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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 --THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1783
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott and Mr. [Richard] Peters, andMr. Gorhamto whom was referred a letter of 14, from the Secretary at War:
Resolved, That immediate measures be taken for the sale of all the dragoon horses belonging to the United States, and of all such articles in the several military departments, as may not be necessary for the use of the army, previous to its reduction, or for the formation of magazines on a peace establishment.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 227. According to the indorsement, it was the report of Hamilton, Peters and Gorham, and it was originally so entered in the Journal. Gorham's name was then erased and Osgood, Bland and Wolcott interlined.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the report on revenue, when a motion was made by Mr. [John Lewis] Gervais, seconded by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer, to strike out the duty of 1/8 of a dollar per bushel upon salt:
And on the question, shall that part of the report stand? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John Lewis] Gervais,
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So the question was lost, and that clause, as well as the bounty of one-eighth of a dollar per quintal of dried fish, and of a like sum per barrel of beef or pork exported, were struck out.
The Committee to whom was recommended the 10th clause of the report on revenue &c, report the following addition thereto:
"And to the end that convenient provision may be made for determining in all such cases, how far the expences may have been reasonable, as well with respect to the object thereof as to the means for accomplishing it, thirteen Commissioners namely one out of each State shall be appointed by Congress any seven or more of whom (having first taken an oath for the faithful and impartial exercise of their appointment) who shall concur in the same opinion, shall be empowered to determine finally on the reasonableness of all claims for expences incurred by particular States as aforesaid. And that such determinations may be expedited as much as possible, instructions shall be given to the Commissioners for adjusting accounts between the U. S. and individual States, to examine all such claims and report to Congress, such of them as shall be supported by satisfactory
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factory proofs, distinguishing in their reports the objects and measures as to which the expences shall have been incurred: provided that no balances which may become due to any State in consequence of this regulation or of the resolutions of theday ofshall be deducted out of the preceding revenues but shall be discharged out of separate requisitions to be made on the States for that purpose.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 419. The indorsement states: "April 11, 1783, Read. Entd. April 17, 1783, on the question to admit the clause, to which this is proposed as an addition, into the report on finance, States called, Virginia, ay; all the rest, no."]
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