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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 --TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1776
A letter from Allan Cameron and a letter from John Smyth of the 29, were presented to Congress and read.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 37. That of Smyth is in No. 78, XX, folio 25.]
Agreeable to the order of yesterday, the Congress proceeded to the election of a committee for Indian affairs, and the ballots being taken and examined,
Mr. [George] Wythe, Mr. [James] Wilson, Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott, Mr. L[ewis] Morris, and Mr. [Edward] Rutledge, were chosen.
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due,
To Matthew Swan, for carrying two brass field pieces from Philadelphia to Williamsburgh, the sum of £35 2 2=93.6 dollars, over and beside the sum of thirty pounds [=80 dollars] paid him by Robert Erwin, and the sum of four pounds Virginia currency [=13.3 dollars] paid by the committee of Williamsburg:
For house rent, carriage, and other contingent expences of the fourth Pensylvania batallion, the sum of £134 9 4=358.6 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to John Harper, quarter master of the said batallion:
For provisions for Captain Ross's company, supplied by Charles Jackson, the sum of £3 18 8 light money=9.1
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dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Timothy Matlack.
Ordered, That the same be paid.
The Committee to whom was referred the memorial of the committee of inspection and observation for the city and liberties of Philadelphia, praying the advice of Congress whether they ought to continue the exercise of the power of regulating the price of goods in other instances than that of green tea, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the ninth article of the association, which enjoined the inhabitants of the United Colonies to sell goods and merchandises at the rates they had respectively been accustomed to do for twelve months then last past, was, in its nature, a temporary regulation respecting the goods then on hand; But as those goods are nearly consumed, and a further supply must be obtained at an extraordinary risk and expence, and it is reasonable that adventurers should be encouraged by a prospect of gain adequate to the danger which may be incurred in the importation, and a free trade being now opened from the United Colonies to all parts of the world except the dominions belonging to the King of Great Britain,
Resolved, That the power of committees of inspection and observation to regulate the prices of goods, (in other instances than the article of green Tea,) ought to cease.
Ordered, That the above be published.1
[Note 1: 1 Printed in thePennsylvania Gazette, 8 May, 1776.]
The Congress took into consideration the report of the Committee on General Washington's letter of the 24 of March: Whereupon,
Resolved, That the vessels which were left in the docks and harbour at Boston, by the enemy, and which different
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persons claim as their property, ought to be restored to their former owners, being inhabitants of these colonies, on their making proof of their title, unless the said parties so claiming, shall have been voluntarily active against the rights of the United Colonies, by affording aid and assistance to the British fleet and army; And that it be recommended to the government of Massachusetts bay to appoint commissioners to hear such claims, and determine on the sufficiency of the proof thereof:
Provided, That any person apprehending himself or herself to be aggrieved by the adjudication of the commissioners, may appeal from their sentence to the Congress, such appeal being demanded and lodged with the secretary of Congress, within the times limited, and the appellant giving security, in the manner prescribed in the case of an appeal from the sentence of a court appointed for hearing maritime causes.
Resolved, That the further consideration of the report be postponed.
Resolved, That an order for 2,000 dollars be drawn on the treasurers in favour of George Evans, who has contracted to supply the Delaware batallions with rations, he to be accountable.
The Delegates from New Jersey having laid before Congress a number of bills counterfeited to imitate the continental bills of credit,
Resolved, That a committee of six be appointed to consider of this matter, and report thereon to Congress.
The members chosen, Mr. W[illiam] Livingston, Mr. [Thomas] M'Kean, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, Mr. [Carter] Braxton, and Mr. [James] Duane.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Thursday.
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