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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, SEPTEMBER 25, 1779
A letter, of 19th, from General Washington, and a letter, of 24, from E. Fox, which was laid before Congress by the delegates of Maryland, were read:2
[Note 2: 2 The Washington letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 152, VIII, folio 33; that of Fox is in No. 78, IX, folio 287]
Ordered, That a copy of the latter, and an extract from the General's letter, as far as it relates to an embarkation at New York be transmitted to the governors of Maryland and of other states to the southward.
A letter, of 20, from the governor of New Jersey, was read:
Ordered, That the same, together with the papers enclosed, be referred to the delegates of Maryland.
A letter, of 19, from Major General Greene, Q. M. G., and a petition of Monsr. L'Eglize, and a memorial of Quarter Master [William] Honeyman, and Adjutant [Jonathan] Pugh of the invalid regiment, were read:
Ordered, That they be referred to the Board of War.
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A petition of Captain Alexander McCaraher, was read:1
[Note 1: 1 Greene's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, I, folio 171; the memorial of L'Eglize, dated the 15th, in No. 42, IV, folio 212; that of Honeyman, in No. 41, IV, folio 95; that of McCaraher, dated the 23d, in No. 42, V, folio 167.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury. A memorial of Captain W. Irwin, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee, to take order thereon.
A letter from Joseph Carleton was read.
A petition of Major de Bois and a memorial from Major Widdersheim, were read:2
[Note 2: 2 The Carleton letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 60, folio 3; De Bois's petition, dated the 24th, in No. 42, I, folio 185; that of Widdersheim, dated the 22d, in No. 41, X, folio 395.]
Ordered, To lie on the table.
The committee to whom was referred intelligence communicated by the honorable Mr. Gérard, minister plenipotentiary of France, brought in a report; Whereupon,
The Committee, to whom was referred the paper of intelligence communicated by the Honorable the Sieur Gérard, on the 7th Inst., beg leave to report the following draught of a letter in answer to the Said communication:
Sir: The sentiments contained in the paper laid before Congress, on the 7th Inst., have given us great uneasiness, as they admit the possibility of an event which we cannot contemplate without pain and regret. Nevertheless as they demonstrate the anxieties of a faithful friend, Congress are willing again to testify their unalterable attachment to the terms and principles of the Alliance, more especially as we wish you on leaving America, to take with you a solemn assurance of our fixed dispositions.
However great and desireable an object peace may be, we will never purchase it with infamy and reproach, and were every other motive to a persistence in our engagements removed, the treatment we have received from a Nation, who have violated every principle of Justice and humanity would of itself determine us. But we have higher obligations, the interest of our country, affection for our Ally, and above all, our faith solemnly pledged. These assurances we are happy to give not only as individuals, not only as an American
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assembly, but as Representatives of a virtuous and determined people whose sentiments we express.
Reposing ourselves upon that almighty power whose interposition on our behalf we have so often seen and adored, confident of the unanimity and zeal of our fellow citizens throughout these States, assured of the assistance and support of our Great Ally, relying that the good and brave every where regard our cause with interested attention, and in fine decided to oppose to the last the unjust claims of a proud and cruel nation, we firmly repeat what we have already declared, that no offers of advantage, however great and alluring, no extremes of danger however alarming, shall induce us to violate the Faith we have given, and the resolutions we have adopted, for the observance of which we have solemnly pledged our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.1
[Note 1: 1 In the manuscript journal the first phrase was thus modified, "within six months after he shall be a member of Congress," but those words were struck out.]
Resolved, That the President return Mr. Gérard the following answer:
Sir, Congress feel themselves obliged by your communication of the 7th instant, and are happy that Mr. Gérard will be able to contradict, from the fullest evidence, every insinuation which may be made prejudicial to the faith and honor of the United States.
Congress proceeded in the consideration of foreign affairs, and some time being spent thereon,
Congress resumed the consideration of their foreign affairs.
A motion was made by Mr. [John] Mathews, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
That Congress will not appoint any person, being a member of Congress, to any office under the United States, for which he, or another for him, is to receive any salary, fees, or emolument of any kind.1
[Note 11: 1 This report and draught, in the writing of William Churchill Houston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 161. It is endorsed: "After debate another short letter substituted in its place."]
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A motion was made by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
That after the words "a member of Congress," be inserted, "or within nine months after he shall be a "member of Congress." And on the question to agree to this amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
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So it passed in the negative.
When the main question was about to be put, the previous question was moved by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith, seconded by Mr. [Henry] Laurens; and on the question to agree to the previous question, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Henry] Laurens,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative, and the main question was set aside.
Resolved, That Congress proceed to morrow to the election of a proper person for negotiating a treaty of peace, and that persons be immediately put in nomination:
Whereupon, Mr. John Adams was nominated by Mr. [Henry] Laurens; Mr. J[ohn] Jay, by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith.1
[Note 1: 1 These proceedings were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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