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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, DECEMBER 18, 1778
A letter, of 17, from Mr. President Reed, of Pensylvania, was read,1 together with a letter of 29 November, from Curson and Governeur, of St. Eustatia, enclosed, covering a bill of lading, for six boxes, containing 3000 pair of woollen stockings, for account and risque of the United States:
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, I, folio 559.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
A petition and representation of Evan Malbone, Sen. and Evan Malbone, Jun. was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the petition of Claver Taylor.
A letter, of 17, from Major General Lee, was read, desiring to be indulged with the minutes of the whole proceedings of Congress, relative to the proceedings of the general court martial and confirmation of the sentence upon him.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 129.]
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Ordered, To lie until the journals are examined.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon, Congress came to the following order and resolution:
Whereas Dr. Wheelock has incurred expence in supporting a number of Indian youths, of the Caghnawaga tribe, at his school, which in times past has been the means of conciliating the friendship of that tribe:
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of Lieutenant Colonel Wheelock, for nine hundred and twenty five dollars, for the use of the said Dr. Eleazer Wheelock.
Whereas it is represented to Congress, that it will be more agreeable to adventurers in the lottery of the United States, to have the blanks drawn as well as the prizes; and that the public will thereby have an opportunity, during the time of drawing, to purchase the tickets which may remain unsold at the commencement: therefore,
Resolved, That the managers be directed to draw the blanks, as well as prizes, of the second class of the said lottery.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated December 17, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 785.]
The committee to whom was referred General Washington's letter of the 13th,2 brought in a report: Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 Relative to an expedition against Canada.]
Resolved, That General Washington be directed to attend Congress immediately after he shall have put the army in such order as to admit of his absence from it a few days.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Henry Laurens, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 253.]
A memorial from the managers of the United States' lottery, to the Board of Treasury, was laid before Congress and read:4 Whereupon,
[Note 4: 4 A copy of this memorial is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 775.]
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Treasury Office,December 17th, 1778.
The Committee on the Treasury beg leave to Report, that they have taken into Consideration the annexed Memorial of the Managers of the United States Lottery.
That from the positive Terms in which Congress have fixed the drawing the Lottery for the first Day of January next, the Committee are of Opinion that the drawing ought not to be deferred.
Considering, however, that this is an Important object, as instead of gaining, the public may loose, a large Sum by proceeding to draw the Lottery in the present low state of the Sales of Tickets: the Committee think proper to submit the Representation of the Managers with this Report to Congress for their Direction.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, II, folio 773.]
A motion was made, that the drawing of the second class of the United States lottery be deferred to the first day of April next:
Question put, passed in the negative.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of the whole:
On the second proposition in the report,
2. That they be brought in for that purpose, in the manner hereafter provided, by the first day of June next, and not afterwards redeemable.
To which an amendment was moved in lieu of the whole as follows: "That it be recommended to the States to pass laws prohibiting the currency of all bills of the said emissions within their respective limits after a certain day; such day to be as early as their respective circumstances will admit; and that no bills of the said emissions shall be held redeemable, which shall not be brought in to the proper offices on or before the day most distant from the time of passing this resolution, which shah by any State be enacted for limiting the currency thereof."
Which was lost by the previous question.
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Another amendment was moved to strike out the words "and not afterwards redeemable"; and in lieu thereof insert, "and that it be recommended to the several States to pass effectual laws to prevent the circulation of the said bills on the respective States after the said 1st day of June next."
Which was also lost by the previous question.
The main question was then divided, and the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith, on the first clause ∥as far as the word "next" inclusive:∥
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The question being put, and the yeas and nays required by Mr. M[eriwether] Smith, on the second clause,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The third proposition was taken into consideration, viz.
3. That they be received for debts and taxes into the continental treasury, and into the State treasuries for continental taxes, until the first day of June next:
An amendment was moved for striking out the words "for continental taxes:"
And on the question that they stand part of the report, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Thomas] Burke,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Question put on the main question,
Resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed till to morrow at 1 o'Clock.
Six o'Clock p. m.
There not being a sufficient number of states to proceed to business,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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