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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 --FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1782
On motion of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [Daniel] Carroll:
Whereas there is reason to suspect, that [as well the national character of the United States and the honor of Congress, as] the finances of the said states may be injured, and the public service greatly retarded, by some publications
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that have been made concerning the extent of our foreign loans foreign affairs of said states:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into this subject, and report what steps they apprehend conceive are necessary to be taken thereon if they shall find that any are necessary.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, except the part in brackets, which is in that of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 457. The indorsement shows that the committee was Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [James] Madison.]
According to the order of the day, the ordinance for amending the ordinance for regulating the Post Office of the United States was read a second time; and the question being put, shall this ordinance be read a third time, passed was lost.
Ordered, That a letter of 5 November, from the adjutant-general to the Secretary at War, be referred to a committee, and that the committee be instructed to consider the general subject of franks, in order to extend or restrain the privilege as they may find necessary.2
[Note 2: 2 The motion upon which the committee was appointed, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 59, III, folio 369. The Adjutant General's letter is in No. 149, II, folio 147. The committee, according to the indorsement, was Mr. [David] Ramsay, Mr. [Abner] Nash, Mr. [Richard] Peters. According to Committee Books Nos. 186 and 191, a report was delivered on December 10, and recommitted December 12.
The following undated motion, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in No. 36, II, folio 85:
The the Priviledge of franking Letters be and the same is hereby extended to Inspector General, the Adjutant General, the Director of the Hospitals, the Quarter master General, the Commissary of Prisoners and the paymaster General of the Army of the U. S., and that the same Priviledge be and the same is hereby extended to the Officers of the Heads of the like departments in any separate army, Letters to and from whom on public Business shall of Postage shall have the Priviledge of franking Letters on public service to all officers in their respective Departments and that all letters to those officers first shove mentioned shall be free.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, seconded by Mr. [John] Rutledge,
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[That the Superintendant of finance be, and he is hereby directed to represent to the legislatures of the several states, the indispensable necessity for their complying with the requisitions of Congress, for raising one million two hundred thousand dollars, for paying a year's interest of the domestic debt of the United States, and two million dollars towards defraying the expences of the estimate for the ensuing year, and the inconveniencies, embarrassments and injuries to the public service, which will arise from the states individually making appropriations of any part of the said two millions of dollars, or of any other monies required by the United States in Congress assembled,] assuring them withal that Congress are determined to make the fullest justice to the public creditors an invariable object of their counsels and exertions:
That a deputation be sent from Congress to the State of Rhode Island to inform that state of the propects which Congress have of loans and other supplies for the ensuing year (for the purpose of making a full and just representation of the public affairs of the United States,) and of urging the absolute necessity of a compliance with the resolution of Congress of the 3d day of February, 1781, respecting the duty on imports and prizes, as a measure essential to the safety and reputation of these states.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folios 483 and 485. The part in brackets is in the writing of John Rutledge. The rest is in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, except the words in parentheses, which are in James Madison's writing.]
When the question was about to be put, a division was called for by Mr. [David] Howell; and on the question to agree to the first part, as far as "exertions" inclusive, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Ralph] Izard:
Resolved, unanimously, in the affirmative, every member answering ay.
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On the question to agree to the second part, "that a deputation," &c. to the end, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Ralph] Izard,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Resolved, That the deputation consist of three members, and that previous to their departure they confer with the Superintendant of finance, the Secretary at War and the Secretary for foreign affairs, who are hereby directed to communicate to them such information, from their respective departments, as may be most conducive to the end proposed: the members chosen, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [Thomas] Mifflin and Mr. [Abner] Nash.
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