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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 --SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1779
A letter, of 5th, from General Washington, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VII, folio 291. It is printed inWritings of Washington (Ford), VII, 433.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to prepare an address to the several states.
That two members be added to that committee.
The members chosen, Mr. S[amuel] Adams, and Mr. [Thomas] Burke.
"Friends and Fellow Citizens:
The great military exertions, and the insidious negotiations carried on by the King of Great Britain against these United States, have hitherto in a great measure been rendered vain, under the favor of Heaven by your United efforts. Our duty to God, to mankind to posterity and to ourselves, calls upon us to continue those efforts to the utmost of our abilities in order that by vigorous exertions we may make such effectual impressions on the enemy as will at length compel them to abandon their iniquitous design of conquest, and to yield to reasonable terms of peace.
The arduous contest with Great Britain in its commencement was sustained under almost every possible disadvantage, and it has been conducted with such success as manifests to us the peculiar favor of Divine Providence. We have happily formed very powerful alliances, and the war is now in such a situation that the ultimate objects of these United States may speedily be established on foundations so firm as not hereafter to be shaken by the power or policy of our enemies, Provided such exertions shall be made as are in our power, and which the favorable conjuncture demands.
Wherefore, we your Representatives in Congress do announce to you that the present campaign will afford an opportunity to bring the
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war to a happy conclusion; but that the most vigorous efforts of these states will be necessary. Such efforts will be called for, according to the nature of the intended operations. And it is hereby in the most earnest manner recommended to the legislatures of the States respectively to invest their respective executive powers with ample authority to call forth and direct their force against the common enemy; to each executive power to make with all possible expedition such arrangements as may effect the most decisive movements, and to our generous fellow citizens to act with the vigor becoming men contending for every thing which can secure the dignity and happiness of themselves and their posterity, and which is necessary for the establishing of the honor and independence of our country."1
[Note 1: 1 This paper, in the writing of Thomas Burke, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 255.]
According to the order of the day, Congress proceeded to consider the memorial of the Minister Plenipotentiary of France read yesterday, and the report of the committee on former communications of the said minister, &c. and some time being spent thereon,
According to order, Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of the whole; and the proposition under debate when the subject was last before Congress being read, to wit:
"That the right of fishing on the coasts and banks "of North America be reserved to the United States "as fully as they enjoyed the same when subject to the "king of Great Britain, excepting always what shall "have been excepted by the treaty of Paris between "France and the United States, the whole to be explained "by the treaties of Utrecht and of Paris with "Great Britain, and of Paris with the United States of "North America."
A substitute was moved by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Burke, in the words following:
Whereas this Congress did on the fourth day of July, 1776, declare the several colonies by them represented to be free and independent states, that they were
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absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain was and ought to be totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they had full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent states might of right do; and for the support of that declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, did mutually pledge to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honour.
And whereas this Congress did resolve on the 22d day of April, 1778, That the said states could not with propriety hold any conference or treaty with any commissioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they should as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies, or else in positive and express terms acknowledge the independence of the said states.
And whereas this Congress, in a letter of the 17th day of June, 1778, from their President to the British commissioners, signed by their unanimous consent, did declare themselves inclined to peace, and that they would be ready to enter upon the consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce not inconsistent with treaties already subsisting, when the King of Great Britain should demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose: And whereas it is agreed in the treaty of alliance between the Most Christian King and the United States, that neither of the parties should conclude either truce or peace with Great Britain without the formal consent of the other first obtained; and it is mutually engaged that the said parties should not lay down their arms until the independence of the United States should have been formally or tacitly assured by the treaty or treaties that should terminate the war.
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And whereas his Most Christian Majesty therein guaranties on his part, to the United States, their liberty, sovereignty and independence, absolute and unlimited, as well in matters of government as of commerce.
And whereas from information lately received, it is probable that a treaty of peace may soon be set on foot on the preliminary acknowledgment of the independence of the said states: And whereas, considering the exhausted situation of the said states, the derangement of their finances, and the defect of their resources, it is highly expedient to put a stop to the present destructive war: Therefore,
Resolved, That this Congress will agree to a treaty of peace with Great Britain, provided the absolute and unlimited liberty, sovereignty and independence of these United States, as well in matters of government as of commerce, shall be thereby acknowledged and assured; and provided, that no terms or articles shall be therein contained which are inconsistent with, or repugnant to, the treaties already subsisting between the Most Christian King and these United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This paper, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, folio 505. The vote, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is noted upon it.]
An objection was made to this, as being out of order. And on the question, Is this substitute in order, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris--
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[It appears that Georgia had no representative in Congress when this vote was taken.]
So it passed in the negative.
Adjourned to 10 oClock on Monday.
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