''^ February 8, 1779. 151 A memorial from W. Shippen, director general, in behalf of himself and the medical officers of the gen- eral hospital in the middle, eastern and northern districts, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. February 26, 1779. 255 That agreeable to the application of the Medical Committee a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Doctor Jonathan Potts, *** for one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars, *** he to be ac- countable. March 6, 1779. ^§7 Resolved, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Dr. Jonathan Potts, *** on the applica- tion of the Medical Committee, for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, ... for which he is to be accountable. March 10, 1779. 301 That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of ■^2 This report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 33, folio 277. Ill HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Doctor Jonathan Potts, . . .for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, . . . he is to be accountable. March 13, 1779. 313 The committee, to whom was referred the memo- rial of Doctor J. Morgan, late director general and physician in chief in the general hospital of the United States, brought in a report, which was read: ^^ Ordered, To lie on the table for the perusal of the members, to be taken into consideration on Thurs- day next. April 12, 1779. 440 That John Nixon Esqr. Col. Shee, Andrew Doz have been recommended by Francis Hopkinson Esq. Treasurer of Loans; Hugh Montgomery by Doctor Witherspoon, and John Miller Esq. by Doctor Ewing, as proper persons to be appointed Commis- sioners for destroying the Bills to be taken out of circulation. April 15, 1779. 455 A memorial from the staff officers of the general hospital was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. April 16, 1779. 460 That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Doctor Jonathan Potts, deputy director general of the military hospitals for the middle department, upon the application of the Medical Committee, for one million of dollars, for the use of his department, and for which he is to be accountable. April 27, 1779. 515, 523-524 That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Isaac Forster, Esq. *** for one hundred thousand " See under June 12, "post." I 12 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD dollars, to be paid agreeable to his request to John Adams, *** the said Doctor Forster to be account- able.74 The Committee on the Treasury report. That information has been given to the Board of Treasury that Alexander McKallaher, the deputy commissary of the hospital at the Yellow Springs, has made a practice of exchanging the hospital stores, such as sugar, molasses, &c. for butter, poultry, eggs, &c. for his own and the doctors' table: That he keep a i^Iooded horse in the guard house, and a mare and colt; and a hostler at his quarters, and another at the hospital, that he entertains all people who come to the hospitals with wine and toddy, alledging that he is allowed to do so by Congress or Doctor Ship- pen, the informant is not certain which. That those circumstances have given occasion to great clamours among the inhabitants in the neigh- bourhood. That it is convalescent hospital: That they have repaired the Farmer's houses in the neighbourhood for their own convenience at the public expence; Whereupon, Ordered, That the information from the Commit- tee on the Treasury, relative to Alexander McKalla- her be referred to the Medical Committee, and that they take such measures for ascertaining the facts; and if properly supported for bringing him to a tryal, as they shall judge expedient.'^^ ^* Based upon Forster'a letters of March 9 and 10, 1779. ^* The committee's recommendation was that "an enquiry ought to be made into the truth of the said charges, without de- lay; and that on proof thereof the parties charged ought to be suspended and brought to trial." The resolution adopted was an amendment offered by Elbridge Gerry, to be found in his writing on folio 259 1/2. The name is written McKallaster in the Journals, and McKallaher in the committee report. "3 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. May 5, I779- 549 That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Doctor George Smith, for the sum of thirteen hundred seventy six dollars 22/90, equal to five hun- dred and fifty pounds ten shillings. New York cur- rency, reported by John Welles and Edward Chinn, Esquires, commissioners of accounts, at Albany, to be due to him for cattle and forage taken by order of General Schuyler for the immediate subsistance of the militia and other troops assembled at Fort Edwards on the evacuation of Ticonderoga, his de- mand of recompence for the loss of fencing being re- jected.''® May 17, 1779- 599 Resolved, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of John Gibson, auditor general, for four- teen thousand dollars, being the sum he so paid to the said Scott, on the order of the said Nathan Brownson, on the i September, 1777, on account of the State of Georgia, and for which the said State is to be accountable.'''^ May 28, 1779. 661 A petition from Isaac Forster and others, officers of the hospital in the eastern department, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. June 5, 1779. 689 A letter, of this day, from John Morgan was read;^^ Whereupon, I '* This report, dated May 3, is in the Papers of the Continenta Congress, No. 136, III, folio 287. '^ This report, dated May 17, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 313. The account with the State of Georgia is on folio 317. '* This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 63, folio 125. 114 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Resolved, That Saturday next be assigned for considering the report of the committee on the memorial of Doctor J. Morgan. June 12, 1779. 722, 723, 724 That upon the application of the Medical Com- mittee, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Doctor Isaac Forster, deputy director general of the eastern department, for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, . . .he is to be account- able. . That there is due to the officers and privates of Colonel Lewis Nicola's invalid regiment, their pay and subsistance for the month of April last, two thousand three hundred and seventy three dollars and 6/90ths. . . . Congress took into consideration the report of the committee to whom was referred the memorial of Doctor John Morgan, late director general and phy- sician in chief of the general hospitals of the United States, and thereupon came to the following resolu- tion: Whereas by the report of the Medical Committee, confirmed by Congress on the 9th of August, 1777, it appeared that Dr. John Morgan, late director general and chief physician of the general hospitals of the United States, had been removed from office on the 9th of January, 1777, by reason of the gen- eral complaint of persons of all ranks in the army, and the critical state of aff^airs at that time; and that the said Dr. John Morgan requesting an in- quiry into his conduct, it was thought proper that a committee of Congress should be appointed for that purpose: and, whereas, on the i8th day of September last, such a committee was appointed, before whom the said Dr. John Morgan hath in the most satisfactory manner vindicated his conduct in 115 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. every respect as director general and physician in chief, upon the testimony of the Commander in Chief, general officers, officers in the general hospi- tal department, and other officers in the army, shew- ing that the said director general did conduct him- self ably and faithfully in the discharge of the duties of his office: therefore, Resolved, That Congress are satisfied with the conduct of Dr. John Morgan while acting as director general and physician in chief in the general hospi- tals of the United States; and that this resolution be published.^^ June 15, 1779- 733 A letter, of this day, from Dr. J. Morgan, was read, charging Dr. William Shippen, Jun. in the service of the United States, with mal-practices, and misconduct in office, and declaring his readiness to give before the proper court having jurisdiction, the necessary evidence in the premises against the said Dr. Wilham Shippen.^" On motion of Mr. (Henry) Laurens, seconded by Mr. (William Henry) Drayton, Resolved, That a copy of the said letter be trans- mitted to the Commander in Chief, and that he be directed to cause such proceedings to be had there- on, as that the charges alluded to in it be speedily enquired into, and justice done. Ordered, That an extract of the letter, with the above resolution, be transmitted to Dr. Shippen. ''^ This report, in the writing of William Henry Drayton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 185. It was presented March 13, 1779. Morgan's "Vindication," dated February 1, 1779, is in No. 63, foUo 184. ^'^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 63, folio 129. 1X6 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD June 21, 1779. 754 A petition from the surgeons of the American navy was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Com- mittee. June 29, 1779. 782 That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Doctor John Warren, for seventeen hundred and forty three dollars and 60/90, in full of his account for the support and education of Joseph Warren, son of the late Major General Warren, to April, 1779, as allowed by the council of Massachusetts bay, and that the said sum be paid to David H. Conyngham authorised to receive the same.^^ July 19, 1779- 854 A letter, of 19, from John Morgan was read, en- closing sundry papers relative to his charges against Doctor Shippen: ^^ Ordered, That copies thereof be sent to General Washington. August 3, 1779- 917 A letter, of 28 July, from Doctor W. Shippen, was read; ^ Whereupon, The Medical Committee, to whom were referred the several papers and memorials from the officers of the Medical department, brought in a report, which was read: Ordered, That the same be taken into considera- tion, when the report from the committee on a far- *i Baaed upon an order of the Council of the State of Massa- chusetts of May 3, 1779. ^^ Morgan's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 133. ^^ The Shippen letter is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 78, XX, folio 435. 117 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. ther allowance to the officers of the army is consid- ered. August 1 8, 1779. 978 Resolved, That until the further order of Congress, the said officers be entitled to receive monthly for their subsistance money, the sums following, to wit, . . . ensign and surgeon's mate 100 dollars. September 3, 1779. 10 18 A letter, of 2d, from the hon^- Sr. Gerard, was read, soliciting leave for Mr. Witherspoon, a surgeon in the service of the United States to go to France: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. Resolved, That two members be added to the said committee. The members chosen, Mr. (Nathaniel) Peabody, and Mr. (Frederick A.) Muhlenberg. September 29, 1779. 11 23 That on the application of the Medical Commit- tee, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Doctor Jonathan Potts, . . for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the purchase of hospital stores, and for defraying the necessary expences of his department, and that another warrant issue on Thomas Smith, Esq. commissioner of the continental loan office, for the State of Pennsylvania, in favour of the said Doctor Jonathan Potts, for seventy one thousand one hundred and forty four dollars, in loan office certificates [for the purpose of discharging a debt due to Robert Morris, Esq. for twelve boxes of surgical instruments purchased of him by the said Dr. Potts;] the said Doctor Potts to be ac- countable .... October 19, 1779. 11 87 Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for taking 118 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD into consideration the report of the Medical Com- mittee on the medical staff. October 22, 1779. 1 200-1 Congress took into consideration the report of the Medical Committee on the medical staff, and some time lacing spent thereon, Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed. October 25, 1779. 1208 A letter, of this day, from Doctor John Morgan, was read: ^^ Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three: October 27, 1779. 1211 Sundry returns of the state of the hospital in the southern department, were laid before Congress and read: Ordered, That they be referred to the Medical Committee. October 27, 1779. 12 13-14 According to order. Congress took into consider- ation the report of the Medical Committee and af- ter debate. On motion of Mr. (Nathaniel) Scudder, seconded by Mr. (Samuel) Holton, Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed. On motion of Mr. (Nathaniel) Scudder, seconded by Mr. (William Churchill) Houston, Resolved, That the director general, each of the deputy directors general, each physician and sur- geon general, each senior physician and surgeon, each junior surgeon, each apothecary general, each ^ The Morgan letter is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 63, folio 137. 119 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. chaplain and each apothecary's assistant, in the hospital of the United States, [to the north ward of the river Potomac ] shall be entitled to draw clothing annually from the stores of the clothier general, in the same manner, and under the same regulations as are established for officers of the line, by a resolu- tion of the twenty-sixth day of November, 1777. Resolved, That until the further order of Con- gress, the said officers of the military hospital shall also be entitled to subsistence, in like manner as is granted to officers of the line, to be estimated in the following ratio: 1st. The director general to receive the same sub- sistence as a colonel in the line: 2d. The deputy directors general, the physicians, surgeons and apothecaries general, the same as lieu- tenant colonels: 3d. The senior physicians and surgeons the same as majors: The junior surgeons and apothecaries' assistants the same as captains: and the chaplains, the same as chaplains of brigades are entitled to by a resolu- tion of the 1 8th day of August last, and to com- mence from the said i8th day of August. Resolved, That the mates of the military hospital shall, during service, be entitled to the same sub- sistence as is given to regimental surgeon's mates, by the resolution of the iSth day of August last. October 28, 1779. 12 16 Resolved, That the resolutions of yesterday, re- specting the officers of the hospital department of the United States, be re-considered; and together with the report of the Medical Committee on the hospital department, be re-committed. November 4, 1779. 1237 120 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD A letter, of 26 October, from Thadeus Benedict, was read,^^ respecting the conduct of Dr. Forster: Ordered, That it be referred to the Commander in Chief, and that he be directed to cause such pro- ceedings to be had thereon, as that the charges al- luded to in it be speedily enquired into and justice done. Ordered, That the Medical Committee transmit to the Commander in Chief the memorial of Thadeus Benedict and others, against Dr. Forster, and such other papers as they may have respecting that matter. November 5, 1779. 1240 A letter, of 4, from Doctor Forster, was read, re- questing that a court of enquiry may be appointed to examine into his conduct.^^ Ordered, That it be transmitted to the Com- mander in Chief. November 16, 1779. 1277 The Medical Committee, to whom were referred the resolutions of 27 October respecting the officers of the hospital department, together with the re- port of the said committee on the said department, which was re-com.mitted, brought in a report: Ordered, That the same be taken into considera- tion on Friday next. The committee to whom was referred the letter of 25 October last, from Dr. J. Morgan, brought in a report; Whereupon, Resolved, That it be recommended to the execu- tive authority of the respective states, upon the ap- plication of the judge advocate for that purpose, to ^ This letter is in the Washington Papers, No. 92, folio 312. ^ The Forster letter is in the Washington Papers, 92, folio 311. 121 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. grant proper writs requiring and compelling the per- son or persons whose attendance shall be requested by the said judge, to appear and give testimony in any cause depending before a court martial; and that it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states to vest the necessary powers for the purposes aforesaid in their executive authorities, if the same be not already done. November 19-20, 1779. 1293, 4-6 Resolved, That the report of the Medical Com- mittee on the hospital staff be postponed till to- morrow, and that the same be taken into consider- ation immediately after reading the journal. Congress took into consideration the report of the Medical Committee on the hospital staff; Where- upon, Resolved, That the director general, deputy di- rectors general, the assistant deputy directors, the physicians and surgeons general of the hospitals and army, the senior surgeons, the second or junior sur- geons, the apothecaries general and apothecaries' mates or assistants, the hospital chaplains, regimen- tal surgeons and mates, mates of the military hos- pitals, commissaries, assistant commissaries, pay masters and stewards of the hospital, who shall have been in the service for the space of one year, and are at present employed in the same, shall each be en- titled annually to draw cloathing from the stores of the cloathier general, in the same manner and under the same regulations as are established for officers of the line by a resolution of Congress of the 26 day of November, 1777. Resolved, That until the further order of Con- gress, the following officers of the military hospital shall be entitled to subsistence, in like manner as is granted to officers of the line by a resolution of the 122 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 1 8th day of August last, and in the following pro- portions, viz. each deputy director general, 500 dol- lars per month; each assistant deputy director, 400 dollars; each physician general and surgeon general, 500 dollars; each physician and surgeon general, 500 dollars; each senior surgeon, 400 dollars; each junior surgeon, 300 dollars; each apothecary general, 400 dollars; each apothecary's assistant or mate, 100 dollars; each commissary, 300 dollars; each commis- sary's assistant, 200 dollars; each clerk, who is to be pay master, 200 dollars; each steward, 100 dol- lars; each chaplain, 400 dollars; The same to commence from the 18 day of August last. [ Resolved, That all the said officers of the military hospital and all regimental surgeons and their mates who shall continue in the service to the end of the present war, shall be entitled to quotas of lands respectively, in like manner as is stipulated, in favour of officers of the line by the resolution of the day of , which quotas shall be ascertained and apportioned according to the rate of subsistance above granted. ] Resolved, That all mates necessarily employed in the military hospital or army shall, during service, be entitled to the same subsistence as is given to regimental mates, viz. 100 dollars per month. Resolved, That the remainder of the report be re- committed. November 22, 1779. 1297 A letter, of 19th, from George Morgan, was read: Resolved, That the Medical Committee be instruct- ed to revise the several resolutions passed respecting the hospital department, and to digest and arrange them with such amendments as may make the whole 123 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. consistent with and conformable to the alterations made by Congress in the original system, and re- port the same to Congress. November 24, 1779. ^303 A letter, of 22d, from Doctor J. Morgan, was read: ^^ Ordered, That the same be transmitted to the Commander in Chief, Doctor Shippen being first furnished with a copy thereof. November 25, 1779. 13 10 That on the application of the Medical Commit- tee, the following warrants issue in favour of Doctor Isaac Forster, deputy director general of the eastern department, amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the use of his department; for which he is to be accountable, viz: December 10, 1779. 1366 A letter, of 8, from D(avid) Jackson and a memo- rial from the officers in the hospital department, were read: ^^ Ordered, That they be referred to the Medical Committee. December 13, 1779. 1373 The director general, to whom was referred the report of the commissioners on the memorial of Lewis Weiss in behalf of the single brethren of Beth- lehem, having reported thereon, and the said re- port being read: ^^ ^^ The Morgan letter is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 63, folio 143. *' Letter of Jackson and enclosures, in the Paper s of the Con- tinental Congress, No. 78, XIII, folio 125-33. ^' Shippen's letter, dated this day, is in the Papers of the Con- tinental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 513. 124 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Lewis Weiss, attorney of John Bonn, war- den of the single brethren of Bethlehem, for three thousand and seventy seven dollars and 60/90 for the use of the said brethren, being in full of their account for evacuating, repairing and re-entering their house, which was used as a general hospital for the space of eight months, in lieu of rent and all other demands.^" December 22, 1779. 1400 A letter, of 20, and one of 22d, from Doctor Mor- gan, were read: ^^ Ordered, That they be referred to a committee of three: December 24, 1779. MOQ The committee to whom was referred the letter of 20, from Dr. Morgan, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and thereupon. Resolved, That on the trials of cases not capital before courts martial, the depositions of witnesses not in the line or staff of the army, may be taken before some justice of the peace, and read in evi- dence, provided the prosecutor and person accused are present at the taking the same, or that notice be given of the times and places of taking such de- positions to the opposite party four days previous thereto, where the witness resides within the dis- tance of thirty miles from such party, and six days where the witness resides above the distance of ^ This report, dated December 4, is in the Papers of the Con- tinental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 873. '^ Morgan's letter of the 20th is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 63, folio 165. 125 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. thirty, and not exceeding eighty miles, and a reason- able time for a greater distance. p. 1435 SUES ADVANCED IN THE HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT Feb. 26. To Jonathan Potts, deputy di- rector 150,000 March 10. To do 150,000 April 16. To do 500,000 Sep. 29. To do 221,144 Jan. 16. To doctor Isaac Forster, dep- uty director eastern district . 75,000 April 27. To do 100,000 June 12. To do 150,000 Nov. 25. To do 150,000 June 29. To S. Kennedy for rent of hos- pital at Yellow Springs . . 5,000 Dollars 1,501,144 p. 1440 FARTHER SUMS ADVANCED IN THE PAY-OFFICE DE- PARTMENT Jan. 9 and 20 3857 5-90 Feb. 9 2102 26-90 March 30 2275 5-90 April 12 2152 70-90 May 13 2300 4-90 June 12 2373 6-90 January i, 1780. i A letter, of 30 December, from Doctor J. Morgan, was read, requesting to be furnished with copies of the following letters and returns of Doctor W. Ship- pen, viz: ^^ Letters previous to October 9, 1776, on which were founded the resolves of that day; of November ^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No 158, folio 305. 126 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD I, 1776, including the return of the sick; November 9, 1776; November 24, 1777, and return of the sick, also return of the hospital ofTicers; January 19, 1778, with the return of the hospital officers, &c., also Governor Livingston's, to which it refers; January 26, 1778, to Francis Lewis, Esquire; Whereupon, Ordered, That Doctor Morgan's request be com- plied with and that those of the papers which are in the possession of the Medical Committee be lodged in the Secretary's office for that purpose. January 3, 1780. 10-12 According to order, Congress took into considera- tion the report of the Medical Committee, viz. That each and every officer hereafter mentioned and described in this resolve, belonging to the medi- cal department in the hospitals, or army, who is now in the service of the United States, and shall continue therein during the war, and not to hold any office or profit under the United States, or any of them, shall after the conclusion of the war, be entitled to receive, annually, for the term of seven years, if they shall live so long, viz; the physicians general, surgeons general, the physician and surgeon general of the army, the deputy directors general, each, a sum equal to the half pay granted and ex- tended to a colonel in the line of the army by a re- solve of Congress, of the 15 of May, 1778; the senior surgeons and physicians, assistant deputy directors, and the apothecary general, each, a sum equal to the half pay of a lieutenant colonel, granted and ex- tended by the resolve aforesaid; the junior or sec- ond surgeons of the hospitals and the regimental surgeons, each, a sum equal to the half pay of a ma- jor in the line, granted and extended as aforesaid; the mates of the regimental surgeons, the apothe- cary's mates, or assistants, each a sum equal to the 127 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. half pay granted and extended to a lieutenant in the line of the army, by the resolve aforesaid; the whole of the foregoing allowances are to be subject in every respect to the same rules, restrictions and limitations, upon which the half pay of the afore- mentioned officers of the line was granted and ex- tended by the said resolve, of the 15 of May, 1778. That each of the aforementioned and described officers in the medical department, or their legal representatives, respectively, shall be entitled to the like quantity of lands with the aforementioned and described officers of the line, in due proportion to the sums granted to them respectively by the pre- ceding resolve, upon the same conditions, and sub- ject to the same rules, restrictions and limitations, as the grants of lands to the aforementioned officers of the line, by a resolve of Congress of the 16 Sep- tember, 1776. On the question to agree to the first proposition for granting half pay, the yeas and nays being re- quired by Mr. (Roger) Sherman, So it passed in the negative. On the question to agree to the second proposition for granting lands, the States were equally divided, and the question lost. January 27, 1780. 99 That the Medical Committee, as soon as they shall judge convenient, give directions for removing the hospitals in or near Philadelphia, to some other place, where wood and other necessaries may be procured on more reasonable terms than in the city aforesaid : That the issuing commissaries be respectively di- rected not to defiver rations, or parts of rations, to any hospital commissary, unless on returns signed by him and countersigned by the principal physician 128 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD or surgeon of the respective hospitals, specifying the names and stations of the persons for whom, and for what time, the rations are drawn; and that the hos- pital commissary be also required to annex to each return the receipts of the persons to whom he shall have delivered the provisions drawn on the last re- turn: That the commissary general of issues direct tlie form of the returns and receipts aforesaid.^^ February 7, 1780. 130 A letter from sundry officers in the hospital de- partment was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, to take order. A memorial from President Wheelock, of Dart- mouth college, was read: ^* Ordered, That the same, together with the report of the committee on a memorial from the late Doc- tor Wheelock, be referred to the Board of War. February 9, 1780. 143 ' That on the application of the Medical Commit- tee, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Jonathan Potts, purveyor general in the middle dis- trict, for sixty thousand dollars, to defray the neces- sary expences of the department; and for which sum he is to be accountable.^^ February 14, 1780. 166 8' This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 123. 9^ This memorial, dated January 3, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, X, folio 423; the letter from offi- cers in the hospital department, dated February 7, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 499. '^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 79. 129 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. The Board of Treasury beg leave to report That a warrant issue on Thos. Smith Esq- Com- missr of the Continental Loan Office for the State of Pennsylvania for Thirty six thousand nine hun- XT f' f] dred dollars in Loan Office Certificates ^ in favor of Jonathan Potts Purveyor General of the Hospitals, or order, for which sum the said Purveyor General is to be accountable.^^ March i, 1780. 220 Two letters, of February 4th and 14, from Philip Turner, were read: Ordered, That they be referred to the Medical Committee. March 18, 1780. 260 That on the application of the Medical Commit- tee, the following warrants issue in favour of Jona- than Potts, purveyor general of the hospitals, for the use of his department; and for which, amount- ing to forty six thousand nine hundred dollars, he is to be accountable; viz March 30, 1780. 317 A letter, of ii, from Doctor L Forster to the Medical Committee was laid before Congress and read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury. April 4, 1780. 326 A letter, of 28 March, from Doctor J. Morgan, was read.^^ ^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 91. " Morgan's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 63, folio 169. (Note) A letter from W. Rickman, dated April 23, 1780, ap- pears to have been read. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIX, folio 311. 130 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD April 5, 1780. 330 That on the application of the Medical Commit- tee of the third instant, a warrant issue on Henry Gardiner, treasurer of the State of Massachusetts bay, in favour of Isaac Forster, deputy director gen- eral of the hospitals in the eastern department, for forty thousand dollars, being part of the monies raised in the said State, for the use of the United States, and for the use of that department; for which the said deputy director general is to be accountable. May 4, 1780. 412 Ordered, That a member be added to the Medical Committee. The member chosen, Mr. (James) Henry. May 10, 1780. 417 A letter, of this day, from Doctor J. Morgan was read, requesting "to be indulged with an authenti- cated copy of his Excellency General Washington's letter to Dr. Shippen, referred to in the General's letter to him (Dr. Morgan), of January 6, 1779, dated about the beginning of November, 1776, and enclosed to the President of Congress in Doctor Shippen's letter, dated 9th November, 1776:" Ordered, That Doctor Morgan be furnished with a copy of the said letter, agreeably to his request. May 12, 1780. 425 The Board having considered the letter of William Rickman Deputy director general of the hospitals in Virginia referred to them by Congress report That the said William Rickman is not charged with any monies in the Treasury books, [and that if he has received any monies that he is accountable to the Director General who is to account with the United States.] 131 , HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. May 1 6, 1780. 430 The Board on the references relative to the Chil- dren of the late General Warren Report, That the accounts for the Education of Joseph Warren his eldest son have been paid to Doctor John Warren up to April 1779 and that no accounts have Since been rendered, That they know of no resolution of Congress mak- ing provision for the education of any other of the Children of the said late General Warren. ^^ May 20, 1780. 442 On motion of the Medical Committee, I Resolved, That on the application of the Medica_ Committee, the Commercial Committee be author ised to furnish Doctor Potts, the purveyor genera/, with two hogsheads of sugar, for the use of the hos- pitals in the middle district, the said purveyor gen- eral to be accountable. Resolved, That on the application of the Medical Committee, the commissary general of purchases be directed to furnish the purveyor general with two hogsheads of spirits, for the use of the hospitals in the middle district, the said purveyor general to be accountable.^^ May 23, 1780. 447 Congress took into consideration the report of the Medical Committee, to whom was referred the let- ter from Governor Trumbull, of the ist inst.; and thereupon, Resolved, That the director general, or in his ab- sence, deputy director general, of the hospitals in ** This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 303. '^ This report, in the writing of Frederick A. Muhlenberg, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 89. 132 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD the eastern district, be and he is hereby directed to hire a suitable house at or near the port of New London, in the State of Connecticut, for the recep- tion of such sick American prisoners as shall, from time to time, be exchanged and landed in that neighbourhood; and that one senior surgeon or phy- sician, and a suitable number of mates, be occasion- ally employed therein, as the number of sick shall increase or diminish.^*^" June 26, 1780. 562 That on the application of the Medical Commit- tee, a warrant issue on Abraham Yates, commission- er of the continental loan office for the State of New York, in favour of Robert Johnson, assistant direc- tor of the hospitals in the northern department, on account of Jonathan Potts, purveyor general of the military hospitals, for the sum of fifty thousand dol- lars, one half of which, payable in loan office cer- tificates, and the other half in current money of the United States, to be applied in the department afore- said; and for which the said Jonathan Potts is to be accountable.^*"- July I, 1780. 581 A letter, of this day, from the Board of War was read : Ordered, That the same be referred to the Medi- cal Committee, and that they take order thereon. July 6, 1780. 589 Ordered, That on the application of the Medical Committee, a warrant issue on the treasurer, in 100 This report, in the writing of Frederick A. Muhlenberg, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 87. ^"^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 367. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. favour of Jonathan Potts, purveyor of military hos- pitals, for twenty thousand dollars for the purpose of purchasing necessaries for the hospitals in the middle department; and for which the aforesaid Jonathan Potts is to be accountable.^"^ July 7, 1780. 592 Resolved, That a member be added to the Medi- cal Committee, in the room of Mr. J(ames) Henry, who is absent: The member chosen, Mr. (Abraham) Clark. July 18, 1780. 638 Another letter, of 15, from General Washington was read, enclosing the proceedings and sentence of a general court martial on the trial of Doctor W. Shippen, Junr, director general of the military hos- pitals: Ordered, That the consideration thereof be as- signed for to morrow. Another letter, of 15, from General Washington was read, respecting the hospital department. Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee.^**^ July 19, 1780. 646 According to the order of the day, Congress took into consideration the proceedings of the court mar- tial on the trial of Doctor W. Shippen, director gen- eral of the hospitals, and some time being spent therein; Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow. 102 xhis report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 409. 103 Washington's letters are in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress. No. 152, IX, foHos 25 & 19. DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD July 20, 1780. 648 Congress resumed the consideration of the pro- ceedings of the court martial on the trial of Doctor Shippen; and having made some farther progress, Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow. July 21, 1780. 648 The Medical Committee, to whom was referred the letter of 15, from General Washington, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon, The Medical Committee to whom was referred the letter of the Commander in Chief of July 15th beg leave to report, That they have conversed with D. Cochran and other gentlemen of the Hospital department by whom, and the many distressing accounts the Corn- mittee almost daily receive from every quarter, it appears that the department is in want of almost every article necessary for the comfortable suste- nance of the sick and wounded soldiery. They are therefore clearly of opinion that a sum of two hun- dred thousand dollars is immediately necessary to put the department on such a footing, that the dan- ger the General apprehends in his letter may be avoided. They beg leave to refer to the enclosed estimate and submit the following resolution. Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Jonathan Potts, purveyor of the hospitals in the middle district, for two hundred thousand dollars, for the use of the hospitals in the middle district, to be applied as the Medical Committee shall direct; the said purveyor to be accountable.^"* The Medical Committee, to whom was referred ^"^ This report, in the writing of Frederick A. Muhlenberg, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 287. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the letter, of 15, from Doctor Brown, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon, The Medical Committee to whom D. Will, Brown's letter of July 15th was referred, beg leave to report: That they have conversed with D. Brown and find that his circumstances will no longer permit his continuance in the service, and as it appears to them that he has been a faithful and diligent officer they submit the following Resolution. Resolved, That Congress entertain a high opinion of the abilities, integrity and past services of Doctor William Brown, physician general, but as his pres- ent circumstances will no longer permit his continu- ance in the service, his resignation be accepted,^"^ July 22, 1780. 654 Congress resumed the consideration of the pro- ceeding of the court martial on the trial of Doctor Shippen, and having made some farther progress, Adjourned to 10 o'CIock on Monday. July 27, 1780. 676 Congress resumed the consideration of the pro- ceedings of the court martial on the trial of Doctor W. Shippen, Junior; and some farther progress be- ing made July 28, 1780. 677-8 Congress resumed the consideration of tlie pro- ceedings of the general court martial on the trial of Doctor W. Shippen; and some farther progress be- ing made therein, Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed. ^^ This report, in the writing of Frederick A. Muhlenberg, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 423. 136 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD July 29, 1780. 680 Congress resumed the consideration of the pro- ceedings of the general court martial on the trial of Doctor W. Shippen; and some farther progress be- ing made, July 31, 1780. 684 Congress resumed the consideration of the pro- ceedings of the court martial on the trial of Doctor Shippen, director general; and some farther prog- ress being made therein, August 7, 1780. 708 Ordered, That the Medical Committee report as soon as may be, the state of the military hospitals within the State of Pennsylvania, specifying partic- ularly the number of physicians, surgeons, mates, matrons and attendants residing in Pennsylvania, and the places they are employed in, and also the number of the sick. August 10, 1780. 716 W™ Shippen, D. G. H., 628,200 dollars. Ren- dered accounts. August 16, 1780. 737, 8. A letter, of 15, from Doctor W. Shippen was read.^"^ Congress resumed the consideration of the pro- ceedings of the court martial on the trial of Doctor Shippen, director general, and having gone through the evidence, defence and judgment of the court, August 18, 1780. 744, 5, 6 Congress resumed the consideration of the pro- ceedings of the court martial on the trial of Doctor Shippen, director general, when a motion was made by Mr. (Timothy) Matlack, seconded by Mr. (Wil- liam Churchill) Houston, as follows: ^"^ Shippen's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress No. 78, XX, folio 541. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That the court martial having acquitted the said Doctor W. Shippen, the said acquittal be confirmed. A motion was made by Mr. (Abraham) Clark, seconded by Mr. (Nathaniel) Folsom, to amend the motion, by inserting after W. Shippen, these words, "excepting that part of the 2d charge relating to his speculating in hospital stores, on which the court judge him highly reprehensible." The court martial having acquitted the said Doc- tor W. Shippen, Ordered, that he be discharged from arrest. So it was resolved in the affirmative. August 22, 1780. 755 A letter from Doctor W. Shippen, director general, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three : August 28, 1780. 787-8 The committee, to whom was referred the letter, of 22d, from Doctor W. Shippen, D(irector)* G(en- eral), brought in a report; Whereupon, The Committee to whom, D. Shippen Direc* Gen'^ letter of the 22nd instant was referred. Re- port, That that part of the letter which respects sup- plies of Forage for the Horses belonging to officers of the Hospital Department, together with two let- ters received by the Committee since, from the Di- rector General, be referred to the Board of War to take order. The Committee ask leave to sit again. Extract of a letter of D. Shippen Aug. 22nd 1780 "I am informed to day by the Dep*^' Quarter * Material placed in parentheses appeared in brackets in the original MS. 138 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Master of this State that he will not supply our de partment with any more Forage, unless he is au- thorised so to do by an order of Congress, which I flatter myself will be given immediately." ^"^ Resolved, That that part of the letter, which re- spects supplies of forage for the horses belonging to officers of the hospital department, together with two letters received by the committee from the director general, be referred to the Board of War to take order. September 9, 1780. 814 The committee, to whom was referred the letter of 22 August, from Doctor Shippen, director general, brought in a report, which was read: Ordered, That a member be added to the Medical Committee, in the room of Mr. (Samuel) Holton, who is absent: The member chosen, Mr. (Theodorick) Bland. September 11, 1780. 819 Ordered, That Wednesday next be assigned for the consideration of the report of the committee on Doctor W. Shippen, director general's letter, re- specting the hospital department. September 19, 1780. 837 A letter, of this day, from Doctor W. Shippen, director general, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. September 22, 1780. 847 Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the medical department, and on the consideration of the following paragraph, viz. ^"^ This report, in the writing of Frederick A.Muhlenberg, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 541. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. "That the several officers whose pay is estabi Ifshed as above, except the clerks and stewards, shal- at the end of the war be entitled to a certain provi- sion of land in the proportion following, viz. The director to have the same quantity as a briga- dier general. Chief physicians and surgeons and apothecary the same as a colonel. Physicians and surgeons and apothecary the same as lieutenant colonel. Regimental surgeons and assistants to the purveyor and apothecary, the same as a major. Hos- pital and regimental surgeons' mates, the same as a captain." A motion was made by Mr. (Frederick A.) Muh- lenberg, seconded by Mr. (Theodorick) Bland, to amend the paragraph by inserting after the words, "intitled to" the words following, viz. "half pay in the same manner and under like restrictions as offi- cers of the line"; and on the question to agree to the amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. (John) Fell,.. So it was resolved in the affirmative. September 23, 1780. 853 The committee, to whom was re-committed part of the report on the hospital department, having brought in a farther report, Congress resumed the consideration thereof, and made some progress. Ordered, That the director general report the names of all the officers in the hospital department from the director to the junior surgeons inclusive, with the dates of their respective commissions. ^°* September 25, 1780. 854 '"^ Here were inserted the resolutions on the hospital service, but Thomson noted in the margin "reconsidered and amended 30th." They are printed under September 30, 1780, post, where the changes are noted. 140 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD The director general, having made a return of the ofiicers of the hospital ;^''^ Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. September 28, 1780. 871 The Medical Committee, to whom was referred the return made by Doctor Shippen, delivered in a report. September 30, 1780. 876-88 Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the hospital department, when a motion was made by Mr. (Roger) Sherman, seconded by Mr. (Nicholas) Van Dyke, to reconsider that part of the report, viz. "That the several officers whose pay is established, except the stewards and ward masters, be intitled to half pay, in the same manner and un- der like restrictions as officers of the line;" And on the question for reconsideration, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. (Roger) Sherman, So It was resolved in the affirmative. A motion was made by Mr. (John) Fell, seconded by Mr. (William Churchill) Houston, to strike out the words, "half pay in the same manner and under like restrictions as officers of the line." And on the question shall those words stand, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. (Roger)„Sher- man, So it passed in the negative and the words were struck out. Congress proceeded in the consideration of the report, and the same being amended, was agreed to, as follows i^^*^ ^'" Dr. Shippen's letter transmitting the return is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, 567. '^° From here the entries are in Thomas Edison's writing. 141 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Whereas, the late regulations for conducting the affairs of the general hospital are in many respects defective; and it is necessary that the same be re- vised and amended, in order that the sick and wounded may be properly provided for and attend- ed, and the business of the hospitals conducted with regularity and economy; therefore, Resolved, That there be one director of the mil-i tary hospitals, who shall have the general direction and superintendance of all the hospitals to the northward of North Carolina; that, within the afore- said limits, there be three chief hospital physicians, who shall also be surgeons; one chief physician, who shall also be a surgeon, to each separate army; fif- teen hospital physicians, who shall also be surgeons; twenty surgeons' mates for the hospitals: one pur- veyor, with one assistant; one apothecary; one as- sistant apothecary; [and to each hospital one clerk who shall also be paymaster,]* a steward,matron, orderly men, and nurses, as heretofore: That the director, or, in his absence, one of the chief hospital physicians, be empowered and re- quired, with the advice and consent of the Com- mander in Chief, or commander of a separate army, to establish and regulate such a number of hospi- tals, at proper places, for the reception of the sick and wounded of the army, as may be found neces- sary: That the director be authorised and instructed td enjoin the several chief hospital physicians, ano other officers of the hospitals under his superintend- ance, to attend at such posts or stations as he may judge proper, and also to attend and perform such duties, at any post or place, as a change of the posi- *Material in brackets was cancelled in the original MS. 142 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD tlon of the army, or other circumstances, may from time to time make necessary, and shall be required by the Commander in Chief; and that, in case of any dispute concerning their seniority or precedence, the director shall determine the same in the first instance, the party supposing himself aggrieved be- ing at liberty to appeal for redress to the Medical Committee: That in time of action, and on any other emer- gency, when the regimental surgeons are not suffi- cient in number to attend properly to the sick and wounded that cannot be removed to the hospitals, the director, or, in his absence, the nearest chief hospital physician, be empowered and required, upon request of the chief physician and surgeon of the army, to send from the hospitals under his care, to the assistance of such sick and wounded, as many surgeons as can possibly be spared from the neces- sary business of the hospitals: That the director, or, in his absence, two of the chief hospital physicians, shall make out and de- liver, from time to time, to the purveyor, proper es- timates of hospital stores, medicines, instruments, dressings, and such other articles as may be judged necessary for the use of the hospitals; also direct the apothecary or his assistant, to prepare and de- liver medicines, instruments, dressings, and other articles in his possession to the hospitals and sur- geons of the army and navy, as he or they may judge necessary: That the director authorise and instruct the pur- veyor and apothecary to supply, for the use of the regimental surgeons, such medicines and refresh- ments as may be proper for the relief of the sick and wounded, before their removal to a general hospital, and to be dispensed under the care, and at the di- rection of the chief physician of the army: 143 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That the director, or, in his absence, the chief hospital physicians, respectively, be empowered oc- casionally to employ second mates, when the num- ber of the sick shall increase so as to make it neces- sary, and to discharge them as soon as the circum- stances of the sick will admit: That the director, or, in his absence, the chief hospital physicians, respectively, shall appoint a ward master for each hospital, to receive the spare regimental cloathing, arms, and accoutrements of each soldier admitted therein, keeping entries of and giving receipts for every article received, which, when the soldier shall be discharged, shall be ac- counted for by the said ward master with the com- manding officer of the regiment to which such sol- dier belonged, or the officer directed to take charge of the convalescents from the said hospital; or, in case of the death of the soldier, shall be accounted for with, and delivered to the quartermaster of the regiment to which the said soldier belonged; and the ward master shall receive and be accountable for the hospital cloathing, and perform such other ser- vices as the chief hospital physician shall direct. That the director shall make returns of all the sick and wounded in the hospitals, once every month, to the medical committee, together with the names and ranks of all the officers and others em- ployed in the several hospitals: That the director be required to employ such part of his time as may be spared from the duties before pointed out to him, in visiting and prescribing for the sick and wounded of the hospitals; and that he pay particular attention to the conduct of the sev- eral officers in the hospital department, and arrest, suspend and bring to trial, all delinquents within the same: 144 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD That the duty of the chief hospital physician shall be, to do and perform all the duties herein before en- joined them to do in the absence of the director; to receive and obey the orders of the director, made and delivered to them in writing, to superintend the practice of physick and surgery in the hospitals put under their particular care by the director, or which, by the order of the commander in chief or the com- mander of a separate army, may be by them estab- lished; to see that the hospital physicians and other officers attending the same, do their duty; and make monthly returns to the director, of the state and number of the sick and wounded in the hospitals under their care; and also make to the director, and to the medical committee, of all delinquent officers, in order that they may be speedily removed or pun- ished; and to take measures that all such sick and wounded as are recovered and fit for duty be deliv- ered weekly to the officer of the guard, to be con- ducted to the army: when present at any hospital, to issue orders to the proper officers for supplying them with necessaries; and generally, in the absence of the director, to superintend and controul the busi- ness of such hospitals, suspend delinquent and re- move unnecessary non-commissioned officers, mak- ing report to the director; and, when in their power, to attend and perform or direct all capital opera- tions: That the hospital physicians shall take charge of such particular hospitals as may be assigned them by the director: They shall obey the orders of the director, or in his absence, of the chief hospital phy- sician: They shall have power to suspend officers under them, and to confine other persons serving in the hospitals under their charge, for negligence or ill-behaviour, until the matter be regularly inquired 145 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. into: They shall diligently attend to the cases of the sick and wounded of the hospitals under their care, administering at all times proper relief, as far as may be in their power: They shall respectively give orders, under their hands, to the assistant purveyor or steward at the hospital, for the issuing provisions and stores, as well as for the procuring any other articles that the exigencies of the hospital may re- quire, and which the store is not provided with, hav- ing always a strict regard to economy, as well as the welfare of the sick then to be provided for: They shall make weekly returns to the nearest chief hos- pital physician, of the state of the hospitals under their respective care. The mates shall each take charge of and attend the patients assigned them, and perform such other duties as shall be directed by the director, chief or other physicians and surgeons. The chief physician and surgeon of the army shall be subject to the orders and controul of the direc- tor: His duty shall be to superintend the regimental surgeons and their mates, and to see that they do their duty: To hear all complaints against the said regimental surgeons and mates, and make report of them to the director, or, in his absence, to the Com- mander in Chief or commanding officer of a separate army, that they may be brought to trial by court- martial for misbehaviour: To draw for and receive from the purveyor a suitable number of large strong tents, beds, bedding and hospital stores, and from the apothecary, or his assistant, proper medicines, for such sick and wounded persons as can not be removed to the general hospital with safety, or may be rendered fit for duty in a short time. He shall also see that the sick and wounded, while under his care, are properly attended and provided for, and 146 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD conveyed, when fit to be removed, to the general hospital; for which last purpose, he shall be sup- plied by the quartermaster general, with a proper number of convenient wagons and drivers; he shall have a steward, which he is to appoint, to receive and properly dispense such articles of diet and re- freshment as shall be procured for the sick; and also shall appoint such a number of nurses and orderly men as may be necessary for the attendance of the sick and wounded under his care. He shall cause daily returns to be made to him of all the sick and wounded which have been removed to the hospitals, all that remain in the hospital tents, all that are be- come fit for duty, all that are convalescent, and all who may have died, specifying the particular mala- dies under which the sick and wounded labour, and shall make a monthly return thereof to the director, who shall add it to his general hospital returns, to be transmitted monthly to the Medical Committee. That whenever any regimental surgeon or mate shall be absent from his regiment, without leave from the chief physician and surgeon or commander of the army where his duty lies, the said chief physi- cian and surgeon shall have power to remove such surgeon or mate and forthwith appoint another in his stead. That the purveyor provide, or cause to be pro- vided, all hospital stores, medicines, instruments, dressings, utensils, and such other articles as shall be prescribed by the written order of the director, or two of the chief hospital physicians, and deliver, or cause the same to be delivered, upon written or- ders, under the hands of the director, or chief hospi- tal physician, or one of the hospital physicians, hav- ing the charge of a particular hospital, or of a chief physician and surgeon of the army, which, with re- 147 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. ceipts thereon for delivery of the same, shall be his sufficient vouchers. He shall be allowed a clerk, and as many store keepers as occasion may require, and the director shall approve of. He shall also pay the salaries of the officers, and all other expences of the hospitals. He shall render his accounts every three months to the Board of Treasury for settlement, and make application for money to the Medical Com- mittee, before whom he shall lay estimates of arti- cles necessary, which shall previously have been ap- proved and signed by the director or two of the chief hospital physicians; at the same time he shall render to them an account of the expenditure of the last sum of money advanced to him; and the said Medical Committee shall lay such estimates before Congress, with their opinion thereon: That the assistant purveyor shall procure such supplies, and do and perform such parts of the pur- veyor's duty, as by him shall be particularly as- signed to him. That the apothecary and his assistant receive, prepare and deliver medicines, instruments and dressings, and such other articles of his depart- ment, to the hospitals and army, on orders in writ- ing from the director, or either of the chief hospital physicans, or chief physician and surgeon of the army; and that he be allowed as many mates as oc- casion may require, and the director shall approve of: That the director, or in his absence, the chief hos- pital physician, shall appoint a steward for each hos- pital, whose duty it shall be to purchase vegetables and other small articles, under the direction of the purveyor, and to receive hospital stores from the purveyor, and provisions fromt he commissary gen- eral, and issue the same for the use of the sick and wounded, agreeably to the order of the physician 148 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD and surgeon attending such hospital; the steward to account with the purveyor for all such issues: That the director, or, iu his absence, the chief hospital physician, appoint a proper number of ma- trons, nurses, and others, necessary for the regular management of the hospitals, and fix and ascertain their pay, not exceeding the sums heretofore allowed; and point out and prescribe their particular duties and employments, in writing, which they are en- joined to observe and obey: That the director, with two chief hospital physi- cians, be empowered to fix the pay of second mates, and of such clerks, store keepers, and other persons, as may occasionally be employed; and also make such regulations, and point out and enjoin, in writ- ing, such further particular duties for the several officers in the hospital department, as they may judge necessary for the regular management of the same; which duties shall always be consistent with, and in no wise contradictory to any of the duties herein before particularly enumerated, and which being reported to, and approved of by the Medical Committee, shall thereupon become obligatory to all those concerned: That the quartermaster general furnish the hos- pital department, from time to time, as occasion may require, with such a number of horses and wagons as may be necessary for removing the sick and wounded, and for transporting the hospital stores; but that no other horses than those belong- ing to the officers of the department, for which for- age may be herein allowed, be kept separately and at the expence of the department: That no person concerned in trade, on his own account, shall be suffered to act as an officer in the hospital or medical department of the army: 149 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That no officer or other person in the hospital de- partment, except the sick and wounded, be permit- ted to use any of the stores provided for the sick: That the director, chief hospital physicians, and the chief physicians and surgeons of the army, phy- sicians and surgeons, purveyor, apothecary, assist- ant purveyor, and assistant apothecary, be appoint- ed and commissioned by Congress; the regimental surgeons and mates to be appointed as heretofore: That the director, with the advice and concur- rence of two of the chief hospital physicians, appoint all hospital mates, which appointments shall be cer- tified by warrants under the hand of the director; in which appointments no person shall be admitted under the age of twenty-one years: That all the officers in the hospital or medical de- partments, shall be subjected to trial by courts-mar- tial for all offences, in the same manner as officers of the line of the army. Resolved, That the pay and establishment of the officers of the hospital department, and medical staff, be as follows: Director, one hundred and fifty dollars per month, two rations for himself, and one for his servant, per day, and forage for two horses: Chief physicians and surgeons of the army and hospitals, each, one hundred and forty dollars per month, two rations per day, and forage for two horses : Purveyor and apothecary, each, one hundred and thirty dollars per month: Physicians and surgeons of the hospitals, each, one hundred and twenty dollars per month, one ra- tion per day, and forage for one horse: Assistant purveyors and apothecaries, each, sev- enty-five dollars per month: 150 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Regimental surgeons, each, sfxty-five dollars per month, one ration per day, and forage for one horse: Surgeons' mates in the hospitals, fifty dollars per month, one ration per day: Surgeons' mates in the army, forty-five dollars per month, one ration per day: Steward for each hospital, thirty-five dollars per month, one ration per day: Ward master for each hospital, twenty-five dol- lars per month, one ration per day. Resolved, That none of the aforesaid officers, or other persons employed in any of the hospitals, be entitled to rations of provisions or forage when on furlough. Resolved, That the chief physician of the army be allowed a two horse covered wagon for transport- ing his baggage: That the several officers above mentioned shall re- ceive their pay in the new currency, emitted pursu- ant to a resolution of Congress of the i8th day of March last; and that they be allowed and paid at the rate of five dollars of said currency per month for every retained ration; and shall each be entitled annually to draw cloathing from the stores of the cloathier general, in the same manner and under the same regulations as are established for officers of the line, by a resolution of Congress of the 25th November, 1779: That the returns for cloathing for officers in the medical staff (regimental surgeons and their mates, who are to draw with the regimental staff, excepted) be signed by the directors, or one of the chief hos- pital physicians; and such cloathing shall be deliv- ered either by the cloathier general or any sub- cloathier in the state in which the officer to receive cloathing shall reside, in the same manner as is pro- 151 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. vided in the cases of other staff officers not taken from the line: That the several officers wliose pay is established as above (except the stewards and ward masters) shall at the end of the war be entitled to a certain provision of land, in the proportion following, viz. The director to have the same quantity as a briga- dier-general; Chief physicians and purveyor, the same as a colonel ; Physicians and surgeons and apothecary, the same as a lieutenant colonef; Regimental surgeons and assistants to the pur- veyor and apothecary, the same as a major; Hospital and regimental surgeons' mates, the same as a captain; That the former arrangements of the hospital de- partment, and all resolutions heretofore passed touching the same, so far as they are inconsistent with the foregoing, be repealed, excepting that the hospitals in the southern department, from North Carolina to Georgia, inclusive, be continued under the same regulations as heretofore, until the further order of Congress.^^^ October 2, 1780. 889 Congress took into consideration the report of the Medical Committee on the letter, of 24 Septem- ber, from the director general, together with the re- turns of the officers in the hospital departm.ent; and thereupon. The Medical Committee, to whom the Director General's letter of the 24th inst. together with the Return of the Officers in the Hospital Department was referred, beg leave to report: That they have conferred with the Director Gen- ,*** Here Charles Thomson resumes the entries. 152 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD eral and other ofTicers of the Department, and have made out a new Return, of the General Officers, the Senior and Junior Surgeons, together with the Dates of their respective Commissions, which they submit to Congress. Resolved, That on Thursday next Congress will proceed to the election of the director, chief physi- cians, purveyor-apothecary and their respective as- sistants, and the physicians of the military hospi- tals."'^ October 6, 1780. 908 Congress proceeded to the election of officers in the hospital department, and the ballots being taken, Doctor William Shippen, jr. was elected director- general; Doctor John Cochran, chief physician and surgeon of the army; Doctor James Craik, Doctor Malachi Treat, Doctor Charles M'Knight, chief hos- pital physicians. October 7, 1780. 909-10 Congress proceeded in the election of officers in the hospital department, and the ballots being taken, Thomas Bond, jun, was elected purveyor; Isaac Ledyard, assistant purveyor; Doctor Andrew Craigie, apothecary; William Johonot, assistant apothecary; Doctors James Tilton, Samuel Adams, David Townshend, Henry Latimer, Francis Hagan, Phihp Turner, William Burnet, John Warren, Moses Scott, David Jackson, Bodo Otto, Moses Bloom- field, William Eustis, George Draper, Barnabas Bin- ney, hospital physicians and surgeons. On motion of the medical committee. Resolved, That Doctor Matthew Maus be ap- pointed surgeon to the regiment of invalids com- ^^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 27. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. manded by Colonel L. Nicola, and that Colonel Nicola be authorised to appoint a proper surgeon's mate to the said regiment, when the number of sick shall make it necessary. October 17, 1780. 935 On motion of the Medical Committee, Ordered, That Doctor Isaac Forster and Doctor Jonathan Potts deliver all pubHc stores in their pos- session to Doctor Thomas Bond, purveyor of the hospitals, or his order, taking duplicate receipts for the same, and transmitting one of each to the Board of Treasury. October 21, 1780. 962 A letter, of 4, from W. Rickman, was read; Where- upon,"^ Ordered, That Dr. Rickman be informed, that pursuant to his former request, he is left out in the new arrangement of the hospital department. October 30, 1780. 992 That as Major General Greene has expressed an earnest desire to have Doctor James McHenry as an aid de camp upon the southern command, the said Major General Greene be authorised to employ the said Doctor James McHenry as one of his aids, on his command in the southern department; and that the said Doctor McHenry while so employed be intitled to the rank of major by brevet, November i, 1780. 1002 The Medical Committee delivered in a report; Whereupon, The Medical Committee beg leave to Report — ^1^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78. XIX. folio 319. 154 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD That they have had under consideration an esti- mate of Hospital Stores, laid before them by the Purveyor by order of the Director of the Hospital : of which estimate, such parts as are approved of by the Committee, and in their opinion necessary to be procured they now lay before Congress, amount- ing by estimation to 4276 2/3 dollars in specie: Whereupon they offer the following Resolution. Ordered, That the sum of four thousand two hun- dred and seventy six dollars and sixty ninetieths of a dollar, in bills emitted pursuant to the resolution of the 1 8th of March last, be advanced to Thomas Bond, purveyor of the general hospital, to enable him to purchase the stores mentioned in an esti- mate approved by the Medical Committee; and that the Board of Treasury report a draught or draughts for that purpose."* November 6, 1780. 1024 Ordered, That a warrant issue on Joseph Borden, commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of New Jersey, in favour of Thomas Bond, purveyor of the general hospital, for four thousand two hundred and seventy six dollars and 60/90, in bills of credit emitted pursuant to the act of Con- gress of the 18 of March last; for which sum the said Thomas Bond is to be accountable. November 13, 1780. 1049 A letter, of 5, from Doctor James Tilton was read. A letter from Doctor James Fallon was laid be- fore Congress: "^ Ordered, To lie on the table. ^^^ This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 29. "* Letter of Fallon, dated November 3, 1780, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 347. 155 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT U..S,A. November 17, 1780. 1066 The Board further report, That they have considered the letter from Doc- tor Wilham Rickman of the 4th of October last (re- ferred to them by Congress) and are of opinion, That the medical committee only are competent to determine the expediency of accepting the resig- nation of Doctor Rickman. No account is open in the pubhc books against Doctor Rickman, but Ben- jamin Harrison Dep^ Pay Master General in the Southern department has advanced considerable sums of money, for the use of the Hospitals, and that until the said Dep^ Pay Master General ren- ders his accounts, no account with Doctor Rickman can be settled at the Treasury.^^^ November 24, 1780. 1 090-1 The Medical Committee laid before Congress a letter, of 21, from Doctor Shippen, director [general], which was read; Whereupon, [A motion was made by Mr. Duane, seconded by] Ordered, That Doctor Shippen, director of the hos- pitals, [be directed to] repair to head quarters and put himself under the orders of the Commander in Chief."^ November 27, 1780. 1095 A letter, of this day, from Doctor Shippen. ^^^ December 4, 1780. 1118 A letter, of 30 November, from B. Binney, hos- pital surgeon; and *^® This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 713a. ^" This motion, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 499. ^^^ Shippen's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 575. 156 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD One, of this day, from M. Maus, surgeon of the invalid regiment, were read: ^^^ December 5, 1780. 11 20 A letter, of 4, from D(avid) Jackson, hospital sur- geon, was read, requesting leave to resign: Ordered, That leave be granted. December 6, 1780. 11 25-6 The Medical Committee, to whom were referred the letters from Doctor Binney and Doctor Maus, delivered in a report: The Medical Committee to whom was committed the letters from B. Binney and M. Maus beg leave to report — That on the 21st day of July last a warrant issue on the Treasury in favor of Dr. Jonathan Potts, Purveyor of the Hospital for 200,000 dollars for pro- curing Hospital Stores, and paying the Physicians and surgeons in that Department, a part only of which Warrant, owing to a deficiency of money in the Treasury, hath been received — That on the 6th November last a warrant issued on the Continental Loan Officer of the State of New Jersey in favor of Thomas Bond Jr. the present Purveyor for a certain sum of money for procuring supplies necessary for the hospital, no part of which the Purveyor informs the Committee he hath been able to receive. That on account of the failures in obtaining money, the sick are in a suffering condi- tion; the physicians unable to proceed to their re- spective charges, and the business of the Depart- ment greatly impeeded in every part. '1^ Binney 's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress' No. 78, IV, folio 97. 157 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That in order to procure supplies immediately wanted for the relief of the sick and to enable the Physicians to perform their duty, it is necessary to furnish the Purveyor with a sum of money. That it be referred to the Treasury to report a Warrant without delay that will insure a speedy supply.^^*^ Decembers, 1780. 11 28 That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commis- sioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, in favour of Thomas Bond, Junior, purveyor of the hospitals, on the recommendation of the Medical Committee, for fifteen thousand dol- lars, to be paid out of the proceeds of a bill of ex- change for two hundred dollars, part of those here- tofore ordered to be drawn on the honorable Benja- min Franklin, minister plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles, at ninety days' sight, to be placed in the hands of the commissioner aforesaid, by order of the Board of Treasury, to en- able the said purveyor to make provision for some sick soldiers in immediate want in the barracks in this city; for which sum the said Thomas Bond is to be accountable. ^^^ Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury, and that they report without delay, a warrant that will ensure a speedy supply of neces- saries wanted for the sick and enable the physicians to perform their duty. 120 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 31. ^^* This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 745. 158 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD December 9, 1780. 11 32 On motion of Mr. (Theodorlck) Bland, a member of the Medical Committee, Ordered, That the purveyor and apothecary be directed to issue medicines and refreshments neces- sary for the transient sick which may be, from time to time, under the care of Doctor Maus, as is done in the general hospital, he making returns of such sick in the manner directed in the hospital regula- tions to the director, and signing receipts for such stores as are issued to him. Ordered, That Doctor Maus report to the com- manding officer at the barracks such officers as are appointed to act under him as surgeon to the tran- sient sick, in case of misdemeanor, in order that they be tried for misconduct or neglect of duty by a garrison court martial. '^^ December 13, 1780. 11 49 A letter, of 6, from Doctor Bloomfield and Doc- tor Scott, two hospital physicians, was read, enclos- ing their commissions, and desiring that their resig- nations be accepted. ^"^ Ordered, That their resignations be accepted. December 26, 1780. 11 94 A letter, of 7, from John Warren was read, signi- fying his acceptance of the office of hospital physi- cian. ^^^ This motion, in the writing of Theodorick Bland, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 435. 12' This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IV, folio 53. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR 1 780^^^ Hospital Department. Page 143. 260. 562. 589. 648. Jonathan Potts, purveyor gen- eral, &c. accountable: 376,900 Page 330. Isaac Forster, deputy direc- tor general hospitals, eastern department, accountable: 40,000 Page 1128 15,000 And Page 1024, in new emission, 4,276 dollars. Thomas Bond, jun. purveyor gen- eral, &c. accountable: Total 431,900 standjng committees^^^ Medical 4 May, 1780. James Henry 7 July, 1780. Abraham Clark in place of Henry 9 September, 1780. Theodorick Bland in place of Holten 23 October, 1780. Isaac Motte January 3, 1781. 15 A letter, of this day, from Doctor William Ship- pen, director general of the hospital, was read, re- questing leave to resign: ^^^ Ordered, That his resignation be accepted. ^^* This Appendix appears only in the first edition of the Jour- nals, Vol. VI. (Claypoole imprint: See Bibliographical Notes No. 353.) The paging has been altered to correspond with the pages of the present edition. ^^ See pages 1445-1447 of Vol. XV. I now give such appoint- ments only as were made in 1780. **® This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXI, folio 1. i6o DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Two papers, signed Patrick Garvey, were laid be- fore Congress and read: Ordered, That the same be referred to the Medi- cal Committee. January 4, 1781. 20 . . . . A letter, of November 29, from Doctor Forster to the Medical Committee, were read:^^^ January ii, 1781. 47-8 Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for elect- ing a director [general] of the hospital, and a paymas- ter general to the army. Doctor J. Cochran was nominated by Mr. (James Mitchell) Varnum for the office of director [general]; Doctor Brown, by Mr. (Joseph) Montgomery; Dr. Craig, by Mr. (Abraham) Clark. January 13, 1 781. 56 Doctor J. Morgan was nominated by Mr. (George) Walton, for the office of director of tlie hospitals. January 17, 1781. 6$, 68 Congress proceeded to the election of a director of the military hospital; and the ballots being taken. Dr. John Cochran was elected, haying been previ- ously nominated by Mr. (James Mitchell) Varnum. Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on tlie letter of 5 of November last, from General Washington, enclosing a memorial from the officers in the hospital department; and, thereupon, came to the following resolutions: Whereas, by the plan for conducting the hospital department, passed in Congress the 30th day of September last, no proper establishment is provided for the officers of the medical staff, after their dis- 127 Forster's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress> No. 78, IX, folio 491. 161 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. mission from public service, which, considering the custom of other nations and the late provision made for the officers of the army, after the conclusion of the war, they appear to have a just claim to; for remedy whereof, and also for amending several parts of the above mentioned plan: Resolved, That all officers in the hospital depart- ment, and medical staff, hereinafter mentioned, who shall continue in service to the end of the war, or be reduced before that time as supernumeraries, shall be entitled to, and receive, during life, in lieu of half-pay, the following allowance, viz. The director of the hospital equal to the half-pay of a lieutenant colonel: Chief physicians and surgeons of the army and hospitals, [each equal to the half-pay of major] and hospital physicians and surgeons, purveyor, apothe- cary, and regimental surgeons, each equal to the half-pay of a [lieutenant] captain: [and regimental mates each equal to the half-pay of a] lieutenant. That there be allowed to the purveyor, apothe- cary, and assistant purveyors, each, forage for one horse : That the power given in the before-mentioned plan, to the chief physician and surgeon of the army, to remove regimental surgeons and mates in case of absence without leave, shall in future extend no fur- ther than a power of suspension, until such delin- quent shall be reported to a proper officer for bring- ing him to trial by court martial: That the apothecary may deliver medicines, in- struments and dressings, and other articles of his department, to the hospitals, on orders in writing from a physician and surgeon having the care of any particular hospital, where the director or one 162 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD of the chief physicians and surgeons shall not be present to give the same: That the power given to the director and chief hospital physicians, with respect to the appoint- ment of matrons, nurses, and other persons neces- sary for the regular management of the hospitals, be extended to each of the physicians and surgeons of the hospitals, in the absence of the director and chief physicians and surgeons. [That notwithstanding the prohibition against offi- cers of the hospitals using any of the Stores provided for the sick, the said officers may occasionally draw out of the hospital Stores under their particular di- rection by written orders on the Stewards of the same, such small articles for their comfortable sub- Nesaitved sistence as they may stand in need of, provided such articles are not imme- diately wanted for the use of the sick: of which arti- cles so issued, the Stewards shall keep regular ac- counts, charging each officer with the articles drawn at the current price the same bears at that time, which shall be deducted out of his pay in the settle- ment of his account, copies of which accounts, each respective Steward, under obligation of his oath of Office, shall transmit every six months to the Pur- veyor, Which being charged in a general account by him, shall be lodged in the Treasury Office — That the Director, Chief Physicians of the army and hospitals, and other Physicians and officers in the hospital department, as well those lately dis- missed from service, as those re-appointed in the last arrangement who were in office between the first day of Sept. 1777, and the 30th day of September last, shall have the depreciation of money made good to them on their pay for such part of the above 163 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. mentioned time as they were actually employed in public service.] ^^^ January 25, 1781. 86 A letter, from Doctor Gould, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. February i, 1781. 103-4 A letter, of 31 January, from Doctor Gould, was read: ^^ On motion of the medical committee. Resolved, That the purveyor of the hospital be, and hereby is empowered and directed to collect, or cause to be collected and secured under care, until properly issued, all public hospital stores and medi- cines in Virginia, late under the direction of Dr. Rickman, or others acting under the United States, and all persons in possession of such public stores or medicines, are hereby required to deliver the same to the said purveyor, or his order, upon demand. [That the medical committee be authorised during the absence of the director to direct a number of the hospital physicians and mates to repair imme- diately to Virginia and take the charge of the hos- pitals in that state.] ^^^ A motion was made by Mr. (Theodorick) Bland, seconded by (Mr. George) Walton, respecting the hospitals for the southern army: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. "' This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, foHo 331. ^^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folio 285. "" This motion, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 121. 164 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD February 5, 1781. 115 A letter, of 3, from Doctor B. Binney, was read:^^^ February 6, 1781. 118 On motion of Mr. (Theodorick) Bland, Resolved, That Thomas Bond, jun. purveyor to the general hospital, be, and hereby is, authorised to settle the accounts for salaries, and pay the offi- cers of the hospital established in Virginia, under the direction of Dr. Gould, which have accrued since the new arrangement of the medical depart- ment; and that Dr. Wilham Rickman, late deputy director, settle and return the accounts of salaries due the officers of the said hospital, prior to that date, to the present purveyor. February 8, 1781. 130 A letter, of 7, from B. Otto, physician and sur- geon, was read; Whereupon, Ordered, That the letter of Doctor Otto be refer- red to the Board of War to take measures for pre- venting any interruption being given to the hospi- tal at the yellow springs, the same being provided solely for the reception of proper hospital subjects. February 16, 1781. 155 The Medical Committee laid before Congress a letter, of January 12, from Doctor J. Browne, acting as surgeon general in the southern army, which was read : Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. Ordered, That Mr. (Wilfiam) Burnett be added to the Medical Committee. ^'* Binney's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IV, folio 93. 165 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. February 19, 1781. 160 A letter, of 3, from J. Cochran, was read, signify- ing his acceptance of the office of director general of the hospital. ^^^ A memorial of John Bartlet was read: ^^^ Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. February 22, 1781. 187 A letter, from Doctor B. Binney, was read: "■* Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three. February 24, 1781. 191 On motion of the Medical Committee: Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, in favour of Doctor Thomas Bond, purveyor of the hospital, for forty thousand dollars of the old emissions, to be applied towards paying the officers of the medical department in part of their salaries due since their appointment under the present arrangement, for which sum the said purveyor to be accountable. February 27, 1781. 199 A letter, of 10, from James Craik, chief hospital physician, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. March 3, 1781. 230 The report of the committee on the letter of the "^ This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VI, folio 11. "3 Bartlett's memorial is in No. 19, I, folio 241. "* This letter, dated February 20, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IV, folio 89. 1 66 James Craik (1730- 1 8 14) DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD 28th February from Dr. W. Burnet, was taken into consideration; Whereupon, Ordered, That Dr. James Craik, chief hospital physician and surgeon, be, and he is hereby ap- pointed chief physician and surgeon of the army, in the room of Dr. J. Cochran, elected director of the hospital; and that Monday next be assigned for electing a chief hospital physician and surgeon, in the room of Dr. Craik, removed to the army.^^^ March 5, 1781. 233 According to the order of the day. Congress pro- ceeded to the election of a chief physician and sur- geon of the hospital, in the room of Dr. Craik, re- moved to the army; and, the ballots being taken. Dr. William Burnet was elected, having been pre- viously nominated by Mr. (John) Witherspoon. March 7, 1781. 237 A memorial of Francis Hagan, a physician and surgeon in the hospital, was read;^^^ March 14, 1781. 259 The committee on Doctor B. Binney's letter, of 20 February: The Committee to whom was referred the letter of Doctor B. Binney on the 22d Feby. report. That Doctor Binney's services are useful and necessary in the medical department, and that he ought to be retained in that department. That it is the opinion of the Committee Doctor Binney should immediately repair to the State of Virginia, according to the order he hath received from the Director General of the hospitals; and that ^'^ This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 473. "^ Hagan's memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 173. 167 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. an order issue to the Treasury to furnish on account the sum of forty thousand dollars of the old emis- sions of Congress, to enable him to bear the expences of himself and two Mates, and to establish and fur- nish hospitals in the said State.^" March i6, 1781. 273 The Medical Committee also delivered in a re- port for arranging the hospital for the southern army. ' The Medical Committee, to whom was referred the memorial of Doctor J. Bartlet: dehvered in their several reports. March 19, 1781. 275-7 The report of the Medical Committee on the memorial of Dr. John Bartlett, late physician and surgeon general of the army in the northern depart- ment, was taken into consideration; and it appear- ing. The medical committee to whom was referred the memorial of Dr. John Bartlett late Physic" and Surg° Gen' of the army in the northern department, beg leave to lay before Congress the following State of Facts respecting the memorialist. That on the nth of April 1777 he was appointed Physic" and Surg" Gen' to the army in the northern department, to which he repaired some time in July following and with which he continued until the 23d of October following when he was permitted by Gen' Gates to return home on account of his inability to perform the duties of the office by reason of the in- firmities of age and more especially on account of an accidental injury received in his arm. That it appears to your committee that at the time Dr. "^ This report, in the writing of Meriwether Smith, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 361. It is in- dorsed: "Aug. 24, 1781, not to be acted upon." i68 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Bartlett left the army it was generally understood that he had no design of returning to that post, he having before he received the hurt in his arm de- clared repeatedly to the other officers of that depart- ment that he was too old and infirm to perform the duties belonging to that office and at his particular request exchanged with Dr. Thomas Tillotson an Hospital Surgeon, That before he went home he ob- tained a certificate from Dr. Potts and Dr. Treat recommending him for an appointment to any hos- pital that might be established near his own home. Tliat this notwithstanding, lie repaired to the army at the White Plains some time in the year 1778, but was not considered or treated as Physician and Sur- geon General nor did he do any of the duties of that office, Dr. Tillotson having been appointed by Gen' Gates in his room and being then with the army and doing the duties of that office. That on the first of July 1779 Dr. Shippen the late Director General at the particular request of Dr. Bartlett's friends directed him to repair to Fish Kill and superintend the Hospital at that place, where he accordingly came and the officers of that Hospital refusing to do ^duty under him he request- ed and obtained permission from Dr. Shippen on the 28th September 1779 to return home, That he received pay for the time he was with the northern army in 1777 and six months pay be- sides after he went home and also that he received three months pay for the time he was at Fish Kill in 1779. Since which time your Committee cannot find that Dr. Bartlett hath either done duty or re- ceived pay. Upon which State of facts your Commit- tee beg leave to report. That Dr. John Bartlett, at his own request, and with the consent of the commanding officer of the 169 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. department, and the deputy director and other offi- cers thereunto belonging, left the service to which he was appointed, in a manner which clearly indi- cated his intention of relinquishing his office; and having received pay for all the time he spent with the army, and six months while he was at home, cannot be entitled to any farther pay or allowance.^^* March 22, 1781. 292-4 A letter, of January 14, from Major General Greene, was read, with sundry papers enclosed: Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Com- mittee. The report of the Medical Committee, delivered the 15, was taken into consideration, and it was thereupon resolved as follows: Whereas the late regulations for conducting the medical department and mihtary hospitals passed the 30th day of September last, and amended by several subsequent acts of Congress, extends no far- ther southward than to include the State of Virginia; and whereas the present operations of the war to the southward, make it necessary that the hospital department, in that district, be rendered as uni- form to that in the northern army as circumstances will permit, that no inconveniences may arise to the army in general from different and opposite sys- tems, as its operations may eventually be inter- changeable from one district to another in a short space of time; therefore. Resolved, That there be one deputy director of the military hospitals, [in the Southern district sub- ject to the general control of the director] who shall, in the absence of the director, have the general control and management of all the military hospitals *'* This report, in the writing of William Burnet, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 229. 170 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD that arc or may be established [to the Southward o^ Virginia] under the orders of the commander of the southern army for the time being. When the foregoing resolution was under debate, a motion was made by Mr. (John) Mathews, second- ed by Mr. (Thomas) Bee, after the words "the di- rector," to insert "for the southern army;" and on the question, shall those words be inserted? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. (Thomas) Bee, So it passed in the negative. Resolved, That [within the] for the army aforesaid, [district] there shall be one chief physician of the hos- pital, who shall also be a surgeon; one chief physician to the said army, who shall also be a surgeon; two hospital physicians, who shall also be surgeons; and four surgeons' mates for the hospitals; one deputy purveyor with an assistant, one deputy apothecary with an assistant; and to each hospital, a steward, matron, orderly men and nurses as is directed in the arrangement of the [northern] hospital, passed the 30 day of September aforesaid. That the deputy director, deputy purveyor and deputy apothecary, have and exercise the same powers which are exercised by the director, pur- veyor and apothecary respectively, agreeably to the arrangement above-mentioned: That the pay of the deputy director be one hun- dred and forty dollars per month, that of the deputy purveyor and deputy apothecary, each one hundred and twenty dollars per month; and they shall sever- ally be entitled to the same emoluments, and sub- ject to the same regulations and restrictions as their respective principals are entitled or subjected to by the above-mentioned arrangement and the amend- ments thereto: 171 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That all the other officers of the hospital and med- ical staff for the southern [district] army, exercise the same powers, perform the same duties, receive the same pay and emoluments, and be subject to the regulations and restrictions laid down in the afore- said arrangement for officers of like description: Provided nevertheless, that the powers therein directed to be exercised by the director, and any two chief physicians and surgeons of the hospital, shall, in the absence of the deputy director, be vest- ed in and exercised by the next officer in the hospi- tal department for the southern army, and so on in succession, in conjunction with the two next seniors.^'^ March 27, 1781. 316 The United States in Congress assembled pro- ceeded to the election of a deputy purveyor of the hospital for the southern army, and, the ballots be- ing taken and counted. Dr. Nathan Brownson was elected, he having been previously nominated by Mr. (Samuel) Adams. April 12, 1 78 1. 375 On motion of the Medical Committee: Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Pensylvania, in favour of Thomas Bond, jun'', purveyor of the hospital, for thirty thousand dollars of the old emissions, twenty thousand dol- lars of which to be dehvered to Nathan Brownson, deputy purveyor, to be applied to the use of the hospitals established for the southern army and the remaining ten thousand to be applied by the pur- veyor towards the paying persons necessarily em- ployed in the general hospital northward of Virginia, *" This report, in the writing of Theodorick Bland, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 33. 172 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD for which sum of thirty thousand dollars the pur- veyor to be accountable.^^'' April 13, 1 78 1. 388 On motion of the Medical Committee: Ordered, That a warrant issue on John Hopkins, commissioner of the continental loan office for the State of Virginia, in favor of Thomas Bond, Jun^, purveyor of the hospital, for five thousand dollars of the new emission, to be by him put into the hands of Nathan Brownson, deputy purveyor, to pay three months' salary and wages due to the ofii- cers and others employed in the hospital established for the southern army and to procure suppfies for said hospital, for which sum the said purveyor is to be accountable. April 30, 1 78 1. 464 A memorial of sundry officers late of the hospital staff" was read : ^^^ Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three : The members, Mr. (James) Duane, Mr. (Wilfiam Churchill) Houston, Mr. (Isaac) Motte. May 2, 1 78 1. 467 Treasury Office, May ist, 1781 The Board of Treasury upon the petition of Lieu- tenant Andrew Lee of Col. Hazen's regiment refer- red to them 27th ultimo, beg leave to report to the United States in Congress Assembled, That for the payment of the said L*. Lee's account (inclosed in the said petition) of expences incurred, from the time he was wounded at Springfield New Jersey in "" This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 37. "1 This memorial, dated April 22, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, folio 292. 173 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. June 1780 to the 3rd of January 1781 to the amount of 3820 dollars old emissions, a warrant issue on Thomas Smith Esq. Commissioner of the Continen- tal Loan Office for the State of Pennsylvania in favour of Dr. Thomas Bond purveyor of the Gen- eral Hospital for 3820 dollars of the old emissions to enable him to pay the account of the said lieut*. Lee, for which sum the said Dr. Thos. Bond is to be ac- countable. ^^^ Ordered, That a warrant issue on Thomas Smith, commissioner aforesaid, in favour of Thomas Bond, purveyor of the general hospital, for fifty dollars and eighty-four ninetieths of a dollar of the new emis- sion, to enable him to discharge the account of Lieu- tenant Lee for expences incurred from the time he was wounded at Springfield, New Jersey, in June, 1780, to the 3 January, 1781, for which sum the said Thomas Bond, purveyor, is to be accountable. May 4, 1 78 1. 475 Ordered, That Mr. (John) Witherspoon be added to the committee on the memorial of sundry officers late of the hospital staff"; May 23, 1 78 1. 529 The report from the Medical Committee was read; Whereupon, The Medical Committee report. That the Purveyor has certified to them that there is due to Dr. Peter Fayssoux for his pay as Physician and Surgeon General of the Hospitals in the Southern Department, a balance of 2599 dollars therefore submit the following resolve: Ordered, That a warrant issue in favour of Thomas Bond, purveyor of the hospitals, for one thousand "* This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No* 136, V, folio 289. 174 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD dollars of the new emission to be by him paid to Doctor Peter Fayssoux in part of his arrearages of pay, to enable the said Doctor P. Fayssoux to re- pair to the southern army [to take charge of the hospital]. ^^^ May 25, 1 78 1. 534 That so much of the letter, of 25, from J. Coch- ran, director general, as respects the Iiospital sur- geons, stores and farther appointments, be referred to the Medical Committee; That such parts of the same as respects deprecia- tion and the pay of surgeons be referred to the Board of War; and That such parts of the same as respects the post- age of letters to and from surgeons be referred to the committee on the Post Office; That the resignation of Doctor Hagan be accept- ed; "^ May 25, 1781. 541 Resolved, That Dr. James McHenry receive the commission of major in the army of the United States, to take rank from the 30th of October last: May 26, 1 78 1. 544 The Medical Committee; delivered in their re- spective reports. The Medical Committee report that from a Cer- tified account of Joseph Eaker, Surgeon's Mate, under the hands of Doctor WiUiam Shippen, late Director General and Thomas Bond Purveyor, and a letter from the said Joseph Eaker, referred to them, it appears to your Committee that the said "^ This report, in the writing of Theodorick Bland, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 267. "^ Copies of extracts from Cochran's letter are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VI, folios 33-35. 175 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Eaker has been lately released from captivity where he had remained for seven months, that he is in much distress, and that there is due to him the said Eaker on account of pay and rations £444- 13s- 3d — Your Committee therefore report, that a warrant issue in favour of D^ Tho^ Bond, Purveyor of Gen- eral Hospital for a sum equal to £444- 13s- 3d to be paid to Joseph Eaker late Surgeons Mate to the Hospital on discharge of the pay and rations due the said Eaker as appears by the aforesaid Certified acct.i''^ May 28, 1 78 1. 570 Ordered, That the Medical Committee be discon- tinued, and that the Committee lodge with the Board of War all the returns and papers in their pos- session, and then be discharged; and that the busi- ness heretofore entrusted to them, and the powers with which they were invested, be transferred to the Board. July II, 1 78 1. 624-5 A report from the Board of War, on the letter from the director (of the hospitals, was read; Whereupon, Ordered, That the sum of eight thousand five hundred and forty five dollars and one-third of a dollar in specie or [Bills of the new Emissions] other money equivalent, be immediately put into the hands of the purveyor of the military hospitals in part of the estimate laid before Congress by the medical committee, to enable him to purchase an immediate supply for the use of the sick, and to prepare for the immediate exigencies of the cam- paign in the hospital department: That the sum of sixteen thousand one hundred "^ This report, in the writing of Theodorick Bland, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 191. 176 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD and sixteen dollars, in specie or [Bills of the new Emissions] other money equivalent, be advanced to the said purveyor, for three months' pay, to be paid by him on account to the officers of the medical department: That a warrant be drawn on the treasurer of the State of New York, for six thousand dollars, and another warrant on the treasurer of Virginia for four thousand dollars, in specie or [Bills of the new Emis- sions] other money equivalent, in part of the above sum of sixteen thousand one hundred and sixteen dol- lars, in favour of the said purveyor or his order; and that the residue, viz. six thousand one hundred and sixteen dollars be paid him at Philadelphia, in specie or [Bills of the new Emissions] other money equiv- alent: That four thousand two hundred dollars, in specie or [Bills of the new Emissions] other money equiva- lent, be paid to the said purveyor, to be put into the hands of stewards at established hospitals, to purchase milLc and vegetables and discharge small incidental charges at fixed hospitals) .^'*^ That the Treasury Board be and they are hereby p d directed to devise ways and means for supply- °^ P ing the foregoing sums of eight thousand five hundred and forty five and one third, six thousand one hundred and sixteen, and four thousand two hundred dollars. That all vacancies of regimental Surgeons and Mates in any regiments of the several State Lines be filled up by the respective States in whose Lines the vacancies shall- happen in the same manner with vacancies happening in the Line of the State. That all vacancies of regimental Surgeons and "® The portion in parentheses was entered in the Joxirnal by George Bond, 177 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Mates happening in regiments or Corps not belong- ing to the Line of any State be filled up by the Di- rector or Deputy Director of the Hospitals with the Army in which such regiments or Corps shall serve the said Director or Deputy Director reporting the same to the Commander in Chief or commanding General of a separate Army that information there- of may be given to the Board of War who shall fill up Commissions accordingly. The filling up the vacancies in the Medical De- partment we leave to the wisdom of Congress with this observation that the Director represents to us that this measure is necessary.^'*^ June 1 8, 1 78 1. 668 Ordered, That the Board of War report a plan of succession to vacancies in the hospital and medical lines of the army. June 22, 1 78 1. 690 The Committee of the Week report, That the memorial of G. Glentworth, Wm Srnith and James Fallon, supernumerary senior physicians and surgeons of the general hospital for themselves and in behalf of other supernumeraries praying "That Congress will please to grant them, in com- mon with supernumerary judges advocate, regimen- tal surgeons and chaplains, their depreciation and half pay" ought to be referred to a special Commit- tee.148 July 3, 1781. 718 The committee of the week made report; Where- upon, "' This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, V, folio 273. It is indorsed: "August 23, 1781, not to be acted upon." ^^ This report, in the writing of Thomas Rodney, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, foUo 177. 178 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Ordered, That a letter of tliis day from Doctor James Tilton be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order thereon to settle depreciation and grant a certificate as prayed; ^*^ July 17, 1 78 1. 756 A report from the Board of War was read; Where- upon, Resolved, That the Board of War be authorised to draw on the paymaster general in favour of Captain Patrick Cams of Lieutenant Colonel Lee's legion, for t\yo hundred and ten dollars in bills of the new emission; ^^^ and of Doctor Morris, surgeon of Colo- nel Armand's legion, for two hundred and twenty- five dollars in bills aforesaid in part of their pay, and for which sums they are respectively to be account- able.151 July 24, 1 78 1. 785 A report from the Board of War was read; Where- upon, War Office, July 24, 1781 Sir, Robert Henry, Surgeon of the 2nd New Hamp- shire Regiment hath represented to the Board, that he was taken prisoner by the enemy (at the time Col. Greene was killed) and stripped of all his cloth- ing. He hath since obtained his parole, for a limited time to procure some necessaries. He further repre- sents that he hath received but two months' pay in twenty, that before he belonged to this regiment he was mate in the General Hospital, and there ap. "^ This report, in the writing of Samuel Liver more, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 185. 1^" This clause is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No . 148, II, folio 49. ^^1 This clause is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 55. 179 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. pears due to him by Doctor Bond's certificate for that service £101.5. specie, which sum there is no provision made to pay, and he further saith, that he is at this time destitute of cash. Upon consider- ing the foregoing representation, the Board submit the following resolution: Ordered, That the Board of War draw on the pay- master general in favour of Robert Henry, surgeon of the second New Hampshire regiment for one hundred and ninety-five dollars of the new emis- sions on account of his pay; ^^^ and September 20, 1781. 979-81 The report of the Board of War respecting the hospital department was taken into consideration; and Thereupon, At a Board of War September 1 7th, 1 78 1 . Present Mr. Peters Mr. Cornell The Board do themselves the honor to report to Congress on the medical department, and beg leave to observe that they have taken every measure in their power to procure the necessary information to enable them to do justice to the United States as well as individuals. First. For settling the line of promotions in the medical staff they have obtained a plan fixed by a Board of General Officers under the orders of the Commander in Chief with his approbation, Copies of which No. I and 2 are enclosed, the plan they beg leave to recommend to be established by Congress as reported by the General Officers for a rule of pro- motion in the medical staff in future. Secondly. In consequence of General Greene's Re- quest for assistance in the Medical Department, ^^2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 85. 180 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD they have consulted the Commander in Chief on the propriety of filling up the vacancies under the Di- rector General and requesting him to send the neces- sary assistance to the Southern Army. He was not able to determine the question, but on his arrival at the head of Elk he obtained Dr. Craik's opinion on that subject which is contained in the enclosed paper No. 3, but as it appears from the tenor of Dr. Coch- ran's letter to the Board (an extract of which is en- closed in No. 4) that he entertains different senti- ments, the Board take the liberty to recommend to Congress that appointments be made agreeable to Dr. Cochran's recommendation contained in the en- closed paper No. 5 to serve with the main army and its dependencies. And those contained in Doctor Oliphant's recommendation contained in the en- closed paper No. 6, to be appointed for the Southern Army under the Command of General Greene. The Board are the more induced to recommend the appointment of those Gentlemen to the South- ward as it appears to them absolutely necessary they should be with the army immediately and could they possibly be spared from their quarter a considerable sum of money must be advanced to defray their travelling Expences which it is to be feared would cause a considerable delay.^^^ Resolved, That the present vacancies of hospital physicians and surgeons be filled up by the senior surgeons of the hospital lately deranged, the eldest hospital mates or regimental surgeons, as shall be recommended by the director and chief physician and surgeon to the army: That all future vacancies of hospital physicians and surgeons be filled by the eldest regimental sur- ^^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 259. 181 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. geons and hospital mates, who shall be reckoned of equal grades, who shall upon examination be found qualified and obtain a certificate of recommendation from the director and chief physician and surgeon of the army, or of the deputy-director and chief physician in a separate department: That the persons requisite to fill the higher grades in the hospital and medical departments, be ap- pointed, from time to time, by Congress, according to merit and abilities: [That the states shall nominate regimental surgeons to the regiments of their respective lines, who shall be examined by the director and chief physician and surgeon to the army and one of the chief hospital physician or of the deputy director and of the chief Physician in a separate department, and upon their certificates of approbation shall receive the appointment.] That all surgeons to regiments or corps not be- longing to the fine of any particular State, be nomi- nated by the director of the hospitals, and the chief physician and surgeon of the army, subject to the approbation of the Commander in Chief, and shall be equally entitled to promotion to hospital physi- cians and surgeons with the regimental surgeons of states lines. ^^^ On recommendation of the director approved by the Board of War: Resolved, That Dr. Joseph Young, a deranged senior surgeon, and doctors Goodwin Wilson, Daniel Jenifer, Samuel Edmondson and George Campbell, eldest surgeon's-mates, be promoted to the rank of hospital physicians and surgeons, to fill the vacan- ^^^ A copy of this report of the Board of General Officers, refer- red to, in the Board of War report, as No. 2, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 269. 182 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD cies occasioned by the resignations of doctors Bloom- field, Scott, Hagan and Jackson, and the promotion of Dr. Burnet. On the recommendation of the deputy director, approved by the Board of War: Resolved, That doctors Thomas Tudor Tucker, and Vickars, be appointed physicians and surgeons in the hospital for the southern department: That Daniel Smith be appointed assistant deputy purveyor, and John Cams assistant deputy apothe- cary, in the southern department.^" October i6, 1781. 1055 Ordered, That Thursday next be assigned for electing a deputy purveyor for the military hospi- tal, in the room of Doct Brownson, who is elected governor of Georgia. October 25, 1781. 1072 A report from the committee of the week was read; Whereupon, The Committee of the week report, That a letter of Robt. Johnson Deputy Purveyor of the Southern Department requesting relief for the Gentlemen of his Department; the Petition of Capt. Joseph Traversier praying for the pay and subsistance due to him; the letter of R. G. Living- ston praying for so much pay as will enable him to join his Reg*"; the Petition of Thomas Bond and others officers of the medical Department; the Peti- tion of John Dealy praying for a discharge from the army; the Letter from Doctor Hailing requesting the pay due to him, and to know whether he is con- ^^^ A copy of the recommeudatiou of the director (John Coch- ran) dated June 4, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Con- gress, No. 148, II, foHo 273; a copy of the recommendation of the deputy director (David Olyphant) is on foHo 263. 183 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. sidered as retiring from the service; be referred to the Board of War. November 3, 1781. 1092, 3-8 A memorial and petition of Barn: Binney was read.^^^ The committee to whom the letters from the su- perintendent of finance relative to the hospital de- partment; and The committee to whom the letters from the Su- perintendent of Finance relating to the Hospital De- partment was referred do report that they have fully considered the present state of the Hospital or Medi- cal Department in the Army, and the several papers referred to them, and having taken the best advice and information in their power are of opinion that great economical advantages to the public and very useful alterations to the sick and wounded, may be obtained by a regulation of the said Department in the following principles. By destroying all distinctions between Hospitals and forming the whole Medical Department into one uniform Corps. By establishing the direction of practice and Pur- veyorship entirely distinct and separate vesting it in different hands. By establishing the Superintendance of the De- partment in a Board of Surgeons, properly organized for that purpose and not in a single person. By the promoting the use of regimental Hospitals, and preventing the crowding the sick together in General Hospitals. By preventing every person concerned in Hospi- tals from trading and speculating in any manner whatever for private advantage and emolument. "^ This memorial and petition, dated November 3, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, I, foUo 375. 184 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD By reducing the number of Surgeons and Mates of the General Hospitals. Under the influence of these principles your Com- mittee beg leave to Report the following Ordinance for constituting and arranging the Hospital Depart- ment. An Ordinance for regulating the General Hospital, and Surgeons of the Army. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress Assembled, That there shall be one Physician in Chief to the Army and Director of the Military Hos- pitals: [Thirteen] Twelve Surgeons and twenty [six] four Mates, for the General Hospital, a Surgeon and one Mate to every regiment; an Apothecary and two Assistants; and a Purveyor and one assistant. The Physician in Chief and the hospital Surgeons or any three of such Surgeons shall make a Medical Board, of which a field Officer to be appointed in the usual form shall sit as President; it shall meet regularly once a month, by General order, or often- er if requisite. They shall examine regimental and examine and appoint all hospital Mates; and shall examine and recommend the [regimental and] hospital Surgeons, [and none but those recommended by the Board shall be appointed by Congress to vacancies,] and no person under the age of 21 years shall be ap- pointed a Mate: It shall be the special duty of the said Board from time to time, to settle the propor- tions of regimental and hospital practice, and to make regulations accordingly. They shall prescribe the measures for supplying the sick effectually with medicines, stores, provisions &c. Lt shall also be heir duty to make out proper estimates for the Purveyor, inspect his accounts and transactions, and regulate his plan of issues so as to prevent waste and extravagance. As often as required, the 185 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Director shall report to the Board a full state of all the Hospitals under his direction, and receive their Instructions. This Board shall enquire into all com- plaints brought against Officers of the Department: and present to a Court Martial, such as they may think deserving of censure. And this Board shall be authorized to digest rules and carry into execution, every thing relative to the Medical pepartmerit: Provided nevertheless, that no regulation of theirs be valid and take effect until issued in orders, with the consent and approbation of the Commander in Chief or the Commanding Officer of a separate De- partment. The Physician in Chief and Director shall have a general Superintendency and direction of practice, both in Camp and in hospitals. He shall always maintain an office near Head Quarters, so as to be ready, at all times, to consult and advise with the Commander in Chief: and to distribute the neces- sary advice and direction to the Surgeons with whom it shall be his duty to correspond. With the concur- rence of the Commander in Chief he may establish such Hospitals as service requires: and he shall dis- pose of the officers necessary to condljct them. In time of engagement or any emergency, he shall call into the field as many hospital Surgeons as the occa- sion requires; and by order of the General, may have assistance in hospitals, from the regimental Surgeons. It shall also be the special duty of the Director, frequently to inspect all the hospitals under his di- rection; to see that they are managed with economy and success: to correct all abuses; to suspend and bring to trial, delinquent Officers: and to make monthly returns of the sick to the Commander. In the absence of the Director from Camp, the 1 86 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Surgeon eldest in appointment, who is present, shall do his duty. . Every Surgeon shall direct his own hospital agree- able to the regulations, from time to time adopted by Congress or the Medical Board, and communi- cated to him by the Director. He is hereby author- ized to order from the Purveyor or his Assistant, or from the Commissaries and Quarter Masters of the Army, or to be purchased from the neighborhood, whatever is necessary and convenient for the sick: and shall be accountable for his conduct and success in practice, to the director; but shall not be dis- missed the service without due form of trial. When two or more Surgeons are on duty in one hospital, each shall act independently with respect to all matters relating to his own particular^charge, and shall be accountable to the director only, or the Surgeon presiding in his stead. In case of dispute, with regard to any matter respecting the whole hos- pital, the Surgeon of senior appointment shall con- trol, until the matter in dispute can be decided by the Director, or in his absence, the presiding Sur- geon. The regimental Surgeon shall give diligent atten- tion to such regulations as may be established re- specting their conduct, and shall manage the sick of their respective regiments accordingly: and shall also be accountable to the Physician in Chief as the com- mon head of the Medical Department. The Hospital and regimental Mates shall observe the director of the Surgeons, and shall diligently per- form all the reasonable duties required of them, for the recovery of the sick. They shall also make out returns of the sick, for the Surgeons respectively, agreeable to such forms as the director shall re- quire. 187 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. The Apothecary and his Assistants shall receive, prepare and dehver Medicines, Instruments and dressings, and other articles of his department, to the hospitals and Army, on orders, in writing, from the director or Surgeons. He shall appoint a proper number of Mates to assist him in his duty, and shall furnish one to every Hospital, where one is required by the Director. All the Instruments delivered by whose order so- ever obtained, shall be paid for, at prime cost, by the Surgeon or Mate receiving them. The Purveyor shall provide all necessary medi- cines, utensils and stores of every kind, that may be ordered by the Medical Board, for the delivery of which a written order from the Director of a hospi- tal Surgeon shall be his voucher. It shall also be his duty to pay all the Officers of the Hospital and every debt and expence of the sick after being duly certi- fied. For these purposes he shall draw money from the Treasury agreeable to the estimates given him by the Medical Board. He shall settle his accounts of expenditure in money every three months, with the Auditors of accounts, and once a month, he shall lay a state of the expenditure of stores with the stock on hand, before the Medical Board. The Purveyor shall direct the conduct of his As- sistant, and by advice and order of the Medical Board shall appoint such other Assistants, Store- keepers and Clerks as the service may require. In every hospital the purveyor or his Assistant shall appoint a steward: whose duty it shall be to pur- chase vegetables, straw and other small articles, to receive the stores and provisions for the use of the hospital and dehver them agreeable to the orders of the prescribing Surgeons. And although in his pur- chases and Issues he is to obey the orders of the 1 88 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD prescribing Surgeons: yet for the faithful discharge of his OHice, he is to be accountable to the Purveyor, and for this purpose he shall keep separate accounts of all he receives from the Purveyors, Quarter Mas- ters and Commissaries, and of what he purchases himself from the country; and shall render an ac- count of all his Issues monthly, with his stock on hand, to the Purveyor; thus to enable the Purveyor to lay the whole monthly expence of the hospital, before the Medical Board. The Steward's vouchers shall express not only by whom ordered, but by whom received also. The Steward shall also receive the spare regimental arms, accoutrements and cloathing of each soldier admitted into the Hospi- tal keeping entries of and giving receipts for every Article received, which when the soldier shall be dis- charged, shall be accounted for by the said Steward, with the Commanding Officer of the regiment to which such soldier belonged, or other proper person, and shall also take charge of the hospita.1 cloathing. In every Hospital, the director or Senior Surgeon present, shall appoint a Matron and a proper num- ber of nurses to be under the direction of the pre- scribing Surgeons, and paid by the Purveyor. During the summer, when the Army is in the field, the Director shall institute a flying or field Hospital, in the rear of Camp, and appoint proper Surgeons to take direction of it, considering it al- ways as a branch of the General Hospital and to have one common regulation and interest with it. One Surgeon at least, whom the General may choose, shall always reside near head Quarters, to attend the General and Staff" Officers, and to be in readiness for any emergency when a division or de- tachment of the Army is sent off", or in any manner becomes a distinct and separate body from the Main 189 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Army, the Medical board shall nominate its propor- tion of Medical Staff of which the Surgeon eldest in appointment shall preside, with all the powers of Physician in Chief and director; and shall form a Medical board, to be authorized as before men- tioned: and when two Armies unite, having each a separate Board, one shall dissolve of course by di- rection of the Commanding Officer of the whole. When Officers of the Line do duty in hospitals, the Medical board shall make rules for their conduct, that they may not interfere with the Surgeons, and they shall receive their instructions by General order. That the Quarter Master General furnish the hos- pital Department, from time to time, as occasion may require with such a number of horses and wag- ons as may be necessary for removing the sick and wounded and for transporting the hospital stores, but that no other horses than those [allowed to be kept by] for which forage may be herein allowed to the Officers of the Department, be kept separately and at the expence of the Department. That no officer or other person employed in the hospital or Medical Department shall on any ac- count whatever, be concerned in trade for his pri- vate emolument and advantage. That no officer or other person in the hospital or Medical Department except the sick or wounded, be permitted to use any of the stores provided for the sick. That the Physician in Chief, the Surgeons of the Hospital, Purveyor, Apothecary, Assistant Purveyor and Assistant Apothecary be appointed and Com- missioned by Congress. The Regimental Surgeons and Mates to be appointed as heretofore. That all the Officers in the Hospital or Medical Department shall be subject to trial by Courts Mar- 190 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD tial for all ofTcnccs in the same manner as officers of the Line of the Army. That the pay and establishment of the Officers of the hospital Department and Medical Staff be as follows, payable in silver Spanish Milled dollars a 7/6 a dollar [or other money equivalent.] Physician in Chief and Director of the Military Hospitals 125 dollars per month 2 rations for him- self and I for his servant per day and forage for 2 horses. Surgeons of the General Hospital 90 dollars per month and 2 rations per day and forage for two horses. Purveyor and Apothecary each 100 dollars per month. Assistant Purveyor and Apothecary 50 dollars per month each. Regimental Surgeons each 60 dollars per month, I ration per day and forage for one horse. Surgeons' Mates in Hospitals 40 dollars per month and I ration per day. Do. in the Army 40 dollars per mo. and i ration per day. Steward for each Hospital 30 dollars per mo. and I ration per day. That none of the aforesaid Officers or other per- sons employed in and of the Hospitals be entitled to rations of provision or forage, when on furlough. That the Physician in Chief be allowed a two horse covered wagon for transporting his baggage. That the same allowance be made to the afore- said Officers for retained rations as is allowed to officers of the line of the army; and also that each of them be annually entitled to draw Cloathing from 191 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the Stores of the Cloathier General in the same man- ner and under the same regulations as are estab- lished for Officers of the Line by a resolution of Con- gress of the 25 Nov. 1779 and in like manner as has heretofore been used. That the several Officers above mentioned (ex- cept Stewards) shall at the end of the War be en- titled to a provision of Land in the proportions fol- lowing viz: Physician in Chief to have the same quantity as a Brigadier General; the Surgeons, Pur- veyor and Apothecary of the Hospital the same as a Colonel; Regimental Surgeons and assistants to the Purveyor and Apothecary the same as a Major; Hos- pital and regimental Surgeons' Mates the same as a Captain. That all former arrangements of the Hospital De- partment and all resolutions heretofore passed touch- ing the same be repealed.^" December 20, 1781. 11 82 (Note) A memorial of George Glentworth and others, supernumerary physicians and surgeons of the general hospital, was presented this day and re- ferred to the Secretary at War, as the indorsement shows. It is dated December 17, 1781, and is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, HI, folio 483. December 24, 1781. 11 83 An ordinance respecting the hospital department was read the first time: Ordered, That Wednesday next be assigned for the second reading of this ordinance. 1^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, foUo 45. 192 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD STANDING COMMITTEES^^^ Medical 1 6 February, 1781. William Burnett January 3, 1782. 4-7 On a report of the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a memorial of Dr. Glentworth and others: Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the State of Pensylvania, to settle the balance of pay and depreciation due to Doctors G. Glent- worth, W. Smith, J. Fallon, S. Duffield and S. Hail- ing, late physicians and surgeons in the general hos- pital, on the same principles they settled with the other physicians and surgeons of the army, citizens of that State. ^^^ On a report of a committee, consisting of Mr. (Abraham) Clark, Mr. (Ezekiel) Cornell and Mr. (Isaac) Motte, to whom was referred an arrange- ment of the medical department: The Committee to whom was referred the ordi- nance respecting the Hospital Department, beg leave to report — That they have considered the same, and are of opinion that any ordinance for a new establishment of the hospital, (on) the plan proposed, is unneces- sary and at this time for many considerations im- proper they have therefore returned the same in "^ Seepages 1229 and 1230 of Vol. XVIII. I now give such ap- pointments only as were made in 1781. **^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 63. So far as Hailing is concerned it superseded the following resolution sent to Congress by the Secretary at War December 18: Resolved, That the Comptroller be and he is hereby directed to adjust the accounts of Doctor Hailing for pay and deprecia- tion on the same principles as the accounts of Doctor Allison were settled. This resolution is on folio 53. 193 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the manner they received it. — Your Committee are nevertheless of opinion that sundry alterations and amendments are necessary to be made to the plan for conducting the General Hospital, passed on the 30th day of September, 1 780, and accordingly have herewith submitted such alterations and amend- ments for the consideration of Congress, in case they shall be of opinion with the Committee, that a new regulation of the Hospital by an Ordinance is at this time unnecessary or improper. — Resolved, That for the more regular conducting the general hospital, the offices of chief physician and surgeon of the army, and of chief hospital phy- sician, be, and hereby are abolished; and that the chief physician and surgeon to the army, eldest in appointment, be continued in service, under the title of physician, with the pay and emoluments hereto- fore allowed to a chief hospital physician: That the number of surgeons to all the military hospitals of the United States, be reduced so as not to exceed fifteen: That the director have the general superintend- ance and direction of all the military hospitals, and of practice both in camp and in hospitals: That in the absence of the director, his duty de- volve on the deputy director or physician, and in their absence on the hospital surgeons, according to seniority: That the director, or in his absence the senior medical officer, with the approbation of the Com- mander in Chief, or commanding general of a sep- arate army, be, and hereby is authorized and em- powered, as often as may be judged necessary, to call a medical board, which shall consist of the three senior medical officers then present; and it shall be the duty of such board to appoint all hospital mates, 194 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD to examine all candidates for promotion in the hos- pital department, and recommend to the Secretary at War such as they judge best qualified; and gen- erally to take cognizance of, and give their opinion and advice on every matter relative to the depart- ment, which may be submitted to them by the Commander in Chief, or commanding general of a separate army: provided always, that no regulation, plan or order of the board, shall be valid and take effect, until approved by the Commander in Chief, or commanding general of a separate army, and is- sued in general orders: That all returns heretofore ordered to be made by the director or deputy director, to the medical committee, be made to the Secretary at War: That the stewards may, in the first instance, when the purveyor or his assistant is at a distance, be ap- pointed by the director or senior medical officer, but shall be removeable at pleasure, and others substi- tuted in their stead, by the purveyor or his assist- ant. And although in their purchases and issues, they are to obey the order of the prescribing sur- geons, yet for the faithful discharge of their duty, they are to be accountable to the purveyor, who shall in like manner be accountable to the United States. Wherefore, the said stewards shall keep sep- arate accounts of all they receive, and of what they themselves purchase; and shall render an account monthly of all their issues, with their stock on hand, to the purveyor, who shall render the said accounts, together with a particular account of the supplies furnished by himself or his assistants to each re- spective hospital, once every three months to the Superintendant of finance: That the Secretary of War be, and he is herbye empowered and directed, on or before the first day 195 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. of February next, and hereafter, from time to time, as the service may require, to arrange the depart- ment agreeably to the foregoing resolutions, and to issue his orders to such as he thinks proper to re- main, paying a due regard in his first arrangement to such of the chief physicians and surgeons as may choose to continue in service in the rank of sur- geons, and in his subsequent arrangements to such of the senior officers as may choose to remain in service : That such of the officers as shall not be called into service agreeably to the foregoing resolution, be considered as reduced by Congress, and be en- titled to the emoluments granted by the Act of Con- gress of the 17 January, 1781: That when by reason of vacancies or otherwise, any officer hereafter to be appointed in the hospital department, and whose appointment is reserved to Congress, [it shall be the duty of the secretary at war to recommend the person or persons best quali- fied, provided that, in the recommendations for director, deputy director and physician] due regard be paid to the officers next in rank; and that the appointment of hospital surgeons be from among the regimental surgeons and hospital mates; pro- vided that no regimental surgeon shall be so ap- pointed, who shall not have submitted himself to an examination by the medical board, and obtained from them a certificate that he is well qualified for the office of regimental surgeon, by which certificate the regimental surgeon shall be considered as sup- erior in rank to an hospital mate, but not otherwise. Resolved, That the director, deputy director, phy- sician, surgeons and mates, as well hospital as regi- mental, receive their pay out of the military chest, at the same time and in the same manner as the 196 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD army with which they serve; the abstracts to be signed by the director, deputy director or physician, or in their absence by the senior hospital surgeon; and the warrants to issue in the same manner as for the pay of the army.^^'* February 20, 1782. 81-2 The committee, consisting of Mr. (Abraham) Clark, Mr. (Ezekiel) Cornell, Mr. (Thomas) Mc- Kean, to whom were referred the report of the Sec- retary at War, on a petition of Dr. Hagan, and the memorials of Dr. Jackson, Dr. Williams, Dr. Eaker, and Dr. Frinke, delivered in a report; Whereupon, Resolved, That the comptroller be, and he is here- by, authorized and directed to adjust the accounts of all the officers of the late general hospital for pay and subsistence, up to the time the arrangement took place in [October] September, 1780, or for so much of the preceding time as they continued in service, upon their producing proper documents of the time of their respective services. Resolved, That it be, and hereby is, recommend- ed to the legislatures of the several states, to settle and discharge on account of the United States, the depreciation of pay of such officers in the late gen- eral hospital as are inhabitants of, or belong to their respective states, who resigned their appointments after the loth day of April, 1780, or became super- numerary by the new arrangement in [October] September, 1780. Resolved, That the comptroller be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to settle the depre- ciation of pay of officers in the late general hospital, '^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folios 43 and 63. The paragraphs preceding the resolutions are in Abraham Clark's writing, the rest is in that of Charles Thomson. 197 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. who resigned or became supernumerary as aforesaid, and who do not belong to any particular State, in the same manner as hath been provided for the officers of the late Colonel Hazen's regiment. Ordered, That the account of Dr. Frinke, for tak- ing care of the sick and wounded in the retreat from Ticonderoga, in 1777, and for furnishing supplies for the same, be returned to Dr. Frinke, and the settle- ment suspended, until authentic vouchers shall be produced respecting such services and expendi- tures.^®^ February 26, 1782. 100 (Note) On this day, according to the indorsement, a memorial of Joseph Eaker, of the same date, was read. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, III, folio 71. ^^^ This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 65. Eaker's memorial, dated February 18, is in No. 41, III, folio 69; Hagan's, undated, is in No. 41, IV, folio 193; Jackson's, dated January 28, is in No. 41, IV, folio 426. The Secretary at War's report is in No. 149, I, folio 119, and is as follows: War Office, January 16th, 1782. Sir, On the petition of Dr. Francis Hagan referred, the following resolve is submitted to the consideration of Congress: That the Comptroller be and he is hereby authorized and di- rected to adjust the account of Dr. Francis Hagan late Physi- cian and Surgeon in the General Hospital for pay and deprecia- tion in the same manner as have been provided for the officers of General Hazen's Regiment. The following report, without date, is in No. 149, I, folio 117: There being a number of officers who by former acts of Con- gress are entitled to pay or additional pay, and who cannot ob- tain a settlement of the depreciation due thereon from the re- spective States of which they are Inhabitants. Therefore, Resolved, That the Comptroller be directed to set- tle the accounts of all such officers on the same principles as he settled with the officers of Colonel Hazen's Regiment. 198 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD April 10, 1782. 179 That the petition of L* Morris praying for a set- tlement of his accounts, incurred by his being or- dered to take the charge of an hospital in Litchfield in Connecticut, be referred to the Superintendent of Finance. ^^^ April 23, 1782. 209 War Office, March 23rd, 1782. Sir, There are frequent applications for the discharge of soldiers whose wounds and sickness incapacitate them for all farther duty even in garrison. They pre- fer a dismission from the service, which shall entitle them to a pension equal to half of their pay, to be- ing classed with the invalids where full pay and every emolument of a soldier would be continued to them. Was public economy the only consideration in this matter, there would not I think remain a doubt respecting the propriety of adopting this mode of discharge generally. But as it becomes necessary equally to guard against future inconveniences as to accommodate the wishes of individuals I beg leave to submit the following resolve, which as it only re- spects those whose private circumstances will en- able them when discharged to live independent of any other gratuity than their pension, I think will obviate the possibility of an imputation against the public that they have dismissed such of their ser- vants as could be no longer useful without provi- sion being made to prevent them suffering individ- "^2 This report, in the writing of Joseph Montgomery, is in the Pajjers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 347. It is un- dated but belongs to this period. 199 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. ually or becoming burthensome to the societies where they might live. [Congress came to the following resolutions:] Resolved, That all such sick and wounded soldiers of the armies of the United States, who shall in fu- ture be reported by the inspector general, or the in- spector of a separate department, and approved by the Commander in Chief, or commanding officer of a separate department, as unfit for farther duty either in the field or in garrison, and who apply for a discharge in preference to being placed or con- tinued in the corps of invalids, [and who can give authentic proof that they either have the means to support themselves, or that their friends will provide for them and prevent them becoming burthensome to the society where they really belong or reside. In that case all such persons shall be discharged, and be entitled to receive as a pension, [the value of half their pay,] five dollars per month, in lieu of all pay and emoluments. Resolved, That it be, and hereby is, recommend- ed to the several states to discharge such pensions annually, and draw on the Superintendant of finance for the payment of the money they shall advance And that the foregoing resolution take effect so soon as the Superintendant of the Finances shall sig- nify to the several states, that he has made provi- sion for answering such draughts. ^"^^ May 3, 1782. 235 On a report from the Secretary at War: War Office, May 3rd, 1782. Sir, To the two companies of Artificers now in this **^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folios 161-163. 200 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD City (making the whole about fifty men) there are attached a Surgeon and a Surgeon's mate. As part of these companies will be detained in this town, part are now at Fort Pitt, part will be sent to Vir- ginia and part of them will join the army under General Greene, this dispersion will render it un- necessary to retain the Surgeon and mate longer in the service. Should Congress be of this sentiment, and deem some compensation due to their past services they will please to resolve. Resolved, That as the dispersed situation of the corps of artificers commanded by Captain Wyley, will no longer require the services of Dr. A. McCos- key, surgeon, and Dr. W. McCoskey, his mate, they be considered as reduced and retiring from service on the loth instant and that the surgeon be entitled [from that day to receive the same emoluments as heretofore allowed to surgeons and mates retiring under the resolves of the 3*^ and 21^* October 1780] to all the emoluments heretofore allowed to reduced regimental surgeons. ^^* June 6, 1782. 319 Congress proceeded to the election of a deputy purveyor for the southern hospital; and, the ballots being taken, Dr. N. Brownson was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. (William) Few. (June 10, 1782.) 322 (Report of Secretary at War, on the arrangement of the Hospital Department.) War Office, June 7th, 1782. Sir, I have, in obedience to the orders of Congress, 1®"* This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 303. 201 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. conferred with the Superintendant of Finance on the report of your Committee respecting the Hospital Department and find it is agreeable to him — As the Purveyor wishes that the Officers acting immediately under him should be of the same grade — he requests that he may be allowed to appoint three clerks, one of whom will have the charge of the store to be kept near the Army — He also requests that there may be no distinct al- lowance of subsistence for himself and the Apothe- cary, but that the sum intended as subsistence be added to their pay — I wish the Purveyor's requisitions may be com- plied with and that the system, as it will then stand, should be adopted ^®^ July 23, 1782. 408-12 On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. (Joseph) Montgomery, Mr. (Abraham) Clark, and Mr. (David) Ramsay, to whom were recommitted their report respecting the hospital department, and the amendments and observations thereon by the Secretary at War: Resolved, That in conducting the business of the general hospital, there shall be an invariable stand- ard of prices established by which the apothecary shall be charged with every article (received into his department, and at which he shall be credited for 1^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 81. The indorsement says it was read on this date. On June 10, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of June 5 from General W. Smallwood, enclosing one of same date from Lieutenant Levacher de Vaubrun, asking for a furlough to visit France. They were referred to the Secretary at War. Gen- eral Smallwood's letter is in No. 161, folio 183, and de Vaubrun's is in No. 78, XXIII, folio 191. 202 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD every article) ''"' he shall issue the standard to be es- tablished by the medical board, or such person or persons as they shall appoint, which shall only be considered as a certain ratio whereby to keep the accounts; but that, in the settlement of all accounts in that department, all deficient articles, not issued or returned, shall be accounted for at such real value as shall be estimated by the medical board, and approved of by the Secretary at War. An account shall be taken as soon as possible, of all the medicines, instruments and property in the apothecary's department belonging to the public, in the hands of the apothecary, the deputies, assist- ants, and mates, the surgeons of hospitals, and sur- geons of regiments, for which they shall severally be charged at the standard value ascertained by the board as aforesaid, and for all they may here- after receive, but to account for deficiencies at the real value, to be estimated as aforesaid. The apothecary shall be accountable for all arti- cles in his department to the purveyor throughout the states, until they come into the hands of the prescribers; and all deputies, assistants, and mates, shall make returns, and be accountable to the apothecary for the medicines, instruments and other property belonging to the public in the department, now in their hands, and of such as they may here- after be possessed of. The apothecary shall make up his accounts at the expiration of every year, and settle thern as soon after as possible, and before the expiration of six months. He shall, at the same time, make out two Also a memorial dated June 5 from Oliver Hanchett was re- ferrad to the Secretary at War. It is in No. 149, I, folio 447. "^ The words in parentheses are in the report but not in the Journal. 203 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. returns for the director of the hospital, one specify- ing what has been received and issued, and the amount of what remains on hand; the other exhibit- ing a particular amount of the value of the medi- cines, and other public property, each prescriber has received within the year. All losses which may happen by the events of war, and other circumstances unavoidable, shall be borne by the public. In cases of losses by fraud or neglect in any deputy, assistant or mate, the apothe- cary shall not be accountable for such losses, pro- vided the delinquent be convicted thereof before a court-martial appointed to try the same. The hospital prescribers shall be supplied, upon their own application, with medicines and instru- ments necessary for the sick and wounded under their care. Every regimental surgeon shall receive yearly from the apothecary, a supply of medicines to such amount, by the above standard, as the medical board shall^judge necessary. Every prescribing surgeon or physician, either in hospital or with the army, shall be supplied by the apothecary with such a set of capital instruments as the medical board shall judge necessary, and shall be accountable for all losses in medicines and in- struments not arising from the events of war and other circumstances unavoidable. Duplicates of all returns made by the apothecary to the director, shall be lodged in the war office. Resolved, That in the army of the United States, excepting the southern army, at present under the command of Major General Greene, the offices of assistant purveyor, and assistant apothecary, and the storekeepers under the purveyor and apothecary, except one storekeeper under the purveyor to keep 204 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD a store near the army, and all the clerks, except [one] two to the purveyor, shall hereafter be discon- tinued. i" [The committee to whom was referred the letter of the Secretary of War respecting the rank of the sur- geons in the hospital department submit the follow- ing resolutions:] That all surgeons of the hospital shall take rank after the director of the hospital, deputy director and physician to the army, in the following order, viz. those surgeons of the hospital, who have been either deputy director, physician general, surgeon general, chief physician, or chief surgeon to the hos- pital or army, shall take rank next to the above mentioned officers: and their relative rank to each other shall be according to the date of their respect- ive appointments to either of the above offices. That all such as were regimental surgeons, when appointed senior physician or surgeon to the hospi- tal, shall take rank with such senior physicians and surgeons, agreeably to the date of their first appoint- ment, whether to the regiment or hospital. All surgeons, the date of whose first appointments, either to regiments or hospitals, shall have been on the same day, shall decide their rank by lot. [That the pay and subsistance of the officers of the Hospital department and medical staff be as fol- lows: Director of the Hospital 122 dollars per month four rations per day for himself and servants, for- age for two horses and twenty-five dollars per month subsistance. Deputy Director and Physician each 117 dollars 1®^ The recommitted report had it: "and all the clerks except two to the purveyor one of whom to have the care of the store near the army and all the mates of the apothecary except three be hereafter discontinued." 205 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. per month three rations per day for himself and Ser- vants, and forage for two horses, and twenty dollars per month Subsistance. Hospital Surgeons each 96 sl^ dollars per month two rations for himself and servant forage for two horses and fifteen dollars per month Subsistance. Purveyor and Apothecary each 105 dollars per month, one ration and forage for one horse, and fif- teen dollars per month subsistance. Deputy purveyor and Deputy apothecary each loi 5/6 dollars per month, one ration, and forage for one horse, and ten dollars per month Subsistance. Hospital Mates each 45 dollars per month, one ration per day, and five dollars per month Subsist- ance. Stewards each 30 dollars per month, one ration per day and five dollars per month Subsistance. Ward Masters each 23 dollars per month, one ra- tion per day and three dollars per month Subsist- ance. That all former Acts of Congress, so far as re- spects the pay Subsistance rations and forage grant- ed to the before mentioned Officers, shall be and they are hereby repealed.] ^^^ That for the more convenient subsistance of the officers of the hospital department, they be allowed, ^'^ The recommitted report allowed 119 dollars per month to the director; 116 75/100 dollars to the deputy director and phy- sician; 93 45/90 dollars to hospital surgeons, three rations for himself and servant and 15 dollars for subsistance; lOG 60/90 dollars for purveyor and apothecary. In the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 79, on a separate sheet in Charles Thomson's hand, is a copy of this part of the report relating to pay and subsistence, with the fol- lowing variations in amounts: deputy director 111 dollars per month; hospital surgeons 93 >a dollars per month, tlu'ee '■ations for himself and servant; purveyor and apothecary 106^2 dollars per month; deputy purveyor and deputy apothecary 101/^ dol- lars per month. 206 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD including their former allowance of rations and for- age as follows: The director of the hospital, four rations a day for himself and servants, forage for two horses, and twenty-five dollars per month subsistance. The deputy director and physician, each three ra- tions a day for himself and servants, forage for two horses, and twenty dollars per month subsistance. Hospital surgeons, each two rations per day, for himself and servant, forage for two horses, and fif- teen dollars per month subsistance. Deputy purveyor and deputy apothecary, each one ration per day, forage for one horse, and ten dollars per month subsistance. Hospital mates, each one ration per day, and five dollars per month subsistance. Ward masters, each one ration per day, and three dollars per month subsistance. That the above allowance of rations, forage, and subsistance to the officers of the hospital depart- ment, over and above what they severally were en- titled to, at the time of passing this act, shall be charged to them respectively, as advances in part of their monthly pay. That in the future the pay and allowance of the purveyor and apothecary be the same each as that of a hospital surgeon. That none of the aforesaid officers, or other per- sons employed in any of the hospitals, be entitled to rations, forage or subsistance, when on furlough. That the regulation respecting officers' servants, contained in the Act of Congress of the nth day of March, 1780, shall not be construed to extend to the hospital department.^^^ 1^^ This report, in the writing of a clerk, except the part in parentheses which is in Abraham Clark's writing, is in the Papers of the Continejital Congress, No. 22, folios 69 and 85. The report 207 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. October ii, 1782. 645 Pursuant to the resolution of the 27 of February last, the Superintendant of finance reports, that he has appointed Mr. Edward Fox, a commissioner for setthng the accounts of the hospital department, desiring to be favoured with the orders of Congress if they should disapprove the appointment.^^" November 12, 1782. 722 The Committee of the Week, (Mr. Ralph Izard, Mr. Ezra L'Hommedieu, Mr. William Hemsley) re- port, That the petition of Etienne Halbon on behalf of his wife, setting forth that there is £12, los due to her from the general hospital for wages as the resi- due of her pay while nurse in the hospital [as by Dr. Binney's certificate directed to Dr. Bond, Jun., doth appear] be referred to the [Superintendant of Finance] Secretary of War.^'^^ November 25, 1782. 752 War Office, Nov^ 23^^ 1782. Sir, The request of Doctor Tuclcer referred to me in- volves three questions. The first is whether he is entitled to half pay al- lowed to other retiring Iiospital officers of his rank — the second whether he is entitled to pay for his attendance on the hospital in Virginia, and the third was delivered May 15, and on May 30 was referred to the Sec- retary at War to confer with the Superintendent of finance to report, and recommitted. A copy of the recommitted report is in No. 22, foUo 73. The few changes made in their report by the Committee are noted. The portion in parentheses was not in the recommitted report. "" This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, I, foUo 817. ^^^ This report, in the writing of Ralph Izard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 413. It was passed this day, as the indorsement shows. 208 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD what allowance will be made for his expcnces while attending the sick in Charlestown, There cannot be a doubt with respect to the first. The resolves of Congress of the ly*?" of January 1781 fully secure to him the half pay allowed to other officers of his rank as he was not deranged until the 15*.^ of May following. On the second question I would observe that by the resolves of Congress passed May 15^- 1781 it is ordered that all officers of the Medical depart- ment appointed under the directorship of Doctor Olyphant who were then in captivity in South Caro- lina and Georgia, and had the charge of sick prison- ers in those States be continued in their respective offices as heretofore — and be considered as vested with the same privileges and emoluments as they had enjoyed before their captivity, to extend no far- ther than to the troops and hospitals within the enemy's lines. The Continental Hospitals on the first of July, 1 78 1, removed from Charlestown to Williamsburg in Virginia. The hospital was there continued under the care of Doctor Tucker by order of the Marquis de la Fayette as the sick could not at that time be removed into the country. The Commander in chief, on his arrival in Virginia, directed the gentlemen in the Medical Department from South Carolina to do duty in the general hospital at Williamsburg. These are facts which appear from the enclosed papers. With respect to the last question which relates to an allowance for the extraordinary expences while detained in Charlestown attending the hospital, I suppose they were necessarily great, but he has not rendered any account of them. On the whole of his request I beg leave to submit to the consideration of Congress the following draft of a resolve, 209 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. That Doctor Thomas T. Tucker, late a senior Surgeon of the hospital under the directorship of Doctor Olyphant, enjoy all the emoluments of his office from the date of his appointment to the time he retired from actual service in the hospital in Vir- ginia, and that a reasonable compensation be made him for his extra expences while acting as senior Sur- geon in Charlestown after its surrender.^''^ December 3, 1782. 759 Resolved, That after the fore-mentioned period, in lieu of the pay and rations allowed to the officers of the hospital department, including rations for ser- vants, they shall be entitled to the following month- ly pay and subsistance; provided in like manner, that where the said subsistance money shall not be paid, they shall be entitled to draw an equivalent number of rations, at the rate of four dollars for each ration per month, viz. The director, one hundred and two dollars pay and sixty dollars subsistance. The deputy director and physician, each one hun- dred dollars pay and forty-eight dollars subsistance. The surgeons, each ninety dollars pay and forty dollars subsistance. Apothecary and purveyor, each ninety-two dol- lars pay and thirty-two dollars subsistance. Deputy apothecary and deputy purveyor, each fifty-nine dollars pay and sixteen dollars subsist- ance. Mates, each forty-two dollars pay and twelve dollars subsistance. 1'- This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 151, foUos 39-43. It is indorsed: Recommitted That the secretary may include in the resolution all those in similar circumstances and to report a reasonable allowance for expenses while in Charlestown. 210 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD . Stewards, each tliirty-one dollars pay and eight doHars subsistance. Ward masters, each twenty-one dollars pay and eight dollars subsistance.^^^ "^ This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 309. 211 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. • BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES January 3, 1782. 885 Hospital Department. 375. By the United States in Congress assembled, January 3, 1782. 4° Broadside in two columns. Report of Clark, Cornell and Motte. A copy is in the John Carter Brown Library. It measures 20.5 x 21 cm. July 23, 1782. 887 Hospital Department. 384. By the United States / in Congress assem- bled, July 23d, 1782, / Resolved, / That in conducting the business of the General Hospital, . . . F°. Broadside of two columns. Report of Montgomery, Clark and Ramsay. A copy is in the Library of Congress, Washington Papers. It measures 40.5 X 30.5 cms. February 28, 1783. The committee of the week (Mr. William Hemsley, Mr. Benjamin Hawkins, and Mr. Philhps White) report: That the memorial of Charles Mortimer of Virginia Doctor of Physic, praying payment of his account, and the usual wages and rations allowed to others; for attending the hospital at Fredericks- burg^ for nine months be referred to a special com- mittee.i^^ ^^* This report, in the writing of WilUam Hemsley, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 449. The indorse- ment gives at this date. The memorial is in No. 41, VI, folio 297. It was referred, the indorsement states, to Mr. (John Lewis) Gervais, Mr. (Hugh) Williamson, and Mr. (Theodorick) Bland. 212 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD March 6, 1783. War Office, March 5*^ 1783. Sir, There are many officers, who have been wounded in the service of the United States, who are thereby rendered incapable of farther duty either in the field or in garrison, and who wish to retire from the army. No other provision has been made for such officers than what they may receive by annexing themselves to the Corps of Invalids. This is distressing to the individuals, and expen- sive to the public. I beg leave to suggest the propriety of permitting those officers, who have been wounded in service, and who wish to leave the army, to retire to their re- spective homes with allowances proportioned in some measure to their inability.^^^ March 22, 1783. That all officers belonging to the hospital depart- ment, who are entitled to half pay by the resolution of the 17th day of January, 1781, may collectively agree to accept or refuse the aforesaid commutation, signifying the same through the Commander in Chief within six months from this time: that [the deranged] such officers [what] as have retired at dif- ferent periods, intitled to half pay for life, [shall be intitled to the same commutation] may collectively, in each State of which they are inhabitants, accept or refuse the same; their acceptance or refusal to be sig- nified by agents authorised for that purpose, within ix months from this period; that with respect to such ^^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 315. According to the indorsement it was referred on this day to Mr. (Alexander) Hamilton, Mr. (Richard) Peters and Mr. (Daniel) Carroll. See ante, December 19, 1782. 213 HISOTRY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. retiring officers, the commutation, if accepted by them, shall be in lieu of whatever may be now due to them since the time of their retiring from service as well as of what might hereafter become due; and that so soon as their acceptance shall be signified, the Superintendant of Finance be directed to take measures for the settlement of their accounts accord- ingly, and to issue to them certificates bearing in- terest at six per cent. That all officers intitled to half pay for life not included in the preceding reso- lutions, may also collectively agree to accept or refuse the aforesaid commutation, signifying the same [by their agents authorized for that purpose] within six months from this time.^^^ March 26, 1783. Resolved, That Dr. Charles Mortimer's account be settled for pay and rations on the same principle as a junior surgeon, for the term of nine months, dur- ing which he appears to have been in the public ser- vice: That the director-general in the hospital depart- ment, take order for delivering to Dr. Mortimer a quantity of medicines equal to what he has expend- ed in the public hospital."^ March 31, 1783. War Office, March 27th, 1783. Sir, On the petition of the late sergeant Menerson re- ferred to me, I beg leave to report that there are more than twenty thousand men who have similar ^^^ This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folios 332 and 315. The vote was transcribed by Thomson on the report. ^'^ This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 445. 214 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD pretensions to be supplied with clothing from the United States, and with whose claims it is alto- gether impossible to comply. If it shall appear upon a Surgeon's examining his wounds, that he has been thereby incapacitated from earning his bread, I would beg leave to recom- mend him to the provision made for disabled sol- diers by the resolves of Congress of April 22nd, 1782.1^8 April 22, 1783. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. (Oliver) Ellsworth, Mr. (Hugh) Williamson and Mr. (Abraham) Clark, to whom was referred a letter of 22 June, 1 78 1, from Dr. George Gilmer: Resolved, That the account of Dr. G. Gilmer for pay and rations, be settled on the same principles as the accounts of other hospital surgeons of the same rank, according to the time he shall appear to have been employed in the public service; and that the purveyor general return to Dr. George Gilmer a quantity of medicine equal to what he expended out of his private stores, for the use of the conti- nental hospital under his care.^''^ April 30, 1783. On a report from the Supermtendent of Fmance, to whom was referred a letter of the 17th from Darius Stoddard: Ordered, That the commissioner for settling the accounts of the hospital department, adjust and liquidate those of Dr. Darius Stoddard.^^° 1^8 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 407. According to the indorsement it was read on this day. "^ This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 417. i^'' This order is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 387. 215 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. May I, 1783. Resolved, That the corps of Invalids be reduced, such officers as have lost a leg or been [otherwise] equal- ly disabled in service to retire on full pay for life, [or at their option collectively to the amount of seven years full pay in gross] such officers as may not be in- cluded in this description to retire on [half pay for life] the same principles with other officers of tlie army, such non commissioned officers and soldiers as be- ing strangers in the country and having been dis- abled in service are incapable of providing for their own subsistence and are proper subjects for a hos- pital, to be received into some fixed hospital, to be ap- propriated for the purpose, and there supported dur- ing life on such provision as may be hereafter deter- mined, to be entitled in the meantime to their usual rations and cloathing; and such non commissioned officers and soldiers disabled in service as may have homes to which they can retire, to be discharged on the principles of the resolution of the 23rd of April last. That the Secretary at War be directed to take proper measures previous to the reduction to ascer- tain the different classes above described, ]and to report a list of them respectively to Congress.] That the officers who shall retire on full pay, may at their option collectively accept in lieu of such full pay for life the amount of years full pay [in money or securities] on the terms of the resolutions of the last. That at the reduction of this Corps all the officers and men shall receive one month's pay and shall share in any further payments which may be made to the other parts of the army when reduced. ^^^ 1'^ This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 273. The indorse- ment states that it was delivered this day. 2l6 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD May 12, 1783. That the accounts of Doct. Jonathan Arnold be liquidated and settled by the commissioner for set- tling the accounts of the hospital department, who is hereby authorised to allow him pay and rations as an Assistant Deputy Director General in the said de- partment from the 7 day of Jany. 1778 the time to D •^-^- A which his accounts were settled by Recommitted ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ p^j^^ ^^ j^j^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^tu of May 1779 when he was discharged, charging him with the monies advanced him for the use of that Department by the State of Rhode Island and cred- iting the said State for the same in account with the United States. That the claim of the officers of a Brigade raised in the State of Rhode Island in Feby., 1779 for one year, with the approbation of Congress, for depre- ciation of their pay, is inadmissible, no allowance of that kind having been made or approved by Con- gress to any officers or soldiers discharged from ser- vice before the 10*^ of April 1780.^*^ May 16, 1783. Resolved, That the Commissioner for settling the accounts of the Hospital department be and he is hereby authorized and directed to audit and settle the accounts of Dr. Jonathan Arnold, as Assistant Deputy Director in the Eastern Department from 7th January, 1778, to May 9th, 1779, as well for all supplies and expenditures as for pay and rations, and that he also settle the accounts of all those who 182 This report, in the writing of Oliver Ellsworth, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 179. The indorse- ment states that it was reported this day, and on "September, 9, 1785, Arnold's accounts referred to the committee for set- tling hospital accounts. This to be filed." See post, June 10. 217 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. were necessarily employed in hospital service by the said Dr. Arnold within the term aforesaid. That their pay and other allowances be the same as by the resolutions of Congress are allowed to those of similar stations in the hospital department. And that the said commissioner allow in such settlement for depreciation upon ail advances and sums due to each respectively, with an interest of six per cent, per annum from the times they became due.^^ May 23, 1783. That the petition of William Stevens and others, mates to the general hospital in the Southern de- partment, praying to be allowed half pay or com- pensation be referred to a special committee. ^^^ June 10, 1783. Resolved, That the commissioner for settling the accounts of the hospital department audit and set- tle the accounts of Doc^ Jonathan Arnold, as as- sistant deputy director in said department from the 7th day of Jany. 1778 to the 9th day of May 1779, as well for all supplies and expenditures as for pay and rations charging him with the monies ad- vanced him for the use of said department by the State of Rhode Island and crediting the said State for the same in account with the U. States, And that he also settle the accounts of all those who were necessarily employed in hospital service by the said ^^^ This motion, in the writing of Jonathan Arnold, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, Folio 485. Com- mittee Book, No. 186, gives it this date. It was referred to Mr. (Oliver) Ellsworth, Mr. (Hugh) Williamson, and Mr. (John Lewis) Gervais. See post, June 10, 1783. ^^■* This report, in the writing of Thomas Fitzsimmons, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 290. Stevens' petition is in folio 287. The indorsement shows the action taken. 2l8 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Doctor Arnold within the term aforesaid, and that their pay and other allowances be the same as by the resolutions of Congress are allowed to those of simi- lar stations in the said department.^^^ July 4, 1783. The committee of the week, (Mr. William Ellery, Mr. Jacob Read and Mr. Jonathan Arnold) report that the petition of the Rev^ William Plumb late chaplain to the Northern Hospital praying for an adjustment and payment of his accounts be read in Congress with the papers accompanying the same. That the petition of Grace Mercer Widow of Richard Mercer Esq^, late of Charles Town in the State of South Carolina deceased Purveyor to the Hospitals of the army of the United States in the said State of South Carolina be referred to the Su- perintendent of Finance to report.^^^ July II, 1783. The Superintendent of Finance to whom was re- ferred the petition of Grace Mercer Widow of Rich- ard Mercer Esq?" Purveyor to the Hospitals of the United States in South Carolina begs leave to re- port That if, as is alledged, the Paper Money therein mentioned remained in the Hands of the said Rich- ard Mercer from the time in which he received it until his Death and from that time to the present in the Hands of his widow the Delivery of it ought to discharge the said Richard Mercer's Estate in account with the United States from the value which so much money was of at the time it was received ^** This report, in the writing of Oliver Ellsworth, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 181. The in- dorsement states that it was delivered and read this day. '^ This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 509. 219 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. by him. And the Delivery of the said Money into the State Treasury of South Carolina ought in like manner to discharge the United States from the like value in account with the said State. That the Commissioner for Settling the Hospital Accounts will therefore on proper Proof made to him of the Facts above stated receive the said money and credit the same in the account of the said Rich- ard Mercer and will transmit the money and Proof to the Commissioner for Settling the accounts of the United States with the State of South Carolina who will enter it in those accounts to the Credit of the United States. Office of Finance 8 July, 1783.^^^ July 23, 1783. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. (Richard) Peters, Mr. (Abraham) Clark, and Mr. (Stephen) Higginson, to whom was referred a report of the Superintendant of finance, on a petition of Mrs. Grace Mercer: The Committee to whom was referred a memorial of Mrs. Grace Mercer, relict of Mercer, late Purveyor of the hospital in South Carolina, report, That the time when the particular purpose for which the said money was received or the reason why the same was not applied to the use intended do not appear; and as a permission granted to pub- lic Officers to return paper money received at peri- ods of depreciation would establish a Precedent which may be productive of many ill consequences Your Committee are of opinion. Ordered, That the superintendant of finance trans- ^^^ This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 607. The indorsement shows that it was read this day and on July 16 referred to Mr. (Richard) Peters, Mr. (Abra- ham) Clark and Mr. (Stephen) Higginson. 220 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD mlt to the commissioner for settling the accounts of the hospital department, a copy of the memorial of Mrs. Grace Mercer, and in the settlement of the accounts of the late Mr. Mercer, due enquiry be made by the said commissioner, into the causes of the detention of the money therein mentioned; and that the said commissioner report the result of such inquiry to the superintendant of finance, who is hereby authorised to take order therein as shall ap- pear to him just, on such report being made.^^* August 5, 1783. The Superintendant of Finance to whom was re- ferred the Petition of Grace Mercer, widow of Rich- ard Mercer Esq^, Purveyor to the Hospitals of the United States in South Carolina, begs leave to re- port. That if, as is alledged, the paper money therein mentioned remained in the Hands of the said Rich- ard Mercer from the time in which he received it until his Death and from that time to the present in the hands of his widow the Delivery of it ought to discharge the said Richard Mercer's estate in ac- count with the United States from the value which so much money was of at the time it was received by him — and the Delivery of the said money into the State Treasury of South Carolina ought in like manner to discharge the United States from the like value in account with the said State. That the commissioner for settling the Hospital accounts will therefore on proper Proof made to him of the facts above stated receive the said money and Credit the same in the account of the said Rich- ard Mercer and will transmit the money and the 1^* This report, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, foliio 55. The in- dorsement states that it was passed on this day 221 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. Proof to the commissioner for settling the accounts of the United States with the State of South Caro- lina who will enter it in these accounts to the Credit of the United States. Office of Finance, 31 July, 1783.189 August 12, 1783. The committee, consisting of Mr. (James) Mc- Henry, Mr. (Hugh) Williamson and Mr. (Abraham) Clark, to whom was referred a petition of Dr. Dirk Van Ingen, praying that depreciation may be al- lowed him in the settlement of his account, report, "That as Dr. Van Ingen, who served for some years as surgeon, in the continental hospital, ap- pears by his petition to have [resigned or to have been left out of promotion] been reduced as a super- numerary before the loth of April, 1780, [deprecia- tion, therefore, cannot be allowed him without de- parting from the rule hitherto adopted and opening an account which may occasion much trouble and be a precedent for a variety of claims of officers in different departments,] and as no depreciation [to officers in every department] has been allowed to officers who left the service before that period, [has been constantly refused,] Dr. Van Ingen's claim can not be admitted without infringement of the rule established by Congress." ^^° September 2, 1783. The committee of the Week (Mr. Jacob Read, Mr. Abiel Foster and Mr. William Ellery) on considera- tion of the petition of Ebenezer Augustus Smith for- **' This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 731. According to the indorsement it was delivered this day. It was ordered to be filed among obsolete reports. Mr. Mercer's petition is on folio 735. 1'" This report, in the writing of James McHenry, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 109. 222 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD merly a Surgeon in the General Hospital praying that depreciation may be allowed him, report as their opinion that the request of the said Ebenezer Augustus Smith being similar to that of Di" Dirk Van Ingen lately determined by Congress can not be granted without infringing the rule established by Congress of the lo*? day of April 1780.^^^ September 10, 1783. The same reason which makes it proper to have two Serjeant Majors &c. in each Regiment of In- fantry, will make it equally necessary to have tw^o Surgeon's Mates, October 23, 1783. No Regiment to be allowed to draw rations for more than four women to serve as nurses in the Regimental Hospitals and to receive four dollars per month in addition to a ration per day. General Hospital A general hospital for the reception of the inval- ids of the army and navy will be necessary to con- sist for the present of the following persons: I Director to have at the same time the Super- intendance of the Regimental Hospitals . . 80 I Surgeon 50 4 Mates each 25 I Purveyor and Apothecary 50 I Steward 15 4 Nurses each 5 To be entitled to draw each a ration of provisions per day, but to no other allowance. The invalids to receive one dollar per month, and ^'1 This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 517. According to the indorsement it was agreed to on this day. Smith's petition, dated Wilmington, April 10, 178.3, is in No. 42, VII, foho 161. 223 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. the provisions and cloathing of a common soldier during life. The total expence of this es- 359,530 tablishment [if complete] as reduced in peace, would amount to about . . . [531,950] Deduct the product of the the truth( manufactories which is esti- mated at 131,950 Not quite exact but very near $227,580 Balance an annual charge ^ upon the United States^^^ . [400,000] October 31, 1783. The Secretary at War reported, that the following lines, corps and individuals, have agreed to accept the commutation of five years' pay, in lieu of the half pay for , as appears by the papers ac- companying his report: . . , . . . . . hospital department, and Dr. Tilton, Dr. Bodo Otto, Dr. Frederick Otto, Dr. Martin. November 4, 1783. The Committee to whom was referred the letter- of Major General Lincoln of the have ex- amined the list of bills drawn by him whilst com- manding in the Southern Department, and find suf- ficient vouchers to support charges against the Com- missary of purchases, the Quarter Master, the Cloth- ier, the Pay Master, Purveyor of the Hospital and the Navy, for five millions four hundred and twenty four thousand one hundred and nine dollars; and that bills to a considerable amount are yet out- standing, which when presented for payment ought also to be charged to the Departments in whose ^^^ This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 38, Folios 413-442. 224 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD favor they were respectively drawn. Wherefore your Committee submit the following resolution: Resolved, That Major General Lincoln be credited, in the books of the treasury, the sum of five mil- lions four hundred and twenty four thousands one hundred and nine dollars, and that the several de- partments be charged with the amount of the bills drawn in their favor. And that all such bills as may hereafter be presented for payment, be charged to the departments in whose favor, from the face of the bill, they shall appear to have been drawn; and that Major General Lincoln be credited for the amount thereof. ^^^ June 2, 1785. Resolved, That those officers of the hospital de- partment in the southern army, who were detained in Charleston, after its surrender to the British troops, for the purpose of attending the sick and wounded of the army of the United States, which, in consideration of the extra expences which they in- curred by the performance of the said duty, be al-* lowed the sums affixed to their respective names con- tained in a return deposited in the war-office, which was transmitted and signed by David Oliphant, dep- uty director of the southern hospital. June 20, 1785. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Williamson, Mr. Stewart, and Mr. Howell, to whom was referred the petition of Dr. J. Morgan, Resolved, That when ever Dr. J. Morgan, shall have accounted for the stores delivered to his care, or when the several charges against his former de- partment shall have been delivered in, and it shall ^^* This report, in the writing of Samuel Osgood, is in the Pa- pers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 577. 225 HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, U.S.A. appear to the commissioner for settling the hospital accounts, that the doctor's papers and books are un- avoidably destroyed, or that he has rendered the best account of the stores committed to his care, of which the circumstances of the case would admit he shall obtain a certificate for the balance due him. May 8, 1786. Resolved, That the powers and duties heretofore exercised by the commissioners for the quarter mas- ter's and the commissary's departments be exercised by one commissioner, and that the powers and duties of the commissioners for the hospital, marine and clothier's departments be exercised by one other commissioner, to be elected annually by Congress: and that the salary of each of the said commission- ers be at the rate of 1250 dollars per annum. June 28, 1786. The commissioner for settling of the accounts of Robert Johnson, the commissioner for settling the hospital accounts &c. be directed to examine strict- ly into the propriety of all extra expenses incurred in the executing their duties, and where it shall ap- pear that such expenses were necessarily and un- avoidably incurred, and that the subsistance allowed was not adequate thereto, the surplus be allowed. That, as it appears from the deposition of the said Dr. Robert Johnson, that the sum of money and cer- tificates stated in his memorial, were public monies stolen from him, without any negligence on his part, and that the balance of money remaining in his hands has not been applied to any use since it came into his possession, the commissioner for settling ac- counts of the hospital department, be directed to pass the amount of those sums to his credit, on his returning to the commissioner the said balance and a list of the certificates so stolen. 226