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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 --MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1779
A letter, of 25 July, from the governor of New York, was read, accompanied by sundry acts of the legislature of that State.
Another letter, of the 26 July, from the said governor, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 These letters are in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 67, II, folios 202, 206.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to bring in a new arrangement of the several departments.
A letter, of the 6 July, from W. Bingham, was read, enclosing sun papersrelative to the capture of an American vessel by a French privateer:
Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. [William Henry] Drayton, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. [Henry] Marchant, Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, and Mr. [John] Henry.
Another letter, of 29, and one, of 30 June, continued to the 12 July, were read:
Ordered, That the latter be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
A letter, of 7, and one of 11th July, from Major General W. Philips, were read, accompanied with sundry papers:2
[Note 2: 2 These letters axe in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 57, folios 353, 367.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
The committee to whom was referred the memorial of the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, of the 26 July, with sundry papers relating thereto, with authority to confer with the president and supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, and the Minister and consul of France, and who were directed to prepare and report a state of facts, together with their opinion of the measures proper for Congress to adopt thereupon, brought in a report; Whereupon,
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That they have considered the several papers referred to them and agreeably to the authority given, held a conference thereon, with the president and supreme executive council of Pennsylvania and the Minister Plenipotentiary of France; that it would consume much time to prepare and report a full state of facts, and procrastinate the determinations of Congress, which the exigency of affairs will not properly admit of; they, therefore, pray the indulgence of the House to confine themselves to those things only which are of more immediate importance, and they report,
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signified in his Memorial. proper to give to the Minister of France full and explicit assurances of protection for the servants of his most Christian Majesty.1
[Note 1: 1 To this point the report was printed in theSecret Journals, Foreign, Vol. II, p. 216. It was entered on the general Journal in error, and stricken out.]
Resolved, That the Minister of France be assured that Congress will at all times afford every countenance and protection to the consuls and other servants of his most Christian Majesty within the powers and authorities to them delegated by their constituents:
That the several appointments of consuls made, and which may hereafter be made and approved by Congress, be duly registered in the Secretary's office and properly notified by the President to the executive authorities of the respective states in whose ports such consuls may reside:
That the measures taken by Mr. Holker to procure flour for the fleet of his most Christian Majesty in the way of commerce, have from time to time been made known unto, and been fully approved by Congress; that the several proceedings and publications complained of by the Minister on that subject are very injurious to the servants of his said Majesty, and that Congress do highly disapprove of the same:
That the president and supreme executive council of Pennsylvania be informed that any prosecutions which it may be expedient to direct, for such matters and things in the said publications or transactions as may be against the laws of nations, shall be carried on at the expence of the United States:
That it be recommended to the Executive Powers of the several states to give every necessary and proper countenance and protection to the public Ministers and Servants of his Most Christian Majesty and other Powers, in alliance with those United States.
That the Minister of France be informed that the president and supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, have taken
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proper measures to restore the flour taken from the agents of Mr. Holker.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 141.]
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the Treasurer, in favour of the delegates of the State of North Carolina, on their application, for thirty three thousand dollars, for the use of the troops of the said State in the continental service; and for which that State is to be accountable.
That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of the delegates of the State of Maryland, on their application, for six thousand dollars; for which the said State is to be accountable.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph formed a report, dated July 31, and is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 505. The two paragraphs are repeated in a report on folio 507.]
Ordered, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.
The committee to whom was referred the letter of 13 July, from General Washington, brought in a report, which was read.
Your Committee to whom was referred General Washington's letter of the 13th July, 1779, with the enclosures, Beg leave to report, the following draft of a letter from the President to the minister plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles:
Sir,
The burning ofPortsmouth and Suffolk in Virginia, Fairfield, East Haven, Green's Farms and Norwalk in Connecticut, together with the ravages committed in Georgia and South Carolina, form a cruel commentary upon the proclamation of the British Commissioners. This proclamation was defended in their Parliament as meaning no more than that in future the war was to be carried on against America as against other nations. It becomes therefore a common cause of all nations to punish a people who so daringly violate the rights of humanity, and it is
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particularly incumbent upon the United States as well to check their present barbarities, as to conform to the Manifesto published in answer to the Proclamation above mentioned, and to deter all others by striking examples from a breach of those laws which are held sacred among civilized nations. I am therefore to instruct you that you employ. Incendiaries to set fire to the Capital of the British Dominions, particularly the royal Palace, and to such other Towns in Great Britain as may be most expedient, and that as soon as some great object of this sort can be accomplished, you do in a proper ManiFesto avow the same as having been done by the order of Congress, and declare that they are determined at all times to meet their enemies in whatever kind of war they shall chuse to carry on, whether it be of civilized or of savage nations, and call upon all the Powers of Europe, who may have formerly suffered by the Pride and Cruelty of Great Britain, or who feel a just indignation against her present conduct to join their efforts in vindicating the insulted laws of humanity.
I am, etc.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 271. It is endorsed: "Burning Report."]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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