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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 --THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1783
Mr. [James] Wilson, a delegate for the State of Pensylvania, attended and took his seat.
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The Superintendant of finance, having, pursuant to the order of 31 of last month, laid before Congress copies of the letters of 8 April and 12 August last, from Dr. Franklin:
On the request of Mr. [David] Howell,
Ordered, That the said copies be delivered to him.
On the report of g committee, to whom was referred a motion of Mr. [Richard] Peters respecting that part of the communication from the Minister of France, through the Secretary for foreign affairs, informing Congress that a naval force would be detached from the West Indies for the protection of our trade,
Resolved, That the Secretary for foreign affairs present the thanks of Congress to the minister January 3, 1783. Repealed. plenipotentiary of France for the new proof of his attachment to the welfare of the United States manifested by his having interested himself to procure a detachment of naval force on this coast for the protection of our trade through the winter.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was entered only in manuscript Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III.]
The Committee [Mr. Thomas FitzSimons, Mr. Alexander Hamilton and Mr. John Lewis Gervais] to whom was referred the letter of Thos. Barclay Esq. of the 23rd of October with its enclosures, Submit the following Report:
That the Convention transmitted by Congress to their ministers at the Court of Versailles respecting the functions of the Consuls of France and America, be for the present suspended.
That a Commission be given to Thos. Barclay Esq. as Consul General, with authority to appoint Vice Consuls or agents at such port or ports, within the Kingdom of France, as he shall deem necessary, that neither the Consuls or Vice Consuls be restricted from trading as merchants till Congress shall otherwise direct. And that the accounts enclosed in the above letter be referred to the Superintendant of Finance?2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Thomas FitzSimons, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 25, II, folio 175, The indorsement states that it was delivered on this day, read and entered]
That the Minister Plenipo: at the Court of Versailles be authorized and instructed to so to vary the propos instructed to propose that the
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plan of the Convention regulating the respecting consular powers may be so varied as to leave the parties at liberty to prohibit or permit to their respective consuls the privilege of carrying on commerce on their private accts. and also to make propose such other alterations variations as may be consequent thereon.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of James Madison, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 177. It is undated.]
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