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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, MAY 8, 1783
Mr. J[ohn] Montgomery, a delegate from Pensylvania, returned, and took his seat.
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The delegates for Virginia laid before Congress a letter of the 3, from Thomas Walke; and the same being read,
On motion of Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, seconded by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson,
Ordered, That a copy of the said letter be transmitted to the Commander in Chief, for his information in carrying into effect the resolution of the 15 of April last.1
[Note 1: 1 Walke's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXIV, folio 367.]
The Committee [Mr. Thomas Mifflin, Mr. Samuel Holten, Mr. John Lewis Gervais] on the letter from Oliver Pollock dated 8th May, 1783, report the following resolution--
Resolved, That the Secretary inform Mr. Pollock that Congress accept his present of a portrait of Don Bernardo de Galvez late Governor of Louisiana.
Resolved, That the Secretary do cause the same to be placed in the room in which Congress meet.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Thomas Mifflin, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 195. The indorsement states that it was acted on this day. According to the record in Committee Books No. 186 and No. 191, the committee was appointed May 8 and the report delivered the same day, and "acted on by endorsing the acceptance on the letter." The following, undated, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is on folio 197:
A letter was received from Mr. Oliver Pollock in which he informs Congress that having obtained a portrait of Don B. de Galvez, an early and zealous friend of the U. S., he begs leave to present the same to Congress. Pollock's letter dated Philadelphia, May 8, is in No. 50, folio 289. It is indorsed: "Letter of 8 May, 1783, Oliver Pollock. Read the same day.
Ordered, That the President inform Mr. O. Pollock that Congress in consideration of the early and zealous friendship of Don B. de Galvez late govr. of Louisiana do accept the present of his Portrait."]
[Motion of Mr. Stephen Higginson, and Mr. Arthur Lee.]
Resolved, That the Superintendant of Finance be directed to lay before Congress a particular account plan of the measures he has taken or intends to take for paying the army in consequence of the resolutions of 28 day of last month and the 2d day of this instant.3
[Note 3: 3 This motion, in the writing of Stephen Higginson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 107. The indorsement indicates that the motion was made on this date.]
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[Report of committee for arrangements on the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alexander Hamilton, Mr. James Madison, Mr. Oliver Ellsworth, Mr. James Wilson, Mr. Samuel Holten.]
The committee appointed "to consider what arrangements it will be proper to make relatively to peace," Submit the following report on the Department of Foreign Affairs:
Resolved, That the ordinances and resolutions heretofore passed relatively to the Department of Foreign Affairs shall continue in force subject to the alterations and additions following.
[That the Secretary for that Department shall be considered as the Postponed within crotchets head of the Diplomatic corps of the United States of America and] to remove any doubts which may have existed, respecting the nature of his office, it is hereby declared to be his duty from time to time to lay before Congress such plans Passed. for conducting the political and commercial intercourse of the United States with foreign nations, as may appear to him conducive to the public interests of the said states.
That the Salary and emoluments other allowances to the Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs and to the Secretaries under him shall be as heretofore established.
That the said Secretary be entitled to the same allowance for salary and expences as is hereafter specified for a Minister at a foreign court, and that instead of two under Secretaries as by the resolution of the 1st of March, 1782, there be appointed under him, one Postponed. official Secretary, with the same allowance as to a Secretary of Embassy, the said Secretary to be nominated by him and appointed by Congress.
That such persons as Congress shall think proper to keep or send abroad to represent the United States at foreign courts shall have no higher rank than that of Minister.1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph is included in the copy of the report, not having been struck out.]
That each Minister shall be allowed eight thousand dollars, in lieu of all salary and expences; except for the postage of letters and for the purchase of public prints and papers, which shall be a charge upon the United States.
That the said Minister shall be invested with consular powers, and shall accordingly be at the same time Consul General in the country where he resides having the Superintendance and controul of all vice consuls or inferior commercial agents according to an ordinance to be hereafter framed for that purpose but shall not be at liberty to engage directly or indirectly in any kind of trade or traffic whatsoever.
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That for the more convenient management of the commercial interests of the United States, there shall be so many vice-consuls appointed to reside in foreign ports, with which the trade of the said states may be carried on, as shall from time to time be found necessary, and that the said vice-consuls shall have free liberty to trade, but no salary or other emolument, except the usual commissions on such matters as they may be authorised to transact on account of the United States, and reimbursement for contingent and reasonable expences incurred on their behalf.
That the Secretary for foreign affairs prepare and lay before Congress an ordinance conformable to the foregoing principles for regulating the consular powers and privileges and the plan of a convention to be entered into with foreign nations for that purpose.
That whenever Congress shall judge it expedient to appoint an official Secretary to any embassy, he shall be entitled to a salary of one thousand dollars and to a place in the house and at the table of the Minister with whom he shall reside.
The committee think it unnecessary to report concerning the rank of the Secretary for foreign affairs, relatively to other heads of the Executive Departments, as this is an object comprehended in another report depending before Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 38, folio 301. The indorsement shows that it was delivered on this day, entered and read. A copy of the report except the last paragraph, showing the action taken on the first two paragraphs, is on folio 305. The indorsement states that it was "To be considered Monday May 12th, 1783," having been entered May 8.]
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