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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 --SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1779
The President laid before Congress two letters, received from the honble Sr. Gérard, minister plenipotentiary of France, written to him by Mr. J. Plombard, and dated at Chariestown, South Carolina; one the 5th, the other, the 8th September, instant, which were read, giving information of the arrival of Count d'Estaing at Georgia. Whereupon,
Resolved, That copies of the letters from Mr. Plombard to Mr. Gérard, of the 5th and 8th of September, instant, communicated by Mr. Gérard to the President, be sent to General Washington. That the General be also informed of the intention of our ally, that the armament under Count D'Estaing shall operate against the enemy in these United States; and that General Washington be authorized and directed to concert and execute such plans of co-operation with the Minister of France, or the Count, as he may think proper.
Whereas Congress have received authentick information of the arrival of Count D'Estaing with a powerful fleet to co-operate with these United States; and whereas by the vigorous exertions of the said states, the allied forces may be enabled to strike an important blow against the enemy,
Resolved, That it be most earnestly recommended to the several states to furnish General Washington with such aid as he may require of them respectively, as well by detachments from their militia, as by providing that the allied armaments in the United States be speedily and effectually furnished with ample supplies of bread and other provisions; and that the most vigorous exertions be made for that purpose.1
[Note 1: 1 Entered only in the Secret Domestic Journal.]
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Resolved, That a member be added to the committee appointed to superintend the quarter master and commissary general departments, and that another be elected in the room of Mr. [William] Whipple, who is absent:
The members chosen, Mr. [Daniel of St. Thomas] Jenifer, and Mr. [James] Mercer.
Resolved, That a member be elected for the Board of War, in the room of Mr. [Joseph] Spencer, who is absent:
The member chosen, Mr. [Jesse] Root.
Congress proceeded in the consideration of foreign affairs, and some time being spent thereon,
According to order, Congress proceeded to the election of a minister plenipotentiary for negotiating a treaty of peace; and the ballots being taken and counted, no election was made.
Congress proceeded again to ballot; and the votes being counted, no election was made.
Congress proceeded again to ballot and, the votes being taken and counted, no election was made.
On motion,
Ordered, That the election be postponed.
On motion of Mr. [Meriwether] Smith, seconded by Mr. [William] Paca,
Resolved, That a minister plenipotentiary be appointed to negotiate a treaty of alliance and of amity and commerce between the United States of America and his catholick majesty.
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays having been required by Mr. [Henry] Marchant,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Congress then proceeded to the nomination of a minister plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty of alliance, and of amity and commerce between the United States of America and his Catholick Majesty; when Mr. Arthur Lee was nominated by Mr. [Henry] Laurens; Mr. John Adams, by Mr. [William] Paca; Mr. John Jay, by Mr. [James] Mercer.1
[Note 1: 1 These proceedings were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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