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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 --TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1782
James Wilson and Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, esqrs. agents for the Commonwealth of Pensylvania, with Henry Osborne, esq. solicitor and agent, appeared in behalf of that Commonwealth; and Eliphalet Dyer and Jesse Root, esqrs. agents for Connecticut, appeared in behalf of that State, in the cause depending before the United States of America in Congress assembled, between the said Commonwealth of Pensylvania and the State of Connecticut.
The agents for Pensylvania produced new powers, which were read in the words following:
In the Name and by the Authority of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, His Excellency William Moore, Esqr. President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the said Commonwealth:
To William Bradford, Esqr. Attorney General of the said Commonwealth,
Joseph Reed, James Wilson, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant,
and Henry Osborne, Esqrs.
We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Prudence, Integrity and Abilities, do by these presents constitute and appoint you the said William Bradford, Joseph Reed, James [Seal] Wm. Moore, President. Wilson, and Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, our Counsellors and Agents, and you the said Henry Osborne, our Solicitor and Agent, in the Cause now depending before the United States of America in Congress assembled, between the said Commonwealth and the State of Connecticut: Hereby ratifying and confirming all and whatsoever you or any of you shall lawfully do or cause to be done, touching the said Cause between the said States of Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Given, by Order of the Council, under the Hand of His Excellency William Moore, President, and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this twenty sixth Day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two.
Attest:
T. Matlack, Secy.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Pennsylvania, Credentials of Delegates.]
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The agents of Connecticut having objected against the powers of the agents of Pensylvania, and moved that it may be shewn that the supreme executive council of Pensylvania have a right to grant such powers and commission:
Ordered, That the agents withdraw.
On motion that the agents of Pensylvania and Connecticut be called in and informed by the President, that the powers given to the agents of Pensylvania and Connecticut are in the judgment of Congress sufficient.
The yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Thomas] Smith,
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So the question was lost.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Arthur] Lee, seconded by Mr. [James] Madison,
That the agents be called in and desired to proceed.
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And the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Thomas] Smith,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The agents being accordingly called in, and the parties having been fully heard:
On motion that the appointment presented to Congress by the agents for Pensylvania is sufficient,
The yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Thomas] Smith,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. [James] Duane, seconded by Mr. [Abraham] Clark,
Resolved, That the agents of Pensylvania and Connecticut be, and they are hereby, directed to appoint, by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question, agreeably to the 9th Article of the Confederation.
Ordered, That a motion of Mr. [John] Witherspoon for an appointment of J. Hardy be referred to the Superintendant of Finance as Agent of Marine to report.1
[Note 1: 1 This order was entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers, Congressional Proceedings.]
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