| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1783
Mr. James McHenry, a delegate for the State of Maryland, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment.
Annapolis May 13, 1783.
Sir,
In Obedience to the Order of the General Assembly of Maryland we notify to you that on the 12th Instant by the joint Ballot of both Houses you were elected to represent this State in Congress.
With every Sentiment of Respect We have the Honor to be,
Sir,
Yr. mo. Obedt. Servants
Mat. Tilghman President
Thos Cockey Deye, Speaker, H. D.
The Honble
James McHenry Esquire.3
[Note 2: 2 On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of May 22, from non-commissioned officers of Baylor's regiment to the Governor of Virginia, asking for relief, and referred to the Superintendent of Finance and the Secretary at War to report. It is in No. 78, XVII, folio 357. A copy is on folio 159.
Also, a letter of February 23, 1783, to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs from Wilhelm Jan Willink, Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst, de la Lande and Fynje. It is in No. 145, folio 189.]
[Note 2: 2 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Maryland, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
Page 390 | Page image
A letter, of this day, from the Secretary at War, was read, informing that the troops of Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, are yet to be furloughed, and that it is necessary some person should be authorised and directed to sign the furloughs; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Secretary at Wax be authorised and directed to furlough such of the troops of Pensylvania, Deleware, Maryland and Virginia, as are yet to be furloughed, agreeably to the resolution of the 26 day of May last.1
[Note 1: 1 From this point to the end of the day, the proceedings were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
On motion of Mr. [Richard] Peters, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Holten,
Ordered, That the election of a Secretary for Foreign affairs be postponed till Tuesday next.
On the report of a committee consisting of Mr. A[rthur] Lee, Mr. [Ralph] Izard and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, to whom was recommitted their report on the ceremonial of foreign Ministers;
Resolved, That every foreign Minister on his being admitted to his first Audience shall be introduced to Congress by the Secretary for foreign affairs to a seat provided for him facing the President of Congress, the President and members being seated, and the President covered, the Minister being uncovered and so to remain unless he be of the rank of an Ambassador.
Before the minister takes his seat, and when he rises to retire, he must bow to the President who will receive it uncovering himself. The minister must then bow to the Congress, who will return it.
The Minister being seated shall deliver his letter of credence to the Secretary of Congress by his own secretary who shall stand by him during his Audience. If the Minister chuses to address Congress he shall rise when he speaks.
The letter of credence being delivered by the Secretary of Congress to the interpreter, when such officer shall be necessary, he shall read it in its original language and then present
Page 391 | Page image
a translation of it to the Secretary of Congress who shall read the same. Upon which the President after reading his answer uncovered shall deliver the same to the Secretary of Congress who shall present it to the Minister who shall rise to receive it.
The Minister then,after bowing to the President, who shall return it uncovered, and bowing to the Congress who shall also return it.it shall be reconducted to his carriage by the Secretary for foreign affairs.
If the Minister is of the rank of an Ambassador ordinary or extraordinary, he shall be covered when he takes his seat. In that case, too, the President and Congress shall rise when the Ambassador is introduced and when they return his salutation; the President also shall rise when he reads his answer and also when he reads his answer. and continue on his feet till the Minister retires
In any subsequent public audience of a foreign Minister the same ceremonials shall be observed except so far as relates to the delivery and reading of the credentials.
Every foreign Minister after his first audience shall pay the first visit to the President and other members of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 These resolutions are printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton), IV, 481.]
That the Rank and precedence of Congress, and its great officers shall be as follows.
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, except the last paragraph which is in the writing of Ralph Izard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 221. According to the indorsement, it was delivered June 10, entered and read. See ante, August 26, 1782, note. The following, in the writing of Arthur Lee, is on folio 226:
"The Members of Congress when in Session being the Sovereignty of the U. S.cannot rise to a foreign Minister, who only represents the Sovereign of his Country.
When a new Member takes his Seat in Congress it shall be announced by the Secretary of Congress to all foreign Ministers, who shall pay him the first visit. Afterwards their visits may be interchanged as they please.
The President of Congress being at the head of the Sovereignty of the U. S. takes procedence; then the Commander in Chief of the army; then the great officers of Congress in the following order: The Secretary of Congress as the nearest and most confidential, The Secretary for foreign affairs, The Superintendent of Finance, The Secretary at War and Secretary of Marine."]
Page 392 | Page image
The committee of the week [Mr. Jonathan Arnold, Mr. Silas Condict and Mr. Eleazer McComb] report that the within petition [of Richard Frothingham and others] be read to Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Jonathan Arnold, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 72, the petition, dated West Point, June 7, being on folio 69. The indorsement slates that it was read.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a letter of June 11 from the Secretary at War. It is in No. 149, II, folio 539.
Also a letter of June 7 from General Washington, enclosing a copy of an address, from commanding officers, and Washington's reply, relative to settlement of accounts of the army. It is in No. 152, XI, folio 295. According to Committee Book No. 186, it was on this day referred to Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [James] Madison and Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, who made a report June 19.]
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |