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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, MAY 20, 1782
Mr. John Lowell, a delegate for the State of Massachusetts, attended and produced credentials, dated in council, May 7th, by which it appears that the Hon. James Sullivan and the said J[ohn] Lowell, esqrs. were chosen in the room of the Hon. S. Adams and A. Ward, esqrs. resigned.
Commonwealth of Masstts.
Council Chamber Boston May 7. 1782
This may certify that the Hon'ble Samuel Adams Esq. and the Hon'ble Artemas Ward Esq. Delegates of this Commonwealth at the Hon'ble Continental Congress have resigned that Office, and the Hon'ble James Sullivan and John Lowell Esqrs. are chosen in their Stead.
John Avery Secretary.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
Ordered, That Mr. [George] Partridge have leave of absence.2
[Note 2: 2 From this point to the end of the day, the proceedings were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal, No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal, No. 6, vol. III.]
The Secretary for foreign affairs having reported the draft of a letter to his Most Christian Majesty, in answer to his of the 22d Oct. 1781, which announced the birth of a Dauphin, the same was agreed to as follows:
The United States in Congress assembled, to their great, faithful friend and ally, Lewis the sixteenth, king of France and Navarre.
GREAT, FAITHFUL AND BELOVED FRIEND AND ALLY,
Among the many instances that divine Providence has given us of his favour, we number the blessings he has bestowed on your Majesty's family and kingdom. Nothing was wanting to the happiness of the first, but a son to wear the honours which the father had earned; or, to the prosperity of the latter, but the prospect of
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seeing the crown transmitted to an heir, who would find, in the example of his parent, a powerful incitement to promote the happiness of his people. This example, we presume to hope, will also influence his future conduct towards these United States. When, in the history of the present day, he shall read your Majesty's generous interference in their behalf, their firm and affectionate attachment, and the blessings with which both were crowned, he will be studious to preserve to his kingdom and these states the reciprocal advantages of the alliance which your Majesty has formed, and to emulate his ancestor in adding to his titles the glorious appellation of Protector of the rights of Mankind.
We receive with the most lively pleasure your Majesty's renewed professions of friendship. You will easily believe, that the attachment which we have so often and so truly professed for your Majesty, could suffer no diminution, when every day afforded us new instances of your magnanimity, and of your affectionate interference in our behalf.
We pray God, great, faithful and beloved friend and ally, always to keep you in His holy protection.
Done at Philadelphia, the 20th day of May, 1782, and in the 6th year of our Independence. By the United States in Congress assembled. Your Majesty's faithful friends and allies.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter was printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), V, 428.]
[Motion of Mr Madison referred to Mr James Madison MrJesse Root MrJohn Lowell MrJohn Rutledge MrGeorge Clymer. to confer with the Superintendant of Finance.]
Whereupon, Resolved, That the Superintendant of Finance be instructed to transmit to the Several Legislatures of the States, a representation of the alarming prospects which their neglect to comply with the pecuniary requisitions of Congress has produced, and
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of the absolute necessity of immediate and adequate remittances to the Treasury of the United States; and that he make use of such mode of transmitting the same as will best ensure secrecy and dispatch.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 47, folio 339. It was made in response to a letter of 17 May from the Superintendent of finance. The Superintendent's letter is in No. 137, I, folio 463.]
Ordered, That a letter of 6th from Governor Hancock, and accounts for the maintenance and education of General Warren's children, be referred to the Superintendant of Finance.
Ordered, That such part of the letter of 11th January, 1782, from the Assembly of Georgia as respects the settlement of public accounts be referred to the Superintendant of finance.
Ordered, That a judgment of the court against C. Sweers and petition of Hannah Sweers be referred to the Superintendant of finance, to cause the judgment to be prosecuted to effect, and if anything remains after defraying the debts and costs to cause the same to be paid to C. Sweers or order.2
[Note 2: 2 These three orders were entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers, Congressional Proceedings.
Governor Hancock's letter, of May 6, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 65, II, folio 163, and was referred: "so much as relates to an allowance for expences while president of Congress," to Mr. [John] Rutledge, Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [Jesse] Root. Committee book No. 186 shows that on June 3 another committee was named: Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Philemon] Dickinson, Mr. [Arthur] Middleton; and on June 13 Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell was added to the committee, in the place of Mr. Ellery. See post June 20.]
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