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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, DECEMBER 24, 1782
Congress resumed the consideration of the resolution under debate yesterday; and on the question to agree thereto, resolved in the affirmative.
A question being taken on the third resolution, resolved in the affirmative.
The supplementary ordinance for regulating the Post Office was read a third time, and passed as follows:
AN ORDINANCE FOR AMENDING AN ORDINANCE FOR REGULATING THE
POST OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
Whereas it hath been represented to Congress, since passing the ordinance for regulating the Post Office of the United States of America, that sundry alterations therein, and additions thereto, are necessary:
Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, and it is hereby ordained by authority of the same, that the privilege of franking letters be, and the same is hereby, extended to the inspector general, the adjutant general, the judge abvocate the director of the hospitals, the quartermaster general, the commissary of prisoners, and the paymaster general of the army of the United States; and that the same privilege be, and the same is hereby, extended to the officers at the heads of the like departments in any separate army and to the commissary of marine prisoners; all letters to and from whom, on public business, shall pass free of postage; and in order to prevent the multiplicity of franks becoming too burthensome to the public,
Be it ordained, and it is hereby ordained by the authority aforesaid, that the allowance, not exceeding twenty per cent. on what would be the postage of free letters if they were charged, be discontinued, and that the public be charged with no farther commissions on free letters, though they contain enclosures, than the officers of the Post Office would be entitled to on the postage of the same number of single letters coming the same distance:
And be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, that the clause in the ordinance of the 18th of October last, which directs the Postmaster General and his deputies to furnish extraordinary expresses be, and the same is hereby repealed. Done, &c.1
[Note 1: 1 This ordinance, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 59, III, folio 363.]
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Resolved, That the quartermaster general furnish all extraordinary expresses when the service requires them, any ordinance or resolution of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding.
On motion of Mr. [John] Rutledge, seconded by Mr. [Thomas] Fitzsimmons,
Resolved, That the Postmaster General be directed to continue the southern post to Savannah, in Georgia; and that the Superintendant of finance furnish the money necessary for that purpose.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of John Rutledge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 473.]
Congress having received information that the State of Virginia has repealed its law agreeing to the duty on imports and prizes:
Resolved, That the deputation to Rhode Island be for the present suspended; and that a committee be appointed to report such further measures as it may be proper for Congress to take upon the subject at large.2
[Note 2: 2 According to Committee Book No. 186, Papers of the Continental Congress, the committee consisted of Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [Thomas1 Fitzsimmons, and Mr. [James] Madison.]
The Grand Committee to whom were referred a letter from the Legislature of Massachusetts Bay of Octr. 21, and a motion of Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, submit the following resolves, viz.
Resolved, That Individuals in each State who are possessed of Continental paper money be entitled to receive from the Commr. who is or shall be appointed to settle the accts. of the Several States and of individuals therein against the U. States a Specie certificate for all such sums of the said money, as they shall respectively pay into the hands of such Commissioner, at the rate of one silver dollar for every forty -- continental dollars. The certificates to bear interest of 6 per cent from the date and be provided for, as other public debts are; but that no money shall be recd. or certificates granted by the said Commissioner after the last day of Dec. 1783.
Resolved, That the States which have not sunk the proportions assigned to them of the Continental money be charged with the
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deficiency or the amount of what they have not sunk at the rate aforesaid.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Rutledge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 141. According to the indorsement it was read December 24, 1782, Tuesday next assigned for the consideration, and on December 31 postponed. It is in the list of postponed reports in No. 31, folio 3714.]
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