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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, NOVEMBER 12, 1782
On motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Theodorick] Bland,
Resolved, That the appointment of Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, as a minister plenipotentiary for negotiating peace, made on the fifteenth day of June, 1781, be and the same is hereby renewed, and that on his acceptance thereof he be invested with all the powers and be subject to all the instructions which have been or may be issued by Congress to the
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ministers plenipotentiary for negotiating peace in the same manner as if his original appointment had taken effect.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 431. It was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal, No. 4, page 195.]
On the report of the committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Osgood; Mr. [Ralph] Izard, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland and Mr. [James] Duane, appointed to consider and report the most just and practicable means of reducing the expenditures of the United States; and to whom was referred a report of the Secretary at War, respecting Colonel Humphreys:
Resolved, That a commission of lieutenant colonel issue to David Humphreys, one of the aids-de-camp to the Commander in Chief, to bear date from the 23 of June, 1780.
That as a reference has been made to the Commander in Chief respecting rules for promotion for the General Officers in the Army, The Committee are of opinion that any report from them upon General Hazen's and Colonel Van Schaick's letters would be premature, and therefore recommend the following resolution:
That the Committee appointed to Consider the Passed. letters of General Hazen and Col. Van Schaick be discharged from that service.
Whereas no established pay and emoluments have been made provision has been made by Congress for the geographers to the armies of the United States; therefore,
Resolved, That the geographer to the main army, and the geographer to the southern department, be each of them allowed sixty dollars per month, three rations per day, forage for two saddle horses, one two-horse covered waggon, six dollars and two-thirds of a dollar per month for a servant, for whom they shall be entitled to draw one ration per day, and the cloathing allowed to a private soldier.
That the assistant geographers, if such officers shall be judged necessary by the Commander in Chief, be allowed
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thirty dollars per month, one ration per day, and forage for one saddle horse.
That when chain-bearers shall be employed, not being soldiers, they shall each be allowed half a dollar per day.1
[Note 1: 1 A copy of this resolution is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VIII, folio 21.]
That the Committee appointed to consider the letter from the Secretary of War, of the 24th of June enclosing a Passed. letter from General Washington and Major General Heath, respecting the appointments of Brigadiers, be discharged from that service.
The Committee have considered the memorial of George Bond, Deputy Secretary, and the memorial of the clerks Postponed. on the civil list and are of opinion that it is not expedient to augment their salaries.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Samuel Osgood, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 217.]
The Committee of the Week, [Mr. Ralph Izard, Mr. Ezra L'Hommedieu, Mr. William Hemsley] report, That the petition of Etienne Halbon on behalf of his wife, setting forth that there is £12. 10s due to her from the general hospital for wages as the residue of her pay while nurse in the hospital as by Dr. Binney's certificate directed to Dr. Bond, Jun., doth appear be referred to the Superintendant Finance Secretary of War.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Ralph Izard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 413. It was passed this day, as the indorsement shows.]
[Motion of Mr John Rutledge, seconded by Mr. Ralph Izard. To explain the meaning of the term, To take order. Debated and withdrawn.]
R. That when a matter is referred by Congress to any of the Executive Departments, to take order, it is the sense and intention of Congress that the measure referred to such department be carried into execution.4
[Note 4: 4 This motion, in the writing of John Rutledge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 433. It was withdrawn on this date, as the indorsement shows. Charles Thomson added the following note:
N. B.--It seemed to be the general sense of the house that a reference to take order implied a discretionary power. But it was argued by Mr Madison that if the thing was not done the officer should report the reasons that prevented.]
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Ordered, That a representation of the case of Chas. Morse for paying his Widow a quarter's Salary from 1st. October, 1782, be referred to the Superintendant of Finance to take order.1
[Note 1: 1 This order was entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers, Congressional Proceedings.
On this day, according to the indorsement, a memorial of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, dated November 12, respecting unsettled accounts and debts due to citizens of Pennsylvania, was read and referred to Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Thomas] McKean and Mr. [David] Howell. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 69, II, folio 417.
Also, a letter of November 6th from the Governor of Maryland, relative to the case of Col. Henry Hollingsworth. It was referred to Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [John Lewis] Gervais, Mr. [Ezra] L'Hommedieu, and is in No. 70, folio 521.
Also, a letter of November 11, from George Bond, Deputy Secretary, "for an augmentation of salary." It was "ordered to lie until the report of the Committee on his former application is taken up." It is in No. 78, IV, folio 357.
According to Committee Book, No. 186, it was ordered on this day that "the committee to whom were referred, on 22 July last, the charges of Mr. Clarke against Hodgdon, commissary of military stores, and petition of M. Coren, and deposition of J. Hall, deliver up the said papers to the Secretary at War and thereupon be discharged; and that the Secretary at War proceed by court of Enquiry or court martial against the said Hodgdon, in order that he may be acquitted or condemned, according to the law martial, of the charges exhibited against him." See post, December 18.]
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