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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 --TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1784.
The Committee of the States assembled: Present, nine states as yesterday.
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [Jonathan] Blanchard, and Mr. [Jeremiah Townley] Chase, to whom was referred a letter from Mr. P. Muhlenberg, to his Excellency the President of Congress, dated Philadelphia, July 5, 1784, reported the draft of a letter to be signed by the chairman of the Committee of the States, and transmitted to the executive of the State of Virginia, together with a copy of said letter; which was agreed to.
Sir,
The inclosed copy of a letter which I transmit you by order of the United States in the Committee of the States assembled will shew pretty clearly the state of Indian affairs in the western frontier of the United States, and point the exertions of your Excellency and the Legislature to such measures as may be proper and necessary on the part of Virginia to avert the danger to the Community apprehended by General Muhlenberg the writer.
Congress previous to their adjournment appointed Commissioners, gave the necessary instructions and made other arrangements requisite on their part for forming a General Treaty of peace with the Indians as far Southward as the Cherokees.
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But if settlers persons under grants from Virginia are permitted to enter upon and settle the Lands westward of the Ohio and establish themselves before the Treaty is compleate and a line of property ascertained between the Indian villages and hunting grounds, and the United States it seems impossible to avoid an immediate war with those people.
The paragraph of General Muhlenberg's letter respecting "the Gentlemen who received the Illinois Grant of 150,000 acres &c:" appears to point to the Land reserved by the State of Virginia out of the Territory ceded to the United States as a gratuity for Genl. George Rogers Clarke his officers and men.
It never was the idea of Congress that such Grant should be located or possession of the land taken till the general arrangements necessary for concluding a peace and establishing fixing a Boundary between the United States and the Indian Nations should have been carried into effect and the public tranquility insured established.
Should an Indian War be brought on in consequence of the steps taken by the Grantees of the Land just mentioned The cession of Virginia now relied on as a principal hope fund for redeeming the public securities of the United States, would prove an expence and disadvantage to the Union rather than a source from which any pecuniary assistance could be drawn.
The Committee of the States therefore rely that such effectual steps will be immediately taken by the State of Virginia as will to prevent any settlements being made beyond the Ohio lands, not clearly within the former line of property between the State of Virginia and the Indians. And to suppress any such as may have been made untill the measures now carrying into effect for obtaining a general treaty can have their full operation. Also that every possible means be used to prevent a rupture with the Indians bordering on the State of Virginia.
With perfect esteem and regard, I am Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedt. and most hble. servt.,
Saml. Hardy.
His Excellency B. H.
The Govr. of the state of Virginia.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 141. Muhlenberg's letter is in No. 56, folio 113.]
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The committee, consisting of Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [Francis] Dana, and Mr. [Edward] Hand, to whom was referred the motion of Mr. [Jacob] Read (seconded by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight)1 of the 2d instant "That a committee be appointed to prepare a proclamation for a day of solemn prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God, to be observed throughout the United States of America, on the exchange of the instruments of ratification of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty; and the happy completion of the great work of Independency and peace to these United States," reported the following form of a proclamation:
[Note 1: 1 The words in parenthesis are in the report but not in the journal.]
By the United States of America, in the Committee of the States assembled,
A Proclamation.
Whereas it hath pleased the Supreme Ruler of the universe, of his infinite goodness and mercy, so to calm the minds and do away the resentments of the powers lately engaged in a most bloody and destructive war, and to dispose their hearts towards amity and friendship, that a general pacification hath taken place, and particularly a Definitive Treaty of peace between the said United States of America and his Britannic Majesty, was signed at Paris, on the 3d day of September, in the year of our Lord 1783; the instruments of the final ratifications of which were exchanged at Passy, on the 12th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1784, whereby a finishing hand was put to the great work of peace, and the freedom, sovereignty and independence of these states, fully and compleately established: And whereas in pursuit of the great work of freedom and independence,
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and the progress of the contest in which the United States of America have been engaged, and on the success of which the dearest and most essential rights of human nature depended, the benign interposition of Divine Providence hath, on many occasions, been most miraculously and abundantly manifested; and the citizens of the United States have the greatest reason to return their most hearty and sincere praises and thanksgiving to the God of their deliverance; whose name be praised: Deeply impressed therefore with the sense of the mercies manifested to these United States, and of the blessings which it hath pleased God, to shower down on us, of our future dependance, at all times, on his power and mercy as the only source from which so great benefits can be derived; we, the United States of America, in the Committee of the States assembled, do earnestly recommend to the supreme executives of the several states, to set apart Tuesday, the 19th day of October next, as a day of public prayer and thanksgiving, that all the people of the United States may then assemble in their respective churches and congregations, to celebrate with grateful hearts, and joyful and united voices, the mercies and praises of their all-bountiful Creator, most holy, and most righteous! for his innumerable favours and mercies vouchsafed unto them; more especially that he hath been graciously pleased so to conduct us through the perils and dangers of the war, as finally to establish the United States in freedom and independency, and to give them a name and place among the princes and nations of the earth; that he hath raised up great captains and men of war from amongst us, to lead our armies, and in our greatest difficulties and distresses hath given us unanimity to adhere to and assert our just rights and privileges; and that he hath been most graciously pleased also, to raise up a most powerful prince and magnanimous people, as allies, to assist us in effectually
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supporting and maintaining them; that he hath been pleased to prosper the labour of our husbandmen; that there is no famine or want seen throughout our land: And above all, that he hath been pleased to continue to us the light of gospel truths, and secured to us, in the fullest manner, the rights of conscience in faith and worship.
And while our hearts overflow with gratitude, and our lips pronounce the praises of our great and merciful Creator, that we may also offer up our joint and fervent supplications, that it may please him of his infinite goodness and mercy, to pardon all our sins and offences; to inspire with wisdom and a true sense of public good, all our public councils; to strengthen and cement the bonds of love and affection between all our citizens; to impress them with an earnest regard for the public good and national faith and honour, and to teach them to improve the days of peace by every good work; to pray that he will, in a more especial manner, shower down his blessings on Louis the Most Christian King our ally, to prosper his house, that his son's sons may long sit on the throne of their ancestors, a blessing to the people entrusted to his charge; to bless all mankind, and inspire the princes and nations of the earth with the love of peace, that the sound of war may be heard of no more; that he may be pleased to smile upon us, and bless our husbandry, fishery, our commerce, and especially our schools and seminaries of learning; and to raise up from among our youth, men eminent for virtue, learning and piety, to his service in church and state; to cause virtue and true religion to flourish, to give to all nations amity, peace and concord, and to fill the world with his glory.
Done by the United States, in the Committee of the States assembled, witness the honbl Samuel Hardy, chairman, this-- day of--, in the year of our Lord, &c. and in the
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9th of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folios 145--149.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Francis] Dana, seconded by Mr. [Jonathan] Blanchard, to postpone the consideration of the proclamation before the house: And on the question for postponing, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
So the question was lost.
It was then agreed that the consideration of the proclamation be postponed, to make way for a motion made by Mr. [Francis] Dana, seconded by Mr. [Jonathan] Blanchard, as follows:
Whereas Congress do stand adjourned to the 30th day of October next, then to meet at Trenton, in the State of New Jersey, and as it is proper that the public records and papers, now remaining in their office in this city, should be removed from hence to Trenton, and that offices should be prepared for their reception, and the whole be properly arranged before the meeting of Congress, which will require considerable time to effect; and as it is also expedient for the Committee of the States to be prepared to meet Congress in that place;
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And whereas there has not been more than Nine States Represented in the committee f the states since their Meeting on the 26th day of June last, and from the nature of things it is not to be reasonably expected such a Public body should be Unanimous in their sentiments upon Affairs of general concernment to the Union, however sincerely disposed every Member may be to promote its best interest; without which Unanimity no act can be passed, except that of Adjourning, from day to day: And it is to be expected, that in consequence of such Adjournment the states of Delaware, New York, Connecticut and rode Island, neither of which have been represented in the Committee of the States since their Meeting as above, may become represented therein. And as there is not at present any business before the Committee of the States, which requires their immediate attention, which may not be seasonably finished, it is probable a more convenient opportunity may not present itself for their Adjourning without injury to the Public, and for carrying into effect the removal of the Public Records and papers, and arranging the same, against the next Meeting of Congress, which is indispensably necessary to be done.
And as there is not at present any business before the Committee of the States, that require their immediate attention, which may not be seasonably finished:
And whereas there has not been more than nine states represented in the Committee of the States, since their meeting on the 26th day of June last, and as no act, except that of adjourning from day to day, can be passed but by their unanimous consent; and as the delegates now representing two of the states in the Committee of the States, have informed them, that they are under the necessity of returning to their respective states in the course of the next week, and have no expectation that their states will be shortly represented by any other delegates, which will prevent the Committee of the States proceeding to business for an uncertain time; and as a continuance of their session, without a representation of at least nine states, would be altogether useless, the Committee of the States are of opinion, that as a more convenient opportunity cannot present itself for their adjourning,
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without injury to the public, and for carrying into effect the removal of the public records and papers, and arranging the same against the next meeting of Congress, which is indispensably necessary to be done; it is their duty, under these circumstances, to adjourn from hence to Trenton:
Therefore, Resolved, That on this 3d day of August instant the Committee of the States shall stand adjourned to meet at Trenton, in the State of New Jersey, on the second Monday of September next; and that the chairman be, and he hereby is authorised and directed, to adjourn the Committee of the States, on the said 3d day of August instant to meet at Trenton, on the said second Monday of September next, for the dispatch of public business.
Resolved, That the Secretary of Congress, and the Under Secretary in the Office for Foreign Affairs, take order for the removal and arrangement of the public records and papers, in their respective offices as above mentioned, as soon after the day of the adjournment of the Committee of the States, from this city to Trenton, as may be, so that the whole may be in order by the day of their meeting there.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Jonathan Blanchard and Francis Dana, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 67.]
A motion was then made by Mr. [Edward] Hand, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read, to postpone the consideration of the motion made by Mr. [Francis] Dana, in order to introduce the following:
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare an ordinance for making the necessary arrangements of the treasury, and for more particularly defining the powers of the board of treasury; to revise the institution of the office of foreign affairs, and of the war office; and to report such alterations as they may judge necessary.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Edward Hand, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 71.]
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On the question to postpone for the purpose abovementioned, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Francis] Dana,
So the question was lost.
On the question to agree to the motion of Mr. [Francis] Dana, the yeas and nays being required by him,
So the question was lost.
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