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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 --THURSDAY, JULY, 16, 1778
A proposal from Captain John Michel, commander of the French ship Lion, in York river, Virginia, to enter into a treaty or agreement with Congress for importing goods, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
Mr. [Francis] Dana laid before Congress a letter which he received from Governor G. Johnstone, one of the commissioners from the King of Great Britain, together with an extract of the same, as far as relates to public matters, which extract was compared with the original and lodged with the secretary, and the original was returned.1
[Note 1: 1 This copy, in the writing of Francis Dana, is in the Library of Congress, United States Revolution, IV.]
Dr. [John] Witherspoon laid before Congress sundry letters he received from his friends in Scotland, and the same containing nothing important of a public nature, were returned.
The delegates of Maryland, to whom was referred the note from the Sieur Gérard, setting forth "that among the prisoners of war for the guard and subsistence of which he has desired Congress to provide, there is one of the name of Towson, native of Maryland; that the birth
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of this captain in one of the United States, and the sentiments he has expressed for his country, have determined the Sieur Gérard to refer the decision of his fate to Congress, who may grant him his full liberty, if they judge him worthy of this favour," brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That full liberty be granted to Captain Towson.
Mr. J[ohn] Penn, a delegate from North Carolina, attended, and produced his credentials, which were read as follows:
(L. S.) STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA:
To John Penn, Cornelius Harnett, and John Williams, esqrs. greeting.
Whereas, the general assembly have elected you delegates to attend the Congress of the United States: these are therefore to commissionate, authorize, and empower you, the said John Penn, Cornelius Harnett, and John Williams, to attend the said Congress of the United States of America, in behalf of this state, for one year, from the 28th day of April last, unless sooner recalled by the general assembly; and you are hereby invested with such powers as may make any act done by you, or consent given in the said Congress in behalf of this state, obligatory upon every inhabitant thereof. Witness, Richard Caswell, esq. governor, captain general, and commander in chief of the said state, under his hand and seal at arms, at Newbern, the 2d day of May, Anno Domini 1778, and in the second year of our independence.
R. Caswell.
By his excellency's command,
J. Glasgow, Secretary.
The Sr. Gérard, having transmitted to Congress a copy of the speech he intends to deliver at his public audience,
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen: Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee, Mr. G[ouverneur] Morris and Mr. [John] Witherspoon.
The Sr. Gérard having also transmitted to Congress a paper, thanking Congress for the quick despatch with which they have provided for the first wants of the French squadron, and accompanied with a memorandum of the
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provisions which will hereafter be necessary; also notifying that Mr. Holker is commissioned "agent of the marine of France," and desiring that Congress would make him known as such, where it may be necessary:
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Marine Committee.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer for five hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars, in favour of the Marine Committee, advanced upon their application, for the use of the navy board in the eastern department; the said Committee to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, for fifty thousand dollars; and another warrant on John Lawrence, Esqr. commissioner of the continental loan office in the State of Connecticut, for one hundred thousand dollars; in favour of William Buchanan, Esq. late commissary general of purchases, to be by him transmitted to Peter Colt, Esqr. deputy commissary general of purchases for the eastern district; the said William Buchanan, Esqr. to be accountable:
That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esqr. auditor general, for thirty-seven thousand five hundred and seventy 30/90 dollars, in favour of James Mease, Esqr. cloathier general, to enable him to answer two draughts of Messrs. Otis and Andrews, one in favour of Captain John Mitchel, for twenty seven thousand five hundred and seventy and 30/90 dollars, the other in favour of Mr. P. Gourge, for ten thousand dollars; the said James Mease, Esq. to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 405.]
The committee appointed to report on the time and manner of the public reception of Monsr Gérard, Minister
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plenipotentiary of his most Christian Majesty, the King of France, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration, and after some time spent thereon,
Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to morrow.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.
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