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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, APRIL 8, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina;
The delegates for the state of New Jersey laid before Congress an act passed by the legislature of that State the 17 June, 1783, entitled "An Act to authorise the delegates representing this State in the Congress of the United States, to ratify an Alteration in one of the Articles of the Confederation," in the following words:
Whereas it has been recommended by Congress to the several states in Union, to authorise their respective delegates to subscribe and ratify an Alteration in the eighth of the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union; and as the reasons urged by Congress appear to make the alteration recommended necessary; therefore,
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the council and general Assembly of this State, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That so much of the eighth of the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union, between the thirteen states of America, as is contained in the words following, to wit: "All charges of war, and all other expences that shall be incurred for the common defence or general welfare, and allowed by the United States in Congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted to or surveyed for any person as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon, shall be estimated according to such mode as the United States in Congress assembled, shall, from time to time, direct and appoint," shall be, and the same is hereby revoked and made void, so far as the same extended to this State.
2. And be it further enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the delegates representing this State in the Congress of the United States, and they are hereby required to subscribe and ratify the following as part of the said instrument of Union, and in place of the
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part revoked and made void as aforesaid, to wit: "That all charges of war, and all other expences that have been or shall be incurred for the common defence or general welfare, and allowed by the United States in Congress assembled, except so far as shall be otherwise provided for, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the whole number of white and other free citizens and inhabitants of every age, sex and condition, including those bound to servitude for a term of years, and three-fifths of all other persons not comprehended in the foregoing description, except Indians not paying taxes in each State," which said alteration, when so subscribed and ratified, shall be deemed and held to be as sufficient and valid for the purposes therein mentioned, as the part herein before revoked and made void, was or ought to have been before the revocation and disannulling thereof.
Also an act passed the 11 June, 1783, entitled "An act to authorise the United States in Congress assembled, to levy a duty on certain goods and merchandise imported into this State, from any foreign port, island or plantation, and for the appropriation thereof."
And an act passed the 20 December, 1783, entitled "An act for raising a revenue of thirty-one thousand two hundred and fifty-nine pounds five shillings per annum, for the term of twenty-five years, for the purpose of paying the interest and principal of debts due from the United States, agreeably to a recommendation of Congress of the 18th day of April, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, and for appropriating the same."
The above three acts being passed pursuant to the recommendations of the 18 April, 1783.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Jacob] Read, to whom were referred a letter of 13 March, from the Superintendent of finance, and one of 19 March, from the Marine Office,
The Committee [Mr. Arthur Lee, Mr. Elbridge Gerry and Mr. Jacob Read] to whom were referred a letter from the Agent of Maxine of the 19th Inst., a Report on one of the 4th of Nov. last from the Superintendent of Finance, and a letter from him of the 13th Inst. with the enclosures, submit the following Report:
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That by a survey of the Frigate Alliance in November last, the necessary repairs were estimated at 58662/3 Dollars.
That from the representation of the agent of marine in his letter of the 19th Inst. the repairs of the Ship Washington will consume more money than she will be worth when compleated.
That from the embarrassed state of our Finances there is every reason to suppose the repairs of these vessels will be necessarily deferred and in consequence thereof, that they will depretiate in their value.
That under present circumstances it is not necessary to the keep the Alliance for the protection of commerce nor the Washington for a Packet; but that it will be for the interest of the Union, to dispose of both for continental securities.
Whereupon, Resolved, That the Agent of Marine be directed to make sale at public auction of the frigate Alliance and Ship Washington for continental loan office certificates or other bonded securities at their specie value for loan office certificates, or certificates for other liquidated debts due from the U. S.
That previous to the sale, the time, place and conditions thereof be advertised one two months at least in the newspapers of the of the principal seaports throughout the United States and that particular care be taken to have the business conducted to the general satisfaction of the public
Resolved, That Congress approve of the conduct of the Superintendent of Finance, in issuing notes for the payment of the sums ordered to General Armand, and sundry other French officers.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 28, folio 225. See ante, March 27.]
Resolved, That the agent of marine be directed to make sale, at public auction, of the ship Washington, for loan office certificates, or certificates for other liquidated debts due from the United States; that previous to the sale, the time, place and conditions thereof be advertised two months.
Resolved, That Congress approve of the conduct of the Superintendant of finance in issuing notes for the payment of the sums ordered to General Armand, and sundry other French officers.
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