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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 --FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1783
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [Richard] Peters and Mr. [Nathaniel] Gorham, to whom was referred a letter of the 9, from the Superintendant of finance and Secretary at War, in order to confer with them on the resolutions of the 7 and 28 April, and 2d instant report, that all the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the service of the United States, inlisted to serve during the war, be discharged; and that the Secretary at War and Commander in Chief take the proper measures for doing this, in a manner most convenient to the soldiery and to the inhabitants, having the men previously conducted, under proper officers, to their respective states; and that they be at the same time authorised to retain as many officers as they may judge necessary to command the men who still continue in service, permitting the others to retire.4
[Note 4: 4 The letter of the Superintendant of Finance and Secretary at War is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 429.]
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A motion was made by Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, that the report be re-committed:
And on the question for re-commitment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer,
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So the question was lost.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, to postpone the report, in order to take up the following motion:
That the Commander in Chief be instructed to grant furloughs to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the service of the United States, inlisted to serve during the war, who shall be discharged as soon as the definitive treaty of peace is concluded, together with a proportionable number of commissioned officers of the different grades: and that the Secretary at War and Commander in Chief, take the proper measures for conducting those troops to their respective homes, in such a manner as may be most convenient to themselves, and to the states through which they may pass,
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and that the men thus furloughed be allowed to take their arms with them, the resolution of 23 April to the contrary notwithstanding:
On the question to postpone for the purpose above-mentioned, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Eliphalet] Dyer,
{table}
So the question was lost.
On the question to agree to the report, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton,
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So the question was lost.
[Motion of John Francis Mercer, seconded by Ralph Izard.]
Whereas Sir Guy Carleton has not given such reasons for continuing with the British forces in the garrison of New York as are satisfactory to Congress: and whereas the said Sir Guy Carleton has suffered many negroes the property of the citizens of these United States to be carried off, contrary to the 7th. article of the Preliminary Treaty,
Resolved, That it is not expedient at present to disband or furlough the army of the United States.--Withdrawn.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Ralph Izard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 127. The indorsement gives it this date.]
The Agent of Marine to whom was referred the Memorial of Seth Harding, begs leave to report,
That the Memorialist appears to be among the number of public creators whose Claims must come before the Commissioner to be appointed for the purposes of liquidating and finally settling the accounts of the Marine Department up to the last day of December 1781; that he expects a proper person will soon be named for that business and then the accounts of the memorialist will come in course for settlement. For the ballance that shall appear to be due, he will partake of such relief as the public funds may then be in a situation to afford, but that at present the prayer of his memorial can not be complied with.
All which is humbly submitted
Robt. Morris
Marine Office 22 May 1783.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 489. It was read on this day, according to the indorsement.]
The committee of the week [Mr. Thomas FitzSimons, Mr. Ralph Izard, and Mr. Eliphalet Dyer] report, upon the petition of Eleazer Levy respecting a mortgage which he holds upon the lands at West Point,
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That in their opinion it is not expedient for Congress to take any order therein.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Thomas FitzSimons, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, IV, folio 296. Levy's petition is on folio 294. The indorsement indicates that it was read on this day.]
The committee of the week [Mr. Thomas FitzSimons, Mr. Ralph Izard, and Mr. Eliphalet Dyer] report,
That the petition of William Stevens and others, mates of the general hospital in the Southern department, praying to be allowed half pay or compensation be referred to a special committee.
Question taken for committing lost.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Thomas FitzSimons, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, folio 290. The petition is on folio 287. The indorsement shows the action taken.]
The Committee of the week [Mr. Thomas FitzSimons, Mr. Ralph Izard and Mr. Eliphalet Dyer] report that the memorial of Thomas Bell, praying that his commission granted by the Commissioners at Paris may be ratified by Congress, be referred to the Agent of Marine to report.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Thomas FitzSimons, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 630. Bell's memorial is on folio 627. It was referred to the Agent of Marine to report.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of May 22 from the Agent of Marine transmitting letters of J.P. Jones and a letter from the Marquis de Vaudreuil relating to him. It is in No. 137, II, folio 467.
Also a letter of May 22 from the Agent of Marine relative to the trial of Samuel Cooper, a purser. It is in No. 137, II, folio 495.
Also a letter of May 22 from the Agent of Marine, relative to the trial of Matthew Parke, a captain of marines. It is on folio 499.
Also a letter of May 22 from the Secretary at War enclosing letters and memoranda from John Allan, Agent Indian Eastern Department. It was referred to Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. [Samuel] Holten. It is in No. 149, II, folio 557.
Also a letter of May 23 from the Secretary at War, relative to moving artillery from the Head of Elk. It is in No. 149, II, folio 553.]
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