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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, FEBRUARY 10, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pensylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and from New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster; from New Jersey, Mr. [John] Beatty; from Delaware, Mr. [James] Triton, and from Maryland, Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Jefferson Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Edward] Hand, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, to whom were referred a report on letters of 16 and 30 December, from General P. Schuyler, and a motion of Mr. [Jacob] Read thereon.
Resolved, That General Schuyler be, and he is hereby directed to expedite the return of the deputation from the late hostile tribes of Indians, with information to their
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constituents, that due notice shall be given them of the time and place where Congress will hold a meeting, for settling a general treaty with the Indian nations, which meeting they may rest satisfied will be held as soon as the season and other necessary circumstances will permit. In the mean time, the Indian tribes may be assured of the protection of the United States, so long as they continue in the peaceable disposition which they now manifest, and which is highly pleasing to Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 30, folio 201,]
Ordered, That the election of an under secretary, to take charge of the papers in the office for foreign affairs, be postponed till to-morrow.
[Motion of David Howell]
Where as not withstanding letters have been repeatedly written to the states unrepresented in Congress urging them in the strongest terms to send on their Delegates yet such has been the inattention of several of the states to this important point that there have been but eight states on the floor for twenty days past, and nine states for a few weeks only since the commencement of the present Congressional year,
And whereas business of the greatest importance Congress have in contemplation to adjourn sometime in May next for the rest of the year, provided the important business before Congress which requires the consent of nine states can be by that time decided,
Resolved, That the President write to the states of New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Georgia, earnestly requesting them to send forward theft Delegates to Congress, that the public important business of the United States which requires a speedy decision may be despatched, that Congress may adjourn at the time proposed.
Resolved, That the President write to the Supreme Executives of the States of New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Georgia, and inform them that Congress have in contemplation to adjourn in the month of May next and leave a Committee of the States
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in session the rest of the year and that the affairs of the U. States absolutely require that those states should send forward their Delegates to Congress for the despatch of the public business in the mean time.
Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [John] Beatty.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of William Ellery as to the preamble and the first motion, and of David Howell as to the second motion, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folios 311--313. The indorsement states that it was referred on this day to the above-named committee.]
[Motion of Mr. James Monroe; referred to Mr. Elbridge Gerry, Mr. James Monroe, Mr. Jacob Read, Mr. Roger Sherman and Mr. David Howell.]
That the committee on the memorial from Canadian Refugees be instructed to examine the engagements of Congress and of the commander in chief to the people of Canada and report their opinion how far the public faith under the laws of nations is thereby engaged to make good the losses they have sustained from the part they have acted under those engagements2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of James Monroe, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 35, folio 69. See post, February 13, 1784. Another undated motion, in James Monroe's writing, is in No. 35, folio 89, as follows:
Resolved, That the several addresses from the U. S. in Congress assembled to the people of Canada Contain only invitations to them to join in the confideracy upon the common principles of the Union, equally to commit their lives and fortunes to the incertain events of War and to submit in either contigence to the consequences thereof.
That as the advantages and disadvantages, in either event were before them, the obvious reward on the one hand, freedom and the probable loss on the other, that of life and property, the exertion of every individual was the effect of a voluntary choice and preference for that alternative and that the losses which he may have sustained from the B. Government as a penalty for such conduct do not by any engagement expressed or implied, entitle him to retribution from these States and that such a claim is not authoriz'd by the usage of nations in similar circumstances.
That the attachment of these individuals to the American interest, their attention to our troops in Canada and the losses which these considerations expos'd them to, altho' they found no claim for retribution, entitle them to the gratitude and attention of these States and that from motives of humanity as well as policy it is advisable to give them such compensation as will relieve their distresses.]
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[Report of the Committee on Memorial of Refugees from Canada. Committed to Mr. Elbridge Gerry, Mr. James Monroe, Mr. Jacob Read, Mr. Roger Sherman, Mr. David Howell.]
The Committee consisting of Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Edward] Hand to whom were referred a memorial from Sundry officers, Merchants and Traders, in behalf of themselves and other refugees from Canada, a letter from his Excelly. Governor Clinton, one from the Superintendant of Finance, one from Major Genl. Howe, one from Mr. Wm. Duer and the Copy of an address to the Inhabitants of Canada, dated 24th. Jany., 1776, Submit the following report:
That there are a number of Canadian refugees of various descriptions who, induced by the recommendation of Congress, and actuated by a love of Liberty did in the year 1776 espouse the American cause by taking arms in its defence, or by furnishing supplies to the troops employed in Canada; that when the Americans were unsuccessful in Canada, those generous friends followed our fortunes and retired with our army, which has occasioned the loss of the greatest part of their property and reduced many of them to the utmost distress, insomuch that those who formerly lived in affluence are now indebted to the cold hand of Charity for the means of subsistence.
That the United States in Congress assembled, from a sense of the merit of those unhappy people, did by a resolution of the 23d. April last signify to them a willingness to relieve their distresses when circumstances should admit thereof. Your Committee beg leave further to report that a number of the said refugees at or near West Point do now draw rations from the public magazines for the subsistence of themselves and families, and create thereby a heavy expence to the United States, without affording an adequate relief to their sufferings; that to avoid this expence and at the same time to afford the sufferers that support which humanity and justice appear to demand, and which Congress have acknowledged they merit, your Committee submit the following Resolve:
That three Commissioners be appointed to ascertain the property and circumstances OF THE CANADIAN REFUGEES at the time they repaired to the American Standard, their conduct and services during the late War, and the sacrifices they have made in Consequence thereof, and to report to Congress the particular case of each individual
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that the said Commissioners be and they are hereby authorized and instructed to give orders for stopping the Issues of rations to such of the said refugees as may not appear to merit the further assistance of the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Edward Hand, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 35, folio 83. The indorsement states that it was delivered this day, entered and read.]
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