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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, JANUARY 14, 1779
A letter, of this day, from Mons. Gérard, and the President's letter to him, to which this is an answer, were read:
The committee, to whom was referred the letter of the 7 December, from the hon. Sieur Gérard, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: and thereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
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Whereas in and by the first article of the Treaty of Alliance concluded at Paris on the sixth day of February last, between His Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America, it is declared that, "If war should break out between France and Great Britain during the continuance of the present war between the United States and England, his Majesty and the said United States shall make it a common cause, and aid each other mutually with their good offices, their counsels and forces, according to the exigence of conjunctures, as becomes good and faithful allies." And whereas, in and by the eighth Article of the said Treaty, it is also declared, that "neither of the two parties shall conclude either truce or peace with Great Britain without the formal consent of the other first obtained, and they mutually engage not to lay down their arms, until the Independence of the United States shall have been formally or tacitly assured by the Treaty or Treaties that shall terminate the war." And whereas since the commencement of the present war, between France and Great Britain, wicked and designing persons have endeavoured to propagate a doctrine that the United States have a liberty of treating of peace with Great Britain separately from their ally, and whereas such doctrine is derogatory to the honor of Congress and of these United States, and of consequence is dangerous and prejudicial to their interests, and ought to be contradicted and disavowed, therefore it is declared and Resolved that during the present war between France and America on the one part and Great Britain on the other, these United States may not of right and will not conclude either truce or peace with Great Britain but according to the tenor of the said Treaty of Alliance.
Done in Congress at Philadelphia thisofin the year of our Lordand in the 3rd year of the Independence of America.
President.
Attest
Secty.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Henry Drayton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 67.]
Whereas it hath been represented to this House by the hon. Sieur Gérard, minister plenipotentiary of France, that "it is pretended the United States have preserved the liberty of treating with Great Britain separately from their ally, as long as Great Britain shall not have declared war against the king his master;" therefore,2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph was an amendment, and, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 69.]
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Resolved, unanimously, That as neither France or these United States may of right, so these United States will not conclude either truce or peace with the common enemy, without the formal consent of their ally first obtained, and that any matters or things which may be insinuated or asserted to the contrary thereof tend to the injury and dishonor of the said states.1
[Note 1: 1 This amendment, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris and John Jay, is on folio 70.]
Ordered, That the foregoing resolution, and also the resolution of the 12th, on the publications in the Pensylvania packet of 2 and 5 January, &c., and the memorials of the Sr Gerard minister plenipotentiary of France, respecting these publications, together with the letter of the President to the Minister, covering the resolution, and the Minister's answer, be published.
A letter, of 5, from Major General Schuyler, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to confer with General Washington, who in conjunction with the General are directed to take such order thereon as they judge proper.
Another letter, of 3, from Major General Schuyler was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [John] Fell, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, and Mr. [Thomas] Burke.
A letter, of 1, from General Washington, was read, with sundry papers enclosed:2
[Note 2: 2 The draft of this letter is in the Washington Papers, A, IV, pt. I, 209.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the foregoing committee.
A petition of Henry Piper was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine committee.
A letter, of 2 December, from James Warren, Esq., late paymaster general, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
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A memorial from the select men and others of the town of Danbury, was read,
Ordered, That it be referred to the Medical Committee.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the bills to be emitted for exchanging others, agreeable to the resolutions of the 2d instant, or for supporting the war the ensuing year, be of the following denominations, viz. 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 20, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3 and 2 dollars, and 1 dollar.
"No. ... dollars. The bearer is entitled to receive ... Spanish milled dollars, or an equal sum in gold or silver, according to the resolution of Congress of the 14 January, 1779."
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The Committee of Commerce brought in a report,
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury. The Committee of Commerce, to whom was referred the letter from James Willing, brought in a report; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the commissary general of prisoners be directed to supply Captain James Willing with one hundred pounds, New York currency, for his subsistence at New York; the said James Willing to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, dated January 13, 1779, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 195.]
Resolved, That a member be added to the Board of Treasury.
The member chosen, Mr. [William] Carmichael.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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