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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, JANUARY 6, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present the same as yesterday.
The committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Eleazer] McComb, to whom was referred a letter of 22 November, from the postmaster general, with sundry papers enclosed therein, respecting the
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robbery of the mail at Princeton, report the following state of facts:
"That about nine o'clock in the evening of the 30th of October last, the mail for the eastward was closed and laid on the counter, in the post office, that the post-rider came into the office, and passed into a room adjoining, with the postmaster, leaving the mail on the counter, and a lighted candle near it, without any one in the office, the door leading into the street and the room adjoining being open; that under these circumstances some person entered the office at the front door, extinguished the candle and carried off the mail; that some days after the robbery of the mail, it was found in a meadow near Princetown, and returned to the general post-office; that the mail contained a large packet of notes, signed by Michael Hillegas, treasurer, and franked by the superintendant of finance and other valuable effects, none of which were missing; but that five or six letters were lost, and several franked by members of Congress were broke open. Upon which state of facts the committee conceive that the interests of individuals, the revenue of the post office, and the national honor, are intimately concerned in the safety and preservation of the public mails, and of the letters, packets and despatches committed to the post-office." Whereupon,
Resolved, That a copy [of the letters and papers referred to the committee, be transmitted to the supreme executive of the State of New Jersey, who are requested to order a strict enquiry into the conduct of John Harrison, postmaster at Princetown, and James Martin, post-rider, relative to the premises; to ascertain whether and how far they were culpable in the loss of the mail; to discover, if possible, the perpetrators of the robbery, and to transmit the result of such enquiry to Congress.]
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[Resolved, That the postmaster general be directed to inform Congress, to whom the mail was delivered when found, and whose hands it passed through till lodged in the general post office; that he also be directed to give positive orders to the several postmasters, and post-riders, to take the most effectual care of the letters, packets, despatches and mails committed to them respectively, as any neglect or misconduct in that department will meet with no indulgence from Congress.]1
[Note 1: 1 The report, in the writing of a clerk, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 83. The parts in brackets was entered in the Journal by Henry Remsen, Jun. but the 2d and 3d resolves are in the report only and were not entered in the Journal. The Postmaster General's letter is in No. 61, folio 155.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a memorial from the public creditors in and near Philadelphia and referred to Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [James] Tilton. It is in No. 41, II, folios 156, 160. See post, January 15.]
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The Committee, consisting of Mr [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr [Richard] Peters and Mr [Abiel] Foster, to whom was referred a letter of the 7th of Sept. last submit the following report
Resolved, That an unsigned a copy of a letter purporting to be from Colonel John Allen to Congress of the 7th September be transmitted to the legislature Supreme executive of Massachusetts, who are authorized requested to take effectual measures for ascertaining whether any encroachments are made on their eastern boundaries, constituting those of the United States, and if made by the subjects by proclamation or otherwise giving the earliest information thereof to Congress,
And the legislature are also requested to discharge any ballance that may be due to Col Allen for necessary services Postponed and supplies in superintending the eastern Indian Department
Resolved, That the monies advanced by the State of Massachusetts in pursuance of the preceeding resolution, be allowed by the Superintendant of finance in part payment of the requisitions Postponed of 1782 for supplying the continental treasury1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 55. It was postponed on this day, the indorsement states, and "rendered useless by the resolution of January 29, 1784." See post, January 29.]
The Superintendent of Finance to whom was referred the letter of Charles Stewart of the twenty-ninth of October begs leave to report.
That the same letter was upon the reference thereof transmitted to the Commissioner for adjusting the accounts of the Commissary's Department, and his answer was made on the fourth Instant a copy whereof is now enclosed.
All which is humbly submitted.
Robt. Morris.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 267. It was presented and read December 22, 1783, and, on January 6, as the indorsement states, it was referred to Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [William] Ellery, and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood. According to Committee Book, No. 186, the Committee was renewed April 7, and, apparently Osgood was then dropped and Mr. [Roger] Sherman put in his place. See post, April 15]
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