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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 --WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1778
A letter, of 22, from Colonel William Grayson, was read, informing that he has been duly notified of his appointment to the Board of War, and expressing a desire to decline the appointment.
A letter, of 1, from Gosuinus Erkelens, was read; also a letter of 29 November, from Colonel J. G. Dircks, informing
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Congress of his intention,1 on his arrival in Holland, to correspond with the Hon. Dr. Franklin, at Paris, and desiring that the President would mention his name to Dr. Franklin in his next letter:
[Note 1: 1 The letter of Grayson is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, X, folio, 125; that of Erkelens, in VIII, folio 307; and that of Dircks, in VII, folio 227.]
Ordered, That this his desire be complied with.
According to order, Mr. Deane attending, was called in, and proceeded in his information, and having gone through what he had written, he produced sundry letters and papers,referred to in his written information, which he desired might be read; upon a letter of 7 April, from Dr. Franklin to him, being read, Mr. Deane desired leave to say something in explanation of the latter clause of said letter, which respects a negotiator, "who, the letter mentions, is gone back apparently much chagrined at his little success, and in which Dr. Franklin says he has promised him faithfully, that since his propositions could not be accepted, they should be buried in oblivion; and therefore earnestly desires that Mr. Deane would put that paper immediately in the fire, on the receipt of the letter, without taking or suffering to be taken any copy of it, or communicating its contents:"
As he was proceeding to explain this matter, a motion was made, that Mr. Deane withdraw:
Mr. Deane accordingly withdrew.
A motion was then made, that Mr. Deane be called in and informed that if he has any thing further to report, he lay it before Congress in writing:
To which an amendment was moved,
That Mr. Deane be permitted to proceed in his verbal explanation, referred to, and that it be afterwards reduced to writing, if Congress shall judge it necessary: which being adopted, it was divided, and upon the question to agree to the first clause,
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The yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
On the question to agree to the second clause,
The yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Ellery,
{table}
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Ordered, That the secretary inform Mr. Deane that Congress will give him notice of the time when he shall attend again, which will probably be this evening.
Six o'Clock, p. m.
A letter, of 10 September, from Mr. Jonathan Williams, at Nantes, was read, with a number of papers accompanying it:
Ordered, To lie on the table for the perusal of the members.
According to order, Brigadier W. Thompson attending, was called in, and the evidences being examined, withdrew.1
[Note 1: 1 Thomson's notes of the testimony are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 159, folio 310.]
Ordered, That Brigadier W. Thompson be called in and informed, that if he has any thing to offer in his defence, the house is ready to hear him, but that if he requires time to make his defence, it will be allowed him.
Brigadier Thompson being called in and informed of the order of the house, desired that the papers he had in his hand might be read:
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The same being read, and he having nothing further to offer, General Thompson was ordered to withdraw, and he withdrew accordingly.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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