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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, APRIL 16, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, eleven states as yesterday.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Edward] Hand, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [David] Howell, to whom was referred a motion of Mr. [Edward] Hand,
Resolved, That the commissioners for treating with the Indian nations be informed that as Congress are desirous of having that important business effected with the utmost dispatch and at as little expence as possible, the fifth article of their instructions so far as it enjoins the holding of separate and distinct treaties with the several nations is dispensed with, and that they the said commissioners are hereby authorised to treat with the said several nations of Indians collectively or at different times and places as they shall find most conducive to the Interest of the United States.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Edward Hand, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 217.
This resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret (Domestic) Journal.]
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Arthur] Lee and Mr. [Jacob] Read, to whom was referred a
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letter of the 7, from the honble. the minister plenipotentiary of France, relative to the late Baron de Kalb, and Colonel Radiere, and to Lieutenant-Colonels Fleury and Gimat, having reported thereon;
The Committee [Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. Arthur Lee and Mr. Jacob Read] to whom was referred a letter of the 7th Inst. from the Minister of France to the President of Congress submit the following Resolve,
That the acts of the 22nd Jany. and the 3rd of February last in favour of certain foreign officers be extended to Lieut. Col. Fleury and Gimat, and that the Superintendant of Finance cause the accounts of the Baron de Kalb who was killed in the service of the U. S. and those of Col. Radier who dyed in their service to be settled with all convenient despatch.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 359.]
Resolved, That the said report be referred to the Superintendant of finance to take order.
The minister plenipotentiary of France, having on the 6th transmitted to Congress a Letter, dated 13th August, 1783, from His Most Christian Majesty, in answer to their Letter of the 14th June, 1779, and accompanied the same with a Memorial informing Congress, that the portraits of the King and Queen are arrived at Philadelphia; that he has orders to present them to this assembly, and has taken the measures necessary for their safe keeping until Congress shall be ready to receive them; the said letter and memorial were referred to the consideration of a Committee.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph was entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson and Mr. [Jacob] Read, to whom were referred a letter of the 13 of August, from his
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Most Christian Majesty, and a memorial from the honble. the minister plenipotentiary of France;
Resolved, That the following letter be signed by the President, in behalf of the United States in Congress assembled, and transmitted to his Most Christian Majesty, in answer to his letter accompanying the portraits of his Majesty and of his royal Consort, which he has been pleased to present to Congress.
Very Great, faithful and most beloved Friend and Ally:
Your Majesty's letter of the 13 of August last has been received by the United States in Congress assembled with a degree of satisfaction and pleasure, which those only can conceive who to the highest sentiments of respect unite feelings of the most affectionate friendship.
The portraits of your Majesty and of your royal Consort having arrived at Philadelphia, have been carefully preserved by your faithful Minister, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, whose attention on this as on all other occasions merits the particular acknowledgments of Congress.
These lively emblems representations of our best august and most beloved friends will have the most honorable place be placed in our Council Chamber and can never fail of exciting in the mind of every patriotic American an admiration of and the warmest desire of imitating the distinguished virtues and accomplishments of the royal originals.
We beseech the Supreme Ruler of the Universe constantly to keep you both your Majesty and your royal Consort in his holy protection and long to render the blessings of your Majesty's administration as extensive as the objects of your Majesty's benevolent principles.
Done at Annapolis in the State of Maryland this 16 day of April, 1784, by the United States in Congress assembled.
Your faithful friends and allies.
Resolved, That the President inform the honorable the minister of France, that Congress have a due sense of the care
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which he has taken for preserving the portraits, and are desirous that they may continue in his possession until proper places can be provided for them.
That a letter be addressed by the President to the Supreme executives of the several states, informing them of the intelligence communicated by the Minister of France, to wit, "That his most Christian Majesty has determined that L'Orient shall be a free port, and although the edict is not published, may be so considered by the citizens of the United States. And that the merchants of the United States likewise enjoy the liberty of frequenting the ports of Marseilles and Dunkirk, and participate, as other nations, [in] the franchises and privileges of these two places."
That the minister of France, in answer to his letter of the 9 instant, requesting to know what measures had been taken by the United States, relative to the payments of the portions of the principal and interest of the loan of eighteen million livres, furnished by his Most Christian Majesty, and also of five million florins supplied in Holland, and guaranteed by his Majesty, be informed, that as all the legislatures have not yet passed on the recommendations of Congress of the 18 April, 1783, for establishing permanent funds, supplementary requisitions on the states will be adopted to provide for the interest of the loans aforesaid for the present year, and that the greatest care will be taken by subsequent measures for the punctual payment of the principal and interest, as they may respectively become due, according to the terms of the several contracts.1
[Note 1: 1 The report and draft of the letter, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 355. The words lined out are so in the report and not in the Journal. The report was entered also in the Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
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On a report from the late Secretary at War, to whom was referred a petition from several officers of the Pensylvania line;
Some of the officers of the Pennsylvania line who have returned from South Carolina at their own expence, have been compensated. I see no reason why Col. Craig and others whose petition has been referred to me should be deprived of that benefit.
I therefore submit to the consideration of Congress the propriety of passing the following resolve--
Resolved, That the Secretary in the War Office be, and he is hereby directed to issue warrants on the paymaster general, in favor of Colonel Craig, Lieutenant Stricker, Captain Seely, Lieutenant Thornbury and Captain Claypoole, for a like sum that has been allowed to other officers of the Pensylvania line, to refund their expences in returning from South Carolina.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the form of a letter from Benjamin Lincoln, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, III, folio 249.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [George] Partridge and Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase, to whom was referred a memorial of Robert Patton;
The Committee to whom was referred the petition of Robert Patten for an encrease of his wages as Doorkeeper, Report.
Resolved, That the sum of ten dollars per month be allowed to Robert Patton, messenger, in addition to his salary, from the 12 of November last, until the first of April 26 day of May next.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Samuel Hardy, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 49. The words lined out are so in the report and not in the Journal. Patton's memorial is in No. 41, VIII, folio 120.]
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [George] Partridge and Mr. [Arthur] Lee, to whom was referred a letter of February 5, from Brigadier General Hazen, having reported,
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The Committee to whom was referred a letter from Brigr. General Hazen of the 5th Feby. to the President of Congress alledging that for some time he had the command, and has been subject to the expence of a Brigr. Genl. and requesting that in settling his accts. he may be allowed the emoluments or pay of a Brigr. Genl. in the line, beg leave to report,
That by a resolution of Congress on the 29th of June, 1781, General Hazen obtained the rank of Brigadier General by Brevet, which rank he continued to hold when the late reductions were made in the Army.
That on the 10th of September, 1783, Congress were pleased to direct that the Paymaster General be informed that Brevet Commissions do not entitle to pay or emoluments unless the same be expressed in the Resolution granting such commission, which instruction seems to be in perfect conformity with a former act of the 30th. of April, 1778.
The Committee further observe, that by an act of the 15th of Dec., 1781, major Edward Giles, a brevet officer, a particular officer who was a Major by Brevet was allowed the pay and subsistence of a Major while in actual service, on which your Committee submit the following resolve.
"That in settling the accounts of Brigadier General Moses Hazen, he be allowed the pay and subsistance of a brigadier general in the line of the army, so long as he may have commanded a brigade, and not longer."1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 105.]
A motion was made by Mr. [George] Partridge, seconded by Mr. [Richard] Beresford, to strike out "subsistance," and in lieu thereof insert "emoluments;" and to strike out what follows "brigadier general," and in lieu thereof insert, "from the date of his brevet commission as brigadier:" And on the question to agree to this amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson,
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So the question was lost.
The question being then put, to agree to the report of the committee, was also lost.
[Motion of Mr. Hugh Williamson]
That the amount of subsistence continued to be advanced to certain Canadian officers in consequence of the Act of the 9th. of August last after the reduction of the Corps to which they respectively belonged shall be passed to their debit in settling their amount of pay or half pay, and that no farther advances be made to any officer above the rank of a Captain.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, undated, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 557.
On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter, dated March 30, 1784, from the Governor of Massachusetts and referred to Mr. [John] Beatty, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [Edward] Hand. It is in No. 65, II, folio 243. Committee Book, No. 186, says that the committee reported May 11. See post, May 17, the list of reports to be referred to the Committee of the States.]
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