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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 --SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1781
The report of the committee on the memorial of the minister of France was taken into consideration, and after debate;1
[Note 1: 1 From this point, the proceedings for June 9 were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in the More Secret Journal.]
On motion of Mr. [John] Witherspoon,
Resolved, That the following additional instruction be given.
If a difficulty should arise in the course of the negotiation for peace from the backwardness of Britain to make a formal acknowledgment of our independence, you are at liberty to agree to a truce, or to make such other concessions as may not affect the substance of what we contend for; and provided that Great Britain be not left in possession of any part of the thirteen United States.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of John Witherspoon, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 450.]
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Meriwether] Smith--
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The committee having reported as their opinion, that some persons be joined with the honourable John Adams in negotiating a treaty of peace between these United States and Great Britain--
On the question, Shall any person or persons be joined, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Mathews--
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So it passed in the negative.
Ordered, That the committee appointed to confer with the minister of France communicate confidentially to him the substance of the foregoing instructions; and that they prepare an answer to the letter from his Most Christian Majesty; and a letter to Dr. Franklin; that they also revise the instructions given to the minister plenipotentiary respecting a treaty of commerce with Great Britain, and report thereon.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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