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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, NOVEMBER 30, 1784.
The states assembled: Present, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Mr. [William] Ellery, a delegate for Rhode Island, &c. produced the credentials of his appointment; which were read.
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By His Excellency William Greene Esquire, Governor, Captain General and Commander in Chief of and over the State [SEAL] of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
To William Ellery Esqr. Greeting.
Whereas you the said William Ellery was at the Anniversary Election of Officers for the State aforesaid held at Newport, on the First Wednesday in May last, appointed One of the Delegates to represent the said State in Congress: And Whereas the General Assembly at the Session held at Newport on the Second Monday in June last passed an Act that the Delegates appointed as aforesaid, should be empowered to take their Seats in the Congress to be holden at Trenton on the First Monday in November next, and to continue and Act with full Powers as the Delegates of the said State in Congress for One Year from the said First Monday in November. I do therefore hereby empower and authorize you the said William Ellery, to represent the said State in the Congress of the United States of America to be holden at Trenton as aforesaid, and to continue and act as a Delegate of the said State in the said Congress whensoever and wheresoever the said Congress shall meet for One Year from & after the said First Monday in November. And for your so doing this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said State this Twenty-eighth Day of October A.D. 1784 and in the Ninth Year of Independence.
W. Greene.
By his Excellency's Order
Henry Ward, Secry.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Rhode Island, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
The committee, to whom were referred the credentials produced by the delegates from the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, report, "That they have carefully examined the credentials to them referred, and are of opinion, that the honorable Samuel Holten and George Partridge, of the State of Massachusetts; the honorable
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David Howell, of the State of Rhode Island; the honorable William Churchill Houston and John Beatty, of the State of New Jersey; the honorable Joseph Gardner and William Henry, of Lancaster, of the State of Pensylvania; the honorable Samuel Hardy, James Monroe and Richard Henry Lee, of the State of Virginia; the honorable Hugh Williamson and Richard Dobbs Spaight, of the State of North Carolina; the honorable Jacob Read, John Bull and Charles Pinckney, of the State of South Carolina; and the honorable William Houstoun and William Gibbons, of the State of Georgia, appear to be clearly and indisputably entitled to their seats, are authorised to sit and vote in the present Congress of the United States."1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 261.]
Eight states being assembled, the United States in Congress assembled, proceeded to the election of a President, and, the ballots being taken, the honorable Richard Henry Lee was elected.
On motion of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [David] Howell,
Resolved, That the several matters which were before the United States in Congress assembled, at the time of their adjournment, and which were left unfinished by the Committee of the States, shah be taken up in the present Congress.
On motion of Mr. [David] Howell, seconded by Mr. [George] Partridge,
Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for the election of two commissioners of the Board of Treasury, in the room of the honorable Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, whose health
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will not admit of his attendance, and the honorable Oliver Ellsworth, who has declined the appointment.1
[Note 1: 1 Ellsworth's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VIII, folio 417.
On this or an approximate date was read a petition of sundry persons asking leave to take up lands northwest of the River Ohio. It is in No. 42, VI, folio 105.
Also, a letter of August 4, 1784, from Arthur Lee. It is in No. 56, folio 129. See post, December 2, 1784.
Also, a letter of November 1 from Jos. Carleton. It was referred to Mr. [Samuel] Holten, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [James] Monroe and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson. It is in No. 60, folio 91.
Also, a letter of August 19 from Eben Hazard. It is in No. 61, folio 177.
Also, a letter of September 30 from the Superintendent of Finance. It is in No. 137, III, folio 719.
Also, a letter of the same date from him. It is on folio 793.
Also, a letter of August 7 from Colonel Josiah Harmar. It is in No. 163, folio 381.
Also, a letter of August 4, 1784, from the Secretary at War. It is in No. 167, folio 415.
Also, a letter of November 6 from John Pierce, Paymaster General. It is in No. 62, folio 53.]
On motion of Mr.[Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [David] Howell,
Ordered, That the treaty of Amity and Commerce between his Swedish Majesty and the United States of America be published.
Marine Office 26th. Oct. 1784.
Sir
At a marine Court Martial begun and held at Boston on the twenty ninth day of September last for the trial of Nicholas Gardner late a Lieutenant in the Frigate Alliance on a charge brought against him by Capt. Barry for disobedience of orders, the Court have sentenced the said Nicholas Gardner to forfeit his Commission, with proviso that such sentence should not affect any wages or prize money due to the said Nicholas Gardner, on or before the 26th. day of November, 1782, when the disobedience of orders happened.
This sentence I have confirmed, and it now becomes my duty to mention that the Court after pronouncing the sentence have expressed a favorable opinion of Mr Gardner's merit as an officer and earnestly recommend him to the further service of the United States.
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Copy of what they say is enclosed, and I must pray the sense of the United States in Congress upon it.
Robt. Morris.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 739. Probably it was read on this or an approximate date. Copy of the opinion of the Court is on folio 745.]
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