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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 12, 1783
On report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Stephen] Higginson, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [Jacob] Read, to whom was referred an address from the inhabitants of New Brunswick and its vicinity:
Resolved, That the President inform the inhabitants of New Brunswick and its vicinity, that Congress with pleasure
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 249. It was delivered July 18 and read, according to the indorsement, and on this day debated and recommitted to the same committee, who brought in the report as corrected above October 7, as the indorsement shows. It is in the writing of Abraham Clark and is on folio 247.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter dated Saratoga, July 29, from General Schuyler on Indian Affairs. It was referred to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Richard] Peters and Mr. [Daniel] Carroll. On August 19, Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins and Mr. A[rthur] Lee were added. Schuyler's letter is in No. 153, III, folio 601. According to Committee Books No. 186 and No. 191, a report on this and other letters and papers relating to Indian affairs, which were subsequently referred to the same committee, was delivered September 19, and acted upon, October 14.
Also, a letter of August 6 from General Washington, relative to his "tour to the northward," and his attendance on Congress at Princeten. It is in No. 152, XI, folio 413. It is printed in the Writings of Washington (Ford) X, 290.
Also, another letter, of August 6, from General Washington, which is on folio 419. As shown by the indorsement, and by the record in Committee Books 186 and 191, this letter, on "his tour to the northward," was referred on this day to a committee of five, appointed August 7 "to confer with the Commander in Chief on the peace arrangement and to report the proper manner of receiving him." The members of this committee were Mr. [Samuel] Holten, Mr. [James] Wilson, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. S[amuel] Huntington and Mr. [James] Duane. On September 10 they rendered a report, consisting of the "observations of the General on the peace arrangement," and were discharged, Washington's letter, of August 6, and instructions to Baron Steuben, being committed on that day to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Richard] Peters, Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins and Mr. A[rthur] Lee. Washington's letter is printed in the Writings of Washington (Ford) X, 292.
An address of August 4 from inhabitants of New Brunswick offering to submit to the jurisdiction of Congress in case they think proper to make their permanent residence at that place was referred on this day to Mr. [Stephen] Higginson, Mr. [Abraham] Clark and Mr. [Jacob] Read. It is in No. 46, folios 95--99.]
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receive their congratulations on the glorious and happy termination success of the war, are obliged by the affection and respect for the federal government, expressed in their address, and highly approve their patriotic disposition to promote order, harmony and peace throughout the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Stephen Higginson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 20, I, folio 290.]
The committee, consisting of Mr. [James] McHenry, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Abraham] Clark, to whom was referred a petition of Dr. Dirk Van Ingen, praying that depreciation may be allowed him in the settlement of his account, report,
That as Dr. Van Ingen, who served for some years as surgeon, in the continental hospital, appears by his petition to have resigned or to have been left out of position been reduced as a supernumerary before the 10th of April, 1780, depreciation, therefore, cannot be allowed him without departing from the rule hitherto adopted and opening an account which may occasion much trouble and be a precedent for a variety of claims of officers in different departments, and as no depreciation to officers in every department has been allowed to officers who left the service before that period, has been constantly refused, Dr. Van Ingen's claim cannot be admitted without infringement of the rule established by Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of James McHenry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 109. According to the indorsement, it was delivered July 23, read and entered.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.
On motion of Mr. [James] McHenry, seconded by Mr. [Daniel] Carroll,
Resolved, That the consideration of the report of a committee, to whom was referred a letter of the 20th of June last, from the Superintendant of finance, with the papers enclosed,
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relative to certain proceedings of the State of Maryland, be postponed, that the delegates from Maryland may have an opportunity to receive information from the legislature, respecting the subject matter thereof.
The Committee of the week [Mr. Ezra L'Hommedieu, Mr. Abiel Foster and Mr. James Wilson] to whom was referred the letter from Walter Finney to the Secretary at War with the account of the said Walter Finney against the United States report that the same be committed to a special Committee.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Ezra L'Hommedieu, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 269. The indorsement states that it was passed this day. According to Committee Book No. 186, the members of the committee were Mr. [Richard] Peters, Mr. [Arthur] Lee and Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, and they delivered a report September 5.]
[Motion of Mr. Hugh Williamson seconded by Mr. Richard Peters, August 12, 1783, referred to Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. James Wilson, Mr. Ralph Izard, Mr. James Duane, Mr. Daniel Carroll.]
Whereas it has been represented that sundry persons have lately settled and many others are preparing to settle upon lands within the U. S. which have not been purchased from the Indian natives by which many disorder are threatened proceedings the present frontier inhabitants must be greatly endangered and the U. S. may be involved in a fruitless war.
Resolved, That all persons of whatever description be strictly enjoined against making purchases of or settlement on lands claimed by Indians or receiving any cession or gift of lands from any nation of Indians situate and being without the bounds of any particular state till the further order of Congress shall be known.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 205.]
Princetown July 24, 1783.
Sir,
On the motion of Colonel Hamilton referred to me I beg leave to submit the following report,
That Congress on the 24th of November, 1778, gave to their Supernumerary Officers, who were deranged by a reform of the army, which had just taken place, one year's pay and recommended them to their several States to make such farther provision for them as their respective circumstances and merits entitled them to.
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That when the mustering department was discontinued, and the officers thereof discharged, on the 12th of Jany, 1780, Congress gave also to those officers one year's pay. On the 10 of April following Congress resolved to make good the depreciation of the Continental bills to all officers who were then in service. As the provision in this Resolve does not include the officers who had served in the mustering department, nor the resolves of the 17th Augt. 1779 the officers who had been deranged and left out of the line of the army--I beg leave to suggest if Congress should think proper to make provision for the depredation of the pay of the officers who were lately employed in the mustering department, that the resolve should be so drawn as to embrace an officers whose claims to depreciation have the same foundation.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, from the Secretary at War, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, III, folio 85. According to the indorsement, it was delivered July 26, entered, read; and, on August 12, debated and Hamilton's motion negatived. See ante July 18.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of Ebenezer Allen, dated August 12, on the disposition of Indian Nations for peace. It was referred to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Richard] Peters, and ,Mr. [Daniel Carroll, and, apparently on August 19 Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins and Hr. A[rthnr] Lee were added. It is in No. 78, I, folio 433. According to Committee Books, No. 186 and No. 191, a report was made on September 19 and acted upon, October 14.
Also, a letter of August 12 from the Secretary of Congress, enclosing a copy of the treaty with Sweden, and the last report of the committee on the peace arrangement. It is in No. 49, folio 461.]
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