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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, MAY 6, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, eleven states as yesterday.
A motion was made by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [David] Howell,
That from the first day of August next, the salary of a Minister of the United States at a foreign Court, shall not exceed 9000 dollars per annum.
A motion was made by Mr. [John] Beatty, seconded by Mr. [Roger] Sherman, to strike out 9000 and insert eight thousand: And on the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Beatty,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
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On the question to agree to the motion as amended, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight,
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There being only seven states in the affirmative,
A question was moved by Mr. [John Francis] Mercer, seconded by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight,
Is the proposition on which the question was just taken for reducing the salaries of our foreign ministers from eleven thousand one hundred and eleven to eight thousand dollars per annum, for each minister, a proposition which requires the assent of nine states?1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Samuel Hardy, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 385.]
When this question was about to be put, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight, the determination thereof was postponed till to-morrow, by the State of New York.2
[Note 2: 2 To this point, the proceedings for the day were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
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On motion of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
Resolved, That the President write to the supreme executive of the State of Delaware, informing them that there are subjects of considerable importance, which demand the immediate attendance of their delegates in Congress, which much necessarily be postponed unless they come forward without delay, Congress having determined to adjourn on the 3d day of June next.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, and Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, to whom was referred a memorial of Captain Peter Perit;
That it is represented by Captain Petit and the facts are supported by respectable evidence, that in April, 1776, said Perit having the command of a company in Coll. Webb's regiment at New York, was ordered by the Comr. in Chief to take command of the armed Sloop Hester with a detachment from the regiment. That he continued on board said Sloop from 24th. April 'till the 24th. of August when he was ordered with his detachment to join Col Knox's Artillery at Fort Washington, where he was made a prisoner on the reduction of the Post, suffering the loss of his accounts. That he continued in Captivity 'till Septr, 1778, when he was exchanged. That he has not during his captivity or since that tune received any other wages than old Continental money at the nominal value. That neither himself nor his detachment have received any extra pay for their services on board the Armed vessel nor have his company received any pay from 16th. Novr., 1776, to the 5th Jany, 1777, when they were exchanged. On which your Committee submit the following Resolves:
Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is recommended to the State of Connecticut, to make up to Peter Perit and Joseph Hull, lately officers in the service of the United States, the depreciation of pay according to their respective ranks, from the 16th day of November, 1776, to the tune of their return from captivity, to be charged to account of the United States.
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That in settling the accounts of Peter Perit and Joseph Hull, they be severally allowed one year's pay from thebesides the year's pay to which he is entitled according to the Act of 22nd May, 1779, and that he also be allowed, besides the pay to which he may be entitled according to the acts of the 24 of November, 1778, the 22 of May, 1779, and of the 26 May, 1781, on his return from captivity, he be allowed such extra pay for himself and party for the term of four months, in which they served on board the armed sloop Hester, as shall amount to the excess of pay in the sea service above that by land. That pay be also allowed for his company from the 16 of November, 1776, to the 7 January, 1777. And whereas the said P. Perit, has produced evidence that no extra pay has been allowed to his party in the first case, nor has any pay been made his company in the second, that he be allowed in consideration of the loss of his papers at the time he was taken prisoner, to confirm the several musters by his oath.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 77. The words lined out so appear in the report and not in the Journal. Perit's Memorial, dated April 30, is on folio 79.]
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