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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 --WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1782
A letter, of 23, from the Secretary for foreign affairs, was taken into consideration; and thereupon,
Resolved, That the Secretary of the United States of America for the department of foreign affairs, be, and he is
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hereby, empowered to settle the wages of the two persons who have hitherto been employed as secretaries or clerks in his office, for the time they have served, at the rate of seven hundred and fifty dollars per annum each.
Ordered, That the remainder of the letter, touching the appointment of two under secretaries, instead of a secretary, be committed.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution and order were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, Mr. [James] Lovell, Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery, to whom was referred a letter of 22 November last, from the Secretary for foreign affairs, relative to Mr. John Temple:
Resolved, That the President inform the governor and council of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that matters of public concern, and the pressing necessity of making provision for the ensuing campaign, have hitherto prevented Congress from attending to a subject which, though it respects an individual, may have an influence on the public affairs of these United States.
The Executive of Massachusetts cannot have forgotten The suspicions and jealousies excited by Mr. John Temple's return to America in 1778, and the reports currently circulated in England relative to his mission, are notorious. The time and manner of his coming to America, as well as the person accompanying him, who has since avowed his purpose is now resident in and a subject of Great Britain, gave great force to the suspicions then raised. These suspicions, instead of being allayed, were increased by Mr. Temple's return to England, and by the rumours and publications respecting his intercourse and conference with the British ministry. His coming again to America without explaining his views, and as far as is come to the knowledge of Congress, without any leave previously obtained, and this at the very time when the enemy entertained the fond
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hope of having subdued the southern states, cannot fail to excite new jealousies, and a suspicion of his being employed as an emissary from the British crown.
That the President further inform the governor and council of Massachusetts, that although Mr. Temple was the bearer of some letters from the Honble John Adams at Amsterdam, yet the subject of the letters with which he was entrusted, and of those which Mr. Adams chose to send at the same time by another conveyance, sufficiently evince that he had not the full confidence of that minister, and that the letter which Mr. Adams took the trouble of writing respecting Mr. Temple, did in no wise account for his past conduct, or explain his future views or designs. And therefore, as the United States ought to be on their guard, as well against the secret arts as open force of their subtle and inveterate enemy, that it is the wish of Congress that the executive of Massachusetts would enquire strictly into the conduct, views, and designs of Mr. John Temple, and if they are not fully convinced of the uprightness of his intentions, or if they have any apprehensions that he has, in his visits to America, been countenanced or employed by, or has acted in concert with the British ministry or their agents, that they order him back to Britain or take such measures respecting him as may put it out of his power to injure the cause of these United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 23.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery and Mr. [James] Madison, to whom was referred a letter of 18 from the Superintendant of finance:
Resolved, That five commissioners be appointed for the settlement of accounts under the direction of the Superintendant of the finances, namely, one for the quartermaster's department, one for the commissary's department, one for
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the hospital department, one for the cloathier's department, and one for the marine department, each of which commissioners shall have full power and authority to liquidate and finally settle the accounts of the departments respectively assigned to them, up to the last day of December, 1781, inclusive:
That the Superintendant of finance be, and he is hereby authorised and directed to appoint the said five commissioners; and that he report the names of the same to Congress, [in order that they may disapprove such appointment if they shall think proper:]
That each of the said commissioners be allowed one clerk for his assistance in the execution of his trust, and in case more should be found necessary, that he be authorised to add such number as the Superintendant of finance shall approve:
That a salary be allowed to each of the said commissioners, at the rate of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, during the time in which he shall be employed in the duties assigned to him; and that each clerk be allowed a salary, at the rate of five hundred dollars per annum during the time of his service, (to be in full to each of them for their services and expences:)
That it be recommended to the States to empower the said Commissioners to send for such persons and papers as may be found necessary in the course of their business.
That a committee be appointed to prepare a bill to be recommended to the States, providing for an effectual recovery from individuals, of effects belonging and debts due to the United States.
That it be recommended to the several legislatures of the states, to empower the said commissioners to call for witnesses and examine them on oath or affirmation touching such accounts as are respectively assigned to them for settlement; and that it be also recommended to the said legislatures,
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to make provision by law for the speedy and effectual recovery from individuals of debts due and effects belonging to the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Madison, except the part in brackets which is in Charles Thomson's hand, and the part in parentheses which is in John Rutledge's hand, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 347.]
[Motion of Mr. James Mitchell Varnum and Mr. John Sullivan]
Whereas it is provided by article sixth of the act of Confederation "that no person shall be capable of being a Delegate for more than three years in any Term of six years," and whereas there are Delegates from some of the States within the above description; It is therefore recommended to the respective Legislatures to cause such vacancies to be filled as soon as may be, so that their States may be represented according to the true intent and meaning of said Act of Confederation.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of James Mitchell Varnum, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 265. The indorsement shows that it was "postponed by adjournment."
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of December 13, 1781, from John Dodge. It was referred to Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott, Mr. [Abraham] Clark Mr. [George] Partridge. It is in No. 78, VII, folio 425, The committee was discharged. See post March 26.]
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