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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, JULY 4, 1783
Certain resolutions passed by the inhabitants of Princeton and its vicinity, being laid before Congress, and read,
The Committee [Mr. Jacob Read, Mr. James McHenry and Mr. Stephen Higginson] to whom was referred the resolves of the inhabitants of Prince town and its vicinity presented to Congress by the Reverend Mr. Smith vice president of the College and Col. Morgan.
Resolved, That Congress highly applaud the resolutions of the inhabitants of Princeton and its vicinity, to support order and good government; that Congress entertain a proper sense of their affectionate and respectful expressions, and are obliged by their exertions to accommodate the representatives of the United States.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of James McHenry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 295.]
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On a report of the Superintendant made pursuant to the order of the 20 of June last:
The Superintendant of Finance according to the order of the twentieth of June 1783 begs leave to Report,
That by the report of a Grand Committee of the twenty fifth of January, 1783, it appeared that the memorial presented by the Armycomprehended five articles to wit:
That the settlement of accounts so far as relates to the second article was provided for by a reference thereof to the Superintendant of Finance in a resolution of that date. But that no provision was made for the fourth or fifth articles.
That the Superintendant of Finance hath authorized and directed the Pay Master General to make the settlements referred to him as aforesaid.
That the settlement of the accounts generally is delayed not only by the want of authority for that purpose but by the difficulty of obtaining an account of the advances made by the several States and public Departments to the officers of the line.
In order however to obviate as far as possible all the difficulties which have arisen or which may arise in the course of that business the following Resolution is submitted:
Resolved, That the paymaster general be, and is hereby fully authorised and empowered to settle and finally adjust all accounts whatsoever, between the United States and the officers and soldiers of the American army, so as to include all and every demand which they or either of them may have by virtue of the several resolutions and acts of Congress relating thereto. And that the said paymaster do give certificates of the sums which may appear due on such settlements in the form and manner which the Superintendant
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of the finances of the United States may direct: provided always, that the certificates to the officers shall be delayed for a reasonable time, to obtain returns of payments or advances to them by the states, or public departments, where, in the opinion of the paymaster general, such delay shall be necessary.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 583. It is dated June 22, and the indorsement shows that it was delivered July 1, entered and read, and referred on July 2, to Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Richard] Peters, and Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth, but, from Committee Book, No. 186, it would appear that on July 4 Mr. [Thomas] FitzSimons was substituted for Mr. Peters.]
The committee of the week, [Mr. William Enery, Mr. Jacob Read and Mr. Jonathan Arnold] report That the petition of the Revd. William Plumb late Chaplain to the Northern Hospital praying for an adjustment and payment of his accounts be read in Congress with the papers accompanying the same.
That the petition of Grace Mercer Widow of Richard Mercer Esquire, late of Charles Town in the State of South Carolina deceased, Purveyor to the Hospitals of the Army of the United States in the said State of South Carolina, be referred to the Superintendant of Finance to take order report
And that the petition of Christopher Colles relative to the Navigation of the Ohio be read in Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 509. The petition of Grace Mercer, dated Philadelphia, June 24, 1783, is in No. 137, II, folio 735, and that of Celles is in No. 42, II, folio 168.
According to Committee Book No. 186, the petition of William Plumb was referred to the Superintendent of Finance to take order; and the petition of Mrs. Mercer to the Superintendent of Finance to report. He made a report July 11.
On this day, as the indorsement states, a letter of John Pierce, Paymaster General, dated Princeton, July 4, was read. It is indorsed: The President to inform him there is no objection against removing the papers and records of his office back to Philadelphia. It is in No. 165, folio 665.
Also, a letter of June 30 from General Washington, relative to sending Major General Baron Steuben, to receive possession of posts and make arrangements on the western frontier. It is in No. 152, XI, folio 389. It was referred to Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [Oliver] Ellsworth and Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, who, according to Committee Book No. 186, reported verbally. A copy of a letter, dated July 8, from the President of Congress to Washington, stating that his letter had been substantially complied with by the Act of Congress of the 12th of May, is in No. 16, folio 210; and a copy of Washington's instructions to Steuben to concert with the British Commander in Chief in Canada for receiving possession of the posts, is in No. 152, XI, folio 423. The instructions to Steuben are printed in the Writings of Washington (Ford) X, 285.
Also, a letter of July 3 from John Dickinson, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. It is in No. 38, folio 147.]
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