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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, JUNE 26, 1778.
A letter, of 24, from Major General Arnold, in Philadelphia, with a proclamation enclosed, was read:
Two letters of 18, from Governor Henry; one, of 25, from Colonel G. Morgan, and, one of 25, from the Board of War, with sundry papers enclosed, respecting Cornelius Sweers, whom they have arrested in consequence of the order of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Arnold is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 162, folio 114; those of Henry are in No. 71, I, folios 153 and 157; that of Morgan is in No. 163, folio 301; and that of the Board of War, in No. 147, II, folio 129.]
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The committee appointed to prepare the form of a ratification of the articles of Confederation, brought in a form, which was agreed to as follows:
To all to whom these presents shall come: We, the undersigned delegates of the states affixed to our names send greeting.
Whereas, the delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled, did, on the fifteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven, and in the second year of the independence of America, agree to certain articles of confederation and perpetual union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, in the words following, viz.
(Here insert the articles.)
Which articles were by Congress "proposed to the legislatures of all the United States, to be considered, and if approved of by them, they were advised to authorize their delegates to ratify the same in the Congress of the United States." And, whereas, it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union; KnOW YE, that we, the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do, by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained;
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and we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents that they shall abide by the determinations of the United States in Congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said confederation are submitted to them; and that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the states we respectively represent; and that the union shall be perpetual.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, thisday ofin the year of our Lord 1778, and in theyear of the independence of the United States of America.
Ordered, That a copy of the Articles of Confederation, with the above ratification, be engrossed on parchment, in order that the same may be signed before Congress adjourn from this place.1
[Note 1: 1 From this point to the end of this day's proceedings this writing is that of Thomas Edison.]
A petition of the 26th June from Henry Klein, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Four o'Clock, p. m.
The commissioners of claims, with the approbation of the auditor general, report,
That there is due, to John Brown, for his services as clerk to the Commercial Committee, from July 21st, 1777, to June 21st, 1778, 825 dollars:
That there is due to Jacob Funk, for two boxes with locks, and a large chest for the secretary's office, thirty two dollars:
That there is due to John Thaxter, for his services as clerk in the secretary's office, from the 6th May, to June 15th, inclusive, one hundred dollars, and for contingent expences for the use of the office, 4 78/90 dollars:
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That there is due to Martin Breneise, for attending Congress, from June 1st to the 27th, inclusive, thirty six dollars, and for ringing the bell, the same time, 9 12/90 dollars:
That there is due to John Fisher, for renewing two copperplates for loan-office certificates, and making two letters in the device of the thirty dollar bills, 20 dollars:1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 391.]
Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of the honble. James Smith, Esqr., a delegate of the State of Pennsylvania, for one thousand dollars, advanced upon his application; for which the State is to be accountable:
That a warrant issue in favor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, for one hundred thousand dollars, on Joseph Clarke, commissioner of the United States loan office in the said State; one other warrant for fifty thousand dollars, on the treasurer of the said State; and one other warrant, for one hundred thousand dollars, on the treasurer of Connecticut; the last mentioned sums being part of a continental tax assessed in pursuance of a resolution of Congress of the 22d day of November last, on the said states respectively; ∥the whole amounting to 250,000 dollars;∥ the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to be accountable:
That a warrant issue in favor of John Gibson, Esq. auditor general, for one million of dollars, on the treasurer, to be by him transmitted to Mr. Gibson, at Philadelphia, to answer the drafts of Congress; he to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of Joseph Nourse, pay master of the Board of War and Ordnance,
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for three hundred thousand dollars, to be by him transmitted to Benjamin Stelle, deputy pay master in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; and that Ebenezer Hancock, Esqr. deputy pay master general at Boston, be furnished with a copy of this order, who is to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of the honble. Henry Laurens, Esqr. president of Congress, for three thousand dollars, for the purpose of paying express messengers; for which he is to account:
That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favor of the honble. Roger Sherman, Esqr. a delegate of the State of Connecticut, for one thousand dollars, it being advanced upon his application; for which the said State is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 389.]
The committee to whom were referred the proceedings of the house of assembly of Georgia, relative to an application of one million of dollars on loan, report,
"That the continental demands upon the treasury are so large and pressing, that so large a loan as is requested by the State of Georgia, cannot be granted; but as of the loan of one million of dollars, granted to Georgia in August last, the sum of 198,400 dollars remains unissued by the treasury, it is recommended that the sum of 198,400 dollars be forthwith issued and transmitted to Georgia, to compleat the loan of one million already granted:"2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Henry Drayton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, II, folio 439. It is indorsed "Offered to the House, 25th. June, A. M."]
Resolved, That the foregoing report be accepted.
Ordered, That the letter of the 25th instant, from the Board of War, be referred to a committee of three:
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The members chosen, Mr. [James] Smith, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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