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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 --SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and from the State of North Carolina, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson.
[Motion of Mr. Elbridge Gerry]
Resolved, That the Legislatures of the several States be informed that whilst they are respectively represented in Congress by two delegates only such an unanimity for conducting the most important publick concerns is necessary as cannot be rationally can be rarely expected in Congress
That if each of the thirteen States should be represented by two members, five out of twenty-six members making only ⅕ of the whole may negative any measure requiring the voice of nine States.
That of eleven states now on the floor of Congress 9 being represented by only 2 members from each, it is in the power of 3 out of 25 making only 1/8 of the whole to negative such a measure, notwithstanding that by the Articles of Confederation the dissent of 5 out of 13 states, being more than 1/3 of the number is necessary for such a negative.
That should each of the States be represented by 3 members not less than 10 of 39 could so negative a preposition matter requiring the voice of 9 states.
That therefore Congress conceive it to be indispensibly necessary and earnestly recommend that each state should at all times when Congress are sitting be represented by 3 members at least and that the most injurious delay consequences of public measures may be expected from the want of such representation.
From the 1st. Monday of November to the 11th. of March last there were 72 meetings of Congress at 25 of which there were less than 7 states and at 14 of the meetings nothing was done.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, seconded, by Mr. Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 189. The indorsement says that it was referred on this day to Mr. [Elbridgc] Gerry, Mr. [Roger] Sherman and Mr. [Arthur] Lee. See post, April 19.]
Page 213 | Page image
[Motion by Mr Ephraim Paine, referred to Mr Edward Hand, Mr
Ephraim Paine Mr Arthur Lee]
Whereas on the late invasion of the City of New York by the troops of his Britannic Majesty, the bells of the State house, Churches and other public buildings of the said City were taken down and removed to New Jersey and afterwards the United States in Congress Assembled, ordered the said bells to be removed to the public works belonging to them at Carlisle in the State of Pensylvania to be cast into brass field pieces for the use of their armies and whereas the said bells were not made use of for that purpose nor for any other.
Resolved, That the said bells be transported from the place where they now are to the City of New York at the expence of the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Ephraim Paine, seconded by Mr. Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 379. See post, May 4.]
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