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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, JULY 17, 1778
A letter, of 14, from General Washington, at Pyramus, Bergen county, in the State of New Jersey, and a letter of 16, from J. Nourse, pay master of the Board of War and Ordnance, were read:1
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Washington is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VI, folio 171.]
Ordered, That the letter from J. Nourse, be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of 16, from the Board ∥of War,∥ was read, informing that the express sent to bring back the Seneca chiefs, is returned; but that the chiefs would not consent to return, and that the Board did not think themselves authorized to use force in the case:2 Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 This letter, prepared by Timothy Pickering, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 135.]
A motion was made, that a letter be written to General Schuyler and the commissioners of Indian Affairs, acquainting them that Congress have received probable information that the Seneca nation, or some of them, have very lately committed hostilities against these States, and directing the said commissioners to take prudent but effectual measures for detaining the Seneca chiefs now among us, and on their way to Albany, till full information be obtained upon the subject, unless they should have cogent reasons to the contrary:
Question put,
Passed in the negative.
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A letter, of this day, from Cornelius Sweers, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XX, folio 235.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War, and, that they issue such orders relative to the place of Mr. Sweers's confinement, until his conduct can be examined, as they shall judge sufficient for the security of his person.
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on John Gibson, Esq. auditor general, for two hundred dollars, in favour of Mr. Mosley, copper plate printer, advanced him on account.
Ordered, That the remainder of the report be re-committed.
The Rev. Mr. Armstrong being recommended as chaplain to the second brigade of Maryland forces.
Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. James Francis Armstrong be appointed chaplain to the second brigade of Maryland forces,
Resolved, That Mr. [John] Penn be appointed a member of the Marine Committee, for the State of North Carolina.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report relative to the reception of the Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary from his most Christian Majesty the King of France, and after some time spent thereon,
The Committee to whom it was referred to report upon the reception of foreign Ministers beg leave to observe
That Ministers being of three different classes, viz, Postponed. on reconsidering Agd. 20 July proposed amendment rejected. 1st. Ambassadors, 2nd. Ministers Plenipotentiary and Envoys, and 3rd. Residents, it will be necessary to establish a ceremonial for each according to their relative dignity. Then your Committee report for an Ambassador, the following ceremonial, viz.
When he shall arrive within any of the United States he shall receive from any battery, fort or castle the same salute or other
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honors which are paid to the Flag of the Prince or State which he shall represent. Also at all places where there are guards, centries or the like, he shall receive the same military honors and respect which are paid to a general officer in the service of the United States of the highest, rank. When he shall arrive at the place in which the Congress shall be, he shall wait upon the President and deliver his credentials or copies thereof. Three members of Congress shall then be deputed to wait upon him and inform him when and where he shall receive Audience of the Congress. At the time he is to receive his audience the three members shall again wait upon him in a coach belonging to the States, and the person first named of the three shall return with the ambassador and his secretary in the coach, giving to the ambassador the right hand and placing himself on his left with the Secretary, on the front seat, and the other two members shall return in a Chariot.
When the ambassador is arrived at the door of the Congress Chamber the member who presents him shall announce him to the President, and they shall bow to each other. The President shall then announce him to the whole house, who shall bow to him and he to them. He and the President shall then again bow to each other, and be seated; after which the members shall sit down. The President shall be seated Reconsidered and a proposed amendment rejected, then postponed. 20 July Agd. on a chair raised upon a stage two feet above the ground, and the ambassador on a chair directly opposite to him, and raised eighteen inches. The ambassador shall then sitting in his chair speak to the President and receive an answer, after which the ambassador, the President and the whole house, shall again rise, and the ambassador shall retire in the manner in which he was introduced, not bowing or being bowed unto. The same persons shall wait on him upon his return who went to bring him to the house. His title shall be Excellency.
2nd Your Committee report for a Minister Plenipo or Envoy the following ceremonial to wit,
He shall not receive the salute; but he shall receive such military honors as are paid to a general officer of the second rank in the armies of the United States. He shall in like manner with the ambassador wait on the President. He shall be waited on by two members with the Master of the ceremonies. He shall ride in the Coach belonging Agd. and on reconsidering. 20 July. to the States, with one of the members as before. The other member with the Master of ceremonies shall ride in the Chariot. He shall be presented by the member and announced to the President and the House, and bow and be bowed
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unto by them, and the President shall then again bow unto each other and be seated, after which the House shall sit down. Having spoken and being answered he and the President shall bow to each other, at which time the House shall bow, and then he shall be conducted home in the manner in which he was brought to the House. He shall be entitled Honorable.
Your Committee Report for a Resident the following ceremonial.
He shall when he arrives at the place of the sitting of Congress wait on the President as before. He shall be waited upon by the Master of the ceremonies, and by him brought to the House in the Coach. He shall be announced and make one bow to the President and the Postponed on reconsidering 20 July. House and receive one, and the whole be seated together. His chair shall not be raised from the floor. Having spoken and being answered, He and the President shall bow to each other. When again he shall bow to and be bowed to by Agd. the President and the whole house and be conducted home in the same manner in which he was brought to the house. He shall have no title.
[And further after the audience the Members of Congress [[shall pay the first visit to an ambassador and they]] shall be Within [] stand rest out. first visited by a minister Plenipotentiary or Envoy [[and by a Resident]]1 The Secretary of Congress, Treasurer, President of the Board of War, and the like, shall pay the first visit to a Plenipotentiary or Envoy, and shall receive it from a Resident.
[Note 1: 1 "Relative to Ambassador and Resident postponed 20 July." Note on the report in the writing of Henry Laurens.]
The Stile of Congress shall be, the Congress of the United States of North America. And when addressed it shall be thus. May it please your Excellency Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Congress, &c. &c.
The address to an ambassador shall be, May it please your Excellency &c. &c.
To an Envoy or Plenipotentiary, Most Honorable &c.
To a Resident Sir, Monsieur, My Lord, Mr. and the like, according to his appellation in his own Country;2
[Note 2: 2 These four paragraphs on style of address appear to have been struck out.]
Those who shall visit upon a Public Minister, shall always inform him, that if in any audience he chooses to speak on matters of business, Agd. 20 July. it will be necessary to deliver what he shall say in writing to the President, and if he shall not incline
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thereto, it will be from the constitution of Congress impracticable for him to receive an immediate answer.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 47.]
Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till tomorrow.
Adjourned to 9 o'Clock, to Morrow.
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