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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 --SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1777
William Ellery and Henry Marchant, Esqrs. delegates from the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, attended and produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read, and are as follows:
"By the honorable Nicholas Cook, esq. governor, captain-general, commander in chief of and over the state of Rhode-Island[L. S.] and Providence-Plantations: To William Ellery, esq. greeting:--Whereas, by the free vote of the freemen of the said state on the first Wednesday of May instant, you, the said William Ellery, was elected a delegate to represent the said state for one year in the general Congress of delegates from the thirteen United States of America, now sitting in Philadelphia, or wherever the same may sit: I do, therefore, in the name of the governor and company of the said state, hereby authorize, empower, and commissionate you, the said William Ellery, in conjunction with the other delegates that are or may be elected delegates of the said state, or separately and alone, in case of the sickness or the necessary absence of the other delegates of said state, to represent the said state in the said general Congress; and, in behalf thereof, to join with the delegates from the other states, or the major part of them, in all such measures as shall be thought best for promoting the defence and welfare
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fare of the said United States, agreeable to the instructions given, or that may be given, you by the general assembly.
Given under my hand, and the seal of the said state, at Providence, this 7th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven.
Nicholas Cooke.
By his honor's command,Henry Ward,Secretary."
The commission to Henry Marchant Esqr was expressed in the same words.
The Committee for Foreign Affairs brought in a draught of a commission to A. Lee, commissioner at the Court of Madrid, which was read.
Resolved, That the consideration thereof be postponed to Wednesday next, and that on that day, Congress resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to take into consideration the state of foreign affairs, and the instructions given to the Commissioners of Congress at foreign Courts.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the commissary's department; and, after some time spent thereon,
Resolved, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed to Monday.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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