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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 --WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1780
A letter, of June 3d, from Mr. de Francey, agent of Mr. de Beaumarchais, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce.
A representation and petition of G. Bunner and others was read:1
[Note 1: 1 This representation and petition, undated, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 43, folio 55.]
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Thomas] Bee, Mr. [George] Walton and Mr. [Nicholas] Van Dyke.
A report from the Board of War was read, respecting the department of the commissary of military stores; and after debate,
Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three:
The members chosen, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell and Mr. [Timothy] Matlack.
A letter, of 7, from President Reed, was read, enclosing the proceedings of the supreme executive council of Pensylvania on the case of sundry artificers.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter and enclosure are in the Letters to Washington, No. 95, folio 252.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the state of South Carolina and Georgia;
And on a motion by Mr. [George] Walton, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Bee--
That the Treasury board be directed to prepare bills of exchange, of suitable denominations, upon the honorable Benjamin Franklin esquire, Minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles for fifty one hundred thousand dollars in specie; and upon the honorable John Jay, Esquire, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Madrid for another fifty thousand dollars in specie all payable at ninety days sight; and that the same be transmitted to Joseph Clay Esquire, deputy paymaster General in the Southern Department, to be by him offered for sale in the commonwealth of Virginia Maryland and the States to the Southward thereof, and the proceeds be employed in aid of the
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military chest in that Department under the direction of Major General Gates.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of George Walton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 235.]
That the Board of Treasury be directed to prepare bills of exchange of suitable denominations upon the honourable Benjamin Franklin, minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, for one hundred thousand dollars in specie.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion and vote were also entered in the manuscript Secret (Domestic) Journal.]
The yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Roger] Sherman--
{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the bills be made payable at ninety days sight.
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A motion being made for the sale of the said bills, and appropriation of the money arising from the sale:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
The committee to whom was referred the letter from the Hon. Mr. Izard, late commissioner to the court of Tuscany, brought in a report, which was read; Whereupon,
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from the honble Mr Izard late Commissioner to the Court of Tuscany report
That Congress having determined on the 30th of Dec. 1776 to send a Commissioner to the Court of Tuscany, did on the 7th of May following elect Mr Izard to that office.
That on the 6th of October 1777 Mr Izard acknowledged the receipt of his Commission and Instructions, and promised to use his utmost endeavors to accomplish the objects of them.
That on Dec. 18th of that year, he informed Congress of his being dissuaded by the Tuscan Minister at the Court of France from proceeding to Tuscany, as from the State of politicks at that time, the Grand Duke would be greatly embarassed by such a step.
That on the 30th of the same month December the Elector of Bavaria died, which, drawing the Emperor and the King of Prussia into a dispute, the politics of Tuscany were governed by those of Vienna, so that Mr Izard could not be admitted by the Grand Duke, except to reside at Florence as a private Gentleman: Upon which Mr Izard asked for the directions of Congress, as the Independence of the States of America had been then openly acknowledged by France.
That on Jany. 28th 1779 Mr Izard wrote to Congress lamenting that it was not in his power, from the political state of the affairs of Europe to do service to the United States in the Line of his Commission, and expressing his desire to return to America which he did not think himself at Liberty to do without the permission of Congress.
That on the 4th of March following, he wrote again requesting for the same reasons as those mentioned in his former letter, the leave of Congress for his return.
Your Committee therefore propose that it be
Resolved, That Congress are convinced of the faithful endeavours of Mr. Izard to fulfil the objects of the commission to which he was appointed by them on the 7th of May,
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1777, and approve of the reasons which determined him not to proceed to the court of Tuscany.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James LoveIl, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 259.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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