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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 --MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1783
Mr. Thomas Sire Lee, a delegate for Maryland, attended, produced the credentials of his appointment for the current year, and took his seat in Congress.
Sir
By Direction of the general Assembly we have the Pleasure to to inform you, that you are chosen a Delegate to Congress for the ensuing Year. We have the honor to be
Sir
Yr most obt Hble Servts
Geo. Plater Presdt. of the Senate
Tho. Cockey Deye Speaker H. D.
Annapolis Decr. 6th 1782
hon: Mr. Lee2
[Note 2: 2 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Maryland, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
On the report of the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a memorial of Colonel Shreve, late of the New Jersey line;
War Office, March 1st 1783.
Sir;
On the memorial of Col. Shreve late of the Jersey line referred to the Secretary at War, I beg leave to report that the circumstances set forth in the said memorial are corroborated by records in the war office, and I beg leave to submit the following draught of a resolve to the consideration of Congress.
Resolved, That the paymaster, in adjusting the accounts of Colonel Shreve, late of the New Jersey line, be directed to continue his allowance of pay to the 31 of January, 1781.3
[Note 3: 3 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 311.]
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On the report of the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a memorial of Captain Sumner:
War Office, March 1st., 1783.
Sir;
The papers which accompany the memorial of Captain Sumner constitute the most conclusive evidence that his claim to the commission of Major is founded in justice and will not militate with the rights of other officers. I am therefore to request agreeably to the Commander in Chief's opinion and the recommendations of the officers of the army, who have signed the several certificates, that I may be authorised to issue the commission of Major to Captain Sumner bearing date on the first day of October, 1782.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 295.]
Ordered, That the Secretary at War issue to Captain Sumner, the commission of Major, bearing date on the first day of October, 1782.
The committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Rutledge, Mr. [James] Madison, and Mr. [Richard] Peters, appointed in pursuance of a conference with a committee of the General Assembly of the State of Pensylvania, to report an ordinance for amending the ordinance of the 5th April, 1781, for establishing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, reported a draught of an ordinance, which was read a first and second time:
Ordered, That to-morrow be assigned for the third reading.
The committee of the week [Mr. Abraham Clark, Mr. Thomas Sim Lee and Mr. Stephen Higginson] report that the within memorial [of John Story] be referred to the Secretary at War to report thereon.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IX, folio 222, indorsed on the memorial, which is on folio 219.]
The committee of the week [Mr. Abraham Clark, Mr. Thomas Sim Lee, and Mr. Stephen Higginson] report that the petition of Phillips White in behalf of Edmund Sawyer be referred to the Superintendant of Finance to report thereon. March 3, 1783, Agreed to.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VIII, folio 257, indorsed on a letter of Edmund Sawyer to Phillips White. White's petition is on folio 249.]
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The committee of the week [Mr, Abraham Clark, Mr. Thomas Sire Lee, and Mr. Stephen Higginson] report that the consideration of the within petition [of the Trustees of Wilmington School] be postponed to the end of the war to be then taken into consideration in common with other applications of a similar nature. Agreed to.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VIII, folio 265, indorsed on the petition of the Trustees of Wilmington School which is on folio 262. The indorsement shows that it was read on this day.]
War Office March 3rd. 1783.
Sir,
The resolve of Congress of the 31st of December, 1781, which directed that all officers, under the grade of Brigadiers General, not pertaining to the line of any particular State or seperate corps of the Army, should retire on the first of January, 1782, with the emoluments of other retiring officers, excepted so many officers of that description as the service rendered necessary to be retained.
The late reduction of Corps concurring with other causes to favor the wishes of several of those officers who desire to retire on the emoluments allowed to other retiring officers, I am to request if Congress think proper to extend this indulgence to those officers whose services may be dispensed with, that they will please to resolve,
That all those officers of the line of the Army below the rank of Brigadier, who do not belong to the line of any State or seperate Corps, who may obtain the Commander in Chief's permission to retire from service shall be entitled to all the emoluments granted to officers retiring under the resolves of Congress of the 21st of October 1780.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 303. It was read on this day, the indorsement states, and referred to Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, and Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins. According to Committee Book No. 186, a letter of March 13, from the Secretary at War, enclosing a list of officers retained in service, was referred to the same committee. This letter is on folio 343, and the list on folio 347. See post March 13 and April 23, 1783.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter dated London May 13, 1782, from Samuel Curson applying to be consul at Borne one of the principal European trading ports. It is in No. 78, VI, folio 105.
On this or an approximate date, was read a letter of March 3, from the Superintendant of Finance, announcing that the Assembly of Connecticut had adjourned without laying taxes at the request of Congress. It is in No. 137, II, folio 143.
Also a letter of February 26 from General Washington. It is in No. 152, XI, folio 75, and is printed in The Writings of Washington (Ford) X, 159.]
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