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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 --THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina,
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South Carolina and Georgia; and from New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster; from Rhode Island, Mr. [William] Ellery, and from Connecticut, Mr. [Joseph Platt] Cook.
The committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Jay, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, to whom was referred a letter of the 6th, from the Marquis de la Fayette, report, that in the opinion of the committee, the merit and services of the Marquis render it proper that such an opportunity of taking leave of Congress be afforded him, as may strongly manifest their esteem and regard for him; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a committee, to consist of one member from each State, be appointed to receive the Marquis, and in the name of Congress to take leave of him. That they be instructed to assure him, that Congress continue to entertain the same high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America both here and in Europe, which they have frequently expressed and manifested on former occasions, and which the recent marks of his attention to their commercial and other interests have perfectly confirmed. That as his uniform and unceasing attachment to this country has resembled that of a patriotic citizen, the United States regard him with particular affection, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and prosperity, and that their best and kindest wishes will always attend him.
Resolved, That this particular and singular mark of respect and attention to the marquis shall not be considered as a precedent on any future occassion.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Jay, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 249. Lafayette's letter is on folio 253. Committee Book, No. 186, gives the Committee as Mr. [Abiel] Foster, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Joseph Platt] Cook, Mr. [John] Jay, Mr. [John] Beatty, Mr. [William] Henry, Mr. [Gunning] Bedford, Mr. [John Francis] Mercer, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [William] Houstoun.]
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On motion of Mr. [John Francis] Mercer, seconded by Mr. [Jacob] Read,
Resolved, That a letter be written to his Most Christian Majesty, to be signed by his Excellency the President of Congress, expressive of the high sense, which the United States in Congress assembled, entertain of the zeal, talents and meritorious services of the Marquis of Fayette, and recommending him to the favour and patronage of his Majesty.1
[Note 1: 1 The proceedings for this day were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, in Secret Journal, No. 4, and in Secret Journal, No. 6, Vol. III.]
The Committee, consisting of Mr [Samuel] Holten Mr William Churchill Houstoun, Mr [Jacob] Read, Mr [Gunning] Bedford and Mr [Samuel] Hardy, to whom were referred the letters from the Ministers of the United States at foreign Courts, Submit the following Report:
That the Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the States General of the United Netherlands, Be instructed to Communicate to Mons. de St. Saphorin, envoy extraordinary from his Danish Majesty to the States General. The high Sense, the United States in Congress assembled entertain of the liberal decision made by his Majesty on the Question proposed to his Majesty's Minister at the Hague by Mr Adams Minister from the United States, respecting the ordination of American Candidates for Holy orders in the Episcopal Church, Commonly called the church of England; and that the Secretary ofCongressforeign affairs do take order for making public the information contained in the despatch from the Danish Prime Minister, communicated to Mr Adams by Mons. de St. Saphorin.
The Committee pray leave further to Report that the United States in Congress assembled having on theday oflast appointed the honorable John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson Esqrs. their Commissioners for negotiating Commercial Treaties with several powers in Europe and Elsewhere, with Plenipotentiary powers and proper instructions, It is become unnecessary for Congress to give any particular orders respecting the project of a Treaty with the King of Prussia transmitted to Congress by Mr
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Adams; but that, as it is alledged to be the wish of his Prussian Majesty to have the Treaty between his Majesty and the United States concluded at the Hague with his Minister the Baron Thulimyer. That the Commissioners of the United States, if they shall deem it expedient be, and they or any two or more of them are hereby authorized to repair to the Hague to execute such Treaty accordingly.
The Committee further beg leave to report that the annexed draft of a letter marked A be adopted by Congress and that a number signed by the President be transmitted to the Ministers of the United States in Europe to be by them forwarded to the respective Sovereigns and States in Europe and elsewhere, that have not already entered into negociations or signed Treaties with the United States--and that said Commissioners be, and they are severally hereby authorized to fill up the direction and other Blanks in such letters in the manner accustomed and proper.
Your Committee further report it as their opinion, that tis highly necessary and expedient, that a Minister be appointed by the United States to reside constantly at the Court of London; and that considering the present disposition of that Court towards these United States, this Measure admits of no delay.
Your Committee conceive that the many attempts to cramp the intercourse of the United States with the British West India Islands, and other restrictions on our trade have originated from the constant ill offices and misrepresentations of certain Refugees from these United States, who avail themselves of every opportunity to wreak their vengeance on a Country from Which they suppose themselves forever exiled.
Your Committee are of opinion, that the presence of an American Minister would tend to defeat their machinations and in fine produce a more liberal intercourse between these States, and the possessions of the Crown of Great Britain. Nor can the least doubt be entertained; but that a Minister from these U. S. would meet with a most respectful and proper reception at the British Court.
The Committee therefore submit the following Resolves:
Resolve, That on theday ofthis Instant December, the United States in Congress assembled will proceed to the choice of some fit person to reside constantly at the Court of London as their Minister Plenipotentiary to his Britannic Majesty, and also of a Secretary of Legation to that Court.
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Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare a draft of Instructions for the Minister of the United States proposed to be sent to the Court of London.
The United States of America in Congress assembled to--
Health,
The People inhabiting the Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, heretofore under the Dominion of the Crown of Great Britain, having for sundry reasons set forth in their declaration of the 4th July, 1776, found it necessary to declare and accordingly declared themselves, Free, Sovereign and Independent.
They afterwards for their mutual security and defence entered into Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union, assuming the Stile and announcing themselves to the Nations of the Earth by the name of "The United States of America."
After a war of near eight years' continuance, by the blessing of divine Providence and the interposition and assistance of a great and magnanimous Ally, The United States of America have terminated their dispute with Great Britain by a definitive treaty of peace, signed at Paris on the 3rd of September 1783, the ratifications of which have since been duly exchanged. Whereby his Britannic Majesty hath formally and solemnly acknowledged the said United States to be free sovereign and Independent States, that he treated with them as such and for himself his heirs and successors, relinquished all claims to the Government, proprietary and territorial right of the same and every part thereof.
The United States of America having thus taken a Station among the Nations as a Sovereign Power, it is our earnest wish to live in the most perfect Harmony and a constant interchange of good offices and correspondence with the respective Sovereigns of Europe, and of all other parts of the world and particularly with your Majesty.
We have therefore embraced the earliest opportunity of making this communication with the utmost respect to your--Majesty, not doubting but that you will hear with pleasure of the prosperity of our confederated Republics, and join in the furtherance of a friendly intercourse, between your subjects and the Citizens of these United States.
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We pray God constantly to have your Majesty in his most holy keeping.
Done at Trenton, in the State of New Jersey, By the United States of America in Congress assembled and Signed with the hand of his Excellency Richard Henry Lee our President, thisday ofIn the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and in the Ninth year of our Sovereignty and Independence.
Attest.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folios 381--8. The indorsement states that it was read on this day; and on Tuesday, March 1, 1785, postponed.]
That the S. F. A. deliver transmit to the Executives of the Dif. States, copies of Mr Adams' letter of the 22nd day of April 1784 as well as its inclosures relative to episcopal ordination, to such members of Congress as may apply for the same.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, undated, in the writing of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 389.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, a letter of December 9, 1784, from John Blair was referred to Mr. [John] Bull, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [William] Henry. It is in No. 78, IV, folio 453. Committee Book, No. 186, says that a report was made February 16, 1785.
Also, a letter of December 5 from Daniel Jones was read. It is in No. 78, XIII, folio 313.
Also, a letter of September 29 from Charles Stockly. It was referred to Mr. [John] Bull, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [William] Henry. The indorsement further states that the Committee reported March 16, 1785. It is in No. 78, XXI, folio 361. Committee Book, No. 186, gives the date of the report as March 14.
Also, a letter of December 8 from [François] Carbonneaux transmitting a memorial from inhabitants of Kaskaskia, Illinois, which was referred to Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, Mr. [Egbert] Benson, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [David] Howell. It is in No. 30, folio 455. Committee Book, No. 186, says the committee reported February 15, 1785.]
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