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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 --SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1783
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [James] McHenry and Mr. [Richard] Peters, to whom was referred a memorial of Lieutenant Colonel Ternant:
The Committee on the letter from the Secretary at War respecting Lt. Col. Ternant submit the following resolution:
Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel Ternant be informed, that Congress, in promoting Colonel Armand to the rank of Brigadier continuing General Armand in the command of his corps at the time of his promotion to his present rank, had reasons of a peculiar nature, without any intention derogatory to the merit of Lieutenant Colonel Ternant, of whose faithful useful and distinguished services in the several confidential and important stations in which he has been employed, they entertain a just sense.1
[Note 1: 1 Here Charles Thomson resumes the entries in the Journal.]
That Lt. Col. Ternant receive the emoluments of Lieut. Col. Commandant.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Alexander Hamilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, II, folio 605. According to the indorsement, it was delivered July 23, read and entered; and "passed, except the last paragraph, Sept. 27th."]
The Committee consisting of Mr [James] Duane, Mr S[amuel] Huntingdon, Mr [Hugh] Williamson, Mr [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr [Abraham] Clark, to whom it was referred to consider what reductions may be made in the Civil list and to report specially on each Department, submit it as their opinion
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That it is the duty of Congress at all times, but more especially when their constituents are exposed to heavy taxes and the Finances greatly embarrassed, to embrace every opportunity to introduce oeconomy in the publick expenditures--that since a return of the blessings of Peace not only the Business of many of the officers on the domestic civil list is decreased but the charge of their subsistence is greatly moderated; And that by a change of system in conducting the Affairs of the United States, at foreign Courts, great savings may be also made to the publick.
Under these impressions your Committee have taken into consideration the reductions which may be made in the civil list in the several Departments established for the Despatch of the business of the United States; and agreeably to order proceed to report specially on each respective Department. And
I. On the Department of War your Committee recommend that it be
Resolved, That from and after the first day of November next three thousand dollars per Annum shall be allowed to the Secretary at War for managing the business of that Department, and for payment of the necessary Assistants or Clerks and all contingent expences of the Office. That he shall appoint and remove at pleasure all persons employed under him and shall be responsible for their conduct in Office. That he shall personally attend upon Congress when required. That he shall keep a publick and convenient Office in the place where Congress shall reside, in which one of his Assistants or Clerks shall constantly attend for the despatch of business. That he shall at least once a year, visit all the Magazines and deposits of publick Stores and report the state of them with proper arrangements to Congress, and shall twice a year settle the accounts of his Department and report them for the inspection of Congress. That the Appointment of every Assistant or Clerk shall be immediately certified to Congress for their approbation and such certificate or the substance thereof registered in a Book to be kept for that purpose by the Secretary of Congress. That as well the Secretary at War, as his assistants or Clerks before they shall enter on the duties of their Office, shall respectively take and subscribe oaths (or affirmations as the case may require) of Fidelity to the United States; and for the faithful execution of the trust reposed in them; and which Oaths or affirmations shall be administered by the Secy of Congress and a certificate thereof fried in his Office.
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And the Oath of Fidelity shall be in the words following:
I, A. B. appointed to the office of (specifying the Office) do acknowledge that I do owe Faith and true allegiance to the United States of America and I do solemnly renounce and abjure all foreign Jurisdiction Power Authority and Preeminence whatsoever over the said United States or any of them and I do swear (or affirm as the case may be) that I will to the utmost of my Power support maintain and defend the said United States in their Freedom Sovereignty and Independence against all opposition whatsoever.
And the oath of Office shall be in the words following:
I, A. B. Appointed to the office ofdo swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will faithfully truly and impartially execute the Office ofto which I am so appointed according to the best of my skill and judgment: and that I will not disclose or reveal anything that shall come to my knowledge in the execution of the said Office or from the confidence I may thereby acquire, which in my own judgment, or by the injunction of my superiors ought to be kept secret.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 243. The indorsement states that it was read on this day; Tuesday next assigned for consideration, and recommitted March 4, 1784.]
The committee of the week [Mr. Gunning Bedford, Mr. James Triton and Mr. Silas Condict] beg leave to report on the memorial of Amasa Jones, that it is their opinion Congress should not interfere in any case but where the general interest or justice of the United States are intrusted is concerned; that the request of Amasa Jones involves in it a point of law which ought to be determined in a judicial way and that Congress should have nothing to do with it
[Agreed to September 27, 1783.]2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Gunning Bedford, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 440. It is indorsed on the memorial, which is dated July 16.]
The committee of the week [Mr. Gunning Bedford, Mr. James Triton and Mr. Silas Condict] on the memorial of the Low Dutch inhabitants of Kentucky &c report, That it would be improper for Congress to make any grants of land in the Western Country, till they compleat their general arrangements as to the ceded territory.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Gunning Bedford, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, V, folio 96. It is indorsed on the memorial. The memorial is on folios 95--97. It was read on this day, as the indorsement indicates, and the report, which is undated, was probably presented at once.]
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The committee of the week [Mr. Gunning Bedford, Mr. James Tilton and Mr. Silas Condict] report the within memorial [Nicholas Schuyler's] to be referred to a special committee. Negatived.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Tilton, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I. folio 363.]
The committee of the week [Mr. Gunning Bedford, Mr. James Tilton and Mr. Silas Condict] report that the within address [of Stephen Contel be read in Congress referred to a committee who understand French.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Gunning Bedford, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VI, folio 214. Conte's letter is on folio 211. Committee Book, No. 186, shows that St was referred to Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, Mr. [David] Howell, and Mr. [Richard] Peters. According to Committee Book No. 191, a report "that relief cannot be granted" was delivered October 9, and filed.
According to the indorsement, a letter, dated Princeton, August 13, from the Secretary at War, asking leave to resign, was read on this day and referred to Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. A[rthur] Lee, and Mr. S[amuel] Huntington. It is in No. 149, III, folio 131.]
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