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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, MAY 18, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland and Virginia; and from the State of North Carolina, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, and from South Carolina, Mr. [Richard] Beresford.
A motion being before the House and Mr. Howell rising to speak, he was called to order and the Congress was called upon to determine on this question.
Is Mr. Howell in order to speak as a Member of Congress.
A motion was made by Mr. [Arthur] Lee, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, as follows:
"Whereas it is expedient necessary to expedite the holding treaties with the Indian nations, which it appears cannot be done but under the protection of an armed force;
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Therefore Resolved, That the Secretary in the War Office be directed, and he is hereby directed, to order three hundred men to be in readiness to march when and to what place or places the commissioners for negotiating with the Indians, or any two of them, shall direct; and that the commanding officer of the said troops give such protection to the negotiators commissioners as they, or any two of them, shall require. And that the said secretary give order to the different keepers of the public stores, to furnish to the order of the Commissioners, or any two of them, such tents, marquees and other articles, as the said Commissioners shall think proper.
Resolved, That the Superintendant of finance take order for purchasing and transmitting the articles necessary for the Indian treaties, (according to a list hereunto annexed,) to such places as the Commissioners appointed to negotiate with the Indians, or any two of them, shall direct. That he furnish such additional articles, not exceeding the sum ofdollars, as the said commissioners shall order, and that he contract with such persons as he may think proper, to furnish sixty thousand rations for the Indian treaties, at such places as the Commissioners or any two of them shall direct, together with such things as shall be necessary for the expences of the said Commissioners during the negotiation.
Resolved, That the commissioners for negotiating with the Indians, or any two of them, being a majority of those present, be empowered to do the business of the commission, and to appoint a secretary, Messengers, interpreters, Storekeepers, and such artificers as they may find necessary, and to agree with them for their pay, for which they shall draw warrants on the treasury."1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 87.]
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Mr. [David] Howell rising to speak to this motion, was called to order by Mr. [John Francis] Mercer; and he having sat down, the following question was put to the house:
Is Mr. [David] Howell in order to speak as a member of Congress
On this the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John Francis] Mercer,
{table}
The votes of Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [David] Howell, on behalf of the State of Rhode Island, were objected to.
The Committee [Mr. Edward Hand, Mr. Roger Sherman and Mr. John Beatty] to whom was referred a memorial of Samuel Prentice late a Lieutenant Colonel in the Continental line of the State of Connecticut, praying that he may be allowed the difference of pay and rations between the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel Commandant during the time he commanded the 1st. Connecticut regiment agreeably to what he conceives to be the practice of the Army, beg leave to report--
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That the Mem orial of Samuel Prentice be referred to the Pay Master General to report.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Edward Hand, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 213. The indorsement states that it was entered this day.]
The Committee of the Week [Mr. Richard Dobbs Spaight, Mr. James Wadsworth and Mr. George Partridge] report that the Agreed. petition of Edward V. Brown praying for the settlement and payment of his accounts for bread and flour supplied the Navy Board, be referred to the agent of Marine to take order
That the memorial of John Bradford praying that the debts contracted Agreed. by him as agent for the United States in the Referred to Comtt. just chosen Marine Department may be discharged, or that his estate may be protected against suits brought for such debts, be committed.
That the Petition of Joseph Nourse praying for an additional Agreed. grant for extra services in his office be referred over to the next Congress.
That the Petition of Col. B. Johnson praying for a settlement of Referred to committee as chosen. his accounts against the United States for bombshells supplied the Commissary of Military Stores be referred to a Committee.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of George Partridge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 549. It is undated, but doubtless belongs to this period.]
Agreed to Committee of the Week [Mr. Richard Dobbs Spaight, Mr. James Wadsworth and Mr. George Partridge] report that the petition of Danl. Waters and others late officers of the Marine praying that they may be allowed for the depreciation of their pay whilst in the public service be referred to the agent of Marine to report.
That the petition of Wm. Smith and others in behalf of the trustees of the public school at Wilmington praying that the damages done to their school house, by its being improved [employed] as a public hospital, may be paid to them--lie on the Table.
That the petition of F. Cazeau praying that an order may pass to enable him to receive the benefit of an Act of Congress of the 18th. March last in his favor, lie on the table till the report of a committee on that subject shall be considered.
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That the petition of Robert Shewell praying that justice may be obtained for him in the case of the brig Le Amiable Elizabeths's being seized upon and disposed of by Nicholas Gill, Esq., commissary and judge of the Vice Admirality at Newfound Land be referred to the Committee of the States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of George Partridge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 551. It is undated, but doubtless belongs to this period.]
The Committee of the week [Mr. Richard Dobbs Spaight, Mr. James Wadsworth and Mr. George Partridge] to whom was referred the memorial of William Millar, late Captain Lieutenant in the 1st Regt. of Artillery commanded by Col. Charles Harrison, setting forth that at the time three months' pay was issued to the army he was not present, and by reason of certain circumstances in his case, he cannot obtain the same without the interference of Congress, and praying for a special resolution in his favor, beg leave to report, that sst. memorial be referred to a special committee.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 563.]
The Committee of the week [Mr. Richard Dobbs Spaight, Mr. James Wadsworth and Mr. George Partridge] report that the letter from William A. Patterson May 4, 1784, praying that a Brevet of Major may be given him lie on the table.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Richard Dobbs Spaight, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, folio 516. It is undated, but was made on this or an approximate date. Patterson's letter is on folio 513.]
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