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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 --MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1777
Edward Langworthy, and Joseph Wood, two of the delegates from Georgia, attended and produced the credentials of their appointment, which were read as follows:
State of Georgia.
House of Assembly, Saturday, June 7, 1777.
"The house proceeded to the choice of continental delegates, when it appeared that the following gentlemen were duly elected, to wit, Nathan Brownson, Edward Langworthy. Joseph Wood, Lyman Hall, and George Walton, esqrs.
A true extract from the minutes,
James Wood, Jun. Cl. H. A.
Mr. [Francis] Dana, a delegate from Massachusetts bay, and Mr. [William] Ellery, a delegate from Rhode Island, attended and took their seats in Congress.
Congress resumed the consideration of the second paragraph in the report of the committee to whom was referred the application of foreign officers, and it appearing that Mens∥ Dorset had arranged himself and obtained the commission of a lieutenant among the officers who accompanied
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Monsr. du Coudray, and who on the 15 day of September last, composed themselves into a corps of volunteers under Monsr. du Coudray, as a captain in the service of the United States:
Resolved, That 200 dollars be advanced presented to Monsr. Dorset as a gratification for his services and expences in America, and that a bill of exchange be drawn in his favour on the commissioners of Congress at the court of France, for 900 livres to pay his passage to France and defray his expences to Paris.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Chevalier du Portail be appointed to the rank of brigadier general, Monsr. de Laumoy and Monsr. de la Radière to that of colonel, and Monsr. Gouvion to that of lieutenant colonel, in the army of the United States; the said gentlemen to be employed as heretofore in the capacity of engineers.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 479.]
A letter of advice of the 14 April last, from J. Rutledge, with sundry bills of exchange ∥drawn by Colonel Kennon,∥ was laid before Congress:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Ordered, That Mr. [Henry] Marchant have leave of absence.
The committee appointed to arrange the articles of confederation, and prepare a circular letter to accompany it to the several states, brought in the following draught:
In Congress, York Town, 17 November, 1777
Congress having agreed upon a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States, authentie copies are now transmitted for the consideration of the respective legislatures.
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This business, equally intricate and important, has, in its progress, been attended with uncommon embarrassments and delay, which the most anxious solicitude and persevering diligence could not prevent. To form a permanent union, accommodated to the opinion and wishes of the delegates of so many states, differing in habits, produce, commerce, and internal police, was found to be a work which nothing but time and reflection, conspiring with a disposition to conciliate, could mature and accomplish.
Hardly is it to be expected that any plan, in the variety of provisions essential to our union, should exactly correspond with the maxims and political views of every particular State. Let it be remarked, that, after the most, careful enquiry and the fullest information, this is proposed as the best which could be adapted to the circumstances of all; and as that alone which affords any tolerable prospect of a general ratification.
Permit us, then, earnestly to recommend these articles to the immediate and dispassionate attention of the legislatures of the respective states. Let them be candidly reviewed under a sense of the difficulty of combining in one general system the various sentiments and interests of a continent divided into so many sovereign and independent communities, under a conviction of the absolute necessity of uniting all our councils and all our strength, to maintain and defend our common liberties: let them be examined with a liberality becoming brethren and fellow-citizens surrounded by the same imminent dangers, contending for the same illustrious prize, and deeply interested in being forever bound and connected together by ties the most intimate and indissoluble; and finally, let them be adjusted with the temper and magnanimity of wise and patriotic legislators, who, while they are concerned for the prosperity of their own more immediate circle, are capable of rising superior to local attachments, when they may be incompatible with the safety, happiness, and glory of the general Confederacy.
We have reason to regret the time which has elapsed in preparing this plan for consideration: with additional solicitude we look forward to that which must be necessarily spent before it can be ratified. Every motive loudly calls upon us to hasten its conclusion.
More than any other consideration, it will confound our foreign enemies, defeat the flagitious practices of the disaffected, strengthen and confirm our friends, support our public credit, restore the value
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of our money, enable us to maintain our fleets and armies, and add weight and respect to our councils at home, and to our treaties abroad.
In short, this salutary measure can no longer be deferred it seems essential to our very existence as a free people, and without it we may soon be constrained to bid adieu to independence, to liberty and safety; blessings which, from the justice of our cause, and the favour of our Almighty Creator visibly manifested in our protection, we have reason to expect, if, in an humble dependence on his divine providence, we strenuously exert the means which are placed in our power.
To conclude, if the legislature of any State shall not be assembled, Congress recommend to the executive authority to convene it without delay; and to each respective legislature it is recommended to invest its delegates with competent powers ultimately in the name and behalf of the state to subscribe articles of confederation and perpetual union of the United States; and to attend Congress for that purpose on or before theday of
On motion to fill up the blanks with "first" and "May," or as much sooner as possible
{table}
So it passed in the negative.
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It was then moved to fill the first blank with "tenth," and second ∥with∥ "March next," and the question being put,
Resolved in the affirmative.
It was moved, to add after "next" these words "if practicable;"
{table}
So it passed in the negative.
The letter being agreed to,
Ordered, That thirteen copies be made out, signed by the president, and forwarded to the several states, with copies of the confederation.
Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.
Four O'Clock, p. m.
Met.
Resolved, That Mr. [Francis] Dana, Mr. [William] Ellery, and Mr. [Joseph] Wood, be appointed members of the Marine Committee, in the room of those from
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their respective states, who are absent or have leave of absence.
Resolved, Three members be elected for the Committee of Appeals, in the room of Mr. President, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, and Mr. [Henry] Marchant:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Harvie, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. [William] Ellery.
Resolved, That two members be added to the Board of War:
The members chosen, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. J [onathan] B[ayard] Smith.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥
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