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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 --FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and from the State of New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster; from Delaware, Mr. [James] Tilton, and from Maryland, Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase.
On motion of Mr. [Jacob] Read, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Osgood,
Whereas the United States in Congress assembled, are well informed, and entertain a just sense of the great bravery, intelligence, zeal and activity manifested during the course of the late war with Great Britain, by Brigadier General Armand, Marquis de Rouerie, in the service of the United States: And whereas it also appears by a letter from the late Commander in Chief, dated at Philadelphia, 15 December, 1783, addressed to the said General Armand, that, superadded to general merit for good conduct, vigilance and bravery, General Armand has, in a variety of instances,
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particularly signalized himself as an excellent officer and great partizan, and frequently rendered the United States very valuable services.
Resolved, That the president write a letter to General Armand, Marquis de la Rouerie, expressive of the high sense Congress are impressed with, of the services he has rendered the United States, in the course of the late war with Great Britain, and of the entire approbation the United States in Congress assembled, entertain of his bravery, activity and zeal, so often evidenced in the cause of America.
Resolved, That the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United states at the Court of Versailles, be and they are hereby directed to recommend Brigadier General Armand, marquis de la Rouerie, in the warmest terms to the favour and notice of his Most Christian majesty, as an intelligent brave and excellent officer.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 315.]
According to the order of the day, Congress proceeded to the election of a Secretary for foreign affairs, but not agreeing in the choice,
Resolved, That the order for electing a Secretary for foreign affairs, be postponed till Monday next.
A motion was made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [Roger] Sherman, in the words following:
Whereas, on the 4 day of June last Congress resolved, "That the Secretary of Congress be directed to receive the papers of the office of foreign affairs into his care, till a successor to Mr. Livingston be appointed; and that the next Wednesday (which then ensued) be assigned for the election of a Secretary of the department of foreign affairs:" And whereas the Secretary of Congress has, in consequence of the said resolve, received cases without examining their contents, supposed to contain the said papers, and also the books of
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the office of foreign affairs, and informs Congress that he has kept the said cases locked and sealed to the present period.
Alleging the sense of Congress informally as his authority, not withstanding he was not thereto authorized by Congress and has been often applied to by Members there of for the perusal of the said Books and papers as containing information indispensibly necessary for arranging and conducting the most important concerns of the United States.
And whereas Congress have not hitherto been able to unite in the election of a principal or a deputy for the said department, and it cannot be conceived, neither does the resolution import, that the members of this house, who have a constitutional right to a free access to all the books and files of Congress, should, under such circumstances, or under any pretence whatever, be deprived of the perusal of those important documents; it is therefore
Resolved, That the Secretary of Congress be directed forthwith to cause a list to be taken of the books and papers of the office of foreign affairs, received by him, pursuant to a resolve of the 4 of June last, and that any member of Congress shall have access to the same, agreeable to the regulations prescribed for the department of foreign affairs.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 319. A record of the four votes taken on this motion is on folio 323.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read, to strike out the words, "and whereas the Secretary of Congress, &c. down to "period," inclusive, and on the question, shall those words stand the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
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{table}
So the question was lost, and words were struck out.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read, to strike out the words, "neither does the resolution import;" and the question being put, shall those words stand, passed in the negative, and the words were struck out.
A motion was then made by Mr. [Jacob] Read, seconded by Mr. [James] Tilton, that the further consideration of the motion be postponed till Tuesday next.
To postpone till Tuesday next before at which time it is presumed Congress will elect an under Secretary for the Office of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Reed
Mr. Tilton.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 327.]
Mr. [David] Howell desiring that the motion be divided, and a question taken on the first part, as far as "postponed," inclusive. On the question to agree to the motion, that the further consideration of the motion be postponed, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
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{table}
So the question was lost.
On the question to agree that the further consideration of the motion be postponed till Tuesday next, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
{table}
So the question was lost.
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On the question to agree to the motion as amended, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry,
{table}
So the question was lost.
The Committee consisting of Mr [Arthur] Lee, Mr [William] Ellery, and Mr [John] Beatty, to which a motion of Mr [David] Howell was referred beg leave to submit the following resolution.
Resolved, That the President be directed to write to the Executives of the States, which are now unrepresented informing them--That notwithstanding the necessity of a full representation in Congress has been repeatedly pressed upon the States, yet there are not nine represented. That the settling a general peace with the Indians, assigning to each State its quota of the National debt, arranging our foreign affairs and the settlement of the western territory; together with many other transactions of the last importance to the honor and interest of the Union, require indispensibly the presence of nine States, and ought to have the fullest representation. That Congress think it will be expedient to adjourn in May and leave the business of lesser moment to a Committee of the States.
That therefore the Executives of the States now unrepresented, be most earnestly requested to exert themselves immediately and effectually in urging on the respective Delegations that business of
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such high concern to the public may be no longer delayed by their absence.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 183. The indorsement shows that it was postponed on this day and ordered to be filed.]
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