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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 --MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and from the State of New Jersey, Mr. [Samuel] Dick.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Roger] Sherman and Mr. [Arthur] Lee, to whom was referred a 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 public concerns is necessary as can be rarely expected. That if each of the thirteen states should be represented by two members, five out of twenty-six, being only a fifth of the whole, may negative any measure requiring the voice of nine states: that of eleven states now on the floor of Congress, nine being represented by only two members from each, it is in the power of three out of twenty-five, making only one-eighth of the whole, to negative such a measure, notwithstanding that by the Articles of Confederation, the dissent of five out of thirteen being more than one-third of the number, is necessary for such a negative. That in a representation of three members from each State, not less than ten of thirty-nine could so negative a matter requiring the voice of nine states: that from facts under the observation of Congress they are clearly convinced, that a representation of two members from the several States, is extremely injurious by producing delays, and for this reason is likewise much more expensive than a general representation of three members from each State: that therefore Congress conceive it to be indispensably necessary, and earnestly recommend, that each State, at all times when Congress are sitting, be hereafter represented by three
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members at least; as the most injurious consequences may be expected from the want of such representation.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 185.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [John] Beatty and Mr. [Abiel] Foster, to whom was referred a letter of 21 January, from the Superintendant of finance, relative to an account of Tench Francis;
The Committee consisting of Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [John] Beatty, and Mr. [Abiel] Foster to whom was referred a letter from the Superintendent of Finance of the 21st. January, 1784, relative to an account of Tench Francis, Report,
That it appears from said letter that Tench Francis was employed in the year 1782 to go to Boston to superintend the bringing from thence the money brought by the Chevalier de Langle--That the business was by him performed with the greatest care and fidelity, and that he had not received any reward for his service.
That in counting the money there was an error of three hundred and sixty six crowns equal to four hundred and six dollars and sixty ninetieths and that Mr. Francis gave a receipt for the whole sum on account of the United States.
Resolved, That the sum of four hundred and six dollars and sixty ninetieths of a dollar be passed to the credit of Tench Francis, in the treasury books, being the amount of an error in the receipt given by him on account of the United States, for three hundred and sixty-six crowns more than he received.
That the Superintendant of finance report to Congress, a reasonable allowance for the time and expences of said T. Francis, while employed in the year 1782, in going to Boston, and superintending the bringing from thence the money imported by the Chevalier de Langle.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Abiel Foster, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 317.]
Congress took into consideration the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, Mr. [Jeremiah Townley]
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Chase and Mr. [David] Howell, to whom was re-committed their report of a plan for a temporary government of the Western territory:
When a motion was made by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read, to strike out the following paragraph;
"That after the year 1800 of the Christian æra, there shall be neither slavery nor unvoluntary servitude in any of the said states, otherwise than in punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been convicted to have been personally guilty:" And on the question, shall the words moved to be struck out stand the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [David] Howell,
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So the question was lost, and the words were struck out.
The Delegates of N. York inform Congress that the Legislature of sd. State at their last session passed the following resolutions, Viz.
"Resolved, That the Delegates of this State be and they are hereby Instructed to Represent to the united States in Congress assembled that this State Deem it Essentially necessary to make Provision
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to garrison their Posts immediately on the Evacuation thereof by the British troops; that therefore the Said Delegates request the united States in Congress assembled to Declare the number of troops which they may Deem necessary for Such garrisons, the Said Delegates at the same tune informing the united States in Congress assembled that it is the opinion of this Legislature that a body of troops not Exceeding five hundred Rank and file properly officered would be adequate for the purposes aforesaid." Whereupon sd. delegates submit the following resolution--
Resolved, That the State of N. York be and it is hereby authorized to keep up and maintain at its own expence any body of troops not exceeding five hundred rank and file properly officered to garrison the forts necessary for the defence of sd. State.1
[Note 1: 1 The motion, in the writing of David Howell and Ephraim Paine, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 339. The indorsement states that it was made on this day, and postponed "till Congress shall have decided on the report respect the taking possession of western posts."
On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of the 19th from Henry Remsen, Jr. It is in No. 78, XIX, folio 467.
Also, a letter of the 17th from Baron Steuben. It is in No. 164, folio 255,]
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