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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 --FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1777
A letter, of the 17, from General Washington, at White Marsh, with sundry papers enclosed.
A letter, of the 12, from R. H. Harrison, expressing his obligation to Congress for the honour done him in appointing him a member of the Board of War, which, from a sense of his being unequal to the various important duties of the office, he wishes to decline.
A letter, of the 13, from Colonel T. Pickering, declaring his acceptance of the appointment to the Board of War.
A letter, of the 11, from Governor Livingston of New Jersey, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, V, folio 191. It is printed in Writings of Washington (Ford), VI, 200. The letter of Harrison is in No. 78, XI, folio 253; and that of Livingston in No. 68, folio 293.]
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Ordered, That the letter from Paul Zantzinger to Brigadier Wayne, enclosed in General Washington's letter, together with such part of the said letter as relates thereto, be referred to the Board of Treasury:
That the letter from General Washington, with the other papers enclosed, and the letter from Governor Livingston, be referred to the Board of War.
A petition from Thomas Moore, with an account enclosed, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury, who are directed to report specially thereon.
A petition from sundry inhabitants of Sharpsburg, and a, memorial from sundry officers, prisoners there, also a petition from John Sumner, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The petition and memorial from Sharpsburg are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, folios 11 and 13. The petition of Sumner is in No. 42, VII, folio 37.]
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
Whereas all the commissioners of the Board of War have not yet attended, and it is essential to the public good that several matters referred to the consideration of the said commissioners should be immediately entered upon,
Resolved, That any one or more of the Commissioners of the Board of War, together with any two members of the committee which constituted the late Board of War, be authorised to execute the trust reposed in the commissioners of the war office in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 17 October last, till such time as the commissioners shall enter on the execution of their department or till Congress shall determine otherwise.2
[Note 2: 2 In the margin is written, "next day repealed."]
Resolved, That Silas Deane, Esq be recalled from the court of France, and that the Committee for Foreign Affairs be directed to take proper measures for speedily communicating the pleasure of Congress herein to Mr.
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Deane and the other commissioners of the United States at the court of France.
Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for choosing a commissioner to the court of France, in place of Silas Deane, Esqr.1
[Note 1: 1 In the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 165 is a memorandum in the writing of Henry Laurens: "Nominations 21st Novr. A.M. for a commissioner, the Court of France. Mr. Dana, Mr. Jas. Wilson, Marquis de la Fayette, Col. R. H. Lee, Mr. John Adams, Col. Jos. Reed.]
The committee to whom were referred the return of ordnance, &c. taken from the enemy, and the letter from the council of safety of New York, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and after debate,
Resolved, That the same be re-committed.
∥The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.∥2
[Note 2: 2 "Inclosed I send you a Copy of the Confederation, the Eighth article of which respects Taxation, and has given me great uneasiness, as I cannot see any Justice in the Rule therein laid down, for proportioning the several States with the charges of the present war. In the first place, it appears to me that one third part of the wealth of the Southern States which consists in Negroes, is entirely left out, and no notice taken of them in determining their ability to pay taxes, notwithstanding it is by them that they procure their wealth; neither are we to have any advantage of them in proportioning the number of men to be drawn from the several States to carry on the war, that being fixed on the number of white inhabitants in each State, so that by their negroes being left at home, they can till their lands and get bread and riches, while some other States may be greatly distressed. In the next place, the wealth that is in some States more than there is in others, by no means fixes a proportionable Value on the Lands in such States,--which if this be true, seems to prove that the plan laid down by Congress is not just: These are my own thoughts on this head; but refer you to your own better judgment on them. It seems to be the sense of Congress, that if any of the Articles of Confederation, should be thought hard of or unequal to any of the States, that they will make a representation of the same to Congress, with the reasons of their disapprobation to such articles, in order if possible to give satisfaction and ease to each and every of the States. The time fixed on for the several Legislatures, to determine on these great Points, is by some members thought too short; but I make no doubt but they will take as much time to deliberate thereon as may be thought just and necessary." Nathaniel Folsom to Meshech Weare, 21 November, 1777. New Hampshire StatePapers, VIII, 755.]
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