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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 --THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1782
The proceedings and sentence of a general court-martial on the trial of Major General McDougall, having been read:
Resolved, That Congress approve the sentence of the said court.
Ordered, That a letter of 14 from John Mitchell, late deputy quartermaster general, complaining that a suit has been brought against him for articles purchased for the use of the army, be sent to the legislature of the State of Pensylvania, to make provision as required by the requisition of the 19 of March last.
The Committee [Mr. James Madison, Mr. James Duane, Mr. John Rutledge, Mr. Jonathan Jackson, Mr. John Witherspoon] appointed to consider and report to Congress the most advisable means of securing the several claims of the U. States not included in their ultimatum, of theday of
Recommend, That the Committee to whom was referred the Report of a previous Committee, relative to the said claims be instructed to deliver over to the Secretary for foreign affairs the materials which they may have collected in support thereof, and that the said Secretary perfect and transmit the same to the Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace for their information and use, provided that
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nothing which shall be done by virtue of this Resolution shall be construed to affect any dispute which now does or may hereafter subsist between individual States, or between the U. States, and an individual State.
That the Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace be instructed to communicate to his Most Xn Majesty so much of the facts and observations so to be transmitted and in such form, as they shall judge fit, representing to his Majesty that Congress have caused the same to be compiled and laid before him, under a persuasion that he will find therein such clear proofs both of the validity and importance of all their claims as will silence any pretensions by which they may be opposed. That this representation of the grounds of the said claims was rendered the more essential on the part of Congress by the extreme solicitude of their constituents with regard to those objects, and by the ardent desire of Congress not only that this just solicitude should be eventually satisfied; but that it may be found that every useful precaution had been taken to that end; that the favorable circumstances under which a negotiation is likely to be carried on, afford additional confidence that the issue will not disappoint the expectations of the U. States, nor the zeal with which his Majesty has assured them he shall support their interests; but on the contrary that the magnanimity and wisdom which led his Majesty into the war in their behalf, and which have marked his conduct through the course of it, will appear with fresh lustre in the act by which it is to be terminated, and that the alliance and amity which have been cemented by the mingled blood of the two nations, will derive still further stability from the final attainment of the just demands of both of them.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 125. The indorsement states that it was read on this day.]
The Committee of the Week [Mr. Samuel John Atlee, Mr. Noble Wimberly Jones, Mr. David Howell] report.
A memorial and petition from sundry prisoners lately arrived from Great Britain praying that they may be lodged during their continuance in Philadelphia in the barracks and be supplied with rations--
The Committee beg leave to recommend that the Secretary at War request: the liberty of the barracks for the said prisoners of the Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania and that the Superintendant of Finance Agent of Marine take order for their being supplied with rations.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Samuel John Atlee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 381. The indorsement shows that it was passed on this day.]
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The Committee of the Week Report:
That the letter from John Mitchell late D. Q. M. G. complaining that a suit has been brought against him for articles purchased for use of the Army, be sent to the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania to make provision as required by the requisition of Congress of the 19th March 1782.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel John Atlee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 385. It is undated but belongs to this period.]
The Committee of the Week Report:
A memorial from James Smith late A. C. Purchases complaining of sundry suits being brought against him for purchases made for the use of the United States, and praying for monies to enable him to discharge his debts &c.
The Committee beg leave to recommend that so much of the said memorial as respects the suits brought against the said Smith be sent to the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania and that the remainder of the said memorial be referred to the Comptroller of Accounts Superintendant of Finance.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Samuel John Atlee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 383. It is undated, but belongs to this period.
On this day, according to the indorsement, a letter of August 4, from the Governor of New York, transmitting concurrent resolutions of the legislature of New York, of July 21 and 22, was referred to the Grand Committee. The letter is in No. 78, VI, folio 139. Committee Book No. 186 shows that the resolutions were "on the present situation of affairs, for augmenting the powers of Congress," and that the Grand Committee was discharged April 28, 1783, and the business referred to a committee of five.]
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