| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, eleven states as before.
Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee so far as relates to the formation of commercial treaties with sundry European nations; and the following paragraph being under debate, viz.
"That each party shall have a right to carry their own produce, manufactures and merchandise in their own bottoms to the ports of the other, and thence to take the produce and merchandise of the other, paying in both cases such duties only as are paid by the most favoured nation, freely where it is freely granted to such nation, and paying the compensation where such nation does the same"--
A motion was made by Mr. [James] McHenry, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, to postpone the consideration of the said paragraph, in order to take up the following:
Page 177 | Page image
That each party shall have a right to carry their own produce, manufactures and merchandise in their own bottoms to the ports of the other, and thence to take the produce, manufactures and merchandise of the other, paying in both cases such duties as are paid by their subjects or citizens respectively; but if this cannot be obtained, then such duties as are paid by the most favoured nation.
And on the question to postpone for the purpose above mentioned, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] McHenry;
{table}
So the question was lost.1
[Note 1: 1 The proceedings for this day were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, in Secret Journal, No. 4, and in Secret Journal, No. 6, Vol. III.]
The Committee consisting of Mr [Edward] Hand, Mr [John] Beatty, and Mr [Abiel] Forster to whom was referred the petition
Page 178 | Page image
of Lieutenant Palmer Cady of late Hazen's regiment beg leave to offer it as their opinion that Congress cannot consistently grant Lieutenant Palmer Cady any other commission than that he has already received, or is entitled to receive in consequence of a resolution of the 30th of September last1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Edward Hand, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 489. The indorsement states that it was delivered this day and read. and filed September 9, 1785.]
The Committee [Mr. Arthur Lee, Mr. David Howell and Mr. Hugh Williamson] to whom the letter of March 24 [21], 1784, from Baron Steuben was referral, beg leave to report,
That having examind a report passd Decr. 30th. 1782, and referrd to in the above letter, your Committee find a statement of considerable sacrifices made by the Baron when he enterd the service of the U. S., and the report farther states, "that under singular difficulties and embarrassments in the department in which he has been employd he has renderd very important and substantial services by introducing into the army a regular formation and exact discipline, and by establishing a spirit of order and oeconomy in the interior administration of the Regiments, which besides other advantages have been productive of immense Savings to the U. S. It was therefore the opinion of the Committee, that the Sacrifices and Services of the Baron de Steuben justly entitle him to the distinguished notice of Congress and to a generous compensation whenever the situation of public affairs will permit."
Your Committee regarding the sacrifices and services of the Baron de Steuben in the same light submit the following resolutions:
R. That the thanks of the U. S. in Congress assembled be given to the Baron de Steuben, late Inspector general and Major general in the Army of the U. S. for the great zeal and abilities he has discoverd in discharge of the several duties of his office and the distinguished services he has renderd to the U. S. during the late war: and that a gold hilted sword be presented to him, as a mark of the high sense Congress entertain of his Character and services.
R. That the Superintendant of Finance take order for procuring the sword voted in the foregoing resolution.
Page 179 | Page image
R. That the Superintendant of Finance take order for paying to Baron de Steuben two thousand dollars, in consideration of the Sacrifices he made when he enterd into the Service of the U. S.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 513. According to the indorsement, and the record in Committee Books 186 and 191, the committee was appointed March 24, and delivered this report April 1. On April 8 it was recommitted to the same committee, who delivered a second report April 12. See post, April 13. Steuben's letter is in No. 164, folio 242.]
The Comtee of the week [Mr. Jonathan Blanchard, Mr. James Wadsworth and Mr. John Beatty] report on the application of Capt. John Steel late assistant Inspector to the Southern Army for an allowance for expenses &c. while on public business.
That the said application and other papers now in the hands of your Committee be referred.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Jonathan Blanchard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 543. The indorsement states that it was presented April--, 1784.]
The Committee of the Week [Mr. Jonathan Blanchard, Mr. James Wadsworth and Mr. John Beatty] report on the application of Mr. Isaac Moses of New York for Mr. Moses Myers to be appointed Consul to Amsterdam that Mr. Isaac Moses's letter be read in Congress.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Jonathan Blanchard is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 46, folio 378. Moses letter is on folio 375. The indorsement shows that it was "filed with similar applications" April 1.]
The Committee of the Week [Mr. Jonathan Blanchard, Mr. James Wadsworth and Mr. John Beatty] report on the application of Mr. William Finnie, praying that Mr. Turner now at Philadelphia adjusting the public accounts with the citizens of Pennsylvania may be authorized to settle his demand against the U. S. that it be read in Congress.4
[Note 4: 4 This report, in the writing of Jonathan Blanchard, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, folio 518. It is indorsed on the letter of March 10, from William Finnie, and Thomson's indorsement shows that Finnie's letter was read April 1 and referred to Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Edward] Hand and Mr. [David] Howell.]
Whereas the Posts at present occupied by the British troops in the northern and Western Parts of the State of New York may on their Evacuation be Seized by savages inimical to thes united States whereby the inhabitants of the Frontiers may be Exposed to great Danger and Distress and the Peace and Security of the united States be Endangered thereby
Page 180 | Page image
Resolved therefore that it be recommended to the State of New York to Raise with all Convenient Speedeffective men Rank and file properly officered and march them without Delay and take pos[ses]sion of and garrison the Said Posts as soon as they shall be Evacuated by the Said British troops.
Resolved that the Said troops be Raised by virtue of the foregoing Resolution Shall be furnished from any of the military magazines belonging to the united States with a Sufficient number of Cannon and mortars Howitzers Shot Shells Gun powder lead and all the other necessary military apparatus for garrisoning the Said Posts.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Mr. Ephraim Paine is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 38, folio 407. According to the indorsement if, was made and referred this day to Mr. [John Francis] Mercer, Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [David] Howell and Mr. [Ephraim] Paine.]
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |