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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, JANUARY 26, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present as before.
On motion of Mr. [David] Howell, seconded by Mr. [Arthur] Lee.
Ordered, That the secretary deliver to Josiah Hewes, one of the directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia, two setts of the Journals of Congress, neatly bound, for the use of the said Library Company.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [James] Triton and Mr. [James] Monroe, to
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whom was referred a memorial of Joseph Ward, and a petition of R. Frothingham,
The committee to whom was referred the memorial [of] Jos. Ward, late Commissary General of Musters, together with the petition of Richard Frothingham, Field Commissary of Military Stores, for himself and the officers serving under him praying that half pay may be allowed to them as it has been allowed to officers in the line of the army beg leave to report that half pay not having been promised to the officers referred to as the condition on which their services have been performed they cannot claim it as a matter of right nor would it consist with prudence to grant such a reward informed as Congress are of the sentiments of several States concerning the grants that have been already made. Wherefore, your committee submit the following resolve.
Resolved, That half-pay cannot be allowed to any officer, or to any class or denomination of officers, to whom it has not heretofore been expressly promised.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 149.]
The Committee consisting of [Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. James Tilton and Mr. James Monroe] to whom was referred the memorial of Lieutenant Jno. Chever of 17th. Decr., 1783, praying for [pay] ten months after the time in which he was deranged alledging that he was employed during that period to guard British prisoners at Frederick Town at the request of the Governor and Council of the State of Maryland beg leave to report,
That they do not find that Lieutenant Chever was on duty during the time referred to under the command of any Continental officer, but in the service of a particular State who will doubtless reward his services wherefore they submit the following resolve,
That the request of Lieut. Jno. Chever to be allowed full pay from the 1st. of Jany, 1783, when he was deranged, till Novr. following cannot be granted.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 571. The indorsement states that it was read this day and ordered to be filed.]
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 186, the report of Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood and Mr. [Arthur] Lee, of
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December 29, 1783, on Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry's motion of December 24, respecting the books and papers of the office of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, was committed. Mr. Gerry offered a new motion February 27 which was negatived that same day.
Also on this date, the report of a committee on an Address to the States on the subject of commerce, a motion of Mr. [James] McHenry and an act of the legislature of Virginia empowering Congress to take measures for counteracting the proclamation of the King of Great Britain restricting trade was referred to Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Jacob] Read. The Virginia act is in No. 75, folio 391. The committee was renewed February 6, Mr. Lee was dropped and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase added. On April 14, Mr. Thomas Jefferson was added and the instructions to the delegates of Pennsylvania, of February 5, were referred to the committee which reported April 22.
The Committee [Mr. Thomas Jefferson, Mr. Samuel Osgood and Mr. Arthur Lee] to whom was referred the motion of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry for procuring access to the papers of the office for foreign affairs, have agreed to the following Resolution:
Resolved, That a Deputy Secretary for foreign off affairs, should be appointed at some early day.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Thomas Jefferson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 331. The indorsement states that it was referred on this day to Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood and Mr. [Jacob] Read.]
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