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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, MAY 8, 1782
A letter, of 10 February, from Major General Greene, respecting the promotion of Colonel O. Williams, being read:2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, II, folio 417.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery, seconded by Mr. [Samuel John] Atlee,
That Colonel Otho Williams be, and hereby is promoted to the rank of brigadier in the line of the army of the United States.
A motion was made by Mr. [Abraham] Clark, seconded by Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, to amend the motion by adding after Otho Williams, the words "and Colonel Elias Dayton," and changing the word "is" into "are."
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An objection was made to this amendment as being out of order, and on the question, is the motion for amendment in order, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Abraham] Clark,
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So the question was lost.1
[Note 1: 1 The portion in brackets was entered in the Public Journal by George Bond.
From this point to the end of the day the proceedings were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, except Madison's motion, which was also entered in Secret Journal, No. 4. A copy of the motion is in Secret Journal; No. 6, Vol. III.]
A letter from the Secretary for foreign affairs was read in the words as follows
"Philadelphia May 7, 1782.
"Sir,
"Mr. Jay, in his letter of the third October last, holds forth the idea of sending an envoy to Lisbon.
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"As in the present situation of our affairs this may not be thought to promise advantages equivalent to the expence the United States will incur thereby, or the loss of reputation they may sustain if their solicitations should be rejected, I take the liberty to request the sense of Congress on their resolution of the eleventh day of July, a copy of which is enclosed. I must confess it appears to me, that in our present circumstances a variety of reasons present themselves for its repeal.
"I have the honour to be, sir, your
"most obedient humble servant,
"Robt. R. Livingston.
"The honourable Mr. Carroll,
"Chairman of Congress."
Thereupon, on motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Edward] Telfair,
Resolved, That it be an instruction to Mr. Jay not to send Mr. Carmichael to the Court of Portugal in pursuance of the resolution of the 11th day of July, 1781, unless he shall have good grounds to expect that such a measure will attain the object proposed by the Superintendant of Finance.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter and resolution are printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton) V, 396.
On this, or an approximate date, was read a letter dated February 10 from Major General Greene, respecting matters in the Southern department. The indorsement shows that it was referred to Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, II, folio 421.]
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