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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 31, 1782
Mr. [David] Howell, a delegate for Rhode Island, having desired requested that the letters of 8 April and 12 of August last, from Dr. Franklin to the Superintendant of finance, which were read in Congress the 27 instant, be sent for; and the same being laid before Congress and read:
Motion of Mr [David] Howell,
To take such extracts except what was written in cypher and make such use of them as he thinks proper.--withdrawn.
Ordered, That the Superintendant of finance lay before Congress such extracts from Dr. Franklin's letters of 8 April and 12 August last, as Mr. Howell shall point out to him.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, the first paragraph in the writing of Charles Thomson, and the second in that of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 469.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Thomas] Fitzsimmons, Mr. [James] Madison and Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, to whom were referred letters of the 22 and 24 from the Secretary at War:
Resolved, That the resolutions of the 7th of August last, so far as relates to the lines of New Hampshire, Rhode Island and New Jersey and Pennsylvania, be suspended till the first day of March next: [and also, as to the Pensylvania line, so far as to retain in service only the officers necessary to the compleating of three regiments.]2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, except the part in brackets, which is in that of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 223.]
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from the Secretary at War of the 22nd. instant, report,
That it will be advisable to promote Major General Lincoln B. General Clinton to the rank of Major General and to continue Brigadier General Hand in the office of Adjutant General.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 25. The indorsement shows that the part about Clinton was recommitted.]
Resolved, That Brigadier General Hand be, and he is hereby continued in the office of adjutant general.
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On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [John] Rutledge, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Alexander]Hamilton and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, to whom was referred a letter of 14 October last from the minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles,
Resolved, That the ministers plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace be instructed in any commercial stipulations with Great Britain, which may be comprehended in a treaty of peace, to endeavour to obtain for the citizens and inhabitants of the United States a direct commerce to all parts of the British dominions and possessions, in like manner as all parts of the United States may be opened to a direct commerce of British subjects, or at least that such direct commerce be extended to all parts of the British dominions and possessions in Europe and the West Indies, and the said ministers are informed that this stipulation will be particularly expected by Congress, in case the citizens and subjects of each party are to be admitted to an equality in matters of commerce with natives of the other party.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio171; it was entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III.
Franklin's letter, of October 14, is printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, (Wharton) V, 811.]
Office of Finance 3d Decr. 1782
Sir,
Congress on the twentieth of last month were pleased to order that I should report what progress has been made in the settlement of the public accounts pursuant to the resolutions of the twentieth and twenty-seventh of February last and what causes impede the execution of the Plan. In Consequence of this order I am to report,
That I have sedulously endeavoured to obtain proper persons as Commissioners. That I early applied to a Gentleman in this City to undertake the settlement of the Marine Accounts. That this Gentleman (in
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every respect competent) declined only from the Deficiency of the Salary. That under the act of the twenty-seventh of February four Commissioners out of five are appointed, the Marine Accounts being alone unprovided for. That under the act of the twentieth of February I have recommended Persons as Commissioners to the States of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. That those of Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia are approved of. That I do not yet know whether those named to the other States are or are not approved of. That altho no Persons have yet offered for the three Southern States I am in hopes that the prospect of approaching tranquility in those States will enable me to get Persons properly qualified. That no Person has yet been found to undertake settling the accounts of Massachusetts; and that the person who was recommended to the State of Maryland has resigned the office assigning as a reason that he could not obtain the Accounts of the State so as to proceed on the business of his Department.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 59. According to the indorsement it was read December 4, and on December 31 referred to Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Thomas] Fitzsimmons and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood.]
Ordered, That a report of the Superintendant of Finance of the 3d of December respecting the progress made in the settlement of public accounts pursuant to the [resolutions of the] 20th and 27th of February be referred to Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Thomas] Fitzsimmons and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood.2
[Note 2: 2 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 letter of December 28 from Duportail was read. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 164, folio 358.]
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