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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 --FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1779
The Committee on the Treasury brought in a report; Whereupon,
Ordered, That a warrant issue on the treasurer, in favour of Mr. Aaron D. Woodruff, one of the clerks in the office of the secretary of Congress, for one thousand dollars, on account of his salary.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, dated November 19, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, III, folio 823.]
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A report of the Board of War was read, respecting prisoners of war:
War Office, November 17, 1779.
We beg leave to lay before Congress sundry letters and paper relative to prisoners of war,1 which will, if it be necessary, further evidence the necessity of adopting the plan reported a long time ago on the subject. The Board are more and more convinced every day of the endless confusion and injustice arising from State Exchanges and wish they were totally abolished. The individual Sovereignty of the States was consulted in the plan we had the honor to lay before Congress, quite as much from motives of policy as those founded on reason. The Exchanges of prisoners seem in our humble opinion to be most properly the objects of the general authority, and as they are appendages of the power of making peace or war, they ought as we conceive to be solely vested where that power is and ought to be lodged. But we submit this to the better opinion of Congress, taking the liberty of expressing our wish that some determination may be had as we are pressed daily on the subject.2
[Note 1: 1 These papers accompany the report.]
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 587.]
Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on Tuesday next.
The committee appointed to devise further ways and means of supplying the Treasury brought in a report, which was read.
Your Committee to whom was referred the ways and means for supplying the Treasury, report:
1st. That Bills of Exchange be drawn on Mr. Jay to the amount of £100,000 Sterling and on Mr. Lawrence [Laurens] to the amount of £100,000 Sterling, payable at six months sight, and that the same be sold at the current rate of exchange.3
[Note 3: 3 See under November 23, 1779. p. 1299, post.]
2ly. That a loan be opened on the following terms to wit, that for every sum of 8,000 Dollars paid into the Treasury before the 1st. day of February, the person paying the same shall be entitled to £100 Sterling payable at the end of ten years, with 6 p. c. interest. The principal and interest to be paid either in Bills of Exchange, specie or current money at the rate of Exchange.
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3ly. That an annuity office be opened on the following terms to wit: that for every sum of 100,000 Dollars paid into the Treasury, before the 1st day of February, the person paying the same shall be entitled to receive £100 Sterling annually for 22 Years, either in Bills of Exchange, specie or current money at the rate of Exchange.
That a Committee be appointed to report on the manner of carrying the above Resolutions into effect.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Gouverneur Morris, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 87.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the representation of the legislative council and general assembly of New Jersey, and the proceedings Of the convention of commissioners from the five eastern states, and thereupon came to the following resolutions:2
[Note 2: 2 From this point the entries are in the writing of George Bond.]
Whereas Congress by their resolution of 1 September last, did determine not to emit any Bills of Credit above the amount in the said resolution limited, relying for the further means of prosecuting the War, on Taxes and Loans, and considering that the ascertainment of the greatest possible sum which could come into circulation, would prevent the depreciation of the said Bills of Credit beyond the degree which the surplus of quantity, and some other causes of less influence, would naturally produce; and
Whereas there is reason to believe that the continued and disproportionate advance of prices is to be attributed, in a considerable measure, to the arts of unprincipled and disaffected people, who still cherish the Hopes of defeating by this means the establishment of the Liberty and Independence of the United States, and to the credulity of such as suffer themselves to be imposed upon by these arts and Management; and,
Whereas the fluctuating state of prices not only causes inequality and injustice in private dealings, and in furnishing the public supplies from the several states, but renders it impracticable to make the proper estimates for future expences, and to fix equitable salaries for those employed in the service of the United States: and whereas the estimates according to which the requisitions for the taxes of the succeeding year have been made by the resolution of the 6th of
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October last, have been formed on the principle that the prices of commodities necessary for the public use would not exceed twenty fold of the former prices, and should they rise above that rate, the taxes must be accordingly increased, but should they fall below it, the surplus of the sum raised may be applied to the sinking fund: therefore
And whereas, although the collection of Taxes and the natural course of trade might, in time, reduce the prices to a proper standard, and remedy the mischiefs which prevail, yet these being too slow in their operation to give that relief which the present exigencies of affairs require, unless aided by proper expedients for fixing prices in some uniformity throughout the various States, and in juster proportion to the effect of the quantity of money emitted, together with that of other natural causes of depreciation;
Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the several states forthwith to enact laws for establishing and carrying into execution a general limitation of prices throughout their respective jurisdictions, on the following principles, and to commence in their operation from the first day of February next:
Articles of domestic produce, farming and common labor, the wages of tradesmen and mechanics, water and land carriage, not to exceed twenty fold of the prices current through the various seasons of the year 1774.
Articles imported from foreign parts to be in due proportion with labor and the articles as above stated, making a proper allowance for freight, insurance, and other charges.1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph was postponed, but passed after amendment in language.]
Salt and military stores, whether of home manufacture or imported from abroad, to be excepted from limitation of price.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several states to enact strict laws against engrossing and withholding, and to take the necessary measures for having the same carried into full execution.2
[Note 2: 2 The entries are resumed by Charles Thomson.]
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Resolved, That the voluntary agreements and associations formed in divers parts of these States by the merchants, traders and other citizens, for adopting, by general consent, and under Previous question the authority of the laws, proper expedients to prevent the advance of prices, and to appreciate the paper currency, are highly laudable.
Resolved, That the proceedings of the commissioners from the eastern states to New York inclusive, at their meeting in Hartford, in Connecticut, on the 20th of October last, discover a generous attention to the public good, and are well calculated to promote the same: it is nevertheless expected that no time will be lost in giving effect to these resolutions, as the same general purpose may thereby be attained, and at an earlier period.
And whereas, it is hereby recommended that the article of Salt be left unlimited in the price, which is of indispensible necessity to all ranks of people, and often difficult to be procured;
Resolved, That it be recommended to the well disposed and publick spirited citizens of these States, who are blessed with plenty and affluence, and particulary to those who inhabit in or Previous question carried near to towns, cities and other places of trade, to form voluntary associations for procuring a plentiful supply of the said article, and for reducing the price thereof, that the poor may be furnished therewith on the most reasonable terms.
Resolved, That all officers and agents employed in making purchases for the Unted States, be directed to conform strictly to all regulations that are or may be established in the several states:
That all such as purchase on commission be allowed the same on such sums only as the articles by them purchased would amount to at the rated prices; and that they be allowed a Previous question carried commission of five per cent on all savings made by purchasing under such prices.
That accounts be kept and returns made by all persons employed to make purchases in behalf of the United States, or to hire vessels, carriages, or men, for the service of the
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same, of the prices by them respectively given in such states as shall not, before the first day of February, 1780, pass laws for the limitation of prices agreeable to the recommendation contained in the foregoing resolutions; to the intent that such states as shall have neglected to pass laws for the purposes aforesaid, may respectively be charged in the public accounts with the aggregate amount of the difference of prices paid from and after the said first day of February, 1780, in such states and those in which such laws may have been enacted.1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph, in the writing of Philip Schuyler, is on folio 39.]
The last resolution reported by the committee being read, viz.
"That it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states to revise their laws for making the paper currency a tender in the payment of debts, and so to frame them that injustice to creditors or debtors may be prevented;"2 and an amendment being moved by Mr. [John] Witherspoon, seconded by Mr. [James] Forbes, by adding the words "and that the injustice which has already taken place may be remedied, as far as may be practicable:"
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Churchill Houston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 41.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [John] Mathews, that the consideration of that part of the report and the amendment be postponed;
On which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Forbes,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the report of the Medical Committee on the hospital staff be postponed till to morrow, and that the same be taken into consideration immediately after reading the journal.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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