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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 --WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 17832
[Note 2: 2 Here Charles Thomson resumes the entries in the Journal.]
Mr. [James] Duane, a delegate from the State of New York, and Mr. A[rthur] Lee, a delegate from the State of Virginia, attended, and took their seats in Congress.
The agent of marine, to whom was referred a letter of 20 June last; from the governor of Virginia to the delegates of that State, having reported,
That the services rendered by Messrs. Cowper and Ballard, were previous to the requisitions for the service of 1782 and 1783, so that no moneys now in the treasury can properly be applied to the payment of what those services may on a proper investigation appear to be really worth. That the commissioner appointed to settle the accounts of the United States in Virginia, is authorised to adjust the value of services rendered by the citizens thereof to the United States, at the time and place where they were rendered; according to the principles of equity; an authority which is vested in him completely and exclusively. That therefore Messrs. Cowper and Ballard must apply to the said commissioner; who, if he should find the United States to be in their debt, will give them certificates like to those which are given to other creditors of the said states, and will transmit such materials
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to the commissioner for settling the accounts of the marine department, as will enable him to make proper charges in those accounts.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 611. It is dated 9th July, 1783.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [James] Madison and Mr. [Jacob] Read, to to whom was referred a letter of 23 June, from the Commander in Chief, enclosing a copy of his correspondence with the commissioners for superintending the embarkations at New York:
Resolved, That the Commander in Chief be instructed to recall the commissioners who have been appointed to superintend the embarkations at New York, unless some change of circumstances shall have occurred, from which he may conclude that their further continuance in New York may be productive of some advantage to the citizens of the United States.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 439.]
On motion of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Holten,
Resolved, That whenever the President shall be obliged to adjourn Congress, from the want of seven States, an entry shall be made in the daily Journal of the states present, and of the names of the individual members present from the states unrepresented.3
[Note 3: 3 This motion, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 407.]
The Committee consisting of Mr [Hugh] Williamson, Mr [Jacob] Read and Mr [James] McHenry to whom was referred the Petition and Memorial of Mr Anthony Hutchins, beg leave to represent that Mr Hutchins who is a native of New Jersey and sundry other persons with whom he is associated appear to have settled at the Natchez on the River Mississippi while that Country was subject to the British Government; that when W. Florida was lately conquered by the
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Spanish arms, they submitted to the Government of his most Catholic Majesty, since which time they have had the misfortune to incur the displeasure of Govt. and have found it necessary to consult their safety by flight, leaving their wives children and effects behind. The memorialist and his associates are now desirous of becoming citizens of the U. S. and pray for such relief in their present embarrassed situation as to Congress may seem fit, on which your Committee submit the following Resolve,
That the agent for the U. S. at the Havannah be instructed to apply to the Vice Roy or Governor of West Florida in behalf of Mr Anthony Hutchins and others whom he represents, who have been settlers at the Natchez on the River Mississippi and are now desirous of becoming citizens of the U. S. and request that the clemency of his Catholic Majesty may at this hour of peace be extended to those unfortunate men and that they be permitted to go to the Natchez in safety and bring off their wives and children and to remove their property or dispose of it.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 223. The indorsement shows that it was delivered on this day, entered and read.]
The Agent of Marine to whom were referred the memorials of Thomas Bell and William Pickles begs leave to report,
That the memorialists appear to have been possessed of Commissions by Persons entrusted at the time with authority to grant the same.
That in Consequence thereof they have been Considered and have considered themselves as Captains in the Navy of the United States and as such have constantly associated with their Brother Officers of that Rank.
That they have been recognized as such on the Records or Minutes of the Marine Department, and
That to deprive them of such Rank might wear an appearance of Hardship, more especially as they have both on different occasions behaved with a Degree of Spirit worthy the Commissions they have asked a Confirmation of.
He begs Leave therefore to propose the following Resolution:
That Thomas Bell and William Pickles receive Commissions as Captains in the Navy of the United States.
Marine Office 10th July 1783.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 615. The indorsement states that it was "passed in the negative" on this day.]
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War Office July 12, 1783.
Sir,
On the letter from Major General Baron Steuben recommending Captain North, his Aid de Camp, for the brevet rank of Major, referred to the Secretary at War, I beg leave to inform your Excellency that the Commander in Chief in a letter, addressed to the Secretary at War, dated theoflast, proposed that an application should be made to Congress soliciting that those Officers now holding the same rank which they held in 1777, might be honored with the next superior grade by brevet. As this application has been made, and the Baron's letter appears to be founded in the same idea, I do not find myself at liberty to report in favor of any individual officer, however distinguished his services and merit, until Congress shall be pleased to resolve upon the subject generally.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, III, folio 81. It was referred to Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [James] McHenry and Mr. [Richard] Peters. According to Committee Book No. 191, a report was delivered July 28.]
Ordered, That a Letter of 10th July, 1783, from the Agent of Marine for the Sale of the Ship Hague be referred to the Agent of Marine to take Order. And that he report the present State of the Ships and Vessells belonging to the United States, how they are employed and the expences attending them.2
[Note 2: 2 This order was entered only in the journal kept by the Secretary of Congress for the Superintendent of Finance: Morris Papers; Congressional Proceedings. See post July 26.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a letter of the 11th from the Superintendent of Finance, transmitting a copy of his letter to the governors of the several states and an account of the receipts and expenditures from January I to June 30, 1783. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 631
Also, a letter of July 12, and one of July 14, from the Assistant Secretary at War, enclosing a copy of a letter, dated Fort Pitt, 5th June, 1783, from Ephraim Douglas, a messenger to the Indian Nations. They are in No. 149, III, folios 61--69, and were referred to Mr. [Richard] Peters, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [James] Duane, together with the address of John Killbuck, an Indian Chief. The record in Committee Books, No. 186 and No. 191, shows that a report was delivered July 23, and acted on August 6.
Also, a letter of July 14, from the Assistant Secretary at War, in reference to promotions in General Hazen's regiment. It is in No. 149, III, folio 73. A copy was ordered to be sent to the Commander in Chief.
Also, resolutions of the legislature of Virginia dated June 28, 1783, offering the city of Williamsburg for a residence for Congress. It was ordered to be sent to the several states. It is in No. 46, folio 55.
On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of July 13, and one of July 15, from Major General Robert Howe. They are in No. 38, folios 93 and 97.]
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