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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, SEPTEMBER 7, 1781
A letter, of 6th, from Colonel J. Laurens, was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 165, folio 257. It is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), IV, 700.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on his former letter, of the 2d.
A memorial from the Hon. the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, was read, enclosing a commission of the Sieur Philip Joseph de l'Etombe, consul general of France, in the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island∥ and Providence Plantations,∥ and Connecticut3; Whereupon,
[Note 3: 3 Luzerne's letter, dated September 7, 1781, is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), IV, 702.]
Ordered, That the said commission be registered; and that the act of recognition be in the following words:
By the United States in Congress assembled: It is hereby made known to all whom it may concern, that full credence and respect are to be paid to Philip Joseph de l'Etombe, as consul general of France, for the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and Connecticut, which states are called upon respectively, by virtue of the powers delegated by the Confederation to the United States in Congress assembled, to furnish the
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said Mr. de l'Etombe with their exequatur or notification of his quality, delivering one copy thereof to the said Mr. de l'Etombe, and causing another to be published in one or more gazettes. Done at Philadelphia, this 7th day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and in the sixth year of our independence.
By the United States in Congress assembled.
T[homas] McK[ean] President,
Attest:
∥Charles Thomson, Secretary.∥
Resolved, That the President inform the supreme executive power of the states aforesaid, that Congress recommend the following form of the exequatur, to wit:
To all whom it may concern: The Sieur Philip Joseph de l'Etombe, having been recognized by the United States in Congress assembled, as consul general of France, in the State (or Commonwealth) aforesaid, it is hereby declared that the privileges, preeminence and authority belonging to such character and quality are due to him.1
[Note 1: 1 This order and resolution were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
A letter of Benj Hanson was read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter, dated September 6, 1781, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XII, folio 175.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of War.
Some farther information being laid before Congress and read, respecting Colonel Haynes:
Ordered, That the report of the committee on the information of Mr. Neufville, and motion of Mr. [John] Mathews, respecting Colonel Haines, be re-committed; and that the farther information be referred to the said committee.3
[Note 3: 3 See ante, August 31, 1781.]
A report from the Board of War was read; Whereupon,
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Ordered, That the Board of War draw a warrant, on the paymaster general in favour of Captain Patrick Carnes of Lieutenant Colonel Lee's partizan legion for three months' pay and subsistance in bills of the new emission, for which sum he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 148, II, folio 233.]
The report of the committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Jenifer, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Clymer,∥ to whom was referred the report of the Board of War, was taken into consideration, wherein they state, That there is due to the following persons, mentioned in a memorial from Capt. J. P. Jones, for services on board the Ariel, the sums of money to their names respectively annexed, viz.
To William Nicholson, captain of marines, including his pay to the 25 August last, 392 36--90 dollars:
To Louis de la Valette, lieutenant of marines, to do. 289 36--90 dollars:
To Charles Prielay, captain's steward, to 16 May, 101 63--90 dollars:
To Cudreux, captain's cook, to do. 51 22--90 dollars:
That the facts are related in a Memorial of Major Samuel Nicholas of Marines are true, and therefore it is the opinion of this Committee that he is entitled to his pay unto the present time, and also that he be appointed to command the Marines on board the Ship America, and directed to repair immediately on that service, and that he be entitled to draw the share of prizes allotted to a Captain of Marines.
[That there appears due to French volunteers, for services on board the said ship Ariel, whose names are in a list transmitted by Mr. Holker, in his letter of 14 August, the sum of six hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixteen-ninetieths of a dollar:]
That there is due to Captain Joseph Hardy, of marines, late of the frigate Confederacy, being the balance of his account of pay, as stated at the pay-office, to the 3d of
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August, the sum of three hundred and thirty-seven dollars and sixty-eight ninetieths of a dollar:
Ordered, That the paymaster of the Navy Board pay the several sums aforementioned.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 143. The paragraph in brackets was added by Congress.]
Ordered, That so much of the report as relates to Major Nicholas be re-committed.
Ordered, That so much of Mr. Holker's letter, of 14 August, as relates to apprehending French seamen, be transmitted to the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania.
On motion of Mr. [James Mitchell] Varnum, seconded by Mr. [James] Duane,
Resolved, That until an agent of marine shall be appointed by Congress, all the duties, powers and authority assigned to the said agent, be devolved upon and executed by the superintendant of finance:
That as soon as the said superintendant of finance shall take upon him the execution of the duties, powers and authority hereby devolved upon him, the functions and appointments of the Board of Admiralty, the several navy boards, agents, and all civil officers under them, shall cease and determine:
Resolved, That the registers, books, and papers, belonging to the admiralty and navy boards, or in their custody, be delivered over to the said superintendant of finance, and preserved by him.
The report of the committee, ∥consisting of Mr. Varnum, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Carroll,∥ to whom was referred the report of the Board of War on a letter from the quartermaster general, respecting forage in Westchester, was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Major General Heath, or the commanding officer of the eastern department, cause immediate and
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equitable measures to be taken for ascertaining the quantity of forage expended by the allied army under the command of General Washington, in the County of Westchester, in the State of New York, during the present campaign, which hath not been accounted for; and that he direct the deputy quartermaster in that department to give certificates accordingly to the state agent of New York, or any other person or persons authorised to receive the same, the certificates given to the state agent to be credited to the Quota of Specific Supplies demanded of the said State.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Mitchell Varnum, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 163. See ante August 23.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.
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