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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 30, 1783
Congress resumed the consideration of the report and resolution of the committee which was under debate yesterday; and on motion of Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, seconded by Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, the farther consideration thereof being postponed,
A motion was made by Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, seconded by Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, in the words following:
The Superintendant of finance having reported to Congress, that the receivers in the several states have long since been instructed to take all notes signed by the Superintendant of finance, in payment of taxes; and also to take up all such notes whenever tendered, if they have public money in their hands;
Ordered, That the above be published.
A motion was made by Mr. [David] Howell, seconded by Mr.Clark[William] Ellery, to amend the above motion, by striking out the words, "ordered that the above be published," and in lieu thereof, inserting "Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance be directed to publish the purport of his instructions to the receivers of the continental taxes, authorising and directing them to receive notes issued by him in
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payment of taxes, to the end that the holders of such notes be informed in what manner they may receive payment." And on the question to agree to this motion, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [David] Howell,
{table}
So the question was lost.
A motion was then made by Mr. [James] McHenry, seconded by Mr. [Richard] Peters, to postpone the main question, in order to take up the following motion:
Whereas it is alleged that the instructions given by the Superintendant of finance to the receivers of continental taxes in the several states, to take all notes signed by him in payment of taxes; and also to take up all such notes whenever tendered, if they have public money in their hands, are not generally known:
and that undue advantage is taken of the ignorance of the holders of such notes,
Therefore Resolved, That the Superintendant of Finance make such publication of said instructions as he may judge necessary, or such other publication as he may judge necessary to the end that the holders of such notes be informed in what manner they may receive payment.
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Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance take order for the better information of the citizens of the several states, respecting the said notes:1
[Note 1: 1 This motion is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 26, folio 451. The vote is indorsed on it.]
On the question to agree to postpone for this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Richard] Peters,
{table}
So the question was lost.
The main question being amended, was agreed to as follows:
[The Superintendant of finance having reported to Congress, "that the receivers in the several states have long since been instructed to take all notes signed by the Superintendant of finance in payment of taxes; and also to take up all such notes whenever tendered, if they have public money in their hands;"
Ordered, That the Superintendant of finance be directed to publish the above information.]2
[Note 2: 2 This order is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 449. The part in brackets was entered in the Journal by Benjamin Bankson, of the Secretary's office.]
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The Committee of the week [Mr. Samuel Holten, Mr. Richard Beresford, and Mr. Eleazer McComb] report that the letter from Caleb Child to the President be read in Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Holten, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VI, folio 190. Child's letter, dated Warren, June 1, 1783, and asking pay for property destroyed by the British, is on folio 137. According to the indorsement, it was read July 30, and ordered to lie on the table.]
Ordered, That a Report of the Superintendant of Finance relative to the Pay of the Army--Reasons why some were furloughed without receiving three months' Pay and means of redeeming Notes--made pursuant to the Resolution of the 11th be referred to Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Stephen] Higginson and Mr. [James] McHenry.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. According to the record in Committee Books, No. 186 and No. 191, a report was delivered August 25, and filed.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, a letter of July 19 from Brigadier General Moses Hazen and Lieutenant Colonels Edward Antill and Joseph Torrey was read stating that they intend to present a full state of the Canadian refugees. It was referred to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Ralph] Izard, and Mr. S[amuel] Huntington. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XII, folio 267.
Also, the petition of Captain Clement Gosselin on the subject. It was referred to the same committee. It is in No. 78, XII, folio 275.
On July 31, as the indorsement states, a letter of July 28 from the Superintendent of Finance, respecting the necessity of reducing expenses, etc., was read and referred to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. A[rthur] Lee and Mr. S[amuel] Huntington. It is in No. 137, II, folio 689.
Also, on July 31, a letter of July 28 from the Superintendent of Finance inclosing the answer of the Paymaster General to the question why the furloughed troops do not receive their pay. It was referred to Mr. [Stephen] Higginson, Mr. [Richard] Peters and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson. According to Committee Book, No. 186, Mr. [Samuel] Holten was appointed in place of Higginson, and the committee was renewed December 18, when Mr. [Arthur] Lee and Mr. [George] Partridge went on the committee in place of Holten and Peters, and a report was delivered May 14, 1784. The Superintendent's letter is in No. 137, II, folio 693, and a copy of the letter of Joseph Pierce, Paymaster General, is on folio 717.
Also, on July 31 was read a letter, of July 11, from the General Court of Massachusetts. It is in No. 65, II, folio 185. According to the indorsement, and the record in Committee Books Nos. 186 and 191, it was referred to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. A[rthur] Lee and Mr. S[amuel] Huntington. Their report, delivered September 2, was committed the same day to Mr. S[amuel] Huntington, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Abiel] Foster, who reported on September 8. The September 2 report was committed, on September 18, to Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [John Francis] Mercer and Mr. [James] Duane, who delivered a report September 19. See post, September 19 and 25.
Also, on July 31, was read a resolution of the Virginia Assembly, dated June 17, 1783, authorizing an application to Congress for a sum not exceeding £750, to level the works at York and Gloucester. It was referred to Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [William] Ellery, and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson. It is in No. 20, II, folio 313.]
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