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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 --TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 17821
[Note 1: 1 The proceedings for this day were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Rutledge, Mr. [James] Duane and Mr. [James] Madison, to whom were referred a motion of Mr. [John] Rutledge, and a letter of 30 May from the Hon. H. Laurens, wherein he informs, that "on the 10th of that month he received from Dr. Franklin a formal notification of his appointment in the commission for treating with Great Britain, and also a copy of the said commission; that he left London on the 11, and arrived at Ostend on the 15, from whence he informed Dr. Franklin that he declined the honour of that office."
Resolved, That the Hon. Henry Laurens be informed, in answer to his letter of the 30th May, 1782, that the reasons which induced the United States in Congress assembled, to appoint him to be one of their ministers plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace still existing, his services in the execution of that trust cannot be dispensed with.
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Ralph] Izard,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the Hon. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and Henry Laurens, be respectively informed, that it is the pleasure and express direction of Congress, that they punctually attend and assist in the negotiations for peace; and that each of them be instructed, upon receiving information of the time and place appointed for opening the negotiations, immediately to give notice thereof to the rest that may be in Europe, in order that each may have a seasonable opportunity to take part in the trust reposed by the said commission, and earnestly enjoined by this act.1
[Note 1: 1 This and the preceding resolution are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 465, and are in the writing of James Duane. The vote is indorsed on the report.]
Resolved, That the sum of one half million of dollars of the money borrowed by Mr Adams in Holland be appropriated toward the payment of the interest due on Loan Office Certificates and other public liquidated debts due to the citizens of these U. S. and that the Superintendant of Finance take order that the above sum be imported as soon as a safe opportunity offers.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Joseph Montgomery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 382. According to Committee Book No. 186, it was referred on this day to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Jonathan] Jackson, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [John] Rutledge. According to Committee Book No. 191, a report was delivered September 18, "That the measure is improper," and filed.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of June 29 from the Marquis de la Fayette. It is in No. 156, folio 294.]
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