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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 --SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1782
The Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of the Merchants of the City of Philadelphia, report that agreeable to direction, they have conferred with the Agent of Marine upon the subject of the Memorial and are of opinion that said Memorial be referred to the Agent of Marine to take such order thereon as he may Judge will have the greatest tendency to protect and secure the trade and commerce of these United States.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Ezekiel Cornell and undated, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 243a.]
Resolved, That the Agent of Marine be instructed to employ the naval force of the United States under his direction in such manner as will most effectually protect the trade and commerce of the United States, and that he be authorized directed to make application to any of the Commanders of the fleets of his M. C. M. or of his C. M. for such assistance as they may respectively be able to afford for the like purpose.3
[Note 3: 3 This motion, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 241. It was offered May 2.]
On a report from the Superintendant of Finance as Agent of Marine, to whom was referred a memorial of the merchants and traders of the City of Philadelphia,
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The Superintendant of the finances of the United States, to whom was referred the report of a Committee on a Memorial of the Merchants of Philadelphia and motion thereon, begs leave to report,
That the Navy of the United States is not in a situation to afford protection to their commerce nor can be rendered equal to that object for some considerable time even if the necessary funds could be procured.
That there remains no mode of obtaining such protection unless from the allies of the United States or the powers engaged with them in war against Great Britain
That the commerce of these States is of such importance that it is not improbable that the Court of France would afford permanent protection if in their power and that in the interim some relief may perhaps be obtained from the fleets in the West Indies.
The following resolution therefore is submitted--
That the Superintendant of the Finances prepare a state of the Commerce of the United States together with a plan for the protection thereof. That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs communicate the same to the minister of his Most Christian Majesty and cause applications to be thereupon made by the minister of these States at the Court of Versailles and that the Superintendant as Agent of Marine make application on the same subject to the Commanders of the fleets of France and Spain in the West Indies for such protection as may be in their power to afford.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, I, folio 435.]
Resolved, That the Superintendant of the Finances prepare a state of the commerce of the United States, together with a plan for the protection thereof;
And that the Superintendant as Agent of Marine make application to the commanders of the fleets of France and Spain in the West Indies for such protection as may be in their power to afford.
That the Agent of Marine prepare a draught of an applicacation to be made by Congress to the Court of France for the protection of the trade of the United States, and report to Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 On this day, according to the indorsement, were read two letters of April 24 from the Governor of Connecticut, one addressed to the President and the other to the Secretary of Congress. They were referred to Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [Elias] Boudinot and are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 66, II, folios 218 and 222.
Also, a letter from the Secretary at War enclosing a letter to him, of April 24, from the Governor of Connecticut. It was referred to Mr. [John Morin] Scott, Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Elias] Boudinot. It is in No. 149, I, folio 333.
The proceedings, for May 4, were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
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