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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 --WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, the same as yesterday.
Mr. John Vining and Mr. Gunning Bedford, two of the delegates for the State of Delaware, attended, and produced credentials of their appointment, which were read.2
[Note 2: 2 On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a memorial of Brigadier General Lanenville. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, V, folios 325--335.
Also, on this or an approximate date, a memorial of James Span. It is in No. 41, IX, folio 289.
Also, on this or an approximate date, a petition, dated New Jersey, November 4, 1784, of Phineas Manning, Robert Ross, Junr., and James Coddington. It is in No. 42, V, folio 301.
Also, as the indorsement states, a letter of July 5 from John Avery, secretary of the Massachusetts Council. It is in No. 65, II, folio 247.
Also, a letter of November 22 from Matthew Griswold, Governor of Connecticut. It is in No. 66, II, folio 280.
Also, a letter of September 29 from Bowen Reed for the New Jersey Council. It is in No. 68, folio 637.
Also, a letter of November 22 from Benjamin Thompson, which was referred to Mr. [John] Bull, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [William] Henry. It is in No. 78, XXII, folio 296. Committee Book, No. 186, says a report was made March 14 1785.]
The Delaware State, To all to whom these Presents shall come, send Greeting. Whereas our General Assembly [SEAL] Nich.s. Van Dyke. at their Sessions of Assembly held at Dover, on the twenty sixth Day of this present Month of October, did, according to the Form prescribed by the Constitution, elect The Honorable John Vining, Gunning Bedford the younger, James Tilton and Samuel Patterson, Esquires, Delegates to represent this State in the Congress of the United States of America, from the first Day of November next ensuing, until the first Day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty
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Five: Now know Ye, that We do by these Presents, in pursuance of the said Appointment, commissionate the said John Vining, Gunning Bedford the younger, James Tilton and Samuel Patterson, Esquires, Delegates to represent the said State in the Congress of The United States aforesaid; hereby vesting them severally and respectively with all and singular the Privileges, Powers and Authorities to the said Office or Place of Delegate belonging by virtue of the said Constitution and the Appointment aforesaid: To have and to hold to them the said John Vining, Gunning Bedford, James Tilton and Samuel Patterson, Esquires, severally and respectively the said Office or Place of Delegate as aforesaid, during the Term aforesaid, unless they, or either of them, shall in the mean time be superseded by our General Assembly agreeable to the Constitution aforesaid. In Testimony whereof We have caused our Great Seal to be hereunto affixed. Witness His Excellency Nicholas Van Dyke, Esquire, Our President, Captain-General and Commander in Chief, at New Castle, the thirtieth Day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four, and in the Ninth Year of our Independency.
Attest,
Jas. Booth, Sec:1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Delaware, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
The Superintendent of Finance to whom it was referred to report a reasonable allowance for the time and expenses of Tench Francis while employed in going to Boston and superintending the bringing from thence the money imported by the Chevalier de Langle Begs leave to report,
That the service in which the said Tench Francis was employed was not only important in its own nature; but particularly so from the time and from the attending circumstances by which he was exposed to danger, in his person, his property and his reputation had any attempt been made on the treasure or considerable loss been sustained.
That the usual compensation paid to Bankers in Europe for money negotiations, where no such trouble is incurred, nor hazard encountered is one half pr. cent. but in such eases the loss of counting is to be sustained by the Banker, & the gain goes to his benefit.
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That in the present case Congress have directed the sum of four hundred and six dollars and sixty ninetieths to be passed to the credit of the said Tench Francis being the amount of an error in the receipt given by him.
The following resolution is therefore submitted:
That Tench Francis be allowed one half per cent upon the money imported by the Chevalier de Langle for, receiving paying and superintending the transportation thereof from Boston to Philadelphia, deducting from the amount of the said one half per cent the sum heretofore passed to his credit by the resolution of the 19th of April last.
All which is humbly submitted.
Office Of Finance Oct 1st 1784.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 735. The indorsement states that it was read this day.]
Office Of Finance 1st Nov. 1784.
Sir,
I have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency, and pray you will deliver to the United States in Congress, the Commission by which I was appointed Superintendant of their Finances. It gives me great pleasure to reflect that the situation of public affairs is more prosperous than when that Commission issued. The Sovereignty and Independence of America are acknowledged. May they be firmly established and effectually secured! This can only be done by a just and vigorous Government. That these States therefore may be soon and long united under such a Government is my ardent wish and constant prayer.
Robt. Morris.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 753. From the indorsement it appears to have been referred to Mr. W[illiam] C[hurchill] Houston, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [James] Monroe. The indorsement further states: March 14 [1785] Mr. Read Mr. [James] Monroe, Mr. [Rufus] King. Committee Book, No. 186, says the first Committee was renewed January 17 [1785]. The letter was probably read on this or an approximate date. The commission is on folio 751.]
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