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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 --WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1783
A motion was made by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
To re-consider the resolution of yesterday, by which the residence of Congress is to be fixed near the falls of Delaware, in order to fix on some other place that shall be more central, more favourable to the Union, and shall approach nearer to that justice which is due to the southern states. And on the question to re-consider the resolution of yesterday, by which the residence of Congress is to be fixed near the falls of Delaware, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson,
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So the question was lost.
The deputation from the yearly meeting of the people called Quakers, attended, and being admitted, delivered their address and withdrew.1
[Note 1: 1 This address, dated October 4, and praying for the suppression of the slave trade, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 43, folios 337--342. The indorsement shows that it was delivered this day, and, on December 18, referred to Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Arthur] Lee and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood. According to the record in Committee Books No. 186 and No. 191, a report was delivered January 7, 1784, and on January 8, "Question taken and lost."]
The Committee consisting of Mr [Benjamin] Hawkins, Mr [William] Ellery and Mr [John Francis] Mercer to whom were referred the letter from the Superintendant of Finance of the 17th [24th] of September with the enclosures, respecting certain Indian boys at Princeton beg leave to Report.
That in order fully to understand the business to them referred they have carefully attended to the papers and other documents as well as the information of Colonel Morgan and it appears to your Committee that the Commissioners for Indian affairs for several years preceding 1779 repeatedly solicited the Indians to send some of their youth to be educated among us, promising at the same time, that the greatest attention should be paid to them: In consequence whereof in that year some of the Indians came down to Congress and brought three boys Thomas Killbuck, John Killbuck and George M. White Eyes of the Delaware Tribe and left them with Colonel Morgan, who has particularly attended to them.
That from the information of Colonel Morgan it further appears that the Indians at the time they brought the three boys to be educated among us promised Congress, if the United States should be successfull in their contest with Great Britain, that they the Delawares would cede a portion of their country to the United States as a compensation for the expence they already had or should incur on their and their childrens account.
That Thomas Killbuck who is about 19 years of age is desirous of returning to his country. That he has not paid that attention to advice and instruction as the others have and he ought to have done,
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and it is probable he could not now be reclaimed. That he has obtained some knowledge of the trade of a blacksmith: and that if he could be prevailed on to live one year with an attentive Blacksmith it might be of advantage to him and perhaps some of his nation.
That John Killbuck who is studious is now studying Geography and the Mathematics and is very desirous to acquire sufficient knowledge to become a merchant in his own country and Colonel Morgan supposes that in nine or twelve months at most he will be able to accomplish his wishes. That an additional expence must be incurred on his account as he is about to intermarry with a young woman whose situation requires some immediate provision.
That George M White Eyes is about twelve years old and that he and John are reading Caesars commentaries and are both very comfortably accommodated at Colonel Morgans.
Upon the whole your Committee are of opinion that in the present situation of affairs with the Indians it would be impolitic to send these youths back to their country. That such immediate provision should be made as the situation of the young woman with whom the said John may intermarry requires and that Thomas if he can be prevailed on should for one year be put apprentice to some skillful attentive blacksmith, and therefore your committee submit the following resolution:
That Colonel George Morgan be impowered and requested to continue the care and direction of Thomas Killbuck, John Killbuck and George M. White Eyes for one year: To make such necessary provision for the accommodation of the young woman with whom the said John is about to intermarry as her situation may demand: and to place the said Thomas an apprentice for one year with some skillful attentive blacksmith: and that the Superintendant of Finance take order for furnishing Colonel Morgan with money necessary to carry the views of Congress in this respect into effect.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Benjamin Hawkins, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 137. According to the indorsement, it was delivered October 8, entered and read.]
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