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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, DECEMBER 15, 1780
Mr. [Thomas] Burke, a delegate for the State of North Carolina, attended and took his seat.
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury, in adjusting the salary of Arthur Lee, esq. compute the same from the 15th day of December, 1776, to the 25th day of March, 1780.
A report from the Board of War, was read; Whereupon,
At a Board of War, Decr. 15, 1780
The board having seen a letter from Genl. Washington, to Col. Armand, approving of the appointment of Mons. Inacice Penet to be a Comet in his Corps, beg leave to report;
Resolved, That Mons. Inacice Penet have the rank of cornet, in the partizan corps commanded by Col. Armand, in the army of the United States.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 729.]
The Board of Treasury, to whom was referred the letter of John Taggatt, and also the petition of sundry others, respecting a quantity of rum taken for the use of the garrison at West Point, having delivered in a report;
The Board having considered the letter of John Taggart and also the petition of sundry others, respecting a quantity of rum seized for the use of the garrison at West Point, both referred to them the 28th. ulto. report
That they cannot find themselves authorized to report otherwise upon the said applications than they did the 9th. ulto. but as some of the petitioners seem very desirous that a Special Committee should take their case under further consideration--The Board would submit
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to Congress the request of having such Committee appointed and for that purpose herewith return the papers.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 741.]
Ordered, That the said letter and petition, and the case of others in similar circumstances, be referred to a committee of three'
The members chosen, Mr. [Jesse] Root, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [Abraham] Clark.
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from Mr Arthur Lee of the 7th. of Decr. 1780 Report that they have had under consideration the paragraph of the said letter relative to the importance of cultivating the friendship of the Court of Russia whereupon they submit the following resolution. Resolved, that an Envoy be sent (for that purpose) as soon as possible to reside at the Court of Russia.
Your Committee beg leave to sit again.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Theodorick Bland, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 117.]
Whereas, a good understanding and friendly intercourse between the subjects of her Imperial Majesty the Empress of all the Russias and these United States may be for the mutual advantage of both nations;
Resolved, That an envoy a minister charged with the affairs of the United States to reside at the Court of the Empress of Russia be appointed.
Ordered, That Monday next be assigned for electing such envoy minister.
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a commission and draught of instructions for the said envoy minister.3
[Note 3: 3 This preamble and resolution are also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
The members, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [James] Madison.
The following gentlemen were nominated for the office of envoy to reside minister at the Court of Russia, viz.
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Mr. Francis Dana, by Mr. [James] Duane;
Mr. Arthur Lee, by Mr. [Richard] Howly;
Colonel A. Hamilton, by Mr. [John] Mathews.
On motion of Mr. [James] Duane, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Adams,
Ordered, That the Board of Treasury pay particular attention to the exigencies of the quartermaster's department as far as the circumstances of the treasury permit.
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to consider and report a plan for the department of foreign affairs; and some time being spent thereon,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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