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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, NOVEMBER 1, 1779
An extract from the proceedings of the general court of Massachusetts bay, with a copy of the letter, of 13 September last, from the honble John Adams, Esq. was laid before Congress, and read.
A letter from the Board of War was read; Whereupon, Congress came to the following resolution:
war Office, October 30, 1779.
Lt: Col. Connolly has again and again petitioned Congress for permission to be enlarged on his parole, for the benefit of his health. Those petitions have often been referred to this board; but tho' directed to take order thereon, we could yield him no relief, as it was not, nor is yet determined, that he is a prisoner of war; and consequently we could not take his parole. Heretofore the enemy would have exchanged one of our Lieut: Colonels for him: could this still be effected, we humbly conceive it the most eligible measure that can be taken: Whatever danger might formerly have been apprehended from his influence and artifices among the Indians (in case he had been released) we believe that now the grounds of such apprehensions are removed. We therefore beg leave to report
Lieutenant Colonel J. Connolly having made frequent applications to be liberated and exchanged; therefore, in consideration of his long captivity and confinement,1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph is in the writing of Gouverneur Morris.]
Resolved, That the commissary general of prisoners be authorized to exchange Lieutenant Colonel J. Connolly for any lieutenant colonel in the army of the United States, who is now a prisoner to the enemy.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 551.]
A letter, of 20th October, from J. Adams, was read, enclosing a copy of a letter, of January last, from the commissioners to Count de Vergennes, and, of one, of 9 April, from Mr. Adams to the Marquis de la Fayette, and the Marquis' answer,
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Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner to negotiate a treaty of amity and commerce with the United Provinces of the low countries; and the ballots being taken,
The honourable Henry Laurens, esquire, was elected.
A motion was made by Mr. [John] Mathews, seconded by Mr. [John] Fell,
That Mr. Laurens be allowed a salary at the rate ofsterling in full for his services and expenses.
A motion was made by Mr. [Roger] Sherman, seconded by Mr. [Nathaniel] Peabody, to strike out, "in full for his services and," and to insert, "over and "above his reasonable."
And on the question, Shall the words moved to be struck out, stand, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris--
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
A motion was made by Mr. [John] Mathews, seconded by Mr. [John] Fell,
That the blank be filled with the words "fifteen "hundred."
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris--
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
And on the question,
Resolved, That Mr. Laurens be allowed a salary at the rate of fifteen hundred pounds sterling per annum in full for his services and expenses.
On motion of Mr. [John] Mathews, seconded by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris,
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Resolved, That the marine committee be directed to make like provision for the passage of Mr. Laurens to Europe, as was directed to be made for Messrs. Jay and Adams.
A motion was made by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, seconded by Mr. [Cyrus] Griffin,
That, whenever by the death of any minister of the United States, his secretary shall exercise the office of chargé des affaires, or resident, such secretary be allowed at and after the rate of fifteen hundred pounds sterling per annum, in full for his services and expenses.
On which the previous question was moved by Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Holten; and on the question to agree to the previous question, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris--
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So it was resolved in the affirmative, and the main question was set aside.
On motion of Mr. [Nathaniel] Scudder, seconded by Mr. [Woodbury] Langdon,
Resolved, That Mr. Laurens be authorized to employ a proper secretary upon the most reasonable terms, not exceeding the sum of three hundred pounds sterling per annum, the same being allowed to his credit.
The committee appointed to prepare a commission for the commissioner appointed to negotiate a treaty of amity and commerce with the United Provinces of the low countries, brought in a draft, which was agreed to as follows:
The United States of America in Congress assembled, to all who shall see these presents, send greeting:
Whereas an intercourse between the citizens of the United Provinces of the low countries and the citizens of these United States, founded on the principles of equality and reciprocity, may be of mutual advantage to both nations:
Know Ye, therefore, That we, confiding in the integrity, prudence and ability of the Honourable Henry Laurens, Esquire, delegate from the State of South Carolina, and formerly President of Congress, have nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do nominate, constitute and appoint him the said Henry Laurens our commissioner, giving him full power, general and special, to act in that quality, to confer, treat, agree and conclude with the person or persons vested with equal powers, by the States General, of the said United Provinces of and concerning a treaty of Amity and Commerce. And whatever shall be so agreed and concluded for us and in our names, to sign, and thereupon make such treaty, conventions, and agreements, as he shall judge conformable to the ends we have in view; hereby promising in good faith, that we will accept, ratify and execute whatever shall be agreed, concluded and signed by our said Commissioner.
In witness whereof we have caused these presents to be given in Congress at Philadelphia, the 1st Day of November,
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in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, and in the fourth year of our Independence.1
[Note 1: 1 This commission, in the writing of John Mathews, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 29, folio 305. The proceedings were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
Resolved, That the Commission which was agreed to on the 1st. of November, 1779, for the Honble Henry Laurens, as a Commission to negociate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, be executed and delivered to him; and that the consideration of the Instructions relative to the Negociation of the Treaty be for the present deferred; and that Mr. Laurens, on his arrival in Holland, inform himself of the State of Affairs in that Country, and advise Congress particularly thereof, that they may be enabled to decide with more certainty upon the Terms on which such Treaty ought to be settled.2
[Note 2: 2 This undated motion is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 249. It is in the writing of James Lovell, and the endorsement shows that it was seconded by Roger Sherman.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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