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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 --TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1783
The agent of marine, to whom was referred a resolution of the house of delegates of the State of Virginia of 26th of June, 1783, reported,
That although it is an object highly desirable, to establish a respectable marine, yet the situation of the public treasury renders it not advisable to purchase ships, for the present, nor until the several states shall grant such funds for the construction of ships, docks and naval arsenals, and for the support of the naval service, as shall enable the United States to establish their marine upon a permanent and respectable footing.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 725.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the report.
The committee &c [Mr. John Rutledge, Mr. James Duane, Mr. James Madison, Mr. Samuel Osgood, Mr. John Montgomery appointed to revise and consider the instructions from Congress to Mr. Jay and to report if any and what alterations or additions should be made to them] report the following instructions:
R. That the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Spain be instructed in case any propositions be made to him by the said Court
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for a Treaty with the U. S. to decline acceding to the same until he shall have transmitted them to Congress for their approbation, unless the Treaty proposed be of such a tenor, as to render his accession thereto necessary to the fulfilment of the stipulation on the part of the U. S. contained in the separate and secret article of their Treaty with his most Christian Majesty, in which case he is to conclude such treaty on the first Requisition of his Catholick Majesty,
R. That Mr Jay be at liberty to leave Spain and go into any other part of Europe, whenever the state of his health may require it.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Rutledge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 241. The indorsement shows that it was reported on this day. See post, September 29.]
The Committee consisting of Mr. FitzSimons &c. [Mr. Ralph Izard, Mr. Stephen Higginson, Mr. James Duane, Mr. James Madison] to whom &c. submit the following Report,
Resolved, That the Superintendant of Finance be directed to lay before Congress an Estimate of the expence which will attend the establishment of a mint including Buildings, Tools, Salaries to officers, &c.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Ralph Izard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 453. The indorsement states that it was delivered on this day, entered and read.]
The Superintendant of Finance to whom was referred the motion of the Honble. Mr. Clarke begs leave to report.
That the Debts which have been found due to Persons by Settlements at the Treasury Office have not been Evidenced by transferable Certificates for the following Reasons:--
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But if there be powerful Reasons in favor of the motion which have escaped him he shall very readily comply with such order as to the wisdom, of Congress may seem meet.
Office or Finance, 31 July 1783.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 739. According to the indorsement, and to the entries in Committee Books No. 186 No. 191, it was delivered August 5, entered and read; and, on January 6, 1784, referred to Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson. See ante, April 25, 1783, and post, April 15, 1784.]
The Superintendant of Finance, to whom was referred the Letter from Major General Greene of the tenth day of last month, respecting the accounts of Col. Kosciusko, begs leave to report,
That in the Latter End of the year 1781, it appearing that sundry Foreigners who had served in the armies of the United States had not only been in the same situation as to arrearages of Pay with those who were Citizens of the United States, but labored under the additional Disadvantage of not having any means by which to obtain a Recompence for the Depreciation of Pay actually received. The Rule was adopted to settle the accounts of such as should apply for that purpose up to the End of the year 1781 to pay one fifth of the Ballance in Lieu of Depreciation, and to place the remaining four fifths on Interest.
That this Rule has hitherto been adhered to and been found satisfactory. That is to say, it has appeared to be an equitable means of placing them on an equal footing with their Brethren who were Citizens of the United States.
That Experience has demonstrated that nothing but a strict adherence to general Rules can prevent those Complaints of Injustice which the want of Pay to the Army in general has given but too much Ground for and which can alone be repressed by a Conviction that the public have not abillity to Discharge the whole and that there is an inviolable Determination of Government to make proportionate Distribution of what may be within their ability.
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That the merit of Col. Kosciusko is great and acknowledged, his Talents brilliant, his zeal unquestionable, and of Consequence his application must be placed among those which are not to be declined unless for the most cogent Reasons and even insurmountable obstacles. But that if it be complied with other officers of Merit Talents and Zeal win doubtless make similar applications.
That it is the Exclusive Priviledge of the Sovereign with discerning Eye to mark and distinguish the Degrees of Activity Knowledge and Enthusiasm which their Different Servants are endowed with.
That it is equally their priviledge to declare the Rewards to be bestowed on the most eminent, But that in Claims for Justice, all must stand on equal Ground, and distressed as they are will naturally conceive that the duties of Justice must preceed those of Generosity.
Office of Finance, 1 August, 1783.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 743. According to the indorsement, and to Committee Book No. 191, it was delivered on this day, entered, read and filed. Greene's letter is in No. 137, II, folio 747, and according to Committee Book No. 186, it was referred on July 26.]
The Superintendant of Finance, to whom was referred so much of a Letter of the thirtieth of June from President Weare as relates to the appointment of a loan officer and granting Certificates for Interest due on Loan Office Certificates, begs Leave to report,
That the former Part of the Plan can be necessary only in Consequence of adopting the Latter, and is objectionable because it tends to increase the number of the civil list; because it tends to multiply the public accounts, and thereby to create a necessity for the appointment of Commissioners at a future Period to liquidate those accounts; and because it will keep the public Debts seperate distinct and divided so as to prevent that clear and comprehensive View which Congress ought to have in order that they may give regular Information thereon to the several States.
That the latter Part of the Plan is also objectionable because that by issuing such Certificates the necessity of immediate Taxation is taken away. The Certificates will naturally depreciate and of Course induce a Charge of Injustice and the various Collectors will have an opportunity of making very improper Speculations because that being at Liberty to make Collections and render accounts as they please, and not like the continental Receivers held to Monthly Publications, they can always collect money and purchase the Certificates at a Discount which Discount is greater according to the necessities
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of the party and the probability of Delay. That the Collectors therefore are enabled by neglecting their duty to increase the Discount and afterwards to take advantage thereof.
That in addition to these general Inconveniences attending the measure are certain particular Evils which result from the Law transmitted, by which Law it appears that from one general Tax is to be collected the sum of fifty five thousand Pounds New Hampshire Currency out of which twenty four thousand Pounds like money is appropriated to the current Service of the United States.
The Remainder except the Sum for Interest on Loan Office Certificates is already made payable by Certificates for Interest on the State Securities and orders drawn on the Treasurer; if therefore the proposed measure be adopted more than one half of the Tax ordered will be payable in different Certificates and orders which being receivable in Taxes and not payable at any particular Day named nor from any certain fund must necessarily depreciate in a duplicate Proportion depending on the Increase of quantity and the Dilatoriness of Collections. That of Consequence whatever Tax may be really collected will be only in such Paper and nothing can come in to supply the public Treasury of the Union.
That the only Reason which can be assigned for such Issues of Paper must be the want of Specie to defray the Expence of the Tax, but such Reason can have no weight if properly considered, because with the Citizens who have Specie the Reason cannot exist and those who have not Specie must either purchase that or Paper in either Case, and as this can only be by their Property or Services they must be indifferent which is payable unless the same Property or Service will produce more paper than Specie. In other words such measures have the direct Tendancy to pay the Sum specified with only a Part of its value.
That notwithstanding what has been said there are also Reasons in favor of the two things proposed: Because untill the States will by real Revenue enable Congress to bring their whole debt into a Regular and manageable System the Loan Offices must continue to be a necessary present Evil and a future Source of Confusion; and because the States in the Confidence of their own seperate Sovereignty and regardless of the general Government will as long as they please continue to make nominal instead of actual Payments.
That if Congress should agree to the proposals from New Hampshire it might be prudent to stipulate for a Payment of such Certificates or orders by the Governor to the Continental Receiver for the amount
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of the twenty four thousand Pounds already mentioned and that such Certificates should be payable by the Treasurer at a Day to be named if not sooner negotiated by the Receiver. In which case the Receiver might be instructed to exchange such Certificates or orders (if possible) for notes issued from the office of Finance.
Office of Finance 1st. August 1783.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, II, folio 761a. The indorsement states that it was delivered this day and referred to Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Richard] Beresford. According to Committee Book No. 186, this committee delivered a report August 15. See post, August 18, and September 4 and 23.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of August 1, from the Superintendent of Finance, enclosing an account of payments made by the states on the requisition of $8,000,000 for the service of 1782. It is in No. 137, II, folio 751.]
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