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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 --PREFATORY NOTE
The Continental Congress was in session throughout the year 1776. Its formal record is large as compared with the records of 1775, and the number and importance of the subjects coming before it were greater. The army must be maintained and renewed; the Canadian invasion ended in disaster; and the ill effects of the manoeuvres near New York were only in part counteracted by the success of Trenton. As the field of operations widened the cost of the war became heavier, and with the increase of responsibilities the want of good officers was more keenly felt. The continental bills of credit, pure promissory notes with little real foundation of property or resources on which to rest, were already sinking in value, and wherever the British army moved, the bills ceased to circulate or were accepted at rates less than their face value. The first enthusiasm of the people had somewhat cooled, and the prospects of years of war made a better paid and a better disciplined army essential as well as economical. The dependence upon militia, called out for a few months, was radically defective. To obtain a regular army the men must be enlisted for three years or "for the war"; their pay must be more certain, and a better selection of officers must be made. Congress faces these problems, and with them the question of bounties on enlistment and grants of land after service. With this
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appears an issue destined long to trouble Congress and prevent a true confederation--that of the disposal of the lands to the westward, covered by conflicting claims of two or more States and an object of jealousy on the part of the States which had no such claims to assert.
The year 1776 includes some of the most important acts and papers of the Continental Congress. The Declaration of Independence, the first forms of the Articles of Confederation, and the plan of treaties with foreign Powers were of high moment; and any one of these papers, when measured by results or consequences would be sufficient to distinguish the legislation of this year. The methods of treatment laid down in the former volumes of this issue of the Journals have been continued. Of the Declaration no less than four forms or stages are recorded; of the Articles of Confederation three, and of the plan of treaties two, and a scheme of supplementary instructions for the negotiators. The formal mission of Silas Deane to interest the Court of France on the side of the States, and the sending of commissioners to Europe to solicit recognition, trade and aid, were the beginnings of the diplomatic relations of the United States with foreign Powers.
The earliest advance from the Court of France received no notice in the Journals, and deserves a mention.
Achard Bonvouloir was a French gentleman, connected with the Marquis de Lambert, and claimed to have served as a volunteer in the French army in the West Indies. Contracting disease he left St. Domingo and travelled in the English colonies on the continent of North America. He asserted that he could have had an appointment in the "patriot" army, but declined the offer, and formed connections in the different colonies for obtaining information
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which might be useful in Europe. Going to London he made a tender of his services to the French Ambassador, Comte de Guines, who recommended to Vergennes that he be employed. He received verbal instructions to report upon the general disposition of the British colonists in North America, to speak of France as a friendly nation, and to endeavor to remove any fear of the French and their possible designs which it might be sought to inspire. September 8, 1775, Bonvouloir left London for Philadelphia, and after a venturesome voyage of one hundred days reached his destination. With Daymon, described as a librarian of the city, as an intermediary, he placed himself in communication with the Committee of Secret Correspondence, and found the ground already prepared for giving credence to his accounts of the friendliness of the French and the probability of obtaining some definite aid, if not recognition from the French Court.1
[Note 1: 1 SeeJournals of the Continental Congress, III, 392,ante.]
His report was sent from Philadelphia under date December 28, 1775. Written at that time his view was favorable to the colonies. Montreal had surrendered and Quebec appeared to be about to fall. The privateers had captured many English vessels, some bearing provisions and munitions of war to the British army, now closely confined within Boston. The colonists needed a navy, engineers, ammunition and money. In quite frank conversations with Franklin and three other members of the Committee of Secret Correspondence, Bonvouloir stated his friendliness and apparently succeeded in winning confidence by leaving an impression of some definite purpose, not unconnected with French State policy, being behind his visit to America. He made no offer of aid
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beyond what should depend upon himself, and in cautious phrase replied to the somewhat direct and expectant questions of the Committee, which had been reduced to writing;1 he discouraged the sending of an envoy, but good engineers could be had for the asking. Munitions of war could be had in exchange for the products of the country, but it must be as between merchants, and at the risk of the Congress. This is the only report which appears to have been received from this French agent, and, after the recall of his patron, Comte de Guines, he was not further employed. The Beaumarchais connection was made, fruitful source of trouble to all concerned.
[Note 1: 1 A translation of this paper, with the reply of Bonvouloir, is printed in Doniol,Historie de la Participation de la France à l'Etablissement des Etats Unis d' Amérique, I, 268, 269.]
In civil matters the formation of State governments under constitutions prepared the way for a decline in the energy and influence of the Continental Congress. Possessing advisory power only, and acting under no formal instrument defining its functions or manner of performance, addresses and recommendations were the only means of expressing its wishes, its needs and its measure of remedy. In issuing a paper currency of bills of credit, it exercised a certain influence, even control, over the exertions made by the States. So long as the expenses were to be paid by the Continent, the Congress could direct the details and the results; but when the cost was to be paid by the State, recommendations from the Congress carried weight only so far as they fell in with the expediency of the local authorities. A new danger based upon the depreciation of the currency became evident, undermining the authority of the Congress, and certain to become a serious menace to all its operations and even to its very existence. The currency problem is treated
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in two reports, one of which, prepared by Jefferson, is entirely new. In this year Congress issued two addresses to the People of the Colonies and States. It considered a declaration to General Howe, prepared by Jefferson; a letter to the Canadians, and a report on the conference with Lord Howe. Some letters of Hancock, written by order of Congress, are inserted, as well as Franklin's notes of a conference with La Jeunesse and Dantermond.
On military matters the number and importance of the reports and conferences is greater than in 1775. New articles of war modeled upon those of Great Britain, were adopted. The papers relating to the conference of Washington, Schuyler, and Gates with a committee of Congress are vital, and can now be studied in detail. The affair of the Cedars, the report on the state of the army at New York, and the various addresses to the Hessian mercenaries also deserve mention. The contest over Schuyler, raised by New England, resulted in his supercession by Gates; and at the close of the year Congress flies from Philadelphia, conferring upon Washington, as a confession of military impotency, the powers of a Dictator. Privateering is regulated and the beginnings of prize courts established. French adventurers troop to Philadelphia and offer their services in the higher ranks of the army.
The notes of debates in Congress by John Adams are supplemented by those of Thomas Jefferson; and a speech of John Witherspoon on the message from Lord Howe is the first of the more full and formal records of opinion expressed in the Congress.
Matter inclosed in parallels, thus ∥--∥ is taken from the "Corrected Journal", described in the Prefatory Note to Volume II of this issue. The Washington, Jefferson
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and Madison manuscripts in the Library of Congress, have been drawn upon for material, but even with this help many reports are wanting to complete the record. The originals have been lost or scattered, and the Library would be grateful for any assistance in locating them, or drafts of them to be found in private collections of historical papers.
Worthington Chauncey Ford
Chief of Division of Manuscripts
Editor
Herbert Putnam
Librarian of Congress
December 18, 1905
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