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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, SEPTEMBER 27, 1779
A petition of James Bar was read.2
[Note 2: 2 Barr's memorial, dated September 24, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, I, folio 189.]
Ordered, To lie untile the petitioner obtains a proper of recommendation from the executive power of the State New Jersey.
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A letter, of 6, from John Lewis Jervais, deputy pay master general of the southern department, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of this day, from Lieutenant Colonel Fleury was read, desiring that he may be indulged with a furlough to revisit his native country; and accompanied with a letter, of 23, in his favour, from General Washington, under a flying seal, directed to the President of Congress:
Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel Fleury have leave of absence for nine months to commence from the time of his departure from America.
Ordered, On the request of Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, that the letter from General Washington in his favor be delivered to him.
Ordered, That the letter from Lieutenant Colonel Fleury be referred to the Board of War.
A letter, of this day, from the Board of War, was read, enclosing a letter, of 22d, from Elisha Walton, and one, of 23, from Jacob Wolcott:1
[Note 1: 1 The Board of War letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 485; that of Walton, on folio 494; that of Wolcott, on folio 485.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the delegates of Virginia, and that they confer with the Board of War, and report thereon with all convenient dispatch.
A letter, of 26, from Joseph Pennel, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
Ordered, That the letter from J. Carleton be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A letter, of 25th, from Daniel Brodhead, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, III, folio 341.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
A motion being made,
That the continental frigates and other continental armed vessels at Boston, or other eastern ports, be
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forthwith provided with skilful pilots for Newfoundland, Halifax, Penobscot and Rhode Island, that they be detained until they shall be directed to sail from thence by General Washington, and that they observe such orders as they shall receive from him.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee and that they take order thereon.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion and order were entered only in the manuscript Secret Domestic Journal.]
Congress resumed the consideration of foreign affairs, and some time being spent thereon,
On motion,
Resolved, That the resolution passed yesterday, relative to the appointment of a minister plenipotentiary, &c. be reconsidered.
On motion of Mr. [Samuel] Huntington, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
Resolved, That after the word "plenipotentiary," be inserted, "in lieu of a commissioner."
Question put,
Resolved in the affirmative.
On the question to agree to the resolution as amended, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody,
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So it was
Resolved, That a minister plenipotentiary in lieu of a commissioner, be appointed to negotiate a treaty of alliance and of amity and commerce between the United States of America and his catholick majesty.
On motion,
Resolved, That Congress proceed to the election of a minister plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty of alliance and of amity and commerce between the United States of America and his Catholic Majesty.
Congress then proceeded to an election; and the ballots being taken, Mr. John Jay was elected Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty of alliance and of amity and commerce between the United States of America and his Catholick Majesty.
Resolved, That Congress proceed to the election of a minister plenipotentiary for negotiating a treaty of peace and a treaty of commerce with Great Britain.
Congress accordingly proceeded, and the ballots being taken,
Mr. John Adams was elected.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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