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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
His Excellency the President having informed Congress that the honorable T. Jefferson was arrived in town:
Ordered, That Mr. Jefferson have access to the several offices of Congress, in order that he may gain a knowledge of the affairs of the United States, and prepare himself for the execution of the trust reposed in him.2
[Note 2: 2 This resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, and Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, to whom was referred a letter of the 5th, from Major General the Baron de Steuben, having conferred with him thereupon, submit to the consideration of Congress the following facts, resulting from the communications made to them, supported by the testimonials of the Commander in Chief and many other principal officers of the army:
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and by establishing a spirit of order and economy in the interior administration of the regiments; which, besides other advantages, have been productive of immense savings to the United States; that in the commands in which he has been employed, he has upon all occasions conducted himself like a brave and experienced officer: the committee are therefore of opinion, that the sacrifices and services of the Baron de Steuben, justly entitle him to the distinguished notice of Congress, and to a generous compensation, whenever the situation of public affairs will admit: the committee farther report, that the Baron de Steuben has considerable arrearages of pay due to him from these states on a liquidated account, and that having exhausted his resources in past expences, it is now indispensable that a sum of money should be paid him for his present support, and to enable him to take the field another campaign, and propose that the sum of two thousand four hundred dollars be paid to him for that purpose, and charged to his account aforesaid; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the foregoing proposal of the committee be referred to the Superintendant of finance to take order.
The committee farther observing, that from the nature of the department in which the Baron de Steuben is employed, he is under the necessity of making frequent journies, by which he incurs an additional expence, and is often deprived of the allowance of forage to which he is entitled; thereupon,
Resolved, That the Baron de Steuben be allowed three hundred dollars per month, in lieu of his extra pay and of subsistance and forage for himself and family, including waggon as well as saddle horses; and that these allowances hereafter cease.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 523. Steuben's statement of his claims is on folios 557--564.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Thomas] Fitzsimmons, Mr. [James] Madison, and Mr. [John] Rutledge, to whom were referred a letter of October 9, from Major
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General Greene, and one of the 5, from Brigadier General Wayne, with sundry papers enclosed:
The Committee to whom was referred the letter of Major General Greene of the 9th. October with one of the 5th. from General Wayne and its enclosures, Report,
That it appears to your Committee that on the 9th. day of August last an agreement was entered into by Brigadier General Wayne on the part of the United States, and sundry Merchants subjects of the Crown of Great Britain then residing in Savannah, by which it was stipulated that the said Merchants should be permitted to remain in Safety after the evacuation of that post by the British forces--and to dispose of their goods and effects to the Inhabitants of the United States and should have permission to export any produce of the State of Georgia (to the amount of the goods which they should so dispose of) to the nearest British post without let or molestation.
And it appearing to this Committee that the agreement aforesaid was entered into by the advice or concurrence of the Executive of the State and upon similar principles, with that entered into by the Com(r). in Chief at Yorktown, and that in consequence thereof a number of Merchants has remained with their property in full confidence that the agreement on the part of the United States will be faithfully executed, we cannot but declare it to be our opinion that the agreement or Convention so entered into should be ratified and confirmed.
If Congress are of that opinion they will be pleased to Resolve, that
Whereas Brigadier General Wayne, commanding a detachment of the army of the United States, did, as appears by his proclamation of the 9th day of August last, with the advice and approbation of the governor and executive of the State of Georgia, enter into certain articles of agreement with sundry merchants, subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, then residing in Savannah, whereby it was provided that the said merchants should be permitted to remain unmolested with their effects, and to dispose thereof to the citizens of the United States, and after having so disposed of them, to export produce of the State of Georgia, to the amount of the goods so disposed of, to the next British post,
And Congress judging it proper to preserve inviolate the faith of her officers do therefore resolve.
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Resolved, That the convention or agreement entered into between Brigadier General Wayne and sundry inhabitants of the town of Savannah, subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, respecting the safety of their persons and property, and the exportation of produce of the State of Georgia, to the amount of the goods which they have or may dispose of to the citizens of the United States, to the nearest British post, be, and is hereby ratified; and that all commanders of armed vessels, in the service of the United States, or belonging to any of the inhabitants thereof, do pay due regard to the passports which have or shall be given by the governor of the State of Georgia for the purposes aforesaid.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Thomas Fitzsimmons, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 493. A copy is on folio 497a. Greene's letter is in No. 155, II, folio 537 and Wayne's on folio 541.]
Camp, December 22, 1782.
Sir,
I omitted to report on the motion respecting the appointments of Brigadiers, before I left Philadelphia, as I expected soon to see His Excellency General Washington, and know from him the number which would be necessary.
I find that two will be requisite to command the two brigades in the Massachusetts Line, to which there are no brigadiers, and one to command the Jersey Line.
Should Congress think proper to promote Brigadier General Clinton, for which event he is now waiting, and declines taking command of his brigade, as he supposes himself superceeded, an appointment for the New York Line will be necessary also.
By the late regulation of the department of Adjutant General, all appointments cease on the first day of January next. I hope Congress will immediately fill the office of Adjutant General. I am happy to inform them that General Hand, if reappointed, will continue in office.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, from the Secretary of War, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 209. According to the indorsement, it was read on this day, and referred to Mr. [Thomas] Fitzsimmons, Mr. [James], Madison and Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton.
A letter from the Secretary at War, dated Head Quarters, 24 December, relative to the new arrangement of the army and enclosing a letter from the Commander in Chief on the same subject, was read on this day and referred to the above committee. The Secretary's letter is on folio 217, and the enclosure on folio 213.]
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