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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 --MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1782
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [John] Witherspoon, Mr. [Ralph] Izard, to whom was referred a motion of Mr. [James] Madison, Congress agreed to the following resolution:
It being expedient, as well for the justification of such of the principals of the civil departments immediately under Congress, who duly administer the same, as for the more certain detection of such as may violate in any manner the important trusts consigned to them, that periodical and exact enquiries into their respective administrations be instituted: it is hereby
Resolved, That every half beginning with the first day of August next on the first Monday in July and the first Monday in January in every year, five committees composed each of five members, shall be appointed; which committees shall have it in charge to enquire fully, one of them, into the proceedings of the department of finance, including the offices of Treasurer, Controller and Auditors of Accounts several branches of the same; another into the proceedings of the department of foreign affairs; another of the department of war; another of the department of marine; another of the post office; and to report the result of their respective enquiries to Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Madison. is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 321. A copy is in Reports of Committees, No. 188.]
The Committee to whom the report of the Com.ra for settling a Cartel &.° and Gerl. Washington's letter thereon were referred, report the following resolution:
It having pleased the Supreme Arbiter of all human events to succeed the united exertions of these States, by establishing and giving firmness to their Sovereignty and Independence; and it appearing that many of the Citizens of these States, during this arduous struggle have been so far deceived and deluded by the most insidious and artful practices as to enter into the service and join the Armies of the King of Great Britain, in opposition to their Country and intimate
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connections many of whom, being now convinced of their error and the wickedness of their conduct, have expressed their sorrow and repentance for their past folly and earnestly desire to return to their former allegiance, provided their persons may be exempt from the punishment due to their crimes, and Congress being ever willing to shaw compassion to real penitents whose errors have been founded in ignorance, timidity or imposition, do resolve
That it be and it is hereby earnestly recommended to the respective States in the Union, to pass acts of pardon and oblivion in favor of such persons and description of offenders, who have heretofore joined or adhered to the armies of the King of Great Britain, under such restrictions, provisoes, conditions and limitations as to the Legislature of the respective States may seem meet and advancive of the Peace, Safety and Interests of these United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 57. It is indorsed: June 17, 1782, report of Mr. [Elias Boudinot, Mr. [Samuel John] Atlee, Mr. [John] Lowell. On June 21, according to the indorsement, it was recommitted and Mr. [Ralph] Izard and Mr. [William] Few added. See post June 19 and July 9.]
The Committee [Mr James Madison, Mr Ezekiel Cornell, Mr Elias Boudinot] to whom the Report of the Commissioners for settling a Cartel &c. and also the Motions of Messrs. [James] Madison and [Arthur] Middleton were referred, Report,
That it appears to your Committee that the British Commissioners did refuse to accede to any measures for liquidating the accounts of past expenditures for the feeding of prisoners of war, or to make any provision for their future support.
That although by the articles of capitulation of York Town, the Capitulants were to be supplied with the same rations as were issued to our own soldiers, yet on every rational and known rule of construction, it must have been understood that the same was to have been done at the expence of the enemy, therefore,
Resolved, That His Excellency the Commander in Chief be instructed to acquaint the British General, that unless proper measures are taken for the payment of the Rations to be issued to the British Prisoners of War in possession of the United States, under the capitulation of York Town, as also for payment of the rations already issued to them, and that on or before the first day of August next, that orders will be given for reducing the ration to be issued in future to said Prisoners in such manner as Congress shall direct.
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Resolved, That it be a secret instruction to the Commander in Chief whenever it shall be in his power without appearing to be the first mover of it, to endeavour to bring about another appointment of Commissioners for the same purposes and with the similar powers as are contained in the Commissions under which the above report was made.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 77. It was read on this day, as the indorsement shows.The following, in Elias Boudinot's writing, is on folio 79, being undated:
That notwithstanding Congress trove advanced very large sums of money for the support of the Prisoners of War, yet the enemy do positively refuse either to settle the past accounts for rations issued to such prisoners or to make any advances for their future support, whereby A most unreasonable expence is cast on the United States without any prospect of being reimbursed.]
[Motion of Mr Abraham Clark Mr Arthur Middleton, June 17, 1782. Referred to Mr Abraham Clark Mr Thomas McKean Mr Theodorick Bland.]
That the Superintendant of Finance be directed to cause the receivers of Continental taxes in the several States to discontinue their publications of monies received as well as where none was received, as a measure tending to discredit our public funds, and give offence to the delinquent States.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 339.]
[Motion of Mr John Witherspoon Mr James Madison June 17, 1782. Passed in the Negative 5 ayes 4 noes one div.d]
That a Committee be appointed to prepare and report to Congress the information and instructions proper to be transmitted to the Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace the better to enable them to support the several claims of the United States not included in their ultimatum.3
[Note 3: 3 This motion, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 345.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a Memorial of Simeon DeWitt, geographer to the United States, dated Philadelphia, June 14, 1782, asking that his pay be fixed. It was referred to Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [John] Lowell, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, Mr. [Turbett] Wright, Mr. [Thomas] Smith, Mr. [James] Madison, the committee appointed to consider and report the means of reducing the expenditures of the United States in the several departments. It is in No. 41, II, folio 475.]
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