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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, APRIL 15, 1782
Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, a delegate of Virginia, attended.
A motion was made by Mr. [John Morin] Scott, seconded by Mr. [Arthur] Lee, in the following words which being amended to read as follows:
"Whereas his Excellency John Hanson, esq. is rendered unable by sickness at present to discharge the functions of his place of President of Congress,
Resolved therefore, That Congress will forthwith proceed to elect one of their number by ballot, to preside only during the indisposition of the said John Hanson, esq., who shall be fully restored to his said place as soon as he shall be able to take the chair and preside.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Morin Scott, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 279.
The following motion, in the writing of James Madison, undated, on folio 283, belongs to this period:
The President being indisposed,
Resolved, That a member be now chosen to execute the functions of the chair until the President shall attend and resume the same.
Also the following, on folio 287, in the writing of Thomas Bee:
The President of Congress being indisposed and not able to attend, it was moved,
Resolved, That until he is able to attend and take the chair again, Congress proceed to the choice of one of their own members to preside.
And the following, on folio 287, in the writing of William Ellery:
The President of Congress being indisposed,
Resolved, That Congress do appoint one of their members by ballot to preside pro tempore.]
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John Morin] Scott,
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So the question was lost.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Samuel] Livermore, seconded by Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, in the following words:
That a Vice-president be chosen by ballot, to exercise the office of Vice-president of Congress in the absence or inability of the President, until the first day of November next; and that in case of such absence or inability, the Vice-president shall exercise all the powers of President of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Samuel Livermore, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 281.]
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John Morin] Scott,
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So the question was lost.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Thomas] Bee, seconded by Mr. [Arthur] Middleton,
[That whenever the President for the time being, shall be prevented, by sickness or otherwise, from attending the house, one of the members present be chosen by ballot to act as chairman for the purpose of keeping order in the house only, but that all official papers shall nevertheless be signed and authenticated by the President as heretofore.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Thomas Bee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 277.]
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John Morin] Scott,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.]1
[Note 1: 1 The portion in brackets is in the writing of George Bond in the Journal.]
Congress thereupon proceeded to the election of a chairman; and, the ballots being taken, the Honorable D[aniel] Carroll was elected.
The under secretary in the office of foreign affairs, having, according to order, sent up copies of two letters from Dr. Franklin, one dated March 31st, 1778, and directed to the Hon. Henry Laurens, esq. President of Congress; and the other dated 22d of July, 1778, and directed to the Hon. James Lovell, esq. and the same being read,
On motion of Mr. [Arthur] Lee, seconded by Mr. [George] Partridge.
Ordered, That the copies of the letters from Dr. Franklin, just read, be delivered to Mr. [Arthur] Lee.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 279a.]
Ordered, That Mr. [James] Lover have leave of absence.
The Committee [Mr. Ezekiel Cornell, Mr. Daniel Carroll, Mr. Thomas Bee] to whom was referred a letter from General Greene of the 18th of February 1782, report the following resolution:
Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the spirited and military conduct of Lt. Col. Henry Lee especially while serving in the Southern Army under the command of Major General Greene, and that this resolution be published by the commanding officer of the Southern Army in General orders?3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Ezekiel Cornell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 481. It was read on this day, the indorsement indicates.]
War Office April 10th, 1782.
Sir,
On Captain Elliot's petition referred to me in which he requests that it may be ascertained what proportion of his travelling expences shall be borne by the public, and that money may be advanced to bear his expences to the Southern Army--
I beg leave to observe that on the 8th Ulto, he was appointed an assistant geographer to the United States with the pay of two dollars, and one ration per day. If he considered this provision as inadequate, would it not have been much better for him and the public,
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to have declined the office--for if after such establishments, new claims are made and admitted, it will be impossible to determine the expences of the United States.
An advance of two months pay (which he may receive in common with other officers) and his ration money will enable him to proceed to the Southward where farther provision must be made for him.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, I, folio 245. It was read on this day, the indorsement states. Elliot's letter is on folio 237.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a letter of January 29 from the Marquis de Lafayette. It is in No. 156, folio 264.]
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