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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1784.
The committee of the states assembled: Present, Mr. [Jonathan] Blanchard, Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Charles] De Witt, Mr. [Samuel] Dick, Mr. [Edward] Hand, Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight and Mr. [Jacob] Read.
The committee proceeded to the election of a chairman, and the ballots being taken, the honble. Mr. [Samuel] Hardy was elected.
The act of Congress, designating the powers of the committee, and making the appointment, was read as follows:
By the United States in Congress assembled, May 29, 1784.2
[Note 2: 2 From this point the record is in the writing of Benjamin Bankson, except where noted.]
Resolved, That the Committee of the States, which shall be appointed pursuant to the 9th of the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union, to sit in the recess of Congress, for transacting the business of the United States, shall possess
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all the powers which may be exercised by seven states in Congress assembled, except those of sending ambassadors, ministers, envoys, residents, consuls or agents, to foreign countries or courts; establishing rules for deciding what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land, or naval forces, in the service of the United States, shall be divided or appropriated; establishing courts for receiving and determining finally appeals in cases of capture; constituting courts for deciding disputes and differences arising between two or more states; fixing the standard of weights and measures for the United States; changing the rate of postage on the papers passing through the post-offices established by Congress; of repealing or contravening any ordinance or act passed by Congress; or appointing civil or military officers, unless to supply the places of such within the United States as the Committee may suspend for mal-conduct, or to fill up vacancies which may hereafter happen, by death, resignation, or otherways, within the said states; provided such appointments shall not continue more than one month after the assembling of Congress in November next, unless confirmed by them.
That no question, except for adjourning from day to day, shall be determined without the concurrence of nine states.
That a chairman, to be chosen by the committee, shall preside.
That the officers of Congress, when required, shall attend on the said Committee.
That the Committee shall keep a Journal of their proceedings to be laid before Congress; and that in these Journals, which shall be published monthly, and transmitted to the Executives of the several states, shall be entered the yeas and nays of the members, when any one of them shall have desired it before the question be put.
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[That if it shall happen that any of these United States shall not be represented in Congress, at the time of electing the Committee of the States, or if no delegate shall be elected by Congress for any particular state, such state or states may be represented therein by any one of the delegates of such state or states, and the members of the delegation of any state may relieve each other, in such manner as may be agreed on by themselves, or directed by their state.
In case any unexpected and very important business occurs, in which the Committee may think the happiness or peace of the United States is involved, and to which they are not competent, it shall be their duty to appoint a day for the meeting of Congress, prior to that to which they stand adjourned, and to give notice of the same to the Supreme executives of the several states, that the delegates may have notice to attend.
That the committee shall have power to receive communications from foreign ministers, and lay them before the Congress when they shall convene, but shall transact no business with them, unless authorised thereto by particular acts of Congress.]1
[Note 1: 1 The portion in brackets is in Thomson's handwriting.]
Resolved, That the Committee of the States be, and they are hereby authorised and instructed to prepare and report to Congress, an Ordinance for making the necessary arrangements of the Treasury, and for more particularly defining the powers of the Board of Treasury, and also to revise the institutions of the Office for Foreign Affairs, and of the War Office, and to report such alterations as they may judge necessary.
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Congress proceeded to appoint "a Committee of the States;" [and, the ballots being taken, the following members were elected:]1 For
[Note 1: 1 The words in brackets are in Thomson's writing.]
[Note 2: 2 From this point the record is in Thomson's writing,]
On the application of the Secy. of Congress
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [Thomas] Stone, and Mr. [Jacob] Read, to whom was referred a letter of 28 May, from the Supreme Council of Pensylvania, and a motion of the delegates for that State:
Resolved, That the Supreme Executive Council of Pensylvania, be acquainted, that Congress having been previously informed notified, by the minister of his Most Christian Majesty, of the violation of the privileges the laws of nations committed by a subject of his said Majesty, in assaulting and beating M. De Marbois, consul-general and secretary to the said legation, have judged it proper to request the executives of the several states in the Union, to issue their proclamation offering a reward to any person who shall discover the offender, so that he might be apprehended and brought to condign punishment. That by these proceedings, which have already been forwarded to them, the president and council of the State of Pensylvania will find that the measures pursued by them perfectly coincide with those
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recommended by Congress. That it is with the fullest approbation Congress learn the exertions of the President and supreme executive council of the State of Pensylvania, to maintain the dignity of the United States, to preserve the public repose, and to assert the law of nations, meet the fullest approbation of the Committee of the States; and that it is with singular pleasure Congress they receive this fresh instance of the entire regard of the president and council of the State of Pensylvania, for the representatives of the Sovereignty of this Union.
On motion of Mr. [Francis] Dana, seconded by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight,
Whereas Congress do now stand adjourned to the 30 of October next, then to meet at Trenton, in New Jersey, and as public letters and despatches may continue to be addressed to the president of Congress, as usual, during their session, which may occasion an unnecessary delay before they will arrive to the committee of the states:
Resolved, That the postmaster general be directed to instruct his deputies in the several post-offices, to forward all such letters and papers which may come in to their offices, addressed as aforesaid, to the chairman of the committee of the states, at the place where they may hold their session.
The secretary having informed the committee, that it is necessary for him to return to Philadelphia,
Ordered, That he have leave, until he shall be required to attend, and that in his absence, one of the clerks attend the Committee of the States and make the entries.
On motion of Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
Resolved, That the chairman write to the Executives of the states of Delaware, and Georgia, requesting them
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respectively to send forward one of their delegates to attend in the Committee of the States.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Richard Dobbs Spaight, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 471.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [Thomas] Stone, and Mr. [Francis] Dana, to whom was referred a letter of the Sieur Caron de Beaumarchais, of the 14 April, 1783, and of his agent Le Vaigneur:
Resolved, That the Sieur Le Vaigneur be informed, that Mr. Silas Deane was not authorised to settle the accounts of the Sieur Caron de Beaumarchais, stiling himself the representative of Roderique Hortalez & Co. and that Congress seeing no reason for altering their instruction to their consul in France, the Sieur de Beaumarchais must therefore settle his accounts with him.
Resolved, That no arrangements can be taken for paying any part of the demand of the said Caron de Beaumarchais, till his accounts are settled by the consul of the United States in France.
Resolved, That the Superintendt. of finance transmit to Mr. Barclay, consul in France, a copy of the refusal of Mr. Carabasse, agent for the Sieur de Beaumarchais, stiling himself representative of Roderique Hortalez & Co. to deliver to the agent of the United States, certain goods charged to the said estates, by the said Beaumarchais.
On motion of Mr. [Jacob] Read, seconded by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight,
Resolved, That for the benefit of the health of the Members, and to give an opportunity for some respite after the long session and weighty business lately before Congress, the Committee of the States do now adjourn to Saturday, 26 day of June instant.
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That the Committee of the States do on the said 26th of June meet and hold their sessions in the city of Philadelphia till the meeting of Congress in October next at Trenton.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 463. Only the first paragraph was agreed to.
On this day, as the indorsement states, a letter of May 27, 1784, Philadelphia, from Huron & Belzoen was referred to the Agent of Marine. It is in No. 78, XII, folio 343.]
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