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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 --WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1783
According to the order of the day, the Ordinance on the memorial of the inhabitants of Nantucket, was read a second time:
Ordered, That to-morrow be assigned for the third reading.
[Motion of Mr. Richard Peters, March 19, 1783.]
That the Secretary for foreign affairs be directed to inform the Ministers plenipo of the U. S. for negotiating, &c., that Congress having a high sense of the Abilities and Integrity of the said Ministers have no Doubt of their having the best Intentions in agreeing to the separate Article contained in the Preliminary Treaty with Great Britain. But as, however well intended, it may have consequences more prejudicial than advantageous to the good faith and true political interests of these States which can only be supported by an inviolable Adherence to the solemn Engagements made with our Allies and evidenced by the most sincere and open communication of every Transaction relating to the Negotiations with our common Enemy, Congress instruct and direct the said Ministers Plenipo to communicate the said separate Article to the proper Minister at the Court of France, in such manner as they shall deem proper expedient, and that the said Ministers plenipo be further informed that Congress are willing to agree to the Southern Boundary as established in the said separate Article, let the Territory or Country of W. Florida at the Conclusion of a general Peace fall into whatsoever hands it may.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Richard Peters, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 285. The indorsement shows that it was made on this day. See post, October 21.]
[Mr. Hugh Williamson's motion, March 19, 1783.]
That our ministers be informed that Congress are sorry to observe that any Circumstances have induced them to enter into any seperate Article or Treaty with the Enemy which is to be considered as secret. The Subject of that Article does not appear to Congress of such Importance as to risque the confidence of a great and good ally, much less to induce Suspicions of the Want of Faith. Uninformed as Congress are of the Circumstances which gave Origin to this Article, they cannot give any explicit Instructions on the Subject, but they hope that the Instructions they have formerly given, and the Obvious confidence that should be put in a faithful Friend rather than in a vindictive Enemy will point out to their ministers what steps should
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be taken on this and every other Subject that may claim their attention.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 287. The indorsement shows that it was made on this day. See post, October 21.]
[Mr. Alexander Hamilton's motion March 19, 1783.]
Resolved, That as Congress are desirous of maintaining manifesting at all times the most perfect confidence in their ally, the Secretary for foreign affairs be directed to communicate to the Minister P. from the Court of France to these States the separate article of the provisional treaty between the United States and His Britannic Majesty and that he inform the Commissioners from these States for making peace of the reasons for that connection communication, repeating to them the desire of Congress, that they will upon all occasions maintain perfect harmony and confidence with any an ally to whose generous assistance the United States are so signally indebted.
Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the services of their Commissioners, in their steady attention to the dignity and essential interests of the United States, and in obtaining from the Court of Great Britain articles so favourable and so important to those interests.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 289. The indorsement shows that it was made on this day. See post, October 21.]
The committee of the week, [Mr. William Floyd, Mr. John Montgomery, Mr. Eleazer McComb] report That the memorial of Simon Metcalf (setting forth the great advantages that would result to commerce if, on the conclusion of a peace, a free navigation from Lake Champlain thro the river St. Lawrence, and the free use of the waters of the Grand river and the River de François, could be obtained,) be referred to a special committee.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Eleazer McComb, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 459. The indorsement states that it was passed on this day. Metcalf's memorial is in No. 41, VI, folio 299. The indorsement shows that it was referred to Mr. [William] Floyd, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, and Mr.[Eleazer] McComb.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a letter of March 17th from the Superintendant of Finance enclosing a letter of Dr. Franklin and translation of a letter from the Chevalier de la Luzerne relative to pecuniary aid. It was referred to Mr. [John] Rutledge, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Nathaniel] Gorham, Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott, and Mr. [Abraham] Clark. It is in No. 137, II, folio 228. Committee Book, No. 186, says the committee was discharged April 28, 1783.
Also a letter of March 19th from the Superintendent of Finance with copy of letter of instructions to the Paymaster General. It is in No. 137, II, folio 245. It was referred to Mr. [John] Taylor Gilman, Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [John] Rutledge and Mr. [John Francis] Mercer. On April 28, according to the entry in Committee Book No. 186, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson was appointed on the committee in place of Gilman, and the committee was discharged May 9.]
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