A Resolution Instructing Delegates in Continental Congress to Procure an Accounting of Public Expenditures (December 24, 1779)

[24 December 1779]

Resolved, that it be an instruction to the Virginia delegates in Congress, to use their endeavours to procure a settlement of public accounts since the commencement of the present war stating the expenditure of each year under distinct heads; that they give the strongest assurances to Congress of the cheerfulness with which Virginia will bear her share of the burthen of the present war, until it shall please the Supreme Disposer of events, to grant us peace upon safe and honorable terms; and that although the General Assembly hath made provision for complying with the demands of Congress to the utmost extent of their requisitions, yet they cannot help observing, with very great concern, that no account of expenditures, or of the application of the public money, has ever yet been laid before them; and also that Congress be informed they do insist upon it as their right, and of justice due to the commonwealth, that an account and estimate of future requisitions for the service of the United States, distinguished under their proper heads, ought to be annually transmitted to the General Assembly.